No new yen loan from Japan until suspended project implementation is successful

Hot on the heels of the successful conclusion of bilateral debt restructuring, Japan has taken up the position that any new yen loan will be considered for Sri Lanka depending on the successful implementation of the projects suspended due to the economic crisis and subsequent confidence building, a top source said.

Pvt. sector slams authorities for poor handling of Customs disruption

Sri Lanka’s private sector delivered a scathing critique yesterday, slamming authorities for their sluggish response in shielding industries from disruptions caused by key institutions such as Sri Lanka Customs.

SLTDA urges action against over-tourism threat to country’s biodiversity

Sri Lanka is experiencing a steady increase in international visitors, but the industry authority emphasises the need for urgent action to protect the country’s biodiversity and environment.

Assault on referees during Science College vs. S. Thomas' Rugby match; Three more surrenders

Three more suspects have been arrested by the Mount Lavinia Police today in connection with the assault on three referees during the rugby match between Science College and S. Thomas’ College at the Air Force ground in Ratmalana on Sunday (June 30).

Vishmi Gunaratne among ICC Women’s Player of the Month nominees for June

Sri Lanka skipper in the 2023 ICC U19 Women’s T20 World Cup, Vishmi Gunaratne, is among the ICC Women’s Player of the Month nominees for June.

Kusal Perera makes mockery of WC omission

Kusal Janith Perera, who was shockingly axed from the Sri Lankan T20 World Cup Squad last month made a mockery of the omission when he hammered a stunning century for Dambulla Sixers in their Lanka Premier League (LPL) game against Jaffna Kings on Wednesday.

SC fuller bench to hear FR petition against holding Presidential election

The Chief Justice has nominated a fuller bench comprising five judges of the Supreme Court to hear the Fundamental Rights petition seeking an order restraining the Election Commission from taking any further steps to conduct the Presidential election in 2024.

Tragedy strikes as infant dies due to hospital refusal in Matara

A 2-month-old baby died after choking on milk, reportedly because she was denied treatment at Matara District New Hospital in Kamburugamuwa.

Colombo suburbs to experience 18-hour water cut

The National Water Supply and Drainage Board (NWS&DB) has announced an 18-hour water cut in multiple areas starting at 9:00 p.m. tonight due to urgent repairs on a transmission pipeline.

Sixteen FD accounts of Keheliya’s family members frozen

On an application made by the Bribery Commission, the Colombo High Court issued an order to freeze 16 fixed deposit accounts and three insurance policies belonging to the family members of former Health Minister Keheliya Rambukwella.

Elon Musk’s X alternative Koo to shut down services

India’s microblogging platform, Koo, has announced plans to shut down services, leaving millions of users stranded.

Georgian Ex-Minister and Tiran Alles discuss on anti-corruption measures

Former Georgian Minister of Foreign Affairs and Justice Eka Tkeshelashvili engaged in talks with Public Security Minister Tiran Alles at the Ministry of Public Security regarding the adaptation of international anti-corruption measures for Sri Lanka.

Colombo Port to become Green Port by 2025

The government has decided to expedite the transformation of the Colombo Port into a green port by 2025.

Customs officials suspend trade union action

The Customs Union Alliance has announced the suspension of their trade union action which involved mass reporting of sick leave.

Gunman wanted for murder of Karandeniya PHI arrested in Mount Lavinia

Police arrested the gunman wanted in connection with the murder of Public Health Inspector (PHI) Deepal Roshan Kumara in Elpitiya.

25 passengers injured in Madampe accident

At least 25 passengers have been hospitalised following a collision between a cement-loaded lorry and a passenger bus at Madampe on the Chilaw-Colombo main road this morning.

AG objects to bail for Hirunika Premachandra

The Attorney General today raised objections to former Parliamentarian Hirunika Premachandra being enlarged on bail, in a bail pending appeal.

Renowned Sri Lankan radio anchor Sumana Jayathilaka passes away

Sumana Jayathilaka, the founding anchor of Sri Lanka Broadcasting Corporation’s popular ’Handa Mama’ programme known affectionately as ’Handa Nanda’, has passed away.

President responds to petition filed to halt Presidential election

President Ranil Wickremesinghe said today that Chamindra Dayan Lenawa, who filed a fundamental rights petition before the Supreme Court to halt the Presidential election, had not consulted the President or his legal representatives before filing this application, the President’s Media Division said.

Voters to head to polls for UK general election

Millions of voters are set to cast their ballots in the UK’s first July general election since 1945.

Police Inspector arrested for allegedly soliciting Rs. 25,000 bribe

A police inspector from the Mahabage Police has been arrested by the Commission to Investigate Allegations of Bribery or Corruption for accepting a bribe of Rs. 25,000.

Drugs worth more than Rs 19 billion recovered as a result of Yukthiya

In what seemed to be a staggering disclosure, the pioneers of Yukthiya operation revealed that drugs worth Rs 19,075 million had been recovered since its beginning in December 2023.

Thalawa Police OIC injured in attack, five arrested

The Officer-in-Charge (OIC) of the Thalawa Police Station was injured after he was attacked with a sharp object during a raid last night.

Indian bottom trawlers cause Rs.700 million damage to Sri Lankan fishing gear

Sri Lanka’s Fisheries Ministry has estimated the damage done to fishing gear of Sri Lanka fishermen by Indian bottom trawlers at Rs.700 million and communicated it to the Indian authorities including External Affairs Minister Dr. S. Jaishankar.

Questions mount over teens’ fatal fall at Altair

The Kompanna Veediya police are investigating the deaths of two 15-year-old students, a male and a female, from the Colombo International School (CIS), to determine whether the tragic incident was a result of suicide or a tragic accident.

Complications due to skin whitening creams on the rise

Health officials in Sri Lanka have raised alarms over a significant increase in kidney disease cases linked to the use of skin whitening creams, surpassing even cancer incidences.

ADB urges SL to embrace green bonds for growth

Sri Lanka must intensify efforts to sustain its growth while addressing the climate change challenges, the Asian Development Bank (ADB) stressed yesterday, highlighting the need for the island nation to turn to green bonds to meet its needs.

Business chambers call for immediate halt to customs action

The Joint Chambers of Commerce yesterday expressed strong disapproval of the decision by the customs officers to work to rule, emphasising the urgent need to resume normal operations to avoid further harm to businesses.

Domestic LPG market to leapfrog in years ahead: Laugfs Gas

The domestic liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) market is expected to leapfrog in the years ahead, despite the setbacks faced by the industry during the time of recent economic and financial crisis in the country, Laugfs Gas PLC said.

Sri Lanka closes US $ 12.5bn bond restructuring deal

Sri Lanka has successfully concluded its discussions with the bondholders, reaching an agreement on the restructuring terms yesterday. This follows an unsuccessful first round of talks in April.