Seven out of nine among Interpol red notice list

Seven out of nine Sri Lankans arrested by the National Investigation Agency (NIA) from the special camp for Sri Lankan Tamil refugees at Tamil Nadu’s Tiruchirappalli over their alleged involvement in drugs and arms smuggling to revive the LTTE, were issued Interpol red notices, police said yesterday.

Aspirin is in short supply: GMOA

There is a massive shortage of emergency medicines, such as aspirin, which used to reduce the risk of heart attack and stroke, and every category of medicine items, the Government Medical Officers’ Association (GMOA) said.

SLAF signs MOU to airlift remains of deceased personnel for organ retrieval

The Sri Lanka Air Force (SLAF) signed an agreement with the Health Ministry to provide aircraft on a mobile Charter Basis for the purposes of airlifting remains of deceased personnel for organ retrieval at the request of the Ministry of Health.

PUCSL permits CEB to shut down one unit of NCPP considering the coal shortage

The Public Utilities Commission of Sri Lanka (PUCSL) has permitted the Ceylon Electricity Board (CEB) to shut down one of the three power plants at the Norochcholai Coal Power Plant (NCPP) yesterday.

President extends Army Commander’s service by one year

President Ranil Wickremesinghe in his capacity as Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces, has granted a one year’s service extension to Army Commander Lieutenant General Vikum Liyanage with effect from December 31, 2022.

Dialog to shut down 3G network to free up spectrum for 4G

Dialog Axiata PLC today announced plans to shut down its 3G data network in 2023 to free up spectrum and increase the capacity of its 4G Broadband network.

Vegetable Christmas tree emerges from Galle Face

Group of decorators are making final arrangements to a one of a kind Christmas tree made out of about 2,000 living vegetable plants ranging from cabbage, spinach, ladies fingers, green chilies and lettuce setup close to Presidential Secretariat yesterday.

All staff members in SL Embassy in Beijing infected with COVID-19

All 22 staff members of the Sri Lankan Embassy in Beijing are down with COVID-19, an official said.

Lanka Sugar Company Chairman Janaka Nimalachandra removed over corruption allegations

Lanka Sugar Company Chairman Janaka Nimalachandra has been removed from the position due to allegations of corruption and other charges, a Plantation Ministry official said.

Is Keheliya in India to purchase meds from private Indian company?

Health Minister Keheliya Rambukwella has come under fire over his current visit to India, with health officials questioning whether the Minister is overseas to purchase alleged low quality medicines through a private Indian company.

Minister says police have no vehicles to nab criminals, some OICs travel in trishaws

Many Police stations do not have vehicles in order to perform their duties, Public Security Minister Tiran Alles said.

Asia Rugby imposes SLR with USD 10,000 fine

Asia Rugby (AR) imposed a punishment of USD 10,000 on Sri Lanka Rugby for not fielding a Women’s Rugby Sevens outfit at the third leg which took place in Al Ain, UAE.

Monday declared a special public holiday

The Government has declared Monday, December 26 as Special Public Holiday, the Ministry of Public Administration said.

State Minister slammed by Korean delegate for not being punctual

Social Empowerment State Minister Anupa Pasqual and its officials were taken to task by South Korea Disaster Relief Foundation (SKDRF) President Cho Sung Lea for getting late by 30 minutes for a scheduled meeting in Colombo.

6 high-powered motorbikes, bikers taken in Weliweriya

Two suspects have been arrested with six illegal high-powered motorbikes valued over Rs.40 million in Weliweriya.

School second term ends today

The Education Ministry today announced that all the Government and Government-assisted private schools would end their second term for 2022 today.

State employees in SL behave like kings - Korean official

The Executive, Legislature, and Judiciary of Sri Lanka’s democratic political system and the education system need to be reformed and the mindset of the people changed to see any development in the country, Korea Disaster Relief Foundation (KDRF) President Cho Sung Lea said yesterday.

Electricity bill increase in January will be seen as violation against basic rights: SLHRC

If the electricity bill is increased in a way that violates the basic rights of the public, then it is ready to intervene as a stakeholder without complaint, the Sri Lanka Human Rights Commission (SLHRC) said.

Bus topples on A9 road; one dead, 20 injured

One person had died and 20 others were injured when a Sri Lanka Transport Board (SLTB) passenger bus turned turtle on the Jaffna-Jaffna (A-9) road last evening, police said.

Govt. to roll out special programmes to recognise contribution of up-country Tamil community to plantation sector

Coinciding with the 200-year anniversary of the arrival of the first generation of the up-country Tamil community to Sri Lanka, in next February, the Cabinet has decided to roll out special programmes to enhance the living conditions of the up-country Tamil community, who contributed immensely to the development of the plantation sector.

SL told to revisit dividend tax policy to rectify double taxation

As Sri Lanka’s dividend tax policy is inhibiting risk-taking, entrepreneurship and timely restructuring activities in the corporate sector, a top investment professional called upon the government to take corrective actions to rectify the unfair double taxation on profits when distributing dividends to investors.

Preparing for Christmas…

People are shopping for Christmas decorations in Colombo ahead of the Christmas festival. Pix by Pradeep Pathirana

Dinesh Weerakkody appointed BOI Chairman

Dinesh Weerakkody has been appointed as Chairman of the Board of Investment (BOI) by President Ranil Wickremesinghe.

Finance Minisry to hand over customs confiscated vehicles to police

Necessary arrangements have been made to hand over the vehicles confiscated by Sri Lanka Customs (SLC) to be used for raids by the Sri Lanka Police Department, including drug prevention, State Finance Minister Ranjith Siambalapitiya said.

No term tests for primary sections starting in March: Minister

The Education Ministry has decided not to have term tests for primary sections, which are scheduled to start their school year in March, Education Minister Susil Premajayantha said.

SJB SLFP alliance in the offing?

While calling the election commission to declare the local government election by the end of this month, the Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB) today hinted that it is in the process of forming an alliance with several parties.

Petition against air pollution…

A petition was handed over to the UN office in Colombo today by a group led by Lawyer Nuwan Bopage claiming that air pollution in Sri Lanka has been caused as a result of winds coming from the direction of India. Pix by Waruna Wanniarachchi

Liquor to be served but stores to be shut

The liquor stores island-wide will be closed on December 25, Commissioner General of Excise Department confirmed.

Schaffter’s business partners questioned; no suspect yet

The investigation into the murder of businessman Dinesh Schaffter is making progress and the CID and the Borella Police have questioned nearly 50 people so far over the murder.

Ban on animal, meat transport lifted

The ban imposed on cattle and animal transport has been lifted with immediate effect, the Director General of Department of Animal Production and Health.