Sri Lankan soldiers seek Russian citizenship

The release of 465 Sri Lankan military personnel who enlisted in the Russian army has hit a legal snag, prompting the Russian authorities to consider Sri Lanka’s request at a later stage along with requests from other foreign nationals fighting for Russia, an official said yesterday.

Sri Lanka a step closer to Starlink internet service

In a step closer to the introduction of Starlink satellite internet service in Sri Lanka, the Committee on Public Finance has approved Sri Lanka Telecommunications (Amendment) Bill subjected to amendments to ensure consumers are ensured the benefits from advanced telecommunication technology.

Experts call for structural reforms to boost Sri Lanka’s trade success

Amid the intensified government efforts to capitalise on trade liberalisation through new preferential agreements, international trade experts stress the need for structural changes in Sri Lanka’s production sector before pursuing new pacts.

Sri Lanka’s bondholder talks to finalise as early as next week

Sri Lanka is upbeat about firming up talks with the bondholders, which will assist the island nation to come out of the ‘selective default’ status faster. President Ranil Wickremesinghe shared that finalisations can be reached as early as next week.

WB appoints Gevorg as Group Country Manager for Sri Lanka

Starting July 1, Gevorg Sargsyan will serve the World Bank as Group Country Manager for Sri Lanka, a position that will unify country level leadership across the institution, to better support the island nation’s public and private sector priorities.

Chandimal, Mathews, Shanaka guide Kandy Falcons to victory

Three experienced players and former Sri Lanka national captains Dinesh Chandimal, Angelo Mathews and Dasun Shanaka combined to guide Kandy Falcons to record a comfortable six-wicket victory over Dambulla Sixers in the first match of the Lanka Premier League 2024 played at the Pallekele Stadium yesterday (1).

Eleven trains derail last month due to maintenance and geological issues

A total of eleven trains on the upcountry and coastal railway lines have derailed in the past month due to maintenance errors with the rail tracks, train engines, compartments and geological reasons, the Railways Department said.

Afghanistan women call on ICC to form refugee team

Members of the former Afghanistan women’s team have called on the International Cricket Council to help them form a refugee team based in Australia.

Drunken train driver suspended, department level investigations launched

The Railways Department has suspended the services of the driver of a Colombo to Kandy train (No. 1019) and initiated an investigation at Departmental level.

13 associations suspended ahead of netball elections

The five-member Election Committee has suspended the voting rights of 13 affiliated members out of the 32-strong District Associations membership ahead of the Netball Federation of Sri Lanka (NFSL) 2024-2026 elections on July 25 in Colombo.

Lanka Premier League 2024 gets underway

The fifth edition of the Lanka Premier League (LPL) T20 Cricket Tournament commenced at the Pallekele International Cricket Stadium in Kandy.

Injuries kill 32 Sri Lankans daily

Injuries continue to exact a devastating toll on Sri Lankans, with at least 32 individuals succumbing to injuries every day, according to the latest data released by health authorities.

Debate on debt restructuring postponed

The debate on the agreement which Sri Lanka has singed with creditor nations on the debt restructuring process which was to begin tomorrow in Parliament has been postponed.

South Korea relaxes travel alert on Sri Lanka

The South Korean Foreign Affairs Ministry has decided to readjust Sri Lanka’s travel alert from level 2 to level 1, effective today (July 01).

Fifth edition of LPL begins today in Kandy

The fifth edition of the Lanka Premier League is set to kick off today (July 1) in Kandy with the defending champions Kandy Falcons taking on Dambulla Sixers in the opener in Pallekele.

Bus fare to be slashed by 5% starting tonight

The Transport Ministry has announced a 5% reduction in bus fares, effective from tonight, as part of the 2024 annual bus fare revision.

North Korea missile launch may have failed and fallen inland - South

North Korea fired two ballistic missiles on Monday and the second may have failed and blown up during an irregular flight, possibly raining debris inland, South Korea’s military said.

Hirunika’s bail application to be heard on July 4

The bail application (bail pending appeal) filed on behalf of former Colombo district Parliamentarian Hirunika Premachandra was today fixed for July 4 by the Colombo High Court.

Yupun to get wildcard entry for Paris Olympics?

Sprinter Yupun Abeykoon’s hopes of obtaining direct qualification for the 2024 Paris Olympic Games were shattered when he pulled out of the Sri Lanka Athletic (SLA) Special Selection Trials held at the Mahinda Rajapaksa Sports Complex in Diyagama.

Kadiravel Shanmugam to fill vacancy created by Sampanthan’s death

Kadiravel Shanmugam is to enter Parliament filling the vacancy created by the demise yesterday of TNA leader R. Samanthan.

China rocket crashes after ’accidental’ launch

A rocket that accidentally launched after getting separated from its launch pad crashed in China on Sunday.

8-month-old baby among injured in Bandaragama accident

The Bandaragama police report that seven people, including two young children, were injured in a head-on collision at Maragas Junction in Galthude on the Bandaragama-Kalutara Road.

Ravindra Jadeja announces T20I retirement after T20 World Cup victory

Star India all-rounder Ravindra Jadeja has announced his decision to retire from T20 internationals following India’s T20 World Cup 2024 triumph.

Construction sector continues to expand due to new projects

Outlook in the next three months remains positive as many expect an increase in the availability of new and bigger projects

Parinda Ranasinghe sworn in as Acting Attorney General

Senior Additional Solicitor General Parinda Ranasinghe PC took oaths as the Acting Attorney General before the Chief Justice a short while ago.

Indian PM condoles Sampanthan’s death

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi condoled the death of former Tamil National Alliance (TNA) leader R. Sampanthan.

Piumi Hansamali arrives at Illegal Assets Investigations Division

Model Piumi Hansamali arrived at the Criminal Investigation Department’s (CID) Illegal Assets Investigations Division to give a statement following allegations that she has acquired substantial properties through organized crimes.

SL Navy receives critical fisherman brought by ’MV Kota Camil’

The Sri Lankan fisherman who was critically ill after consuming an unknown substance found in a bottle floating in the sea was handed over to the SLNS Vijayabahu from the Singaporean merchant ship ’MV Kota Camil’.

Australia doubles foreign student visa fee in migration crackdown

Australia said on Monday it had more than doubled the visa fee for international students, the latest move by the government to rein in record migration that has intensified pressure on an already tight housing market.

Ready to work with all who back my candidacy at the presidential poll: Ranil

Responding to a request made by some government ministers that he should contest for the presidential election, President Ranil Wickremesinghe yesterday said he is ready to work with everyone who made this request.