20 member squad for upcoming Sri Lanka tour of India announced

A 20 member squad for the upcoming Sri Lanka tour of India was announced by the Sri Lanka Cricket Selection Committee today, following Sports Minister Roshan Ranasinghe’s approval.

One person killed as 200 vehicles collide in fog on Chinese bridge

One person has been killed after more than 200 vehicles were involved in a pile-up on a bridge in the Chinese city of Zhengzhou in heavy fog, according to rescuers and the CCTV state broadcaster.

Former Pope Benedict is ‘very sick’, Pope Francis says

Pope Francis has said that his predecessor Pope Benedict, the 95-year-old former pontiff who resigned from the post nine years ago, is “very sick” after a deterioration in his health on Wednesday.

‘Dubai Suddha’ arrested over sending job seekers overseas

Nissanka Priyadarshana, alias ’Dubai Sudda’ taken into the custody by officials of the Sri Lanka Foreign Employment Bureau (SLFEB), over the allegations of sending job seekers overseas without a valid licence, officials said.

Stop abolishing Cultural Officer post

Employees of the Department of Cultural Affairs today staged a demonstration outside the premises in Sethsiripaya, Battaramulla, against the move to abolish the post of Cultural Officer. Pix by Waruna Wanniarachchi

Mother-daughter duo, who arrived in Madurai from China, test positive for Covid-19

A six-year-old girl and her mother who arrived at Madurai airport from China via Sri Lanka tested positive for COVID-19 on Tuesday. They were both isolated by authorities.

WhatsApp to end support for some Android, iOS phones from Dec 31

Meta-owned instant messaging platform WhatsApp would end support for select smartphones across brands, including Apple and Samsung, starting December 31.

CID quizzes Dinesh Schaffter’s mother-in-law after emotional message by Schaffter found

The CID has recorded statements from more than 80 persons including the mother-in-law of businessman Dinesh Schaffter in connection with the investigations into the murder.

Keheliya wants committee to prepare drug-list for price reduction: GMOA

Health Minister Keheliya Rambukwella had instructed the Ministry to appoint a committee to prepare a list of drugs to consider a price reduction, GMOA Spokesman Dr Chamil Wijesinghe said today.

Release 30 more acres in Ambewala to the farm: RW

President Ranil Wickremesinghe today instructed the Nuwara Eliya District Secretary to immediately release 30 acres of abandoned land near the Ambewela Farms to the farm, the President’s Media Division (PMD) said.

Over 5,000 apply for dual citizenship

A total of 5,401 individuals reported to the Immigration and Emigration Department for obtaining dual citizenship during the past year.

Niagara Falls nearly completely frozen

A rainbow was seen across the tourist hotspot on Tuesday as spectators in winter coats gathered to look at the partially frozen the Niagara waterfalls.

151 rescued Lankan migrants return from Vietnam

At least 151 migrants among 300 Sri Lankans who were rescued on the high seas between the Philippines and Vietnam were brought into the country last night.

Paddy farmers to receive free TSP fertiliser for Yala season through USAID and FAO

The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), with funding through the United States Agency for International Development (USAID), will distribute 36,000 metric tonnes of Triple Super Phosphate (TSP) fertiliser to all paddy farmers in Sri Lanka through the Ministry of Agriculture.

Romanian border police stop 2 trucks with 27 illegal migrants including Lankans

About 27 migrants from Bangladesh, Eritrea, Sri Lanka, and Pakistan were caught by Romanian’s Arad police after they tried to cross the border illegally into Hungary, hiding inside two trucks loaded with textile fabrics and metal rods.

Prison is a university for intelligent people: Thilini Priyamali

A prison is like a university for intelligent people, and the media have reported everything that I did and did not do,’’ businesswoman Thilini Priyamali said addressing the media after being granted bail.

Hambantota Port to aggressively promote afloat vessel repairs with Colombo Dockyard

The Hambantota International Port (HIP) is supporting Colombo Dockyard PLC (CDPLC) to handle running repairs to vessels while they remain afloat in the harbour.

Proposed tariff hike threatens to electrocute hotel industry

Sri Lanka’s hotel industry yesterday condemned the proposed move by the government to further hike electricity tariffs, asserting....

Businesses with dollar income sources will only survive this crisis: Central Bank Governor

Says dollar earning companies could navigate the import shortages and beat domestic inflationary forces much better Offering a stark....

Police ordered to pursue legal action over forcible seizure of defaulted leased assets

The Inspector General of Police (IGP) has instructed police officers to investigate and pursue necessary legal action over complaints....

Veggies to Colombo by train after 23 years

The All Ceylon Economic Centers Association (ACECA) and Nuwara Eliya Economic Centre said the transportation of vegetables to Colombo Fort by train from this afternoon. It is the first time in the past 23 years. Transporting of vegetables from Nanu Oya Railway Station to Colombo Fort started at 5.00 pm as a pilot project, and the train was scheduled to reach Colombo Fort at midnight today. Pix by Ranjith Rajapaksa

Gazette notification for LG polls delayed by one week , EC confirms

The Election Commission confirmed today that it postponed the issuance of the gazette notification calling for elections to the local authorities until the first week of January, an official said.

Owners of unutilised land within Colombo City to be fined

The Colombo Municipal Council (CMC) is to charge a fine from the owners of unutilised land within the Colombo City.

IUBF protest near Edu. Ministry

Inter University Bhikku Federation (IUBF) today staged a protest in front of the Education Ministry at Isurupaya over several demands, including the release of their convenors, stop taking revange from students, and open all universities that are being closed. Pix by Pradeep Dilrukshana

SL, Cambodia exempt visas for diplomatic, official passport holders

Sri Lanka and Cambodia have exempted visa for holders of diplomatic and official passports with effect from December 24, 2022, Embassy and Permanent Mission of Sri Lanka in Bangkok said.

Will provide 5 KW solar system to all religious places within three months: Kanchana

A program will be implemented to provide solar panels to all low-income religious places through the Indian Credit Line within three months to provide at least a 5 KW solar system free of charge.

Navy Chief meets CDS

The newly appointed Navy Commander Vice Admiral Priyantha Perera met Chief of Defence Staff General Shavendra Silva at the CDS office.

Sri Lanka still among 10 countries with highest food price inflation

Sri Lanka was ranked 7th among the 10 countries with the highest food price inflation in the world, the latest World Bank assessment said.

If electricity bill not increased, people must bear with powercuts: Minister

If the electricity bill is not increased, people will have to adapt to power cuts running to several hours, Power and Energy Minister Kanchana Wijesekera said.

Large crowds at Fort Railway Station…

A large number of people were waiting at the Fort Railway Station to take trains running on the coastal line. Pix by Nimalsiri Edirisinghe