Luxury cruise ‘Mein Schiff 5’ arrives at Colombo Port

The super luxury cruise ship ‘Mein Schiff 5’ arrived at the Port of Colombo this morning bringing over 2,000 passengers and 945 crew members.

Third secretary of SL Embassy in Oman arrested over human trafficking

The third secretary of the Sri Lankan Embassy in Oman has been arrested by the officers of the Criminal Investigation Department at the arrival terminal of the Katunayake Airport this morning.

Ayurdedic physicians thumbs up for Ganja

Ayurveda physicians who attended the Heladiwa Prasdadini Award Ceremony yesterday at Matale Rest House raised their hands and commended the proposal to legalize Ganja cultivation.

Cabinet, P’ment should question CB over economy: Bandula

Both Cabinet and Parliament should question Central Bank officials about the recent decisions they have made with regards to the economy, Minister Bandula Gunawardena told Parliament yesterday.

Another ’Dark July’ possible if no coal brought before April 2023: CEB Engineers

If the Ceylon Electricity Board (CEB) would not get the 38 shiploads coal by April 15 next year, the country would experience the longest power outage in July and August next year, the Independent Engineers’ Association of the CEB said.

28 food crops incl. 93mn coconuts destroyed in first half of 2022: Ministry

It was reported that wild animals have destroyed 144,989 metric tonnes of 28 food crops, including paddy and 93 million coconuts, in the first half of 2022, the Wildlife and Forest Resources Conservation Ministry said.

Monthly tourist arrivals cross 50,000 mark for first time since April

The monthly tourist arrivals to the country crossed the 50,000 mark for the first time since the political and economic crisis erupted, indicating that the country’s tourism industry is moving towards some form of revival.

CB chief tells foreign investors why they should invest in Sri Lanka now

Central Bank Governor Dr. Nandalal Weerasinghe yesterday made an open call to the foreign investor community to take investment positions pertaining to Sri Lanka, as the country is about to enter the recovery path, leaving behind the worst of the ongoing economic turmoil.

Relaxation of import restrictions could reignite pressure on foreign exchange, says top banker

The recent relaxation of restrictions imposed on several import items might result in some liquidity pressure on the foreign exchange front, a top banker warned.

Three cricketers enter wedlock

Three Sri Lankan cricketers who are part of the Sri Lanka team that is playing against Afghanistan in Pallekele, Kandy, got married today in three separate ceremonies held in Colombo.

Stop Bottom Throwing

The Vinivida Foundation organized a protest today at the Galle Face to stop bottom throwing, which is affecting the local fishing community. The protest was organized by the Foundation’s general secretary, a public interest litigation activist, and attorney-at-law Nagananda Kodituwakku. Pix by Pradeep Pathitrana

Law, rules bury innocent lives under ’soil’

The United Environmental Organization held a silent protest in front of the Environment Ministry in Baththaramulla today, demanding that the law should be strictly applied against the officials who are destroying the Mahaweli. Pix By Pradeep Pathirana

State, private media ownerships should be broad-based

Ownership of both state and private media should be broad-based, a former media minister told Parliament today.

People in North, East leaving country due to dire economic situation: Ali Sabry

People in the North and East tend to leave the country due to the dire economic situation where some have gone to Tamil Nadu, Vietnam and Ukraine in the last six months.

Keelakarai councillor in TN held for trying to smuggle fertiliser to Sri Lanka

The Mandapam marine police in Tamil Nadu, India arrested a panchayat ward councillor and two others on the charge of attempting to smuggle fertilizer to Sri Lanka on Monday.

176 Specialist doctors go before Court against 60 years compulsory retirement

Filing a writ petition before Court of Appeal, about 176 consultant specialist doctors have challenged the government’s decision to reduce their compulsory retirement age to 60 years.

China donates 1,000MT of rice for students

The Chinese Embassy in Colombo today announced that 1,000 metric tons (100,000 packs) of rice donated by the Chinese authorities to Sri Lankan students reached the Colombo International Container Terminals (CICT) last night (27).

Easter Sunday accused hacked to death

A 38-year old man who was arrested in connection with the Easter Sunday attack and released on bail was hacked to death this afternoon at Mattakkuliya.

80% school attendance a must for A/L exam from 2023

The Education Ministry announced today that 80% school attendance is mandatory for students appearing for the G.C.E. Advanced Level (A/L) examination from next year.

SriLankan flight to Madurai lands five minutes after take off

A SriLankan Airlines flight that left BIA for Madurai, India, this afternoon, was forced to land again at the airport five minutes after takeoff due to a technical fault, the airport duty manager said.

Jalani Premadasa had called GR asking for PM post for Sajith’ - Diana claims

State Minister of Tourism Diana Gamage today claimed in Parliament that Opposition Leader Sajith Premadasa’s wife, Jalani Premadasa had telephoned former President Gotabaya Rajapaksa asking for the premiership for her husband when Gotabaya was the President.

Demerit point system for drivers from January next year: State Minister

Steps were being taken to implement the demerit point system for the driving license from January next year, State Minister Lasantha Alagiyawanna said today.

CB governor in a campaign to be Common Candidate at next Presidential Poll: RW Advisor

Central Bank Governor Dr. Nandalal Weerasinghe is currently campaigning to be the Common Candidate at the next presidential election, President Ranil Wickremesinghe’s Advisor on Parliamentary Affairs, Professor Ashu Marasinghe said.

Three SL cricketers enter wedlock

Three Sri Lankan cricketers who are part of the Sri Lanka team that is playing against Afghanistan in Pallekele, Kandy, got married today in three separate ceremonies held in Colombo.

Dilantha Malagamuwa released from alleged fraud case

The Colombo High Court today ordered to release three accused including popular Sri Lankan racing driver Dilantha Malagamuwa in connection with an indictment filed against them for allegedly defrauding a Japanese national to the tune of US$ 600,000 in 2008.

CA calls for documents from Immigration Dept. on Diana’s citizenship issue

The Court of Appeal today directed the Controller General of Immigration and Emigration to submit documents relating to the citizenship of State Minister Diana Gamage.

President’s remarks on Buddhist monks an insult to Buddhist clergy: Sajith

The reference made by President Ranil Wickremesinghe on certain monks as ‘ Sivuru Dagatha Batto‘ became a point of a cross talk in Parliament today, with Leader of Opposition Sajith Premadasa identifying it as an insult to all members of Buddhist clergy, while Chief Government Whip Prasanna Ranatunga insisting that President did not refer to all monks.

FM faces acute staff, financial scarcity: Tharaka Balasooriya

The Foreign Ministry is faced with severe financial and staff shortage at present, where only 84 individuals have been recruited to diplomatic service during the past ten years, State Minister of Foreign Affairs Tharaka Balasooriya said today.

UAE expresses interest to invest renewable energy projects in SL

The United Arab Emirates (UAE) said it is interested in investing in renewable energy projects in Sri Lanka.

After helping SL, many countries contacted Bangladesh to get help - Hasina

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina on Sunday said that after helping Sri Lanka with currency swap, many countries communicated with her to get the same kind of assistance from Bangladesh.