Sri Lanka to make fresh U.S. engagement to ensure child labour-free export supply chains

Sri Lanka is planning fresh engagements with the United States (U.S.) in a bid to avert new tariffs linked to child or forced labour, with the country’s export authorities seeking to demonstrate that it deals with the possible import of raw materials or intermediary goods tainted with such concerns for export industries, an official said.

1993 murder case finally sees justice

Eight men convicted of murdering a woman by assaulting her with sharp weapons and clubs and causing grievous injuries to two others were today sentenced to death by Colombo High Court Judge Buddhika Sri Ragala.

It could have been nipped in the bud. Only if we had been given orders – Prison officer to Minister

A prison officer told Justice Minister Harshana Nanayakkara yesterday that the Negombo prison unrest which claimed the lives of several prison officers and inmates could have been prevented had timely orders been issued to contain the situation.

Locally made firearm to scare animals out in the market

A locally made firearm turned out by a young man in the Wellawaya area to scare giant squirrels, monkeys and macaques causing crop devastation was sold in Badulla town to the public.

Special police protection for 454 persons

Special police protection is being provided to 454 persons, including former MPs, former IGPs, retired judges, chief incumbent monks of several temples, a Bishop and a former First Lady, Parliament was informed yesterday.

Dengue vaccine has 90% effectiveness against type 2 virus – Expert

Consultant Paediatrician and Founder Clinical Head of the Centre for Clinical Management of Dengue & Dengue Haemorrhagic Fever in Negombo, Dr. Lakkumar Fernando, said an internationally approved dengue vaccine could

No casualties among foreign inmates in Negombo prison clash: Authorities

Prison authorities have confirmed that no foreign inmates sheltered at the Negombo Prison were injured or killed in the recent clashes. Officials said there were no casualties among foreign prisoners, including inmates from India and Australia, following the incident.

SRI LANKA’S NEXT IMF DECISION MUST BE ABOUT TRANSFORMATION, NOT ANOTHER RESCUE

Sri Lanka is once again approaching a consequential economic debate. As the present programme with the International Monetary Fund moves towards its concluding stages, the country will inevitably have to confront a difficult question:

Reforms introduced in 2023 led SL to be upper middle-income earning country: Harsha

Whilst highlighting that economic reforms made in 2023 had led Sri Lanka to a higher middle-income earning nation, opposition MP Dr Harsha de Silva said the task that lies ahead is to maintain that level.

TikTok love affair becomes an ordeal

A 17-year-old youth has been arrested for sexually assaulting a 14-year-old girl whom he had made friends with through TikTok, the police said.

Two dead, 35 injured in Negombo Prison clash over alleged drug trade dispute

Two inmates were killed and 35 others injured after a violent clash allegedly triggered by a dispute over an illicit drug trafficking operation broke out between two groups of prisoners at the Negombo Prison yesterday (05). Hospital sources said the deceased succumbed to injuries sustained during the violence. Of the injured, two inmates in critical condition have been transferred to the Colombo National Hospital for further treatment, while t

Tamil politicians engage Tamil Nadu CM for Federalism in Sri Lanka

A seven-member delegation of the Tamil National Forum, led by Jaffna District Parliamentarian Gajendrakumar Ponnambalam, yesterday met Tamil Nadu Chief Minister Joseph Vijay at the Tamil Nadu Chief Minister’s secretariat.

Colombo Law Society urges President to scrap plan to extend judges’ retirement age

The Colombo Law Society (CLS), a premier professional association serving attorneys-at-law in Sri Lanka, has urged President Anura Kumara Dissanayake to refrain from proceeding with any constitutional amendment seeking to

Joint opposition leaders seek guidance from Mahanayake of Amarapura chapter to meet national challenges

Joint Opposition Leaders led by Professor Peiris together with UNP Chairman Wajira Abeywardana, UNP National Organiser Sagala Ratnayake, SLFP Chairman Nimal Siripala de Silva and Lasantha Alagiyawanna at the discussion

Beware of walking on roads while using phones! Police watchful!

Police said that legal action will be taken in the future against pedestrians who walk on roads while listening to music through headphones or earphones, citing the growing risk of road accidents.

70% of accident outpatient cases are animal bites: Health data

Seventy percent of patients treated for accident-related injuries in hospital outpatient departments are people who have been bitten by animals, the Directorate of Non-Communicable Diseases of the Ministry of Health said.

CMC to take legal action against company for felling a tree?

