Establishing National Animal Conservation academy and Zoological Garden Management: Minister

Plans are afoot to establish a National Institute on Animal Conservation and Zoological Garden Management by the Agriculture, Wildlife, and Forest Resources Conservation Ministry, which could edify the local and foreign students who are interested in it.

Debate on Regulation of Election Expenditure Bill postponed by one month

The Ministerial Consultative Committee on Justice, Prisons Affairs and Constitutional Reforms has decided to postpone the second reading debate of the Regulation of Election Expenditure Bill by one months’ time on a request made by Members of Parliament, the Communications Department of Parliament said.

Tussle for candidacy leads SLFP to go solo in some areas at LG Polls

The tussle among party men to secure candidacy has resulted in Sri Lanka Freedom Party (SLFP), the key ally of the newly formed Freedom People’s Alliance, deciding to go solo at the Local Government election in selected areas, a top source said.

Colombo Uni student arrested over woman’s murder at Race Course Ground

The police has arrested a Colombo University science faculty student, the suspect believed to be the boyfriend of the woman, who was found killed at the Race Course Ground in Colombo 7 this morning.

Ministers in the dark over possible massage laws? Keheliya quick to blame media

A day after the Ayurveda Department said that new laws would soon be drafted and presented to cabinet to prevent men from massaging women and women from massaging men in spas, two Ministers reacted in Parliament today saying no such laws had been drafted.

SL forces and U.S. Marines to hold joint training exercise

The U.S. Navy and Sri Lankan Marine Corps including Airforce and Navy will commence a joint military exercise in Colombo from Jan.19 to 26.

I have to pay Rs. 100 mn over no fault of mine: Maithripala

Former President Maithripala Sirisena said today he has had to pay a compensation of Rs. 100 million to victims of Easter Sunday attacks not because of his fault but because the officials appointed by him had not carried out their responsibility properly.

AG files contempt charges against Sanath Nishantha

The Attorney General has filed contempt of court charges in the Court of Appeal against State Minister Sanath Nishantha in connection with the alleged contemptuous statement made by him recently.

Tussle at Tourism Ministry over Secretary post

The Ministry of Tourism is having a tussle over the post of Ministry Secretary, the Daily Mirror learns.

Wasantha Mudalige further remanded till January 31

Convener of Inter University Students’ Federation (IUSF) Wasantha Mudalige was today further remanded till January 31 by Colombo Chief Magistrate’s Court for allegedly committing offences under Prevention of Terrorism Act (PTA).

SL has outstanding bill of Rs.50 bn for pharmaceuticals: RW

Sri Lanka is facing a daunting task of settling an outstanding bill of Rs. 50 billion for pharmaceuticals this year, President Ranil Wickremesinghe told Parliament today.

Tourism Alliance campaign helps address traveller fears to visit Sri Lanka

The Sri Lanka Tourism Alliance ’’Fall in Love Again’’ destination marketing mini campaign that started in October 2022 has reported strong results in communicating the ground situation in Sri Lanka.

Colombo Uni. female student found murdered at Race Course Ground in Col. 7

The body of a female, suspected to be murdered was found at the Race Course Ground in Colombo 7 a short while ago. Police said the body was found near the scoreboard at the Ground.

Cabinet never decided to halt accepting deposits: PM contradicts Hapuhinne

Contradicting Public Administration Ministry Secretary Neil Bandara Hapuhinne, Prime Minister Dinesh Gunawardena said Cabinet never took a decision to halt accepting deposits from candidates for the Local Government election.

Security officer of leading boys school in Kandy found murdered

A security officer of a leading boys school in Kandy was found murdered at the school’s pavilion this morning.

IMF staff level approval likely within first quarter of this year: Semasinghe

State Minister of Finance Shehan Semasinghe expressed hope that Sri Lanka woud be able to get the staff level approval of the International Monetary Fund (IMF) during the first quarter of this year.

China informs Mahanayake Theras that China opposes Dalai Lama’s possible visit

China stongly opposes the visit of the Dalai Lama to Sri Lanka or any country as he is a political exile disguised as a religious figure, engaged in anti-China separatist activities and attempting to split Tibet from China, a Chinese delegation informed the Mahanayaka Theros today.

Cabinet nod to delay executive grade salaries

The government had approved paying the salaries of non-executive state sector employees on time and delaying the salaries of executive grade staff by a few days.

Regulations of Election Expenditure Bill consistent with Constitution: Speaker announces SC determination

The Supreme Court determined that Regulations of Election Expenditure Bill is consistent with the Constitution and can be passed with a simple majority in Parliament, Speaker Mahinda Yapa Abeywardene announced today.

Update: Man killed in shooting in Peliyagoda

A 32-year old man was shot dead when two unknown gunmen came in a motorcycle opened fire at him while he was in his house in Peliyagoda this morning,

Filling stations that operated outside QR to be suspended

The licenses of fuel filling stations that supplied fuel ignoring the QR quota system would be cancelled immediately, the Power and Energy Ministry said.

A/L tuition classes banned from midnight today

Conducting coaching classes or tuition classes targeting the 2022 (2023) GCE Advanced Level (A/L) Examination will be prohibited from midnight today, the Department of Examinations said.

Broker, two Grama Niladaris arrested over kidney transplant racket in Borella

The Colombo Crimes Division (CCD) has arrested three suspects, a broker and two Grama Niladaris in connection with the illegal kidney transplant racket at a private hospital in Borella.

Lesbian files FR alleging Police discrimination

A 23-year-old woman has filed a Fundamental Rights (FR) petition against the Sri Lanka Police in the Supreme Court alleging discrimination based on sexual orientation.

First Miss USA to win in 10 years!

R’Bonney Gabriel of the United States was crowned Miss Universe on Saturday night, beating out contenders from 83 countries across the globe. She became the first Filipina-American to win the competition in its seven-decade history. (Daily Mail)

Jobless rate rises to troubling levels as economic crisis stings employment

Sri Lanka’s official unemployment rate climbed, raising serious concerns for the policymakers, as the economic crisis is taking a severe toll on jobs, with many small and medium-sized businesses are either closing down or pushed to the brink amid elevated input costs, interest rates and decline in demand.

First two weeks of January bring in 47,353 tourists

Tourist arrivals to Sri Lanka in the January 01-15 period stood at 47,353, up 13 percent from the same period, last year.

Potential issues with CB’s move to limit banks’ access to standing facility windows highlighted

As the limits on accessing the Central Bank’s standing facility windows by the licensed commercial banks came into effect from this week,

CWC leader discusses Sri Lanka issue with India

Ceylon Workers Congress (CWC) President Senthil Thondaman discussed the crisis in Sri Lanka during high-level meetings in India.

Cabinet cannot implement electricity tariff revision: PUCSL tells cabinet Secy.

The Chairman of the Public Utilities Commission of Sri Lanka (PUCSL) has told the Cabinet that they are rejecting the proposed electricity tariff revision approved by the Cabinet.