13 schoolchildren hospitalised due to food poisoning

Thirteen schoolchildren from Tamil Maha Vidyalayam in Hatton were admitted to the Dickoya Primary Hospital this afternoon (10) after experiencing symptoms of food poisoning.

Government refutes spending Rs. 7 million for ’Clean Sri Lanka’ inauguration

The government today refuted claims that Rs. 7 million was spent for the inauguration of the ’Clean Sri Lanka’ programme held at the Presidential Secretariat recently.

Wild elephant searching for food blocks tourist vehicle

A video circulating on social media shows a wild elephant blocking a vehicle carrying a group of foreign tourists and scaring them while searching for food.

Another jumbo knocked down to death by moving goods train

A wild elephant had been knocked down to death at Karadipuwal area between Puttalam and Eluwankulama Railway Stations in the early hours of last morning by a goods train transporting limestone to the Palaviya cement factory in the Puttalam District.

’I lodged first complaint against my brother’: Manusha

Claiming that he had no connections with his brother, former Foreign Employment Minister Manusha Nanaykkara said that he lodged the first complaint regarding financial frauds involving foreign employments.

Trump says meeting with Putin being arranged

Donald Trump has said that a meeting is being arranged between himself and Russian President Vladimir Putin.

Man with crocodile skull in luggage arrested at Delhi airport

Indian authorities say they have arrested a Canadian man at Delhi airport for carrying a crocodile skull in his luggage.

Rising health concerns as diabetes, other disorders increase among children

Over 100 children have been diagnosed with diabetes, raising serious concerns over the rising rates of the condition among younger populations.

Attempts to import red rice from India fails: Minister

The attempts to import red rice from India failed as red rice was not available in India, Trade, Commerce, Food Security and Cooperative Development Minister Wasantha Samarasinghe said yesterday.

Results of 2024 Grade 5 exam to be released before February 12

The results of the 2024 Grade 5 Scholarship Examination are expected to be released between February 10 and 12, Examinations Commissioner General Amith Jayasundara said.

High Court Judge appointed as Director General of Bribery Commission

High Court Judge Ranga Srinath Abeywickrema Dissanayake has been appointed as the new Director General of the Commission to Investigate Allegations of Bribery or Corruption, effective today, by President Anura Kumara Dissanayake.

Myanmar junta kills at least 41 in airstrike

A junta airstrike in Myanmar has killed at least 41 people and injured 50 others in the Rakhine State, local media reported on Thursday.

Sri Lankan accused of sexually assaulting woman on flight to Australia

A man accused of sexually assaulting a woman aboard an international flight has been banned from leaving the country while his court case is underway.

TikTok to make final plea at Supreme Court against US ban

TikTok will appear before the US Supreme Court on Friday in a last-ditch effort to overturn a ban, in a case testing the limits of national security and free speech.

Any Sri Lankan behind smuggling in Rohingyas? Probe begins

Following Rohingya arrivals and intelligence reports about plans for further 100,000 such cases, the police have begun investigations to ascertain whether any Sri Lankan is involved behind this human smuggling racket, a Minister said yesterday.

Public consultation on Western Province tariff revision today at BMICH

The public consultation session on the Western Province electricity tariff revision will be held at 9 a.m. today at the Bandaranaike Memorial International Conference Hall (BMICH), the Public Utilities Commission of Sri Lanka (PUCSL) announced.

SLTB launches luxury bus service between BIA and Makumbura

The Sri Lanka Transport Board (SLTB) luxury bus service is now available between Bandaranaike International Airport (BIA) and the Makumbura Multimodal Center (MMC) in Kottawa, providing greater convenience for travellers, the Civil Aviation Authority of Sri Lanka announced.

Modifying vehicles is not a crime: Namal

Referring to action taken by the police to remove certain parts from the vehicles under the ‘Clean Sri Lanka’ programme, SLPP MP Namal Rajapaksa yesterday said modifying a vehicle is not a crime.

More than 100 turtles found dead

More than 100 turtles had been found dead in the sea off the North, much to the anxiety of the fisherfolk and environmentalists.

Get real on ‘Clean Sri Lanka’

The ‘Clean Sri Lanka’ campaign launched by the government is hitting headlines especially in the electronic media, with videos of buses and three wheel drivers being stopped by police, advising them to remove the additional accessories on their vehicles.

First Bond auction for the year notches a partial acceptance

The Central Bank of Sri Lanka conducted its first T-Bond auction for the year, expecting to raise Rs. 190.0bn.

Smith to captain Australia in Sri Lanka Tests

Former captain Steve Smith will lead Australia in the upcoming three-match Test series against Sri Lanka as Pat Cummins will be on paternity leave.

Govt. launches Rs. 10bn subsidised loan for paddy procurement in Maha season

The government announced that it rolled out a Rs.10 billion loan facility under a subsidised interest rate for Small and Medium Scale (SME) Paddy Millers and Cooperative Societies to purchase paddy in the Maha Season 2024/2025.

Banks’ SRR under review for improved policy execution

On the heels of the Central Bank transitioning to a single policy rate from a dual policy rate structure for implementing and communicating the monetary policy, the Central Bank said it is currently in the process of reviewing the Statutory Reserve Requirement (SRR) framework in line with the Flexible Inflation Targeting framework and the international best practices.

Indices close on a negative note

Indices closed in red as a result of price losses in counters such as Sampath Bank, Commercial Bank and Melstacorp with the turnover crossing Rs. 4.1 bn.

Lebanon parliament elects army chief Joseph Aoun as president

Lebanon’s army chief Joseph Aoun has been elected as the country’s president, ending a power vacuum that lasted for more than two years.

Total expenditure for construction of MRIA not utilised effectively: National Audit Office

The National Audit Office has revealed that the total expenditure of USD 247.7 million (equivalent to Rs. 36,564 million), including price increases and variances, for the construction of the Mattala Rajapaksa International Airport (MRIA) has not been utilised effectively.

Rising tobacco addiction among Sri Lankan schoolchildren sparks concern

Sri Lanka is grappling with a rising trend of tobacco addiction among schoolchildren, highlighting the urgent need to address this growing issue to protect the well-being of the country’s future leaders.

Attack on Chad’s presidential palace leaves 19 dead

An attack on Chad’s presidential palace left 18 assailants dead and six in custody, with one soldier killed and three wounded, state media reported Thursday.

Rice shortage not linked to free distribution: Wajira blames poor governance

United National Party (UNP) Chairman Wajira Abeywardena said that it is fallacy that free distribution of rice among low income families during the time of the last government lead to the current shortage in market supply.