Easter attacks: NPP pledges action against culprits under its government

The National People’s Power (NPP) said that a future NPP government will appoint a special Commission of Inquiry with full judicial powers to further investigate the facts unearthed through the special Commissions and other investigations into the Easter Sunday attack and mete out justice to the victimized families.

Highest possible level of transparency provided in bondholders talks: Semasinghe

In a bid to set the record straight, State Minister Finance Shehan Semasinghe pointed out that authorities continue to engage all debt restructuring negotiations in good faith, within principles of equitable treatment among creditors, and with maximum transparency within the norms of such negotiations. Sections of the political and business community yesterday expressed disappointment in the government not being as open as it should be about the

Police CCTV Cameras to integrate public and private CCTVs for crime detection

The Police department has decided to enhance crime detection by integrating public and private CCTV camera systems with the Police CCTV camera system, a senior police officer said. In the initial stage, around 2000 CCTV cameras from private entities, including residences in Colombo city, will be linked to the police’s camera network.

Tax payers poised to cough up Rs.45 million on another debate on Easter attack

Tax payers will have to cough up as much as Rs. 45 million as the cost of conducting yet another three-day parliamentary debate on the Easter Sunday attack for the fifth time, with uncertainty looming whether it will be a meaningless exercise with key questions unanswered once again. Previously, three such debates took place in the House, but failed to leave the question regarding the mastermind behind the attack unanswered. People, mostly the

Renovation of Anula Maha Seya Mahanayake of Malwatta Chapter requests President to revoke agreement

Mahanayaka of Malwatta Chapter Ven. Thibbatuwewe Sri Siddhartha Sumangala Thera has requested President Ranil Wickremesinghe to revoke the agreement signed between the Minister of Buddha Sasana and Cultural Affairs and a Buddhist monk to renovate Anula Cheiththiya that comes under Mihintale Rajamaha Vihara, Ven. Mahanayake Thera has pointed out that Anula Cheithiya, which is considered the site of the founding of the Bhikkuni Sasana in Sri Lanka

Court of Appeal orders reallocation of Hajj quotas

By Lakmal Sooriyagoda The Court of Appeal has ordered the suspension of the previous allocation of Hajj pilgrim quotas for the year 2024 and to include an aggrieved travel agent for proper allocation . Each year the Saudi Arabian government allocates quotas to each country in order to manage the influx of pilgrims . Sri Lanka had been allocated 3500 pilgrims this year which had been allocated to different travel agents. The Court of A

Former Deputy Minister Thewarapperuma passes away after being electrocuted

Former Deputy Minister Palitha Thewarapperuma passed away yesterday at the age of 64. It was learnt that the former Kalutara District Parliamentarian had been electrocuted when he attempted to connect two electrical circuits at his home and died after being admitted to the Nagoda Hospital. Born on 3 May 1960, Thewarapperuma was elected to Parliament from the UNP. He was appointed Deputy Minister of Internal Affairs, Wayamba Development and Cultur

Govt. schools overcharging parents for school activities: Stalin

The Ceylon Teachers’ Union (CTU), alleged that government schools are collecting significant amounts of money from parents for various school activities. Addressing the media CTU General Secretary Joseph Stalin said that prominent schools traditionally charge parents for activities such as wall and desk painting, sports events and functions as there is insufficient funding allocated by the Education Ministry.

Madagascar woman nabbed with swallowed cocaine worth Rs.34Mn Advance Passenger Information could do wonders tracking drug smugglers – border agencies

The border surveillance agents will have to rely on traditional methods that enabled the recent arrest of a female Madagascar national with swallowed cocaine worth over Rs.34 million, whereas an Advance Passenger Information system at airport could do wonders in tracking down drug smugglers, the Daily Mirror learns. This came to light when the Customs officials intercepted a female Madagascar national arriving in Sri Lanka during Avurudu holid

P’ment’s Budget Officer to get handsome salary of Rs 665,000

Parliament is offering a total monthly salary of Rs 665,000 to a ‘budget officer’ which is a newly created post in the House. As per the official website the basic salary of the budget officer is said to be Rs 408,360 while it will come to a total of Rs 665,000 with all allowances. The age limit of the officer should be 65 years. Any eligible person should possess at least 15 years of experience in the government budgeting, financial poli

Street food vendor arrested for verbally harassing foreigner

Following a contentious verbal exchange involving YouTuber Emeka Iwueze, a Sri Lankan street food vendor accused of charging an excessive amount for a Kottu Roti dish was apprehended by the police. According to a video shared on Emeka Iwueze’s official YouTube channel, the American visitor to Sri Lanka embarked on a culinary exploration of the country’s street food scene five days prior, aiming to familiarize himself with local cuisine. Du

Dr. A.T. Ariyaratne passes away

The founder of the Sarvodaya Shramadana Movement of Sri Lanka, Dr. A.T. Ariyaratne passed away yesterday at a private hospital in Colombo. He was 92. Born November 5, 1931, Dr. Ahangamage Tudor Ariyaratne had his primary education in the village school, secondary education at Mahinda College, Galle, and his higher education at Vidyodaya University where he earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in Economics and an Honorary Doctorate of D.Litt. He star

SL-bondholders talks on restructuring terms fail

Government officials continued to sound upbeat in striking a deal with the bondholders, however, authorities this week failed to reach a consensus regarding the terms of restructuring. Despite “constructive discussions”, authorities and the bondholders did not agree on restructuring terms, Sri Lanka said in a regulatory filing to the London Stock Exchange. The restructuring of the debt, amounting to over US$ 12 billion, is a mandatory requirement

Ruwan calls on Kotte Sri Kalyani Mahanayake Thera

UNP Deputy Leader and Senior Presidential Advisor Ruwan Wijewardene met Chief Prelate (Mahanayake) of Kotte Sri Kalyani Samagri Dharma Maha Sangha Sabha of Siyam Maha Nikaya, Venerable Dr. Ittapana Dhammalankara Anu Nayake Maha Thera.

