Rain above 75mm likely today: Met. Dept.

There could be heavy showers above 75 mm in the Western, Sabaragamuwa and North-Western provinces and in Kandy, Nuwara-Eliya, Galle and Matara districts during the afternoon or night, the Meteorology Department said.

Ten tanks to be ready for development in February

Asserting that the work on the Trincomalee oil tank farm is well in progress, Lanka Indian Oil Company (LIOC) said ten tanks would be ready for development after the area is cleared of woods very soon.

Sanjeeva Dhammika and Ananda Palitha arrested for threatening PUCSL members

The Kollupitiya Police has arrested Secretary of Electricity Users Association Sanjeeva Dhammika and Convener of Samagi United Trade Union Alliance Ananda Palitha on charges of threatening two members of the Public Utilities Commission of Sri Lanka (PUCSL).

National inflation eases for third straight month in December to 59.2%

Sri Lanka’s countrywide consumer prices, measured by the National Consumer Price Index (NCPI), eased in December for the third month in a row, reflecting that the prices are continuing on their disinflation path after they peaked in September.

Sri Lanka’s tea production hits 26-year low in 2022

Sri Lanka’s tea production, as expected, declined by 48 million kilos or 16 percent in 2022, compared with 2021, on the back of the fertiliser issue and disruptions faced in the middle part of the year.

Tourist arrivals in first three weeks of January top 70,000

The tourist arrivals to Sri Lanka in the first three weeks of January have topped 70,000, indicating the island nation’s tourism industry is firmly on the recovery path.

PUCSL members call for probe

Two members of Public Utilities Commission of Sri Lanka ( PUCSL) including Deputy Chairman Udeni Wickremesinghe and Member of the Commission Professor Mohan Samaranayake had requested the Ministry of Finance and the defence authorities to probe the incident of alleged storming of civil activists into the PUCSL office on St. Anthony’s Road, Kollupitiya last Sunday (22)

Stakeholder nod for collective agreement to resolve chicken and egg situation

Sri Lanka’s poultry and chicken industry stakeholders have expressed willingness to reach a collective agreement for the advancement of poultry and egg,

Relieve us from high CoL....

A massive protest was organized at the Colombo Port today by the members of the All Ceylon General Port Employee’s Union (ACGPEU) against the current high cost of living (CoL) and the government’s new high tax policy. Pix by Pradeep Dilrukshana

PUCSL unveils four-steps to uninterrupted power supply until end of A/L exam

The Public Utilities Commission of Sri Lanka (PUCSL) today requested the consumers to minimise consumption to support uninterrupted power supply for the students who are appearing for the Advanced Level examination.

Treasury gets Rs.3bn from SLBFE: Minister

The Sri Lanka Bureau of Foreign Employment (SLBFE) today handed over a sum of Rs. 3 billion to the Treasury, the largest contribution ever made from the Bureau’s surplus last year.

Magistrate says cause of death yet to be determined by court

The Colombo Chief Magistrate’s Court today informed that the cause of death into the death of businessman Dinesh Schaffter has not yet been determined by the court.

Comprehensive training programs for air pilots, air traffic controllers imperative: Minister

A comprehensive training program should be expedited to train air pilots and air traffic controllers, transport minister Nimal Siripala de Silva said.

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.

Hasaranga, Ranaweera in ICC T20I teams of the year

All-rounder Wanindu Hasaranga and left-arm spinner Inoka Ranaweera were the only Sri Lankans named in the International Cricket Council’s (ICC) men’s and women’s teams of the year respeectively, announced today.

Cabinet approves provision of free textbooks for new school term

The cabinet approval has been granted to carry out the procurement activities related to providing free textbooks to school students for the 2023 new school term, the Education Ministry said.

Gas prices likely to increase by next month

The retail prices of domestic gas cylinders, including 12.5 kg, could be raised between Rs. 500 and Rs. 750, a senior official of Litro Gas Lanka Ltd said.

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.

81 bird species ’’threatened’’ in Sri Lanka due to human activities

A total of 81 bird species in the country had been listed as ‘threatened’ due to human activities, Environment Ministry’s Biodiversity Secretariat Director Mrs R.H.M.P. Abeykoon said.

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.

Troops donate blood

More than 300 donors attended the blood donation camp representing various Regiments in the Panagoda Army Cantonment which was held at the Panagoda Bodhi Rajaramaya (Army Temple) today under the direction of the Commander of the Security Forces Headquarters (West) Major General Deepal Pussella. Pix by Nisal Baduge

Grade 5 Scholarship Exam results likely this week

The results of the Grade five Scholarship Examination for the year 2022 are likely to be released before Friday, January 27, Commissioner General of Exams H.J.M.C. Amith Jayasundara said.

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.

Special transport plan for A/L candidates

The National Transport Commission (NTC), Sri Lanka Transport Board (SLTB) and the Railway Department have made special transportation arrangements to help assist the candidates who sit for the Advanced Level Examination.

House of Fashion assault - What really happened?

Police have launched an investigation into a massive brawl which erupted at the House of Fashion clothing store in Bambalapitiya yesterday between staff members and a customer.

PUCSL requests to minimise power usage during peak hours

The Public Utilities Commission of Sri Lanka (PUCSL) has sent a general appeal to all power consumers namely the public and private institutions to help minimise the electricity usage during the advanced level examination is in progress and requested the power suppliers not to interrupt supply.

Exim Bank letter renews SL’s hope for China’s backing to unlock IMF funding

Sri Lanka is hopeful of China extending its financing assurances to unlock the bailout package from the International Monetary Fund (IMF), the Ministry of Finance said, as the creditor has taken the first step in affirming its commitment to the island nation’s attempt to restructure its debt.

Dhammika Prasad shortlisted for Nepal head coach job

Former Sri Lankan fast bowler Dhammika Prasad is one of five cricketers shortlisted for the position of head coach of the Nepal cricket team.