ADB urges SL to embrace green bonds for growth

Sri Lanka must intensify efforts to sustain its growth while addressing the climate change challenges, the Asian Development Bank (ADB) stressed yesterday, highlighting the need for the island nation to turn to green bonds to meet its needs.

Business chambers call for immediate halt to customs action

The Joint Chambers of Commerce yesterday expressed strong disapproval of the decision by the customs officers to work to rule, emphasising the urgent need to resume normal operations to avoid further harm to businesses.

Domestic LPG market to leapfrog in years ahead: Laugfs Gas

The domestic liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) market is expected to leapfrog in the years ahead, despite the setbacks faced by the industry during the time of recent economic and financial crisis in the country, Laugfs Gas PLC said.

Sri Lanka closes US $ 12.5bn bond restructuring deal

Sri Lanka has successfully concluded its discussions with the bondholders, reaching an agreement on the restructuring terms yesterday. This follows an unsuccessful first round of talks in April.

No suitable suitors for SriLankan Airlines, says Aviation Minister

There are no suitable suitors for the national carrier SriLankan Airlines, Ports, Shipping and Aviation Minister Nimal Siripala de Silva said yesterday.

Would saner counsel prevail? Proposed illegal bus route via Wilpattu National Park

For any nature lover, a path off the beaten track is an adventure on its own. An occasional call of a Malabar hornbill, a leopard’s footprint and elephant excreta add more depth to the lush terrain along this scenic route via the Wilpattu National Park. Hence, environmental groups have been fighting to protect this route, known as the Puttalam-Marichchikadai route or B379 from being vulnerable to further destruction and chaos. But the Daily Mirro

President has no chance of getting tenure extension; only trying to create uncertainty: AKD

President Ranil Wickremesinghe has no chance of getting a one-year extension of his tenure as the Supreme Court has given a clear ruling in 2019 that the President’s tenure is five years, NPP leader Anura Kumara Dissanayake said today.

Cavendish breaks Tour de France stage record

Mark Cavendish broke the Tour de France stage wins record as he took his 35th victory in cycling’s greatest race to surpass the legendary Eddy Merckx with a sensational sprint finish in Saint Vulbas.

No teacher permitted to disrupt school education between 7:30 am and 1:30 pm: President

No teacher will be permitted to disrupt school education between 7:30 am and 1:30 pm, and the Attorney General has been directed to consider further measures to ensure this, President Ranil Wickremesinghe said.

SC suspends criminal proceedings in X-Press Pearl case

The Supreme Court issued an interim order staying further proceedings relating to the indictment filed before the Colombo High Court against eight accused, including the Captain of the fire-ravaged container ship MV X-Press Pearl.

Customs on two-day sick leave

All trade unions of the three revenue generating arms of the Ministry of Finance - the Inland Revenue Department, the Department of Excise and Sri Lanka Customs will resort to a joint protest campaign against the proposed Sri Lanka Revenue Authority (SLRA) Bill tomorrow and the day after with the Sri Lanka Customs to call for sick leave.

Fernando, Asalanka script thrilling win for Jaffna Kings

A maiden ton by Kusal Perera for Dambulla Sixers was in vain as swashbuckling knocks by Avishka Fernando and skipper Charith Asalanka brought back Jaffna Kings from a nowhere position to guide the side to a thrilling last ball win by four wickets in the fourth match of the Lanka Premier League tournament encounter played at the Pallekele Stadium.

Mattala Airport to partner with Russia and India in joint venture

Minister of Ports, Shipping, and Aviation Nimal Siripala de Silva announced today that the management of financially burdened Mattala Rajapaksa International Airport will soon be entrusted to a joint venture between Russia and India.

HRCSL makes strong recommendations over prefects’ appointments at Royal College

The Human Rights Commission of Sri Lanka (HRCSL) has issued a set of recommendations to Royal College, Colombo 7, pertaining to alleged irregularities in the appointments of the Prefects Council for the year 2023/2024.

