200 more public sector unions on strike today

Over 200 public sector unions launched a sick leave campaign yesterday (8), which continues today (9), according to the Provincial Public Service Unions Collectiv

Coastal line train services disrupted

Train services on the coastal line have been disrupted due to a derailment between Maradana and Fort Railway stations this morning, the Railways Department said.

Kadiravel Shanmugam sworn in as MP

Kadiravel Shanmugam was sworn in as an MP before Speaker Mahinda Yapa Abeywardena today.

Athurugiriya tattoo shop owner questioned over Rs. 1 Mn deposit from Dubai

Athurugiriya Police recorded statements from six persons regarding yesterday’s shooting incident, which resulted in the deaths of two persons, including ’Club Wasantha’.

PUCSL calls for public consultation on second electricity tariff revision

The Public Utilities Commission of Sri Lanka (PUCSL) today called for an oral public consultation over the second Electricity Tariff Revision.

More than 60 percent of MPs are my friends - Club Wasantha

Suresh Wasantha Perera, also known as Club Wasantha, who was shot dead yesterday (08), shared the following sentiments in an interview with Danu Innasithamby on the Lankadeepa YouTube channel on November 18, 2022:

Overseas link to Athurugiriya shooting, notorious criminal suspected

Several police teams are investigating the broad daylight shooting at Oruwala Junction in Athurugiriya, where two persons, including businessman Surendra Wasantha Perera alias ’Club Wasantha,’ were killed and four others, including popular singer K. Sujeewa, were injured.

Presidential Election to be declared at July end: EC Chairman

The Election Commission will declare the Presidential Elections only at the end of this month, enabling polling to be taken on a day between September 17 and October 17, an official said.

Govt. throws tax net to 14 more fields

In a bid to increase the tax revenue, the government has registered 14 fields, which were previously overlooked, for mandatory tax payments, Finance State Minister Ranjith Siyambalapitiya announced.

Make biodiversity conservation a development priority: Dr. Pillapitiya

Despite boasting about the highest biodiversity per unit area in Asia, Sri Lanka has failed to recognise its conservation as a mandatory development priority, former Wildlife Conservation Department Director General Dr. Sumith Pillapitiya said.

Marine expert calls for sustainable shift in SL’s tourism focus

Sri Lanka’s tourism industry requires a major shift towards long-term thinking and a collective approach to protect and promote the country’s natural resources, a prominent marine scientist said.

Table leaders Jaffna Kings face Kandy Falcons tomorrow

Two key matches of the fifth Lanka Premier League (LPL) T20 Cricket Tournament will be played tomorrow (09) with the table leaders Jaffna Kings meeting the wooden spoonists Kandy Falcons at 3.00 p.m. and Galle Marvels - occupying second spot - confronting fourth placed Dambulla Sixers at 7.30 p.m.

Six Sri Lankans obtain golden spots at Paris Olympics

The 15-member Paris-bound Sri Lankan Olympic contingent was officially recognised by the National Olympic Committee of Sri Lanka (NOCSL) during a ceremony held at the NOCSL Auditorium in Colombo.

African Serval Cat at BIA

An African Serval Cat was brought to the Bandaranaike International Airport (BIA) air cargo terminal by Aeroflot flight SU-288 from Moscow, Russia yesterday morning (7), the airport Customs officers said.

Jay Shah to be next ICC Chairman?

The International Cricket Council (ICC) will hold its Annual Conference in Colombo later this month but the election for the chairman position will not be on the agenda.

Mail tains to operate without mail compartments due to postal strike

Although the mail train services are scheduled to operate as usual, the Railways Department has decided to remove the mail compartments from the trains due to the two-day strike by postal workers.

CTU questions - VAT hike for public servants’ salaries while MPs enjoy benefits?

The Ceylon Teachers’ Union (CTU) questioned if the government needs to raise the current Value Added Tax (VAT) to meet the salary increase demands of public servants, then from whom do parliamentarians receive their salaries, benefits and daily spending allowances for Parliamentary sessions.

Treasury Secretary warns of VAT increase

Treasury Secretary Mahinda Siriwardana announced today that meeting the salary increase demands of striking public servants would necessitate raising the current Value Added Tax (VAT) from 18% to 20-21%.

E-ticketing for public transport to be launched this year

An electronic ticketing (E-ticketing) system for public transport services, including trains, will be introduced before the end of this year.

Boeing to plead guilty to fraud related to fatal 737 Max crashes

Boeing has agreed to plead guilty to conspiring to defraud the government in a case linked to crashes of its 737 Max jets in Indonesia and Ethiopia that killed 346 people — a stunning turn for the aerospace giant after the Justice Department determined that Boeing failed to live up to terms of a 2021 deal to avoid prosecution.

Car used for Athurugiriya shooting found

The car used in the Athurugiriya shooting this morning has been found abandoned at Korathota in Kaduwela.

FR petition against Presidential election dismissed with Rs.100,000 cost

The Fundamental Rights petition filed by a businessman seeking an order restraining the Election Commission from holding the Presidential election in 2024 was today dismissed by the Supreme Court with Rs.100,000 cost.

Binura and Wanindu fined

Binura Fernando of the Colombo Strikers has been fined 20 percent of his match fee and handed over a demerit point for breaching the player’s code of conduct during a game between the Colombo Strikers and the Kandy Falcons held on July 2.

Two SJB MPs will leave the party shortly: SJB MP

Two Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB) MPs will leave the party shortly after accepting rewards in dollars, an SJB MP said today.

’Sold my vehicle a year ago, CID won’t let me live in peace’: Piumi

She had already sold her vehicle a year ago, so she doesn’t understand this, model Piumi Hansamali said in a message on her official Facebook page.

Two including 'Club Wasantha' killed, K. Sujeewa among injured in Athurugiriya shooting

Two persons including Surendra Wasantha Perera alias ’Club Wasantha’ were killed and several persons including singer K. Sujeewa have been hospitalised following a shooting at Oruwala Junction in Athurugiriya a short while ago, police said.

FR petition against Presidential poll: AG urges SC to dismiss petition

While raising preliminary objections against the Fundamental Rights petition seeking an order restraining the Election Commission from holding the Presidential election in 2024, the Attorney General today moved the Supreme Court to dismiss this petition in limine (at the outset).

Dambulla Sixers see winning post for first time

Dambulla Sixers having undergone three successive defeats in the ongoing fifth Lanka Premier League tournament saw the winning post for the first time with an easy eight wicket win over Colombo Strikers in the 10th match played under floodlights at the Rangiri Dambulla Stadium yesterday.

Interest-free student loan scheme for high school graduates

The Education Ministry has decided to offer an interest-free student loan scheme.

Animal lovers eager on Parliament to pass Animal Welfare Bill

Animal lovers across the country are eagerly anticipating the passage of the Animal Welfare Bill in Parliament, Veterinarians for Humane Management of Animal Population Association said.