A/L exams cannot be postponed, all preparations finalised: Ministry

Despite requests from several parties to postpone the 2024 GCE Advanced Level (A/L) examinations, the Education Ministry announced today that it cannot be delayed, as all preparations have been finalised to conduct the exams as scheduled.

Higher priority for education, schools to follow systematic approach: Harini Amarasuriya

According to the new government policies, higher priority has been given to education, and school education should be implemented in a proper, systematic manner and according to a well-defined schedule, Education Minister Harini Amarasuriya said.

Government to import 70,000 tonnes of Nadu rice

The government has decided to import Nadu rice subject to maximum of 70,000 tonnes as a solution to the shortage of rice in the market, Minister of Trade, Commerce, Food Security and Cooperative Development Wasantha Samarasinghe said today.

Information desk for fresh Members of Parliament concludes successfully

The Information Desk set up for the newly elected Members of Parliament for the inaugural sitting of the First Session of the Tenth Parliament, held at the Parliamentary Complex yesterday (19) and today (20), concluded successfully.

Pilleyan leaves CID after giving 5-hour long statement

Former State Minister Sivanesathurai Chandrakanthan, also known as Pilleyan, left the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) a short while ago after giving a 5-hour long statement about the controversial Channel 4 documentary on the 2019 Easter Sunday terror attacks in Sri Lanka.

Low pressure area likely to form over southeast Bay of Bengal by Saturday

A low-pressure area is likely to form over the southeast Bay of Bengal around Saturday (23) and is likely to intensify into a depression over southwest Bay of Bengal during the two days, the Meteorological Department said.

Israeli PM Netanyahu offers $5m reward for captives freed from Gaza

Israel’s Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said $5m will be given as a reward for each captive released from Gaza and those that help free Israelis held by Hamas will be given a way out of the war-torn Palestinian territory.

Schoolboy dies following earth slip in Medamahanuwara, two injured

A 16-year-old schoolboy, who was trapped under a mound of earth after an earthslip, died after being rescued early this morning.

X-Press Feeders hits out at long-term detention of master in Sri Lanka

X-Press Feeders has hit out at the “bureaucratic and legal hurdles” that have caused severe delays in the case of the X-Press Pearl, a boxship that caught fire in 2021 causing one of Sri Lanka’s worst-ever environmental disasters. The master of the ship has not been able to leave the Asian island for the past 1,280 days.

Probe underway into death of pregnant woman at Mannar Hospital

The Ministry of Health has initiated an investigation into the tragic death of a pregnant woman and her unborn child at the Mannar District General Hospital.

Mahinda Siriwardana assumes duties as treasury secretary

K M Mahinda Siriwardana assumed duties as the Secretary to the Ministry of Finance, Planning and Economic Development today.

Rafael Nadal Retires from Tennis

With tears in his eyes, Rafael Nadal said goodbye to professional tennis on Tuesday.

Trump picks WWE co-founder Linda McMahon for education secretary

Trump picks WWE co-founder Linda McMahon for education secretary

Ravi’s crisis beyond EC’s control

The controversy surrounding the nomination of Ravi Karunanayake as an MP on the National List representing the New Democratic Front (NDF) is beyond the control of the Election Commission, according to its chairman.

SAFE Sloth Bear Team visits Sri Lanka

A 14-member team from the Saving Animals from Extinction (SAFE) Sloth Bear Programme of the American Association of Zoos and Aquariums is currently in Sri Lanka.

Biden agrees to give Ukraine anti-personnel mines

US President Joe Biden has agreed to give Ukraine anti-personnel land mines, a US official told the BBC.

Pilleyan appears before CID

Former State Minister Sivanesathurai Chandrakanthan, also known as Pilleyan, arrived at the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) this morning (20) to provide a statement.

Sri Lanka recognizes as tier-2 advancing nation in Global Cybersecurity Index

Sri Lanka has made remarkable progress in enhancing its cybersecurity framework, earning recognition as an ’Advancing’ country in the Global Cybersecurity Index (GCI).

Harin Fernando arrested

Badulla Police have arrested former Minister Harin Fernando in connection with an election violation during the recent general elections.

Slender-billed Curlew declared extinct

A bird species found in mainland Europe and the Mediterranean is thought to be extinct globally by a coalition of conservation groups.

Driver arrested for stealing Rs. 75 Mn in cash from secure transportation service

A 35-year-old man was arrested in Gampaha for allegedly stealing Rs. 75 million in cash from an institution that provides secure cash transportation services.

Appeal Court upholds death sentence on Julampitiye Amare

The Court of Appeal upheld the death sentence imposed by the Tangalle High Court on Geeganage Gamage Amarasiri, alias ‘Julampitiye Amare,’ who was found guilty of killing two individuals and injuring another in 2012 in Katuwana, Hambantota.

Police summon Harin Fernando over election violation in Badulla

Badulla Police have summoned former Minister Harin Fernando to provide a statement regarding an election violation during the recent general elections.

Customs seize Rs.90Mn worth medicines abused by schoolchildren as intoxicants

A large batch of pharmaceutical drugs that is commonly used as a painkiller and also widely abused among addicts and schoolchildren as an intoxicant was seized by Sri Lanka Customs from a consignment smuggled into the country last week.

Bitterness brews over morality in Ravi K’s nomination on National List

The nomination of Mr. Ravi Karunanayake as an MP on the National List came under fire from the leaders of political parties that contested the General Election under the gas cylinder symbol.

I got nominated for slot meant for NDF as per agreement - Ravi K

In response to controversy over National List nomination, Mr. Ravi Karunanayake said there is no moral issue here because the New Democratic Front (NDF) has been assured of one slot in accordance with the MoU signed among the alliance partners.

Parliamentary traditions changed for Thursday’s opening

Some of the traditions involved in opening of a new Parliament has been changed, sources said yesterday. This has been done to make the opening ceremony as simple as possible.

Muslims disappointed over lack of Cabinet representation

Even though 70 percent of Sri Lankan Muslims voted for the National People’s Power (NPP) government, no Muslim representatives were included in the recent Cabinet appointments, Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna (SLPP) Kandy District candidate Rishad Mahroof said.

Perks announced for newly elected MPs

Parliamentary Secretary General Kushani Rohanadeera outlined the benefits newly elected Members of Parliament (MPs) will receive.

Strategic branding key to SL’s success in India’s wedding market: Vandana Mohan

Access to information and strategic branding are pivotal for Sri Lanka to emerge as a premier wedding destination for Indians, according to Vandana Mohan, India’s first female event manager and founder of the Wedding Design Company.