Tense situ created at National Hospital over statement made by GMOF

A tense situation has been created at the Colombo National Hospital (CNH) over a statement given to the media by the Government Medical Officers’ Forum (GMOF), hospital sources said.

Police launch probe over death threats on Election Commission members

The Criminal Investigations Department has launched an investigation after two members of the Election Commission (EC) received death threats, police said.

USS ‘Anchorage’ arrives in Colombo

USS ‘Anchorage’ (LPD-23) of the United States Navy arrived at the Colombo Port today to take part in the Cooperation Afloat Readiness and Training Exercise -2023 (CARAT–2023).

Pavithra, Jeevan become Ministers

SLPP MP Pavithra Wanniarachchi and Ceylon Workers Congress (CWC) MP Jeevan Thondaman were sworn in as cabinet ministers before President Ranil Wickremesinghe earlier today, the President’s Media Division said.

It's selfie time...

UNP Deputy Leader Ruwan Wijewardene, General Secretary Palitha Range Bandara and National Organizer Sagala Ratnayake paid deposits for all local bodies in the Colombo District at the Colombo Divisional Secretariat today. Pix by Pradeep Pathirana

Wijeyadasa to inform JSC to launch probe over a judge

Minister of Justice Wijeyadasa Rajapaksa has requested the Judicial Service Commission to investigate the action of Colombo Additional Magistrate Tharanga Mahawatte who had offered food to a suspect.

Dilum instructs officials to grant approval to construct filling stations at Katunayake, Biyagama EPZs

Investment Promotion State Minister Dilum Amunugama told the officials of the Power and Energy Ministry to grant relevant approval to establish two filling stations at the Katunayake and Biyagama Export Processing Zones (EPZ).

Parliament mourns the death of Sumithra Peiris

Veteran filmmaker and spouse of late Lester James Peries Kala Keerthi Sumithra Peries passed away this morning.

Keep mobile phones, other electronic devices away from exam centres: Com. General

Bringing or keeping any electronic devices during the time of the Advanced Level (A/L) examination will be strictly prohibited.

Exam. Dept. requests CEB, LECO to supply uninterrupted power during A/L exam

The Examination Department yesterday requested the Ceylon Electricity Board (CEB) and the Lanka Electricity Co. (Pvt) Ltd. (LECO) to continue uninterrupted power supply during the period where the 2022 GCE A/L examinations are conducted, Department Commissioner General H.J.M.C. Amith Jayasundara said.

Derailment at Kalutara south railway station; trains on coastal line may be delayed: Railways

The express train scheduled from Kalutara south to Maradana at 7:00 am, derailed while entering the first platform at Kalutara south railway station, Railway Department said.

Opposition to higher taxes comes from within Central Bank

The Central Bank Executive Officers’ Union expressed its strong objection against the higher personal income taxes, which came into effect from the beginning of this month and condemned the manner in which they were implemented without a proper analysis.

Microsoft to shed 10,000 jobs

Microsoft Corporation on Wednesday said it would eliminate 10,000 jobs and take a $1.2 billion charge to earnings, as its cloud-computing customers reassess their spending and the company braces for potential recession.

Businesses express concerns on faltering demand amid higher tax rates

Businesses have started to feel the heat from higher taxes, even before the new and elevated corporate income tax came into effect from January 1, as the respondents to the Central Bank’s monthly survey of business sentiments expressed heightened concerns about faltering demand amid higher tax rates.

Fair weather, calm seas in and around the island: Met. Dept.

The Meteorology Department said today that the weather would be fair over most parts of the country and the sea.

No new COVID-19 protocols for incoming travellers to SL

Sri Lanka would not impose any new COVID-19 health protocols for incoming visitors, the health authorities decided at a meeting this week.

Fitch downgrades seven Lankan insurers’ National IFS ratings; maintains Watch Negative

Fitch Ratings has downgraded the National Insurer Financial Strength (IFS) Ratings of seven Sri Lankan insurers, following the recent sovereign downgrade and recalibration of the agency’s Sri Lankan National Rating scale.

Record number of absentees in P’ment

A record number of absentees were witnessed in Parliament during voting time of the Rehabilitation Bureau Bill yesterday.

AKD to meet corporate leaders

Jathika Janabalawegaya (NPP) has organised a National Economic Forum on January 24, 2023, at 5:30 p.m., at Galadari Hotel, Colombo 1.

Bureau of Rehabilitation Bill only to rehabilitate drug addicts not Aragalaya members: Minister

Refuting allegations that the Bureau of Rehabilitation Bill was brought in to suppress Aragalaya members, Justice Minister Wijeyadasa Rajapakshe today said drafting of the Bill commenced in 2004 even before some of the Aragalaya people were born.

Amendments made to the embarkation levy

The Embarkation Tax, levied at Points of Entry of the country has been amended by the Civil Aviation Authority of Sri Lanka, the CAASL said.

Fonterra to provide free milk powder to 70,000 low-income families

In support of the government’s ‘National Integrated Mechanism for Food Security and Nutrition’, Fonterra will provide free milk powder to 70,000 low-income families, President’s Media Division (PMD) said.

UNHRC reiterates to hold all those responsible for Easter Sunday attacks accountable

The UN Human Rights Office reiterates its recommendations to the Government of Sri Lanka to release the complete findings of previous inquiries into the Easter Sunday bombings and to establish a follow-up independent, thorough and transparent investigation with international assistance and the full participation of victims and their representatives and to hold all those responsible fully to account.

4,000 women suffering from breast cancer each year, 1000 die annually: NCCP

Nearly 4,000 Sri Lankan women are reported to have been suffering from breast cancer each year, nearly 1,000 women die annually due to breast cancer, the National Cancer Control Programme (NCCP) said.

Civil Aviation Authority appoints its 8th chairman

G. S. Withanage has been appointed as the 8th Chairman of the Civil Aviation Authority of Sri Lanka (CAASL) today.

Indian External Affairs Minister to visit Sri Lanka

Indian External Affairs Minister Dr. S. Jaishankar, will undertake an official visit to Sri Lanka from 19-20 January 2023.

Murder of female university student: Boyfriend remanded till Jan. 30

The university student arrested for allegedly murdering his girlfriend with a sharp weapon at Race Course grounds in Colombo was today ordered to be remanded till January 30 after being produced before Colombo Chief Magistrate’s Court.

Lawyers urge Attorney General not to interfere with the judiciary

A group of lawyers today staged a protest in front of the Colombo Chief Magistrate’s Court in Hulftsdorp condemning the Attorney General’s alleged interference with the judiciary.

Power cut schedule until Friday issued

The power cut schedule for tomorrow (19) and Wednesday (20) for two hour and twenty minutes was announced today, the Public Utilities Commission of Sri Lanka (PUCSL) said.

Debate on Regulation of Election Expenditure Bill to be taken up tomorrow

The Business Committee of Parliament has decided to take up the Regulation of Election Expenditure Bill for debate tomorrow.