Sri Lanka, Netherlands initiate process to repatriate second batch of colonial artefacts

Sri Lankan Ambassador to the Netherlands Rekha Gunasekera met with the Minister of Education, Culture, and Science of the Netherlands, Eppo Bruins recently in The Hague to discuss the repatriation of the second batch of colonial artefacts, a statement from the mission said.

’It is now time for President to prove his allegations’: Namal challenges AKD

Former MP Namal Rajapaksa has challenged President Anura Kumara Dissanayake to prove his allegations that the Rajapaksa regime has hidden billions of dollars in Uganda and other countries.

Porsche vehicle given to me originally imported ten years ago: Rosy

The Porsche vehicle, which was given to her during her tenure as Presidential Advisor, was originally imported ten years ago, Rosy Senanayake, Adviser to former President Ranil Wickremesinghe said today.

School footwear prices to be reduced soon

The Footware and Leather Goods Industrialists’ Guild (FLGIG) said today that they have decided to reduce the prices of school footwear, including specifications, soon.

USD selling rate drops below Rs. 300 after 15 months

The selling rate of the US dollar has fallen below Rs. 300 for the first time since June 8, 2023.

President to meet Ambassadors, High Commissioners of seven countries today

President Anura Kumara Dissanayake is scheduled to engage in talks with Ambassadors, High Commissioners and representatives from seven countries today, the President’s Media Division (PMD) said.

Legal action against buses overcharging fares from today

Legal action will be taken from today against buses that charge more than the revised bus fares, the National Transport Commission (NTC) said.

US Green Card Lottery 2026 opens for Sri Lankans

The US Embassy in Colombo announced the start of the 2026 Diversity Visa Lottery Program, also known as the “Green Card” Lottery.

Pakistan captain steps down with immediate effect

Babar Azam has announced that he will no longer captain Pakistan’s white ball teams, stepping down as skipper of both the T20 and One Day International sides.

Iran says attack on Israel is over as fears grow of wider conflict

Iran said early on Wednesday that its missile attack on Israel was over barring further provocation, while Israel and the U.S. promised to retaliate against Tehran as fears of a wider war intensified.

Sajith could be the PM candidate if he agrees to a grand opposition alliance: Pro Ranil group

The UNP and other opposition groups are willing to accept Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB) Leader Sajith Premadasa as the Prime Ministerial candidate if he agrees to a common opposition alliance under a common symbol ahead of the General Election 2024, a former MP said yesterday.

High level Sri Lankan delegation due for talks with IMF this month

Claiming that the government will not discuss any structural changes to the IMF agreement with the IMF delegation that arrives in the country today, Cabinet Spokesman Minister Vijitha Herath said yesterday that structural and principal changes to the IMF agreement will be discussed at a meeting scheduled with a Sri Lankan delegation at IMF Headquarters at the end of this month.

Merchandise trade account expands with faster increase in imports

Sri Lanka’s exports reached the highest levels so far this year, buttressed by the recovery seen in garment exports as of late but the deficit in the merchandise trade account expanded due to the faster increase in imports.

Construction sector expansion persists through August

Construction sector activities continued to plough ahead through August 2024, though some slowdown was seen during the month.

Shooting attack in Tel Aviv causes a number of casualties, Israeli police say

Israeli police said gunmen opened fire in Israel’s commercial capital Tel Aviv on the boundary with Jaffa on Tuesday and there were a number of casualties.

Iran launches missile attack on Israel

Missiles were launched from Iran towards Israel a short while ago, the Israeli military says in a statement

Customs Intel foil attempt to export copper worth Rs.37.5Mn via Trico

An attempt to export over eight tones of copper worth over Rs.37.5 million in a container declared as crepe rubber through Trico Logistics yard in Grandpass was foiled by Sri Lanka Customs today.

ICC Women’s T20 World Cup 2024 to kick off on October 3

The ICC Women’s T20 World Cup 2024 is set to begin on October 3 in the United Arab Emirates (UAE), featuring ten teams from around the world.

No fuel shortage till next April: CPC Chairman

There will be no shortage of fuel till next April, as the Ceylon Petroleum Corporation (CPC) has planned and placed all necessary orders for fuel, Ceylon Petroleum Corporation Chairman D.J. Karunarathne said

No price revision on Litro gas

Litro Gas Lanka Limited has decided not to increase the retail price of a 12.5 kg LP gas cylinder, even though gas prices in the international market have risen, said Litro Chairman Channa Gunawardana.

Second phase of BIA development resumes with JICA support

The second phase of the Bandaranaike International Airport (BIA) Development Project has recommenced with the support of the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA).

Vehicles parked at Galle Face returned to Govt. institutions

The vehicles that had been brought to the Presidential Secretariat from various government institutions, including Ministries and departments, were returned to their respective agencies today (01) from the parking area near the Secretariat.

Putin sends personal message to President Dissanayake

Russian President Vladimir Putin, in a message to President Anura Kumara Dissanayake expressed his expectation that the bilateral relationship between the two countries would deepen under President Dissanayake’s leadership.

More than 20 children feared dead in Thailand bus crash

A bus carrying dozens of primary school children has crashed and caught fire just outside the Thai capital of Bangkok.

TNA MP S. Shritharan meets President

Former Tamil National Alliance (TNA) MP S. Shritharan met President Anura Kumara Dissanayake at the Presidential Secretariat today, the President’s Media Division (PMD) said.

Actor Govinda suffers bullet injury as revolver misfires, hospitalised

Actor Govinda on Tuesday was rushed to a hospital in Mumbai after sustaining an accidental bullet injury on his leg with his own revolver.

Superstar Rajinikanth admitted to Chennai Hospital; condition ’stable’

Superstar Rajinikanth was admitted to Chennai’s Apollo Hospital in the late hours on Monday, September 30. According to a hospital source, the 73-year-old actor’s condition is ’’stable’’ right now. The source, as quoted by News18, said the superstar was admitted to the hospital on Monday night after claiming to have “stomach problems.”

Bus fare revision to be announced tonight

The National Transport Commission (NTC) has decided to grant the benefit of recent fuel price revisions while reducing the bus fares.

Cabinet approves Rs. 11 Bn for general election

The Cabinet of Ministers has approved the release of Rs. 11 billion for the general election scheduled for November 14, 2024.

Shigeru Ishiba elected Japanese Prime Minister

Japanese ruling party leader Shigeru Ishiba was elected prime minister in parliament on Tuesday, succeeding Fumio Kishida to take charge of the country at a time of low public confidence in politics, a shaky economy and mounting security threats.