No discussions held on any plans for digital services tax with SL: IMF

The International Monetary Fund (IMF) has not discussed any plans for a digital services tax with the Sri Lankan authorities in the current programme, an IMF spokesperson said.

Victims up in arms over Maithripala & co. delay to compensate

Claiming that those whose negligence caused the Easter Sunday attacks in 2019 had shown no remorse by compensating them as ordered by court, several family members of the victims of the attacks who spoke to the Daily Mirror made a fresh call for justice for their lost loved ones.

Easter Sunday attacks: Maithripala seeks further time to pay compensation

Filing a motion before the Supreme Court, former President Maithripala Sirisena has sought further time to pay the remaining sum of Rs.85 million as compensation to the victims of the Easter Sunday attacks.

Lack of advanced lab leads to influx of low-quality drugs: Experts

The absence of an advanced laboratory to test the quality of pharmaceuticals has resulted in an influx of drugs of inferior quality in the market, leading to fatalities of patients at times, medical experts alleged.

Two days more for Maithripala to pay compensation over Easter bombings

The deadline to former President Maithripala Sirisena and other accused individuals to pay compensation for failing to avert the Easter Sunday bomb attacks will come to an end on Wednesday (July 12).

Health authorities in hot water over critical health issues

The health authorities including Health Minister Keheliya Rambukwella have been reprimanded over existing issues plaguing the health sector.

Robots say they won’t steal jobs, rebel against humans

Robots presented at an AI forum said on July 7 they expected to increase in number and help solve global problems, and would not steal humans’ jobs or rebel against us.

Four babies die in Kilinochchi Hospital, medical negligence or otherwise?

In a shocking turn of events, four new-born babies have died in the District General Hospital, Kilinochchi within the past seven days leading to serious questions whether these deaths are due to medical negligence or otherwise.

Fitch Downgrades Sri Lanka’s Long-Term Local-Currency IDR to ’C

Fitch Ratings has downgraded Sri Lanka’s Long-Term Local-Currency (LTLC) Issuer Default Rating (IDR) to ’C’ from ’CC’. The issue ratings on local-currency bonds have also been downgraded to ’C’ from ’CC’.

SL seeks innocent passage via Indian territorial waters to enter Arabian Sea

Sri Lanka will seek fresh diplomatic engagements with India to secure what is termed ‘an innocent passage’ through its territorial waters for Sri Lankan fishermen to enter the Arabian Sea for multi-day fisheries, a minister said.

No more free food for celebrities, politicians or anyone: Canteen Owners

The All Island Canteen Owners’ Association (AICOA) urged its members to hit anyone with hot water, waste water or with their fried rice mixture pan if they refuse to pay their bills.

DDR: Minimum impact on EPF, ETF, despite opposition crying foul

Despite the government having secured the parliamentary passage of the Domestic Debt Restructuring (DDR) programme, the opposition parties continue to make criticism and witticism about its impact, real or perceived, on contributors to the Employees’ Provident Fund (EPF) and the Employees’ Task Fund (ETF).

Health Minister soliciting bribes, DGHS focussing on foreign tours: Dr. Bellana alleges

President of the Government Medical Officers’ Forum Dr. Rukshan Bellana charged that Health Minister Keheliya Rambukwella was soliciting bribes, causing the downfall of the health sector of the country.

Dengue claims four more lives; June logs highest number of cases

Sri Lanka has reported four more dengue-related fatalities while the total cases have inched to cross 50,000, according to the Epidemiology Unit.

Ex-President released Jude Shramantha under due process of law: Counsel

Ex-President Maitripala Sirisena‘s counsel told the Supreme Court that Jude Shramantha Jayahama was released from prison following the due Constitutional process which the petitioner had suppressed to Court.

Parliament approves Domestic Debt Restructuring programme

The Domestic Debt Restructuring programme was approved by Parliament with a majority of 60 votes with 122 members voting for and 62 against.

Probe underway over ill-tempered consultant at LRH

The Health Ministry has initiated an investigation over an ill-tempered consultant pediatrician at the Lady Ridgeway Hospital for Children (LRH) following several complaints received against the consultant.

Several HCs, Ambassadors present credentials to President

Three High Commissioners and seven Ambassadors presented their credentials to President Ranil Wickremesinghe at the President’s House in Kandy a short while ago, the President’s Media Division (PMD) announced.

Cabinet gives go-ahead for DDR

Approval has been granted by the Cabinet of Ministers for the country’s Domestic Debt Restructuring (DDR) program.

’’If you do not know English, why don’t you speak in Tamil,’’ RW tells Tamil activist

President Ranil Wickremesinghe asked a Tamil activist in the UK to pose a question in Tamil when it seemed he was struggling to raise a question in English.

Specialist doctors’ retirement age increased to 63 years: Attorney General

The Attorney General informed the Court of Appeal today that the health authorities have taken a decision to raise the retirement age of Consultant Specialists Doctors to 63 years.

Exodus of medical specialists inevitable

Referring to the statement made by the Health Ministry Secretary that 700 doctors who are currently overseas will return within the next two years upon the completion of medical specialist training, a senior medical specialist said it is highly unlikely to witness such a phenomenon given the recent trend.

Bandula to run buses without conductors from July 1

The Ministry of Transport has decided to introduce a bus transport service without conductors from July 1st, on the instructions of Transport Minister Dr. Bandula Gunawardana.

NIA files chargesheet against 13 in India, Sri Lanka for attempting to revive LTTE

The National Investigation Agency (NIA) has filed a charge sheet against 13 people, including 10 Sri Lankan nationals and three Indians, in connection to its probe into the illegal drugs and arms trade case relating to attempts to revive the activities of Sri Lankan Tamil separatist group Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) in India and Sri Lanka, the agency said on Friday.

Air pollution triggered heart diseases visible in Sri Lanka : Expert

Air pollution has increased the risk of heart disease in Sri Lanka like elsewhere in the world, a top cardiologist said.

Pastor Jerome Fernando under probe for Money Laundering

The Attorney General today informed the Court of Appeal that the CID is conducting investigations against Pastor Jerome Fernando under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act apart from the charges levelled under ICCPR Act and Penal Code.

US$ rate reaches Rs.300; in-depth study on vehicle imports stressed: Siyambalapitiya

In a situation where the US dollar, which is overvalued by 78%, has been devalued by about 20%, Finance State Minister Ranjith Siyambalapitiya said that the proposal to give permission to import vehicles should be studied in depth.

SC gives landmark judgment on ownership and copyright

The Supreme Court recently gave a landmark judgment with regard to the ownership of the copyright of a work of renowned Chef Publis Silva, which is relevant to authors, publishers and all other connected parties in the respective field.

Monks, MPs, a catholic priest requested MS to free Shramantha Jude

Ven. Athuraliye Ratana Thera, former MPs Ven. Baddegama Samitha Thera, Sarath Kongahage, a Catholic priest and several others had met then President Maithripala Sirisena and pleaded to grant presidential pardon to Shramantha Jude Jayamaha, who was convicted for the killing of a young woman in Royal Park, it was revealed before the Supreme Court through a letter submitted by a then presidential assistant secretary, yesterday.

Cork teacher injured in cycling holiday accident in SL can sue in Ireland, High Court rules

A Cork woman who was injured in an accident on a cycling holiday in Sri Lanka can sue the UK-based organisers in the Irish courts, the High Court has ruled.