Drastic drop in tourist arrivals due to eVisa, Rauff Hakeem says

Sri Lanka Muslim Congress (SLMC) leader MP Rauff Hakeem who launched a scathing attack on the eVisa system said a significant drop in tourist arrivals is reported because of its introduction, and urged the government to take immediate corrective action.

Petitions on Presidential Election Don’t make a mockery of judiciary: Wijeyadasa tells people and lawyers

Claiming that people continue to go to court at their whims and fancies to prevent the Presidential Election, Justice Minister Wijeyadasa Rajapakshe yesterday requested people and lawyers not to make a mockery of the judiciary.

Sri Lanka increasingly facing air pollution issues: Hong Kong-based scientist

Director of Environment Protection of Hong Kong Dr. Samuel CHUI highlighted that Sri Lanka, as a developing country, is facing increasingly serious air pollution issues.

A dozen MPs dispute Harsha de Silva’s report, complain to Speaker

​A dozen MPs who are members of the Committee on Public Finance distanced themselves from the report submitted by its chairman Dr. Harsha de Silva saying it was false and unacceptable. The MPs who dissociated themselves from the report are Shehan Semasinghe, Dr. Seetha Arambepola, Anupa Pasqual, Johnston Fernando, Mahindananda Aluthgamage, Wajira Abeywardena, Suren Raghavan, Duminda Dissanayake, Nimal Siripala de Silva, U.K. Sumith Udukumbura, P

Online visa process mired in controversy, top parliamentary committee finds

Calls for forensic audit and possible abrogation or amendment

Devale kapuwa arrested for impregnating underage girl in guise of performing rituals

The kapuwa (lay priest) of Paththini Devale in the Lunugala area of the Badulla District who allegedly impregnated a 14-year-old schoolgirl by raping her under the pretext of performing rites to dispel the malefic effects of a ghost haunting her was taken into custody by Lunugala Police.

Lawyer files petition urging referendum before Presidential Election

A lawyer has filed a Fundamental Rights petition in the Supreme Court seeking a declaration that the Presidential Election should not be held without a referendum on the 19th amendment to the Constitution.

Opposition MPs urge Presidential Election as scheduled amidst delay concerns

A significant number of MPs from the opposition have requested the Election Commission to expedite the forthcoming Presidential Election, citing concerns over potential attempts to delay the polls

Work from Home to be legalised: Labour Minister

Providing legal provision for work from home or ‘work from a remote location’ under the new labour law that is being drafted at the moment, Parliament was informed yesterday.

Japanese Ambassador to deliver lecture on ‘Japan’s Vision for Sri Lanka’

Hideaki Mizukoshi, Ambassador of Japan To Sri Lanka, will deliver the second lecture in the Japan Lecture Series initiated by the Lanka-Japan Friendship Society in 2023.

Training programme on mosque administration for SL mosque administrators

A delegation of mosque administrators from Sri Lanka will depart for Malaysia on Monday (15) for a two-week training session in mosque administration.

Unions confer with minister : Train strike called off

Following discussions with Transport Minister Bandula Gunawardana, the Sri Lanka Railways Station Masters’ Union (SLRSMU) has decided to call off their ongoing train strike from last night.

Mahinda is the ‘game master’, not Ranil - AKD

Claiming that President Ranil Wickremesinghe is not a ‘game man’ or crafty man like former President Mahinda Rajapaksa, National People’s Power (NPP) leader Anura Kumara Dissanayake said yesterday all plans by Ranil Wickremesinghe so far had been failures and that all his plans to prevent the Presidential election too will be a failure.

Presidential poll: No legal or financial barriers as of now - EC

Amidst concerns raised by various parties about the Election Commission’s ability to conduct the impending Presidential election due to legal and financial obstacles, Election Commission chairman R.M.A.L. Rathnayake has emphasized that currently there are no such barriers.

Club Wasantha murder case: MPs question airing of confession made by Tattoo shop owner

MPs of both sides in Parliament yesterday questioned the airing of the video clip on the confession made by the tattoo shop owner who is held in connection with the killing of ‘Club Wasantha’ in Athurugiriya on Tuesday.

Security intensified in Mannar to prevent possibility of Athurugiriya suspects escaping

Special checkpoints have been established across Mannar in response to intelligence reports that suspects involved in the Athurugiriya shooting may attempt to escape to India via fishing boats.

Police in soup over Athurugiriya shooting

The National Police Commission yesterday ordered the police to conduct an investigation into the leaking of the confession made by the Athurugiriya shooting suspect to the media and submit a report within two weeks .

