Former Sri Lankan diplomat in Australia fined more than $100,000 for ‘entrapping’ domestic worker

A diplomat who “entrapped” a domestic worker in her Canberra home, forcing her to work 14 hours, seven days a week, for less than a dollar an hour, has been fined more than $100,000 in the federal court.

’’Dr’’ title added mistakenly to Justice Minister’s profile: Parliament clarifies

Clarfying the removal of the title ’’Dr’’ for Justice Minister Harshana Nanayakkara from the Parliament website, the Parliament media unit said the title was mistakenly added before the name of the Justice Minister and that it has now been corrected.

Increased Customs tax prevents selling rice at controlled price: Importers

Even though the required stocks of rice have been imported into the country, releasing these stocks to the local market has been difficult due to an increase in Customs duty charged per kilogram, a rice importer said.

Latvia blocked fertiliser shipment to SL for over two years, claims Russian Ambassador

Russian Ambassador Levan S. Dzhagaryan alleged yesterday that Latvia, a European Union country, blocked a shipment of free fertiliser to Sri Lanka for over two years.

Anyone found guilty of wrongdoing will face consequences: President

Claiming that the government will not shield anyone who errs, for any reason, President Anura Kumara Dissanayake said today anyone found guilty of wrongdoing will face the consequences.

SJB MPs to sign no-faith motion on Speaker today

Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB) MPs are to begin placing their signatures to the no-confidence motion that is to be brought in against Speaker Asoka Ranwala today.

CPC refutes fuel shortage

The Ceylon Petroleum Corporation (CPC) yesterday refuted certain reports about a possible fuel shortage due to a fuel shipment imported by a private company being sent back.

US: plane crashes onto Texas highway, splits in half; four injured

A twin-engine propeller plane crashed onto a Texas highway on Wednesday and split into two parts, damaging cars and injuring at least four people in the process, according to authorities.

Indian national arrested for alleged match-fixing in Lanka T10 league

An Indian national, the owner of the ’Galle Marvels’ team in the Lanka T10 Super League, has been arrested by the Special Police Unit for the Prevention of Misconduct Related to Sports on charges of alleged match-fixing.

Two more fake ’Dr’ titles rock govt.

Days after a shocking dispute over the doctoral credentials of Speaker Asoka Ranwala and his stoic silence over it, fresh controversy has emerged following the discovery that Urban Development and Housing Minister Anura Karunatilake also does not possess such qualifications despite him being referred to as ’Dr.’ on certain occasions and in instances, and the same of Justice Minister Harshana Nanayakkara

Yala National Park overcrowded again

A recent decision by the Department of Wildlife Conservation to increase the number of Safari jeeps to 550 into the Yala National Park has received backlash from animal rights activists who claim that the National Park is facing a threat of overcrowding and this is a violation of animal rights.

Some 50,000 monkeys residing in villages and urban areas causing issues - report

The most recent statistics indicate that out of the estimated 300,000 monkeys in the country, around 50,000 monkeys are causing issues by residing in villages and urban areas.

All MPs must publish their educational qualifications: SJB MP

While highlighting that the false claim by Speaker Ashoka Ranwala on his doctorate has degraded Parliament, Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB) MP Harshana Rajakaruna said today that all Members of Parliament should publish their educational qualifications.

Geminids meteor shower visible in Sri Lanka on Dec 14

The Geminids Meteor shower will be visibe to Sri Lanka at its peak on December 14, the Arthur C. Clarke Centre said.

Biden commutes nearly 1,500 sentences, pardons 39 people

United States President Joe Biden has commuted nearly 1,500 prison sentences and pardoned 39 people in what the White House has described as the largest act of clemency in a single day in the country’s modern history.

Sri Lanka receives Beechcraft from Australia to strengthen air operations

The addition of the modern twin-engine turboprop aircraft to the Sri Lanka Air Force will play a crucial role in strengthening Sri Lanka’s efforts to combat maritime threats, including drug trafficking and human smuggling, while also supporting disaster relief in the country and search operations in the Indian Ocean.

SC rules Sarath Weerasekara, CID violated Azath Salley’s Fundamental Rights

The Supreme Court today declared that the fundamental rights of former Governor of the Western Province Azath Salley had been violated by former Minister of Public Security Sarath Weerasekara and two CID officers through his arrest and detention in 2021.

SLPP invites Govt, Opposition MPs to support no-confidence motion on Speaker

In the wake of growing allegations over Speaker Ashoka Sapumal Ranwala’s academic qualifications, the Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna (SLPP) has invited all Opposition and Government MPs to support the no-confidence motion on the Speaker.

President calls for strengthening financial system

President Anura Kumara Dissanayake has directed the Ministry of Finance to implement measures to enhance the efficiency and resilience of Sri Lanka’s financial system.

CSE’s ASPI surges to record high, exceeds 14,000 mark

The Colombo Stock Exchange’s All Share Price Index (ASPI) reached a historic milestone today, surpassing the 14,000 mark.

SJB finalises National List nominees

The Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB) finalised its nominees for the remaining national list slots today.

UAE extends official invitation to President for visit

The Ambassador to the United Arab Emirates (UAE) Khaled Nasser Al Ameri extended an official invitation to President Anura Kumara Dissanayake to visit the UAE as a gesture of goodwill, the President’s Media Division (PMD) said.

SIU investigates into Army personnel’s alleged role in police injuries

The Special Investigation Unit (SIU) of the Sri Lanka Police has launched an inquiry into reports alleging that an Army Intelligence officer was responsible for the injuries sustained by police officers during a protest outside the Isurupaya building in Battaramulla.

Man arrested with Rs 4.5 mn worth foreign cigarettes

A 57-year-old man was arrested early this morning, while attempting to smuggle in foreign manufactured cigarettes worth approximately Rs. 4.5 million at the Bandaranaike International Airport Arrival Terminal.

Enjoining order issued preventing SJB from sending National List to EC

The Colombo District Court issued an enjoining order preventing the Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB) from sending its list of nominations for the SJB National List to the Election Commission without including the name of Sri Lanka Muslim Congress (SLMC) Secretary Nizam Kariapper.

Fever outbreak in Jaffna identified as Leptospirosis

The fever that spread in Jaffna, claiming seven lives, has been identified as Leptospirosis, commonly known as Rat Fever, the Epidemiology Unit of the Health Ministry announced today.

Two sisters killed in expressway accident

Two sisters were killed after the car they were travelling in collided with a lorry on the Southern Expressway.

Supreme Court clears obstacles to judicial appointments

A Fundamental Rights petition filed by a lawyer seeking an order directing the Constitutional Council to approve the recommendation made by former President Ranil Wickremesinghe to appoint the incumbent President of the Court of Appeal, Nissanka Bandula Karunaratne, as a Supreme Court judge was dismissed with costs today by the Supreme Court.

Formulate policies, make decisions in the best interest of schoolchildren: PM

Policies should be formulated, and decisions should be made based on data that prioritises the best interests of schoolchildren. Officials should also treat the public humanely, recognising their role as providers of public services, Prime Minister Harini Amarasuriya said.

Security details of former Presidents reduced

Security details of former Presidents have been withdrawn after reviewing reports on the security threats they face, police said.