Afghanistan: Taliban bans women from working for NGOs

An order by the Taliban banning women from working for non-governmental organisations (NGOs) has been condemned by the United Nations, which said the move violated fundamental rights.

Ashu says video on social media is doctored, complains to CID

Ashu Marasinghe, former advisor to President Ranil Wickremesinghe today lodged a complaint with the CID alleging that a doctored video regarding him had been released and was circulating on social media.

Soaring price of eggs sends cakes beyond Rs.1,500 per kg: Bakery Assn.

Due to a shortage of eggs in the local market, the price of a kilo of cake has been increased up to Rs. 1,500 during this Christmas season, All Ceylon Bakery Owners’ Association (ACBOA) President N.K. Jayawardena said.

Over 300 inmates to be released for Christmas

A total of 309 inmates serving sentences in prisons will be released tomorrow in view of Christmas, Prisons Spokesman Chandana Ekanayake said.

Bill Gates to be invited to visit Sri Lanka

Bill Gates, the founder of world renowned Microsoft Inc. is to be invited to Sri Lanka, a spokesman from the President’s office said today.

More trains, buses for Christmas, New Year season

Special transport arrangements have been made by the Railway Department and the Sri Lanka Transport Board (SLTB) to facilitate the commuters who will be traveling during the Christmas season conveniently from Colombo and suburbs to their distant home towns in outstation.

Over 100mm of heavy rain forecast until Monday; Met Dept.

Showery and windy conditions are expected to worsen across most parts of the island following a depression in the Southwest Bay of Bengal, according to the Meteorology Department.

LG Polls: EC initiates logistical operations

The Election Commission instructed the district election authorities yesterday to work out logistical needs to conduct the election to the local authorities, an official said.

Government says ready to be flexible on tax policies

While stressing the tax policies are not written in stone, the government said it is ready to be flexible to amend such policies, given that there are pragmatic alternative proposals to collect tax revenue foregone.

Tourist arrivals for Dec. 01-20 cross 50,000 mark

The tourist arrivals to Sri Lanka for the first 20 days of December have crossed 50,000, indicating a significant improvement in tourism activities.

Finance Ministry says reviewing VAT exemptions

The government is in the midst of reviewing the Value Added Tax (VAT) exemptions granted to various products and services...

Ocean plastics reduction programme kicked off by USAID in Sri Lanka

The United States Agency for International Development (USAID) officially launched this week a five-year project in Sri Lanka and the Maldives to reduce environmental plastics.

The past week - In pictures

Closing date for A/L scholarship program applications extended

The closing date for the submission of applications for the scholarship program, utilizing funds from the President’s Fund, for students who passed GCE (O/L) 2021/2022 and are sitting for the GCE (A/L) examination in 2024 has been extended to December 30, the President Media Division (PMD) said.

Christmas amnesty for prisoners: Prisons Dept.

On the occasion of Christmas Day (December 25), a special state amnesty has been granted to prisoners under the powers assigned to the President in terms of Article 34 of the Constitution, Prisons Spokesman Chandana Ekanayake said.

President’s advisor caught in a storm for allegedly sexually abusing pet dog

A video recording of Prof. Ashu Marasinghe, former advisor to President Ranil Wickremesinghe, allegedly showing him sexually abusing a dog has gone viral after it was released by SJB member Hirunika Premachandra to the media today.

Sam Curran becomes most expensive player in IPL history

England allrounder Sam Curran broke Chris Morris’ record (INR 16.25 crore) to become the most expensive buy at an IPL auction, when Punjab Kings outbid Chennai Super Kings and Mumbai Indians to sign him for INR 18.25 crore (USD 2.25 million).

Customs seize kush, methamphetamine pills worth over Rs.165mn

Officials from Sri Lanka Customs - Postal Valuation Division raided a stock of Kush cannabis and Methamphetamine pills worth more than Rs. 165 million packed inside toys and food cans today.

Anupa Pasqual says he was not late at meeting with Korean, decides to be punctual hereon

Social Empowerment State Minister Anupa Pasqual today denied media reports claiming that he had attended a meeting with a senior Korean official 30 minutes late and maintained that he had begun the meeting at the scheduled time.

Keheliya confirms he is in India, but fails to name pvt. Indian pharmaceutical company he is dealing with

Health Minister Keheliya Rambukwella who is under fire over his current visit to India, yesterday confirmed his visit and said he was with the CEO of the National Medicines Regulatory Authority (NMRA) and claimed his trip to India was self funded while the NMRA CEO was independently funded.

Following Korean fiasco, Anupa Pasqual fails to appear at CID

Social Empowerment State Minister Anupa Pasqual, who said yesterday that he was going to the CID against a video circulating on social media tarnishing his image following a Korean official slamming Sri Lankan ministers for being late for meetings, failed to appear at the CID today as claimed.

Wasantha Mudalige hospitalised

The Convenor of the Inter University Students’ Federation (IUSF) Wasantha Mudalige who is currently in remand custody has been hospitalised after he reportedly suffered from breathing difficulties.

RW loses an Advisor

Presidential Advisor on Parliamentary Affairs Prof. Ashu Marasinghe has resigned from his post with immediate effect citing personal reasons, Presidential Media Division (PMD) said.

State agencies acting like Ukraine and Russia: Prez warns

Public service is not a tug of war, President Ranil Wickremesinghe said at the Nuwara Eliya District committee meeting where several government officials failed to reach an agreement on several key issues in the area.

Arab border police seize trucks with 27 hidden migrants including Lankans

Some 27 migrants from Bangladesh, Eritrea, Sri Lanka and Pakistan were apprehended by Arab border security officials when they attempted to cross the border illegally and sneak into Hungary, hiding inside two trucks loaded with textile fabrics and metal bars yesterday.

Gen. Kottegoda appointed KDU Chancellor

President Ranil Wickremesinghe appointed Gen. H.S.H. Kottegoda (Rtd) as the Chancellor of the General Sir John Kotelawala Defence University for a period of 05 years with immediate effect.

12 injured in Southern Expressway collision

At least 12 people have been injured and admitted to hospital after a bus carrying pilgrims collided with a lorry on the Southern Expressway between Kurundugahahetekma and Baddegama.

Dinesh Schaffter’s secretary had not informed police over meeting with Brian Thomas

The police said today that it was an executive officer of businessman Dinesh Schaffter and not his secretary, who had informed the police that Dinesh had scheduled a meeting with former cricket commentator Brian Thomas on the day Schaffter was killed.

Shooting continues; Man shot dead in Seeduwa

A 39-year-old man was shot dead when two unidentified men arrived on a motorcycle and carried out a shooting at Kotugoda in Seeduwa this morning.

Rainy, windy conditions likely to increase in next 48 hours

The rainy and windy conditions in Sri Lanka are likely to increase over most parts of the island during December 24 and 25, the Metrology Department said.