Pandya and Wanindu top T20I all rounder ranking

Hardik Pandya’s impressive showing in the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup has seen him become the No.1 ranked all-rounder in the latest ICC Men’s T20I Rankings update.

Who is Udayanga Weeratunga? asks Sagara Kariyawasam

Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna (SLPP) General Secretary Sagara Kariyawasam highlighted that former Ambassador of Sri Lanka to Russia Udayanga Weeratunga has nothing to do with the party and thus, his statements regarding the party are of no importance.

Dr. Bellana appointed UNP zonal organizer

Deputy Director of the Colombo National Hospital Dr. Rukshan Bellana has been appointed as a zonal organizer for the United National Party (UNP).

FR petition filed to halt presidential election

A fundamental rights petition has been filed in the Supreme Court seeking an order to prevent the Election Commission from conducting the Presidential Election until the Court decides on the incumbent President’s tenure.

President paints a rosy picture, but what happens after 2028?

Last week, the government very proudly signed a debt restructuring agreement with the Paris Club and India and China which gives the country some breathing space to pay up its loans.

Fire kills husband and wife in Yatiyanthota

Two people have died in a fire that broke out this morning (July 3) in a row of estate houses in the Palallegama area of Yatiyanthota.

Death toll from stampede in India rises to 121

The death toll from a stampede at a Hindu religious congregation in northern India has risen to 121, news agency ANI reported on Wednesday, where a police report said the number of people present was more than triple the permitted capacity.

Mahinda Kahandawela joins UNP

Former SLPP Colombo Municipal Councillor Mahinda Kahandawela who hit the news after he was attacked during the violence on May 9, 2022, has joined the UNP and pledged his support to incumbent President Ranil Wickremesinghe.

Khan’s hat-trick steers Colombo Strikers to victory

Right-arm spinner Shadab Khan’s hat-trick in his final over paved the way for Colombo Strikers to record a comfortable 51-run win over Kandy Falcons in the LPL encounter played at Pallekele Stadium yesterday.

World Champion high jumper found shot to death near South African cemetery

The body of South African high jump superstar Jacques Freitag was found this week riddled with bullets near a cemetery in his home country, bringing a weeks-long saga to a conclusion following his June 17 disappearance.

Japan welcomes Sri Lanka’s debt restructuring efforts

Foreign Minister Yoko Kamikawa on Tuesday praised Sri Lanka’s recent efforts to address its economic crisis and debt restructuring, following the South Asian country’s agreement with creditor nations, according to the Japanese government.

Heavy showers above 50mm on the cards

The Department of Meteorology has issued a weather advisory indicating that several regions across the country will experience significant rainfall and strong winds in the coming days.

Prabhakaran’s family accuses some diaspora and Indian, SL politicos of major fraud

Exposing a major scam by some Tamil diaspora groups and Tamil politicians in India and Sri Lanka, the immediate family of LTTE leader Velupillai Prabhakaran urged Tamils around the world not to get duped by a ‘gang of mafia fraudsters’.

Robot commits suicide, South Korea probes reasons

A municipality in central South Korea has announced an investigation after a robot, which had been assisting with municipal tasks, threw itself down the stairs.

Prabhakaran’s nephew demands respect for slain uncle and his family

Fifteen years after the death of the entire family of Velupillai Prabhakaran, the leader of the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE), the elder brother of Prabakaran and the family relations of the deceased rebel leader have urged the Tamil people in the world not to be deceived by fraudsters belonging to sections of the Tamil diaspora who are said to be minting money by selling the ‘brand name’ Velupillai Prabhakaran and the names of his fam

Probe under way after two students fall to death from Altair apartments in Colombo

Two students, a male and female aged 15, both studying at the Colombo International School, are suspected to have committed suicide by jumping from the 67th floor of the Altair apartments building in Kompanna Veediya on Tuesday evening.