Pope’s health a 'complex clinical situation', Vatican says

Pope Francis is being treated for a ’’complex clinical situation’’ and will remain in hospital for as long as necessary, the Vatican has said.

Govt. eager to hold LG elections before popularity dips: MP Rasamanickam

Representatives from various political parties in Parliament convened with the Election Commission to discuss the scheduling of the upcoming local government elections.

'We will definitely reduce taxes on fuel': Nalinda

The government will definitely take steps to reduce taxes on fuel in the future, Chief Government Whip, Minister Nalinda Jayatissa said today.

Bus crash in Bolivia kills at least 30 people

More than 30 people have been killed in a bus crash on a mountain road in Bolivia, police say.

CEB implements long-term measures to strengthen grid stability

The Ceylon Electricity Board (CEB) acknowledged the recent island-wide power failure, explaining that the high penetration of non-synchronous solar PV reduced grid inertia, increasing its vulnerability to faults. This imbalance between generation and demand led to cascading disconnections, which ultimately resulted in a total power outage.

Re-scrutinised results of 2023 (2024) GCE (O/L) exam released

The Examinations Department announced that the re-scrutinised results of the 2023 (2024) G.C.E. Ordinary Level Examination has been released.

Who can afford to import vehicles at current rates, asks Harsha

Vehicle imports will be very risky as prices of vehicles have gone up remarkably, SJB MP Harsha De Silva said today.

Bread prices to drop

Bakery owners have decided to reduce the price of a 450g loaf of bread by Rs. 10, following a Rs. 10 per kilogram reduction in wheat flour prices, the Trade Ministry said.

Don’t remind monkey incident all the time: Nalinda tells Opposition

Chief Government Whip Minister Nalinda Jayatissa said the monkey incident is now over and requested the Opposition not to remind the monkey incident all the time.

Namal granted bail in Krrish deal case

The Colombo High Court today granted bail to Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna (SLPP) Parliamentarian Namal Rajapaksa after serving him with indictments in connection with the controversial Krrish deal case.

Moderate air quality recorded in major urban areas

A moderate level Air Quality Status was recorded yesterday in major urban areas in Sri Lanka while slightly unhealthy level air quality was recorded in Ratnapura and Embilipitiya.

Govt. still to determine cause for recent power breakdown: Chief Government Whip

The Government is still conducting investigations to determine the cause for the recent power breakdown, Chief Government Whip Nalinda Jayatissa told Parliament today.

SriLankan Airlines wraps up maintenance work for Salam Air A321neo

The Engineering team of SriLankan Airlines wrapped up base heavy maintenance on an A321neo aircraft for long-term repeat customer Salam Air, ahead of the scheduled completion date.

All passengers and crew survive plane crash at Toronto airport

All passengers and crew on a flight which crashed and overturned while landing at Toronto Pearson Airport in Canada have survived, the airport’s chief executive has said.

Police to screen rejoining officers for drug use

The Acting Inspector General of Police has directed all senior officers and police OICs to ensure that any personnel seeking reinstatement after suspension or leaving the force undergo a mandatory drug testing.

Budget bodes well for economic improvement in the long run: Economist

Economist Talal Rafi said the budget presentation of the new government has positive aspects which can improve the economy in the long term.

Budget 2025: Key Takeaways

Budget 2025 sets out a total government expenditure of LKR 7,190 billion, marking a 17% increase from the LKR 6,131 billion allocated in 2024. As a share of Gross Domestic Product (GDP), government spending is set to rise from 20.4% to 21.8%.

AKD’s maiden budget a bold reset for Sri Lanka

President Anura Kumara Dissanayake delivered his first budget speech in Parliament yesterday,outlining a financial roadmap that doubles as a manifesto for change.

Boost for digital economy with Rs.3bn budget allocation

The government has allocated Rs.3 billion for its digital transformation strategies this year, as part of its efforts to generate US $ 15 billion in revenue through the digital economy by 2030.

No rise in prices of demerit goods from this budget: Excise Chief

The prices of much talked about demerit goods of economy, alcohol and tobacco will not be raised from this budget as anticipated by potential consumers, Chief of the Excise Department told the Daily Mirror.

Local Authorities Elections (Special Provisions) Bill approved by Parliament

Local Authorities Elections (Special Provisions) Bill was passed by a two-thirds majority in Parliament today.

Court dismisses stay order application on BASL election

The Colombo District Court today dismissed an application for an enjoining order to stay the election for the post of President of the Bar Association of Sri Lanka (BASL), scheduled to be held on February 19, 2025.

’’Government has come with a large cake, it should be divided equally among people’’: Sunil Handunetti

Minister of Industries Sunil Handunetti likened the Budget 2025, proposed in Parliament by President Anura Kuamra Dissanayake earlier today, to a large cake, saying it should be divived equally among all people.

Amend budget during debate: Sajith

While highlighting that the budget 2025 has been prepared following the advice of the IMF, Opposition Leader Sajith Premadasa said the government should amend the budget at least during the budget debate.

Term of Acting President of Court of Appeal extended

The term of Acting President of the Court of Appeal Justice Mohammed Thahir Laffar has been extended.

President takes a swipe at foreign energy company

In an obvious reference to the Adani group moving out of the renewable energy project, President Anura Kumara Dissanayake, in his budget speech, asked whether the unit price of USD 0.08 quoted by it is justifiable.

Government employees’ salaries to increase

The government has announced a salary increase for government employees, with the basic salary being raised from Rs 24,250 to Rs 40,000.

Government to lease underutilized state-owned land to SMEs for productive economic activities

The Government is proposing to lease underutilized state-owned land to SMEs for productive economic activities under the budget 2025.

SriLankan Airlines allocated Rs. 20 billion

The budget 2025 has allocated Rs. 20 billion for national carrier SriLankan Airlines, for the repayment of the principal and interest of its loan.

Assistant Divisional Secretary dies of burn injuries

The Assistant Dvisional Secreatary of Chavakachcheri Sathees Thamalini (35) died of serious burn injuries caused by a fire which broke out in her house.