NPP MP assures Parliament canteen will not be closed: Harsha

Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB) MP Harsha de Silva said today that an NPP MP has told him that the Parliament canteen will not be closed but the government will see that no one will abuse the facility.

Joint programme launched to address disasters during 2024 A/L exams

The Disaster Management Centre (DMC) and the Examinations Department have initiated a joint programme to mitigate potential disasters during the 2024 Advanced Level examinations.

Sri Lanka elected to the UN Commission on International Trade Law

Sri Lanka was among thirty-one (31) members elected to the United Nations Commission on International Trade Law (UNCITRAL) by the UN General Assembly, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs said.

Netanyahu attacks ICC war crimes arrest warrants

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has condemned as ’’antisemitic’’ a decision by the International Criminal Court to issue arrest warrants for war crimes against him and ex-Defence Minister Yoav Gallant.

Fire breaks out in a flat at Wellampitiya

A fire broke out in a flat at the Salamulla housing scheme in Wellampitiya this morning, according to the Wellampitiya Police.

Ministers to be monitored: New mechanism in the offing

For the first time in Sri Lanka, the government is to establish a mechanism to supervise and advice ministries in the implementation of policies, a source said

Thundershowers forecast for Northern, North-Central, Eastern Provinces, Matale today

Due to a low pressure area over the southeast Bay of Bengal, thundershowers would occur in the Northern, North-Central and Eastern Provinces and in the Matale district and showers would occur at several places elsewhere in the island during the evening or night, the Meteorology Department said.

Thai vets consider trimming tusks of Muthu Raja to improve mobility

Veterinarians at the Thai Elephant Conservation Centre in Lampang are planning to trim the tusks of Plai Sak Surin (Muthu Raja), the 29-year-old elephant that was brought back to Thailand from Sri Lanka, to help improve his quality of life.

Jayasuriya confident ahead of Sri Lanka-South Africa Test series

Sri Lanka men’s cricket coach Sanath Jayasuriya yesterday that Sri Lankan players who preparing for the upcoming Test series against South Africa are well-prepared and fully committed to giving their best, despite lacking practice matches before the series which will commence on Wednesday (27) at Kingsmead Durban.

National consumer prices continue to decline by 0.7% in October on lower fuel prices

Consumer prices measured by the National Consumer Prices Index fell further into negative territory in October after the index tipped into deflation in September due to repeatedly cutenergy prices.

Sri Lanka to host first-ever marine summit ‘Voyage Sri Lanka 2024’ 

Sri Lanka is gearing up to host its first-ever Marine Summit, titled Voyage Sri Lanka 2024, scheduled to take place at the Kingsbury Hotel in Colombo on November 26. The event, organised by the Export Development Board (EDB) in collaboration with key stakeholders from the marine industry is aimed at emphasising Sri Lanka’s

Special unit to address crop damage by toque monkeys and other animals

The Ministry of Agriculture, Livestock, Lands and Irrigation has established a special unit to address the issue of harmful animal populations causing significant damage to crops. This initiative aims to implement multiple strategies for sustainable control.

Ravi K’s nomination on National List, NDF has violated original agreement: Wajira

The United National Party (UNP) today disputed claims by its member Ravi Karunanayake that there was an electoral agreement to offer a National List slot to a nominee by the New Democratic Front (NDF) whose gas cylinder symbol was used to contest the General Election this time in alliance with others.

SLMC appoints M.S. Naleem as national list MP

The Sri Lanka Muslim Congress (SLMC) has named M.S. Naleem, the former Chairman of the Eravur Urban Council, as its National List Member of Parliament (MP).

ICC issues arrest warrant for Benjamin Netanyahu for alleged Gaza war crimes

The international criminal court has issued arrest warrants for the Israeli prime minister, Benjamin Netanyahu, the country’s former defence minister Yoav Gallant and the Hamas leader Mohammed Deif for alleged war crimes relating to the Gaza war.

Olympic Athlete Sugath Thilakaratne among 29 Deputy Ministers

Olympic athlete Sugath Thilakaratne is one of the 29 deputy ministers appointed by President Anura Kumara Dissanayake.

Third school term holiday starts tomorrow

The first phase of the third term for all government-approved Sinhala and Tamil schools will end tomorrow, marking the beginning of school holidays, the Ministry of Education announced.

Independent MP refuses to vacate Opposition Leader’s seat

Jaffna District Independent MP Archuuna Ramanathan refused to move away after he sat on the Opposition Leader’s seat inside the chambers despite requests by Parliament staff to move.

Surgery removes 10 kg tumor from uterus in Kataragama

A surgery to remove a 10 kg tumor from the uterus of a woman has been reported from the Kataragama area.

Parliament adjourned until December 3

President Anura Kumara Dissanayake adjourned the Sri Lankan Parliament until 9:30 a.m. on December 3.

President announces salary hike for Govt. employees in budget

A fair salary increase will be granted to all Government employees in the upcoming budget proposal, the President said in his policy statement during the 10th parliamentary session.

Smuggler arrested with 300 tarantulas strapped to his body

Police in Peru have arrested a man caught trying to leave the country with 320 tarantulas, 110 centipedes and nine bullet ants strapped to his body.

Vote on account in December, new budget in March next year: President

President Anura Kumara Dissanayake told Parliament that a vote on account will be presented in December this year while a budget will be presented by March next year.

President promises increase in ’Aswesuma’ welfare payments to combat poverty

The President assured an increase in the amount allocated for the ’Aswesuma’ welfare benefit payments as the first step toward eradicating poverty.

Government to boost IT workforce to 200,000 in five years

The government is expecting to increase the number of Information Technology (IT) professionals to 200,000 within five years to meet the challenges of the global IT market.

Australia proposes bill to restrict under-16s on social media, fines for tech firms

The Australian government is threatening multimillion dollar fines for social media companies that breach a proposed ban on children under 16 from using their service.

Government expected to sign new staff level agreement with IMF by Friday

The Government expects to sign a new staff level agreement with the IMF by Friday, President Anura Kumara Dissanayake told Parliament today.

SriLankan Airlines wins best entertainment award in Central/Southern Asia

SriLankan Airlines has won the prestigious 2025 APEX Best Entertainment Award in Central/Southern Asia at the FTE APEX Asia Expo, held on 20 November 2024 in Singapore.

No one will enjoy legal immunity in our government: President

No one will enjoy legal immunity under the present Government, President Anura Kumara Dissanayake told Parliament a shortwhile ago.

President vows to prevent racist politics and religious extremism

President Anura Kumara Dissanayaka assured that racist politics would not be allowed to appear again at any cost and confirmed that the issues of religious extremism would not be raised in the country.