Sri Lanka’s budget likely to lead to slower fiscal consolidation: Moody’s

Sri Lanka’s budgeted expenditure for 2025 will likely lead to a wider fiscal deficit and slower-than-expected fiscal consolidation, Moody’s Ratings said on Tuesday, a day after the island nation unveiled its budget.

Ongoing kidney racket revealed

Medical Administrator and Health and Mass Media Ministry Secretary Dr. Anil Jasinghe revealed today that there was an ongoing kidney racket in the country by several individuals from India selling kidneys for up to Rs. 3 million.

Harsha was not given district leadership due to party policy: Marikkar

Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB) MP S.M. Marikkar said today that party policy has led to the non-appointment of Harsha de Silva as a district leader.

More than cricket as Pakistan hosts first major tournament in 29 years

Pakistan will host a first major cricket tournament in almost three decades from Wednesday in a move hailed as a landmark just a few years after the country was off-limits because of security fears.

Government has failed to address teachers’ salary issues in budget: Stalin

Ceylon Teachers’ Union (CTU) Secretary Joseph Stalin claimed today that the government has not addressed the issue of teachers’ salaries in the recent budget.

Ex-UNP MP arrested

Former UNP Puttalam District MP Shantha Sisira Kumara Abeysekara and his son were arrested for possessing an illegally assembled vehicle.

Food safety at risk due to testing delays

The Public Health Inspectors’ (PHI) Union raised concerns that lack of facilities at the Government Analyst’s Department is affecting food safety checks.

Canteen, hotel food prices to increase from tonight

The All Island Canteen and Restaurant Owners’ Association (AICROA) has decided to increase the prices of all canteen and hotel food items from midnight today.

Heat expected to rise to 'Caution Level' tomorrow

The heat felt by the human body is expected to rise to the ’Caution Level’ tomorrow (19) in the Northern, North-Central, North-Western, Western and Southern Provinces, as well as in the Moneragala and Ratnapura districts, the Meteorology Department said.

Disruption in water supply due to prevailing extreme dry weather conditions

The National Water Supply and Drainage Board (NWSDB) announced a disruption to the water supply due to the prevailing extreme dry weather conditions.

Effectiveness of public service decisions questioned amid 2025 budget benefits

Considering the benefits provided to state sector employees in the 2025 budget, doubts arise over the effectiveness of decisions made regarding the public service, United Postal Trade Unions Front (UPTUF) Co- convener Chinthaka Bandara said.

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.