CEYPETCO had sufficient jet fuel for flights despite train strike

Despite 12 train services with fuel carriages not operating between Kolonnawa and Bandaranaike International Airport, CEYPETCO Aviation unit assured it had sufficient JET A-1 fuel for daily flights.

New speed limit rules in two weeks

State Minister of Transport, Lasantha Alagiyawanna announced that a gazette with the necessary regulations on speed limits, aimed at reducing road accidents, will be issued within the next two weeks.

IGP’s attention drawn to suspect’s confession video in Athurugiriya shooting case

Inspector General of Police Deshabandu Tennakoon’s attention has been drawn to a video of a confession made by a suspect in the Athurugiriya shooting in which two persons including ‘Club Wasantha’ was killed, being released to the media.

Airport and Aviation Services Ltd alleged corruption comes to light

Airport and Aviation Services Ltd which is plagued with corruption has now come to light on how the substantially responsive and lowest evaluated bidder in the tender to construct a new building to enhance capacity for the benefit of departing passengers and improve the services provided at check-in, satellite boarding gates and baggage handling system at the Bandaranaike International Airport has been overlooked and offered to the bidder

Rs. 300 mn circulated among MPs when issuing permits for wine stores: Dayasiri

Opposition MP Dayasiri Jayasekara revealed yesterday that more than Rs.300 million had been circulated among some MPs in the process of issuing licenses for 1,028 wine stores throughout the country.

Two new laws on crimes on the cards

Change of laws pertaining to crimes are on the cards with the Legislative Standing Committee which is duty bound to consider the Bills/Proposed Statutes referred to it by Parliament approving the decriminalization of homosexuality and while the Code of Criminal Procedure Amendment Bill which seeks to introduce a system of plea of guilty agreement before a person is pleaded guilty on any offense under the prevention of crimes ordinance was tabled

Sri Lanka moves to trim presidential and parliamentary terms

The Cabinet of Ministers has greenlit a resolution to amend key articles pertaining to the terms of office for the President and Parliament. The decision addresses articles 30 (2), 62 (2), and 83 (b) of the Constitution.

SLFP factions engage in verbal battle at Parliament

Sri Lanka Freedom Party (SLFP) factions were engaged in a verbal battle in Parliament yesterday with members of both factions blaming each other for destroying the party. The verbal battle broke out when former President Maithripala Sirisena accused the SLFPers who are currently holding ministerial portfolios and the police of engaging in contempt of court. “Those SLEEPers who are ministers prevented MP Dayasiri Jayasekera from entering into

Gemunu threatens to strike if President raises VAT for public servants’ salary hike

The Lanka Private Bus Owners’ Association (LPBOA) warned that if the President decides to raise the current Value Added Tax (VAT) to meet public servants’ salary increase demands, they will resort to trade union action with the participation of all private associations. Addressing the media yesterday, he said that they will not allow the President to increase VAT (Value Added Tax) to meet salary increase demands. He urged the President to act

Wijeyadasa wants to summon two judges

Minister of Justice Wijeyadasa Rajapakshe who raised a privilege issue against the Judicial Service Commission and two judges yesterday requested the Speaker to summon the said judges before the parliamentary privilege committee and mentioned that he would make another request to summon members of the Judicial Service Commission if the need arises. The Minister who came up with various allegations against the Judicial Service Commission and t

Health Ministry under fire for failing to regulate cosmetics

In the wake of recent development regarding to the substandard quality of cosmetic products in the market, the health authorities have come under huge criticism for not regulating cosmetic products for years. This follows a storm of discussion that ensued after beauty products endorsed by model Piumi Hansamali came under scrutiny following her questioning by the CID. According to sources, a lot of parties have raised grave concerns with the

Special payment for employees who reported to work amidst strike

The Government has announced a special pay increment for non-executive government officials who reported for duty on July 8 and 9, 2024, despite the ongoing strike action. In addition, these employees will receive a commendation certificate, which will be considered for future promotions. According to the President’s Media Division, the proposal, submitted by President Ranil Wickremesinghe in this regard, was approved by the Cabinet yesterday.

No legal barrier to appoint five judges to Court of Appeal: Chief Justice

Clarifying the allegations made by Justice Minister Wijeyadasa Rajapakshe, Chief Justice Jayantha Jayasuriya has said five judges of the High Court who were nominated to the Court of Appeal had not been appointed so far whereas there is no legal obstacle to appoint them as per the interim stay order by the Supreme Court. In a letter to Speaker Mahinda Yapa Abeywardhane, the Chief Justice said one of the vacancies of the Supreme Court could al