Colombo Municipal Council ( CMC) is to take legal action against a company which had felled a tree along Galle Road, Mayor of Colombo Vraie Cally

Sri Lanka’s first locally-made PET scan isotope helps lung cancer patient recover fully

Sri Lanka has produced Fluorodeoxyglucose (FDG), the radioactive isotope essential for PET scan cancer diagnosis, domestically for the first time, under a public-private partnership between the Sri Lanka Atomic Energy Authority and Access Engineering PLC, Minister of Health and Mass Media Dr. Nalinda Jayatissa announced.

No Division in the Catholic Church in Sri Lanka: Bishops’ Conference

With regard to various social media reports with regard to the Catholic Church in Sri Lanka, which claimed there are various opinions within the Catholic clergy in Sri Lanka with regard to Archbishop of Colombo Cardinal Malcolm Ranjith, the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of Sri Lanka yesterday said the bishops’ conference fully backs the efforts of the Cardinal.

All Colombo Divisional Secretariats go cashless with card payment facilities

All Divisional Secretariat Offices in the Colombo District have now been equipped with credit and debit card payment facilities, enabling cashless payments for government services under the Government’s digitalization initiative.

SL peacekeepers in Central African Republic rescue 14 in high-risk UN airlift

A Sri Lanka Air Force (SLAF) aviation unit deployed under the United Nations Multidimensional Integrated Stabilization Mission in the Central African Republic (MINUSCA) successfully carried out an emergency casualty evacuation (CASEVAC) mission in Am Dafok on June 30, rescuing 14 injured personnel and civilians, the Air Force said.

12-hour water cut in Colombo and suburbs on Saturday

Water supply to several parts of Colombo and surrounding suburbs will be temporarily suspended on Saturday (July 04) from 9.00 a.m. to 9.00 p.m. (12 hours), the National Water Supply and Drainage Board (NWSDB) announced.

Sri Lanka, Pakistan to review progress of defence cooperation at bilateral dialogue

Sri Lanka and Pakistan are set to review the progress of their longstanding defence cooperation during the 6th Pakistan-Sri Lanka Armed Forces Defence Dialogue, which will be held at the Navy Headquarters in Sri Jayawardenepura, Kotte, on Friday (July 3), the Defence Ministry said.

No order to remove CID director Shani Abeysekara from Easter Attack investigation

Colombo Fort Magistrate Pasan Amarasena today ordered former State Intelligence Service (SIS) Director Suresh Sallay, who is being detained and questioned under a Detention Order in connection with the Easter Sunday terrorist attacks, to provide the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) with the passwords to his mobile phone and computer in relation to the investigation conducted into him.

SL braces for strong El Niño with 63% probability

While saying that Sri Lanka is currently in El Niño conditions, Additional Director General of the Department of Meteorology Ajith Wijemanne said Sri Lanka faces a 63% probability of a strong El Niño and a 33% probability of a weak El Niño.

Suresh Sallay ends hunger strike

Former State Intelligence Service (SIS) Director Suresh Sallay, who launched a hunger strike while in the custody of the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) over the Easter Sunday terror attack investigations, has decided to end his fast on the advice of his legal counsel.

UN raises concerns over persistent torture risks in Sri Lanka

Sri Lanka must strengthen its National Preventive Mechanism and take concrete action to address persistent risks faced by people deprived of liberty, the UN Subcommittee on Prevention of Torture (SPT) said after its second visit to the country, citing concerns over prolonged pre-trial detention, overcrowding and inadequate conditions in detention facilities and other places where people are deprived of liberty.

Govt to introduce tougher dog population control measures

The Government is set to strengthen dog population control and tighten measures to eradicate rabies after the Cabinet of Ministers approved the publication of the Rabies Eradication and Dog Registration Bill ahead of its presentation to Parliament, the Government Information department said yesterday.

Sri Lanka looks to Kazakhstan for energy cooperation

Sri Lanka and Kazakhstan have explored opportunities to strengthen cooperation in the energy sector, with Kazakhstan expressing its willingness to support Sri Lanka’s refined fuel requirements during high-level bilateral talks held on Tuesday.

Patients forced to pay triple the cost for essential medicines due to shortages, claims Doctors’ Union

The President of the Medical and Civil Rights Doctors’ Trade Union Alliance, Dr. Chamal Sanjeewa, has alleged that shortages of medicines and surgical equipment in government hospitals and the private healthcare sector have led to patients facing exorbitant costs when purchasing essential medical supplies from private vendors.