Man killed by three teenagers

Three 16 year old boys have been arrested for killing a 35 year old man in Welipanna yesterday.

Indian visas halted at IVS due to ‘security incident’

The visa application center of the Indian High Commission in Colombo has been closed until further notice due to a security incident reported last night, the Indian High Commission said.

Postal ballot papers printed for seven districts: Government Printer

Postal ballot papers for the Local Government election in seven districts have already been printed, Government Printer Gangani Kalpana Liyanage said.

Govt. Printer influenced to stop printing ballot papers: Handunnetti

Claiming that the Government Printer has been influenced by the President to suspend printing of ballot papers, the National People’s Power (NPP) today urged the Elections Commission to summon the Government Printer and question regarding the matter.

Sri Lanka set to import low quality drugs from India - Govt. Pharmacists

Unregistered and low-quality drugs are to be imported with the Sri Lankan government’s endorsement, Ajith Thennakoon of the Society of Government Pharmacists charged today.

Woman pulled alive from rubble in Turkey after a week; death toll passes 33,000

Rescuers pulled a woman alive from the rubble of a collapsed building in Turkey on Monday, broadcaster CNN Turk reported, a week after a major earthquake struck Turkey and Syria killing more than 33,000 people.

Hong Kong Company invests US$ 3.5 mn in bra cup manufacturing in SL

A Hong Kong-based company, Grand Gain Industrial Ltd. (GG), specialized in the development, manufacturing and sale of polyurethane foam cups for the bra industry, has invested US$ 3.5 million in the recently declared open BOI-approved fully-fledged bra cups manufacturing facility in Rambukkana.

Railway strike called off

Trade Union action launched by the Sri Lanka Railways Engine Drivers’ Union this morning has been called off after discussions with relevant authorities.

US envoy discusses investment in SL with Boeing company

US ambassador Julie Chung held discussions with the officials of a US-based leading global aerospace company, Boeing, on the ‘potential areas for collaboration with Sri Lanka’s private sector.’

AG files revision application challenging legality of Magistrate’s decision to release Mudalige

The Attorney General has filed a revision application in Colombo High Court challenging the legality of the order issued by Colombo Chief Magistrate to release Convener of Inter University Students’ Federation (IUSF) Wasantha Mudalige from a case filed for allegedly committing offences under Prevention of Terrorism Act (PTA).

President vows to implement development programs to restore strong economy of North

President Ranil Wickremesinghe said that the economy could not be built through the reconciliation alone and the economic development rate of the country depends on the attitude and commitment of the people, President’s Media Division (PMD) said.

Two women survive for days in earthquake rubble as death toll tops 24,150 in Turkey

Rescuers in Turkey pulled two women alive from the rubble of collapsed buildings after they were being trapped for 122 hours following the region’s deadliest quake in two decades, authorities said on Saturday.

Sri Lanka donates “Ceylon Tea” to earthquake victims in Turkiye

Sri Lanka has donated a consignment of “Ceylon Tea” to the victims of the devastating earthquakes in Türkiye, Ministry of Foreign Affairs said.

Another minor tremor reported from Wellawaya

A minor earth tremor of Magnitude 2.3 on the Richter scale was reported from Wellawaya around 3 am today, the Geological Survey and Mines Bureau said.

Large Chinese delegation to visit SL

A large Chinese delegation comprising officials from Chinese government, Provincial governments and companies will visit Sri Lanka next month, Chinese Ambassador to Sri Lanka Qi Zhenhong said.

Contempt of Court application by HRCSL against CEB Chairman dismissed by SC

A contempt of court application filed by the Human Rights Commission of Sri Lanka (HRCSL) against Chairman of the Ceylon Electricity Board, the Secretary to the Ministry of Power and Energy and the Chairman of the Ceylon Petroleum Corporation for their failure to comply with the settlement to provide uninterrupted electricity for A/L students during the exam period was today dismissed by Supreme Court.

Ruling party members nominated for COPF

Ruling party members of the new Committee on Public Finance have been appointed as per the announcement made by Speaker Mahinda Yapa Abeywardene in Parliament.

ITAK’s petition against rejecting nominations for Maritimepattu Pradeshiya Sabha dismissed by SC

The writ petition filed by Ilankai Tamil Arasu Kadchi (ITAK) seeking an order quashing the decision to reject its nomination papers submitted for the Maritimepattu Pradeshiya Sabha was today dismissed by Supreme Court.

13A or 13+ not a solution to ethnic problem: AKD

The 13th Amendment to the Constitution or 13+ would not be a solution to the ethnic problem, National People’s Power MP Anura Kumara Dissanayake said today.

Minor tremor reported at several places in Moneragala

A minor earth tremor of Magnitude 3 on the Richter scale has been reported from Buttala, Wellawaya and Handapanagala areas in the Moneragala District, the National Building Research Organisation (NBRO) said.

SJB MP Fowzie attends debate on policy statement despite party decision to boycott

Newly sworn in SJB MP A. H. M. Fowzie, who participated in the debate on the policy statement of President Ranil Wickremesinghe despite his party’s decision to boycott the debate, said he will exercise his responsibility towards the nation.

Writ petition against holding LG Election postponed for Feb.23

A Writ petition filed by a retired Army Colonel seeking an order quashing the decision of the Election Commission to hold the Local Government elections was today postponed for February 23 by the Supreme Court.

Lease paid for three SriLankan Aircraft which remain grounded due to engine failure

The SriLankan Airlines have to pay the lease for three Aircraft used by them, which have been grounded for some time due to an engine failure, Minister of Ports and Aviation Nimal Siripala de Silva told Parliament today.

No necessity to issue order on EC to hold LG polls as EC given undertaking to hold elections: SC

The Supreme Court today observed that there is no necessity of issuing a writ of mandamus to hold the Local Government Election as the Election Commission has already given an undertaking to hold the Election in terms of the Laws.

’’We warned Gota cannot perform, it was Viyathmaga who brought him’’: Lanza

Despite our stance that former President Gotabaya Rajapaksa wouldn’t perform, the Viyathmaga group and people brought him to office, Government MP Nimal Lanza said today.

Heart to Heart International donates USD 6.9 mn cancer drugs to SL

The Heart to Heart International has obtained all necessary government approvals for the fourth in-kind donation of urgent medical aid, worth an approximate of Rs. 2.6 billion (USD 6.9 million), to the people of Sri Lanka, Sri Lankan Embassy in the United States said.

Japanese giant Mitsubishi Corp. to wind up Lankan operations next month

Japanese giant Mitsubishi Corporation has decided to wind up operations in Sri Lanka next month after being an integral part of bilateral ties and some of the country’s key infrastructure projects for nearly 60 years.

Exempting non-cash benefits from PAYE tax only benefits Ministers, MPs: Wasantha Yapa

The circular issued by the Inland Revenue Department exempting employees from paying PAYE tax on non-cash benefits would not benefit the government sector employees but would only benefit the Ministers and MPs who recieve a wide range of non-cash benefits, an MP said today.

Pay our Mahapola scholarship payment…

The General Students’ Union of Colombo University staged a protest demanding the immediate payment of overdue Mahapola scholarship payment. Pix by Nisal Baduge

14 govt. MPs request Speaker to appoint Select Committee to probe EC violating their privileges

A group of 14 government MPs have submitted a letter to the Speaker of Parliament requesting him to appoint a Select Committee to investigate into incidents of infringement of privileges of MPs by the Election Commission.