‘‘Mechanism to refund withholding tax charged from depositors below lower-income brackets’’

The government is formulating a mechanism to provide relief to depositors who had to pay 10 percent withholding tax whereas they earn less than Rs. 150,000 deposit interest a month, Minister of Labour Anil Jayantha said yesterday.

Blue Sapphire in the shape of Sri Lanka discovered

A gem merchant in Nivithigala has found a Blue Sapphire in the shape of Sri Lanka. The gem merchant Rohan Wasantha Dissanayake of Nivithigala said he bought it from a gem miner in Karavita area.

‘Cardinal’ only used to polish the floor: Pastor Jerome

Pastor Jerome Fernando recently shared a nostalgic Facebook post recalling the role of the ‘Cardinal’ brand in his childhood Christmas traditions.

Excise proposes settlement of 50% defaulted tax to restore production licence of W. M. Mendis and Co.

Making a fresh approach towards the stagnating tax issue of staggering Rs.5.8 billion defaulted by the local liquor giant W. M. Mendis and Co. Ltd. the newly appointed Excise Chief has proposed a way-out to settle 50% of the arrears to reactivate its suspended production licence, the Daily Mirror learns.

Govt. has not yet decided when to assign official vehicles to MPs

The government is yet to assign vehicles to the MPs of the new Parliament though it has taken a policy decision to do so.

Sharp increase in financial frauds during festive season: SLCERT

An organized group is once again deceiving the public on a large scale, as evidenced by a sharp increase in financial fraud complaints during the Christmas and New Year season, Sri Lanka Computer Emergency Readiness Team (SLCERT) Chief Information Security Engineer Nirosh Ananda said.

Nearly 9,000 drivers face legal action for drunk driving and traffic violation

Legal action has been taken against nearly 9,000 drivers, including 251 for driving under the influence of liquor, for traffic violations and reckless driving within a 24-hour period that ended yesterday, police said.

SLPP decides on legal action over reducing MR’s security

Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna had decided to go to court over reducing the strength of security provided to former President Mahinda Rajapaksa.

Moody’s raises Sri Lanka’s rating

Christmas gifts are continuing to come Sri Lanka’s way, with Moody’s Ratings (Moody’s) upgrading the island nation’s long-term foreign currency issuer rating to Caa1 from Ca. The outlook is stable. Previously, the rating was on review for upgrade.

Wayside bandits haunt people travelling Malabe-Ambathale road in Colombo

Special security measures have been introduced in response to multiple complaints from residents regarding frequent robberies, including vehicle thefts, along Chandrika Kumaratunga Mawatha, which runs from Malabe to Ambathale in Colombo.

Probe underway as child dies after surgery at J’Pura hospital

A nine-year-old boy reportedly died after undergoing surgery at the Sri Jayawardenepura Hospital raising concerns over potential medical negligence.

Over 370 jumbos perish in 2024

Sri Lanka has recorded a staggering 375 elephant deaths in the past eleven and a half months due to a plethora of causes, according to the Department of Wildlife Conservation.

Abuse of President’ Fund: Dayasiri vows to reveal JVPers who sought assistance from it before 2010

Adding further controversy to the misuse of the President’s Fund, Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB) MP Dayasiri Jayasekera yesterday said some of its members also sought assistance from the President’s funds prior to 2010, Opposition MP Dayasiri Jayasekera alleged yesterday.

China to reveal info on AKD’s planned visit ‘in a timely manner’ – Chinese FM

The Chinese Foreign Ministry announced on Monday that it would disclose details about Sri Lankan President Anura Kumara Dissanayake’s planned official visit to China in mid-January “in a timely manner.”

Licence ready, Elon Musk’s Starlink yet to import devices to start operation

Despite Elon Musk’s Starlink, the satellite unit of SpaceX, being granted licence to operate in Sri Lanka, the organization is yet to apply for the import of devices to be used in connecting to the service, a top source said.

Main schools in Colombo without principals

Some seven schools in Colombo including Royal is running without principals currently, the Education Ministry said yesterday.

