IRD’s Rs. 10bn software for tax collection not functioning properly: COPA reveals

It was revealed at the Committee on Public Accounts (COPA) that the Revenue Administration Management Information System (RAMIS), which is established for tax revenue collection in the Inland Revenue Department (IRD) at a cost of Rs. 10 billion was not functioning properly.

Kurunegala MC spends Rs. 60 mn just to remove stone

The Kurunegala Municipal Council has spent a colossal amount of Rs. 60 million to remove a stone at a construction site where a building was being constructed for a Maternity and Child Clinic whereas the approved cost was Rs. 9.3 million, an audit report has revealed.

China donates 1.55 mn injections to SL

China has donated a consignment of 1.55 million syringes of the Recombinant Human Erythropoietin Injection (Epiao) to Sri Lankan Hospitals, the Chinese Embassy in Sri Lanka said.

Indian diamond heiress’ Eight-year-old daughter becomes a nun

Eight-year-old Devanshi Sanghvi, the daughter of a wealthy Indian diamond merchant renounced the world and became a nun, the BBC reported.

Govt. detached from people’s aspirations cannot bring in economic recovery: AKD

Any government which was detached from people’s true aspirations cannot bring in economic recovery through measures such as imposing taxes, National People Power (NPP) leader Anura Kumara Dissanayake said yesterday.

Even some ministers involved in conspiracy to evict GR: Sagara Kariyawasam

There was a conspiracy hatched to evict former President Gotabaya Rajapaksa, where even some of the ministers at that time, got involved, SLPP General Secretary Sagara Kariyawasam said today.

Two killed, four injured in bus-van collision in Valaichchenai

Two persons including a three months old infant were killed and four women were injured in a head-on collision involving a bus and a van at Valachchenai on the Polonnaruwa-Batticaloa road this afternoon.

Meteorology Department warns of severe lightning

The Meteorology Department warned of thundershowers accompanied by severe lightning at several places in Western and Sabaragamuwa provinces and in Kandy, Nuwara-Eliya, Galle and Matara districts during the afternoon or night.

EC, political parties reach agreement on expenditure for election campaign

The Election Commission and around 85 political parties yesterday reached an agreement on the maximum amount which could be spent by individual candidates and parties at the local government election.

Power and Energy Ministry Secretary, PUCSL Chairman summoned before HRCSL

The Human Rights Commission of Sri Lanka (HRCSL) has summoned Secretary to the Power and Energy Ministry and Chairman of the Public Utilities Commission of Sri Lanka (PUCSL) before the commission tomorrow for an inquiry over their failure to prevent power cuts during the Advanced Level examination.

Mujibur goes before Supreme Court to proceed with LG Election

The Samagi Jana Balawegaya’s (SJB) mayoral candidate of Colombo Municipal Council in the upcoming Local Government Election, Mujibur Rahuman today filed a Fundamental Rights petition in Supreme Council seeking an order quashing the Cabinet Decision to instruct the District Returning Officers not to accept deposits from the Local Government Election candidates.

Committee on High Posts approves HC, Ambassador and two Chairpersons

The Committee on High Posts approved the appointment of a new High Commissioner, an ambassador and two Chairpersons, Secretary General of the Parliament Dhammika Dasanayake said.

Two gang members clash in Jaffna similar to Kollywood style

At least four persons were injured in a clash between the Ava gang and the Kany gang operating in Jaffna today at Chunnakam , Jaffna.

CB assures interest rates can be relaxed after IMF bailout

The Central Bank has said that the interest rates can be relaxed once again with a cash infusion via the Extended Fund Facility (EFF) from International Monetary Fund (IMF).

Johnston asks for Trade Ministry?

Former Highways Minister Johnston Fernando is reported to have sought a cabinet portfolio from President Ranil Wickremesinghe since a new cabinet was sworn in a few months ago, the Daily Mirror learns.

HRC requests Energy Ministry, PUCSL to ensure no power cuts during A/L exam

The Human Rights Commission(HRC) has written to the Secretary of the Ministry of Power and Energy and the Chairman of the Public Utilities Commission of Sri Lanka, to instruct the Ceylon Electricity Board to refrain from scheduling power cuts at any time during the period of the Advanced Level Examinations, from January 23 2023 to February 17, 2023.

Constitutional Council to meet next Wednesday

A meeting of the Constitutional Council will be held next Wednesday (25) at 9.30 am, Chief of Staff and Deputy General Secretary of the Parliament Kushani Rohanadeera said.

Public sector salaries to be paid on time: Minister

State Minister Ranjith Siyambalapitiya assured today that salaries of public sector employees would be paid on the 25th as usual without any delay.

House of Fashions says customer started the violence

The House of Fashions in a statement today explained the assault which took place on Saturday between its staff members and a customer but failed to apologize over the incident and said it was the customer who started the violence.

Govt. to spend Rs.122 Mn to distribute Chinese-gifted diesel stock

The government is expected to spend Rs. 122 million to distribute the diesel consignment which was donated by China free of charge, Agriculture Minister Mahinda Amaraweera said.

Adivasi leaders lobby Human Rights Commission for constitutional, other rights

Sri Lanka Human Rights Commission has initiated inquiries into a complaint by the leaders of the indigenous or Vedda community seeking constitutional recognition and other rights, a statement from it said.

Govt. plotting to postpone LG polls fearing a NPP victory: AKD

The government was making every effort to postpone the Local Government elections as it was perturbed to learn that all surveys and intelligence reports have revealed that the National People’s Power (NPP) or the compass would come on top at the LG polls, NPP leader Anura Kumara Dissanayake said today.

All set for tomorrow’s A/L examination: Com. General

All arrangements have been finalised for the Advanced Level Examination which is to commence tomorrow at 2200 examination centres islandwide, Commissioner General of Examinations Amith Jayasundara said.

Norway to open an independent probe into adoptions from countries including SL

The Norwegian government has decided to open an independent investigation into international adoptions to Norway, the Minister for Children and Families Kjersti Toppe has stated on January 20, a Norwegian newspaper VG reported.

Bus driver involved in Nanu Oya accident arrested

The 62-year-old driver of the bus involved in the Nanu Oya fatal accident was arrested by the police this afternoon.

Man shot dead in Rajagiriya

A 56-year-old man had died in a shooting incident at Mahaniyara junction, Buthgamuwa in Rajagiriya, Police said.

Radella- Nanu Oya short cut closed temporarily

Steps have been taken to temporarily close the Radella- Nanu Oya short cut on the Nuwara Eliya-Talawakele road for heavy vehicles from today, Nanu Oya police said.

BBC World Service in jeopardy because of funding cuts

The Chairman of the BBC said the BBC World Service is in “jeopardy” after the broadcaster has seen funding cuts.

EC to go ahead unscathed to hold LG polls: Chairman

The Election Commission (EC) could carry through the provisions of the just passed Election Expenditure Act only if it permits to do so within the already decided timeframe of the local government polls, Chairman of the EC Nimal Punchihewa said yesterday.

SC will decide on conducting LG polls: Minister

Claiming that the Treasury Secretary submitted an affidavit to the Supreme Court detailing the cash flow management of the government, State Minister of Finance Ranjith Siyambalapitiya said yesterday it was up to the Supreme Court to take a decision on conducting the Local Government election.