RW gets stern on Public officers - ’Do not take goods, services on credit’

President Ranil Wickremesinghe, in a note to the Cabinet, has stressed that public officers should refrain from obtaining goods and services on credit basis, and any officer who violates this will be held personally responsible for such expenditure.

Notice to commence LG election process sent to Govt. Printers to be gazetted: EC

The notice to commence Local Government election process was handed over to the Government Printers today by the returning officers of relevant districts to be published in a gazette notification.

At least 90 wounded in blast at Pakistan mosque

An explosion took place at a mosque in the northwestern city of Peshawar in Pakistan on Monday, and at least 90 people were wounded, a local police official told Reuters.

Abduction case against Hirunika fixed for February 28

The case against Colombo district former Parliamentarian Hirunika Premachandra, for her alleged involvement in the abduction of a youth using a Defender, was today fixed for February 28 by Colombo High Court.

Discussion underway to launch ’’Southern Odyssey’’ luxury train

Discussions are in progress to launch ’’Southern Odyssey’’ luxury tourist train to facilitate tourists visiting the down south.

Govt. not officially informed of inability to approve IMF funding to SL: Siyambalapitiya

The International Monetary Fund (IMF) had not officially informed the Government of any issue about the approval of funding to Sri Lanka due to China’s moratorium being insufficient, State Minister of Finance Ranjith Siyambalapitiya said today.

Maersk and MSC call it quits on 2M alliance

The world’s number one and two shipping companies Mediterranean Shipping Company (MSC) and AP Moller-Maersk have announced that they will be ending their vessel sharing partnership in January 2025.

March 9 election will be a turning point: AKD

The March 9 Local Government election would be a turning point in Sri Lanka’s political history and a new direction in where the country is heading, National People’s Power (NPP) leader Anura Kumara Dissanayake said today.

US Under Secretary for Political Affairs Victoria Nuland to visit Sri Lanka

Under Secretary of State for Political Affairs Victoria Nuland will travel to Nepal, India,Sri Lanka, and Qatar from January 28 to February 3, 2023, the US State Department said.

Speaker endorses certificate on Regulation of Election Expenditure Bill

Speaker Mahinda Yapa Abeywardena endorsed the certificate on the Regulation of Election Expenditure Bill and the Bureau of Rehabilitation Bill which were debated and passed in Parliament recently.

SJB always resolves internal differences: Harsha

Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB) is unique as its members who have different views are able to come to an agreement at the end of the day, MP Harsha de Silva said today.

Courthouse bewildered as Maithri stayed away from the dock

The Colombo Fort Magistrate today instructed former President Maithripala Sirisena to stand in the dock during a magisterial inquiry as he stayed away from the dock, being an accused in a private plaint in connection with Easter Sunday attacks.

CEB officials, Ministry Secretary threatened by HRCSL officials: Kanchana

Secretary to the Ministry of Power and Energy and the officials that took part in the discussion with Human Rights Commission were pressurized over the matter with regard to proving continuous electricity supply during the A/L examination, Power and Energy Minister Kanchana Wijesekara said.

Parliament prorogued till February 8

President Ranil Wickremesinghe has prorogued Parliament till February 8, 2023, President’s office said.

Court grants more time for Diana to file objections

The Court of Appeal today granted more time for State Minister of Tourism Diana Gamage to file objections against a writ petition filed seeking an order declaring she is disqualified from being a Member of Parliament since she is a British citizen.

Don’t remove forces from Buddhist religious places: Prelates tell Prez

The Mahanayake Theras of all three Chapters said they had requested President Ranil Wickremesinghe not to remove security personnel assigned for the development and security of Buddhist religious places with historical importance in the north, east and other areas in the country.

Former top FBI official arrested in US while returning from Sri Lanka

A former top FBI official in New York has been arrested over his ties to a Russian oligarch, law enforcement sources told ABC News Monday.

38 Sri Lankans repatriated

Thirty eight illegal Sri Lankan migrants who were arrested in Réunion Island of France have been repatriated to Sri Lanka on Wednesday night. The Navy said the group of Sri Lankans were apprehended on January 14 as they were attempting to migrate to the Réunion Island illegally via sea.

Godahewa acquitted and released from SEC case

Former State Minister Nalaka Godahewa and two others were yesterday acquitted and released from the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) case by the Colombo High Court.

Bride turns into Mike Tyson and bites off husband’s ear for having beer with friend

The home coming of a couple in Galatha in Gampola ended up in a dispute yesterday when the bride assaulted the groom for enjoying a beer with one of his friends.

38 Sri Lankans who attempted to illegally enter Réunion Island of France repatriated

Thirty-eight illegal Sri Lankan migrants who were arrested in Réunion Island of France have been repatriated to Sri Lanka last night.

CA quashes Health Minister’s decision to remove Prof. Harendra and others from SLMC

The Court of Appeal today issued a writs of Certiorari quashing former Health Minister Pavithra Wanniaarachi’s decision.

Helping Sri Lanka address its debt issue a priority for Japan - top financial diplomat

Japan says it is treating Sri Lanka as one of its priorities when it comes to helping countries in debt but Japan was not sure when creditors aiming to extend its loans would meet.

China’s EXIM bank gives Sri Lanka debt extension

China’s Export-Import Bank of China (EXIM) has provided Sri Lanka with a debt extension, China’s foreign ministry said on Thursday, confirming a Reuters report earlier this week.

Resignation of EC member will not postpone LG Polls

The resignation of a member of the Elections Commission (EC) would not disrupt the activities of the Commission, former Elections Commission Chairman Mahinda Deshapriya said.

Godahewa acquitted and released from SEC case

Former State Minister Nalaka Godahewa and two others were today acquitted and released from the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) case by the Colombo High Court.

Court issues order preventing IRD collecting APIT from judges

The Court of Appeal has issued an interim order preventing the Inland Revenue Department from collecting Advance Personal Income Tax (APIT) from judges.

UK to support SL to secure extended financial facility with IMF

The U.K has reiterated that as a member of the Paris Club, it stands ready to consider the necessary Financing Assurances to secure an Extended Financing Facility with the International Monetary Fund (IMF) in a timely manner to Sri Lanka.

All SJB MPs to extend their support in discussion with China and India to achieve SL objectives : Harsha

Whilst stating that it is not clear whether the IMF will accept the letter given by China agreeing to grant a debt moratorium to Sri Lanka , the Samagi Jana Balawegaya yesterday offered active support in discussion with China and others to achieve Sri Lanka’s objectives, “Let all the parties sit together and discuss the issue, All SJB MPs are ready to extend their support in this regard,” SJB MP Harsha de Silva told a media briefing. “We were

Uni. teachers declare ‘black week protest’ against arbitrary tax policies

The University Teachers’ Association (UTA) today declared a “black week protest” against the government’s move to heap a burden on people by imposing an arbitrary tax policy, UTA Secretary and Senior Lecturer of Sri Jayawardanapura University, Sujeewa Hettiarachchi said. He tol