Can funds disbursed through President’s Fund be refunded?

In the wake of the recent revelation of politicians receiving money from the President’s Fund, many have questioned whether such disbursed funds can be refunded.

Economic crisis stalls five high-rise buildings

Construction work of five high-rise buildings have been ground to a standstill because of the economic crisis that hit the country in 2022, and the Ministry of Urban Development is now at a loss to decide how to resume them since the project companies have either been declared bankrupt or mutually terminated projects, a top source said.

Special security measures for Churches holding Christmas services

Special security measures will be enacted by the Police and tri forces for all churches across the country holding Christmas services.

Special crimes investigation units to be set up covering all provinces

In a fresh bid to curb the crime wave and to restructure the Sri Lanka Police, Public Security Minister Ananda Wijepala said that Special Crimes Divisions, similar to the Colombo Crimes Division, will be established in each province to address the rising crime rates.

Deport Israeli military personnel residing in Sri Lanka: FLSP

The Frontline Socialist Party (FLSP) yesterday called on the government to deport Israeli military personnel currently in Sri Lanka without valid visas.

Suspect dies after collapsing in Chilaw Police custody

A suspect who collapsed unconscious in the Chilaw Police cell was pronounced dead after admission to hospital on Thursday night.

Extension of continental shelf beyond its Exclusive Economic Zone Sri Lanka, India seek to reach understanding on overlapping claims

Sri Lanka has since held 11 rounds of talks with the sub-commission

crisis spirals, Govt. extends deadline for imports till January 10

Amidst irregularities in rice supply and shortages in some places, the government, upon request by importers, has decided to extend the deadline till January 10, 2025 for imports, a top source said. The previous deadline ended yesterday.

Understanding Sri Lanka’s seasonal rice shortage: An analytical perspective

Sri Lanka’s recurring rice shortage during December and January has become a predictable yet pressing issue. This challenge is rooted in the country’s reliance on its two main paddy cultivation seasons, Maha and Yala, alongside structural inefficiencies in production, distribution, and storage systems. Understanding the statistical trends and underlying causes provides clarity on the situation and highlights actionable solutions.

Lanka T10 match-fixing scandal: Indian team owner granted bail

The Colombo Chief Magistrate granted bail to the Indian national Prem Thakur, the owner of the ‘Galle Marvels’ team in the Lanka T10 Super League Tournament, on heavy bail conditions.

High Court notifies death sentence on DIG Vaas Gunawardena, son Ravindu

The Colombo High Court yesterday notified the accused in the businessman Mohamed Shyam murder case that the Supreme Court’s five-judge bench has affirmed the death sentence and conviction of former DIG Vaas Gunawardena, his son Ravindu Vaas Gunawardena, and four police officers for the murder of millionaire businessman Mohamed Shyam.

60 civil society - media orgs, TUs request President to repeal PTA and repressive laws

The Coalition against the Repressive Laws (CARL) comprised of more than 60 civil society and media organisations as well as trade unions and professional associations have requested President Anura Kumara Dissanayake to repeal repressive laws including the Prevention of Terrorism Act.

Over 200 trees felled near Yala National Park

About 200 trees, including Satin, Margosa, Palu, and Weera, have been felled at Galara in Tissamaharama, which is adjacent to Yala National Park, according to the Lunugamvehera Wildlife Conservation Office. The raid was conducted based on a tip-off given by local residents.

18th SIP Abacus National Competition 2024 held in Colombo

The 18th SIP Abacus and Mental Arithmetic National Competition 2024 was held at the Sugathadasa Indoor Stadium in Colombo Saturday December 14 under the patronage of SIP Abacus Sri Lanka Country Manager Rishard Raheem. Picture shows Sri Lanka Country Manager Rishard Raheem presenting a token of appreciation to the Principal of Zahira College Trizviy Marikar and Hassim Omar Foundation Chairman Hassim Omar at this ceremony. SIP Abacus Manager, Inte