Effectiveness of Sri Lanka’s legal system is questioned over alleged corruption: Chief Delegate

The effectiveness of the legal system in handling investment-related matters in Sri Lanka is often questioned due to perceived corruption and inefficiency, an official said.

Public inconvenienced due to lack of transport

Despite assurances from transport authorities that sufficient facilities would be provided to accommodate commuters during the festive season, people were highly inconvenienced due to inadequate public transport, resulting in them risking their lives.

Committee studying permitting vehicle imports on priority basis: Siyambalapitiya

Claiming that only vehicle imports have been restricted by now, State Minister of Finance Ranjith Siyambalapitiya said a committee is studying the possibility of permitting vehicle imports on a priority basis in the future.

Ex-soldiers joining Russian military as mercenaries, Sri Lanka seeks details

Amidst reports that some ex-military men from Sri Lanka have joined the Russian military operations against Ukraine, Sri Lankan Ambassador in Moscow Prof. Janita Liyanage said she asked for details about them from the Russian military if any.

Marked dip in accidents during festive season

Health authorities have noticed a significant decrease in accidents, notably firecracker-related incidents, during the festive season.

Paramour slain in showdown with mistress’ husband

In a tragic turn of events, a 42-year-old person was fatally stabbed on Sunday night at a residence in Galwala Junction, within the Serunuwara Police division. Hailing from Polonnaruwa, he had been residing there.

MPs request lower-priced vehicle permits ahead of presidential election

A group of MPs from both the ruling party and the opposition have urged the speaker and government officials to provide vehicle permits at lower prices if the previously issued duty-free licenses cannot be granted before the upcoming presidential election.

Xi calls for fair, transparent environment for investment in Sri Lanka

Chinese President Xi Jinping , in his recent meeting with Prime Minister Dinesh Gunawardena, has reportedly stressed the need for ‘fair and transparent’ environment for Chinese companies to invest in Sri Lanka . The Chinese leader had further mentioned that China is not happy about its friends being influenced by other countries unnecessarily when taking decisions . However , in the meeting which a top source mentioned as friendly and cordial

Sri Lanka Air Force organizes Colombo Air Show and Defence Exhibition (CADE 2024)

By Darshana Sanjeewa Balasuriya The Sri Lanka Air Force is gearing up for the Colombo Air Show and Defence Exhibition (CADE 2024) to showcase air power and boost tourism and investment. Air Force Commander Air Marshal Udeni Rajapaksa announced that the five-day event will run from May 29 to June 2 at the Galle Face and Colombo Port City. CADE 2024 aims to enhance SLAF’s proficiency, readiness, and overall effectiveness, with international a

9 year-old child fatally hit by train at Railway Crossing

A nine-year-old child, identified as M.R. Rantharu, who was a fourth-grade student at Moratuwa Jana Jaya School and resided at Clovius Mawatha, Moratuwa, was hit and killed by a train while riding a bicycle near the Murawatta railway crossing in Moratuwa. According to the police, the incident occurred when the child rode his bicycle from New Galle Road towards the closed gates of the railway crossing as a train was approaching. The child attem

SLPP MPs barred from going public on their support for presidential candidates

In the wake of SLPP (Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna) MPs airing contrasting views over the upcoming elections, the party hierarchy has barred all MPs from making comments on their support to any presidential candidate until a formal decision is taken, a party official said yesterday. The party’s executive committee took this decision at its meeting held last Tuesday. The SLPP is currently divided on its support, with those holdin

Indian Ocean peace is our priority at present: SLAF chief

Air Force Commander Air Marshal Udeni Rajapaksa said the SLAF is very much worried about the civilians, weaponizers and providing free navigation for naval craft in the Indian Ocean and that they need to address those issues. In response to a media query the necessity of maintaining fighter jets like Kfir and F7 in the SLAF’s fleet, the Commander explained that while they don’t currently see an immediate need to phase out such jets, they are

India remains Sri Lanka’s most reliable, dependable partner: Indian Envoy

India will remain Sri Lanka’s most reliable friend and a trusted and dependable partner, emphasized Indian High Commissioner to Sri Lanka Santosh Jha. “Our bilateral cooperation is expanding and diversifying. It is buttressed by India’s growing national capabilities.

23 year old youth ends up having his testicles removed

The testicles of a young man had been removed yesterday at the Anuradhapura Teaching Hospital allegedly as a result of a police assault. He is under treatment at present after the surgery on Tuesday (9). It is alleged that six officers of the Medawachchiya police had trussed up his hands and brutally assaulted him. The 23 year old victim a resident of Thulawellia area in Medawachchiya. He told the media that he was driving his mini- lorry a

Education Ministry website hacked by local individual-SLCERT

The Sri Lanka Computer Emergency Readiness Team (SLCERT) has confirmed that the Education Ministry’s website was hacked by a local individual on April 4. The Senior Information Security Engineer of SLCERT, Charuka Damunupola, stated that a report will be sent to the Education Minister regarding the hacking incident.

State Minister alleged to have abused and threatened the HR and Admin Assistant of Lanka Phosphate Company

By Anuradhapura Special Corr. State Minister of Primary Industries Chamara Sampath Dassanayake is alleged to have severely abused and threatened the Human Resources and Administration Assistant of the Lanka Phosphate Company Mrs. H.D.V.K. Chandraratne in the presence of officials of the ministry and the company. The trade union Sri Lanka Nidahas Sevaka Sangamaya has informed the minister that it will resort to trade union action in case of re