Highest temperature recorded in Anuradhapura

During the past 24 hours ending at 8:30 a.m, the highest temperature was recorded in the Anuradhapura District, the Meteorology Department said.

Meteorology department website hacked

The official website of the Department of Meteorology has been hacked for the second time in a short period.

Severe shortage imminent if rice not imported within next two weeks

The All Ceylon Small and Medium Scale Rice Mill Owners’ Association warned that the country could face a severe rice shortage unless the government imports the required stocks of rice within the next two weeks.

South Korean president faces impeachment calls after martial law debacle

South Korean lawmakers on Wednesday called on President Yoon Suk Yeol to resign or face impeachment after he declared martial law only to reverse the move hours later, triggering a political crisis in Asia’s fourth-largest economy.

Legislations soon to recover stolen assets, deter money laundering: Justice Minister

The government is planning to present three Bills in Parliament within the first quarter of this year, aiming to recover stolen assets, deter money laundering, drug trafficking and related vices, Justice Minister Harshana Nanayakkara said today.

World Test Championship contender hit with points deduction

Points deductions for two Test nations sees the race to feature at next year’s Final thrown wide open.

Pressure mounting on Karunaratne?

Former Test Captain Dimuth Karunaratne has arguably been Sri Lanka’s best opener in the last decade or so. Since the retirement of some of Sri Lanka’s big names such as Kumar Sangakkara, Mahela Jayawardene, T. M. Dilshan and Thilan Samaraweera, the left-hander became Sri Lanka’s Mr. Reliable at the top of the order in Test Cricket.

Sinister move to create ethnic unrest: Minister

Investigations have revealed that a certain political group is out to create ethnic unrest between the North and the South, Minister of Public Security and Parliamentary Affairs Ananda Wijepala told Parliament today.

NPP Govt. should probe killings of Wijeweera, Vijaya - MP

The NPP government should probe the killings of its founder leader Rohana Wijeweera and actor turned politician Vijaya Kumaratunga in keeping with the pledges made by President Anura Kumara Dissanayake during his policy statement, opposition MP Chamara Sampath Dassanayake told Parliament yesterday

Public Funds must be accountable and open to public scrutiny - Appeal Court

In another judgement broadening the scope of the applicability of the Right to Information Act, the Court of Appeal recently held that any amount of money spent by a public authority must be accountable and made available for scrutiny when requested by a member of the public.

South Korea president backs down from martial law order after MPs vote to block it

Crowds of protesters erupted with cheers outside South Korea’s parliament early on Wednesday after the country’s president dramatically withdrew a martial law order that had sparked chaotic scenes in Seoul.

Govt. toughens up against communalism, extremism

Asserting that it is committed to scrap the Prevention of Terrorism Act (PTA), Cabinet spokesman Minister Dr. Nalinda Jayatissa said that the government will not hesitate no matter what, to invoke existing laws and regulations to prevent any attempt to fuel communalism.

Sri Lanka’s merchandise export performance up 18% in October

Sri Lanka’s merchandise export earnings in October 2024 climbed to US$ 1.097 billion, marking an 18.22 percent year-on-year increase, driven by higher earnings from key export categories, including apparel and textiles, tea, rubber-based products, coconut-based products, and spices and concentrates.

Govt. to bring BTI bacteria to control dengue: Dr. Jayatissa

The government is in discussions with the Cuban government to launch a sustainable programme aimed at eradicating the dengue menace from the country.

Govt. to revise electricity tariff soon, refutes 3-year claim

The government will take measures to revise the electricity tariff by a certain margin, and it will not take three years as claimed by Trade Minister Wasantha Samarasinghe, Cabinet Spokesman and Minister Dr. Nalinda Jayatissa said.

South Korea declares emergency martial law, warns of ’’communist forces’’

South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol declared an ’’emergency martial law’’ on Tuesday, accusing the country’s opposition of controlling the parliament, sympathizing with North Korea and paralyzing the government with anti-state activities.

Government approves purchase of locally made medicines

The government has decided to purchase locally produced medicines and medical supplies for a one-year period, following approval at the Cabinet meeting held on October 14, 2024.

French government on brink as Prime Minister faces no-confidence vote

French Prime Minister Michel Barnier is bracing for a no-confidence vote in parliament on Wednesday in which parties from the left and the right are expected to join forces to oust him after he forced through his budget without lawmakers’ consent.

No action taken on assigning same-zone exam supervisors: CTU

The Ceylon Teachers’ Union (CTU) claimed that no action has been taken to remove examination supervisors assigned from schools within the same educational zone.

Rs. 6,000 allowance for school children to obtain stationaries

To minimise the negative effects on schoolchildren, the Cabinet has approved a proposal to provide an allowance of Rs. 6,000 for purchasing stationery as outlined below, prior to the commencement of the 2025 academic year.

I was beaten by Opposition MP: Ramanathan Archchuna

affna District independenet MP Ramanathan Archchuna said he was assaulted by SJB MP Sujith Sanjaya Perera when he visited the Opposition Leader’s office.

Unfortunate incidents never occurred during our protests: Mahinda Jayasinghe

Claiming that several police officials had sustained cut injuries during yesterday’s protest outside the Education Ministry, Deputy Minister Mahinda Jayasinghe said today, he as trade union leader, had resorted to trade union actions with thousands of people but such unfortunate incidents had never occurred.

Super luxury vehicles in government institutions to be disposed

The Government has decided to dispose super luxury vehicles used in government institutions given their high maintenance and fuel costs.

Will address drugs shortages soon: Minister

Actions will be taken to resolve the shortage in medicines including Sodium bicarbonate within the next few days, Health Minister Dr. Nalinda Jayatissa said today.

Australian dies after jumping from apartment in Kollupitiya

A 51-year-old Australian national has reportedly committed suicide by jumping from the Crescat apartment complex in Kollupitiya this morning.

Minister urges large-scale rice millers to release stock

Cabinet spokesman and Minister Dr. Nalinda Jayatissa urged large-scale rice millers to release their rice stocks, considering it as an essential duty.

Cabinet nod to cancel 2023 LG polls nominations

The Cabinet has granted approval to cancel the nominations previously called for the Local Government elections originally scheduled for 2023, Cabinet Spokesman Minister Nalinda Jayatissa announced today.

Astrologer cheats businessman of Rs. 2.9Mn with fake treasure scam

An astrologer who buried a stock of fake gems in a home garden and misled the owner that a treasure had been buried in the garden and undertook to perform rites to unearth it had cheated him and taken away cash Rs.2.9 million as part payment for digging up the treasure.

No price revision on Litro gas

Litro Gas Lanka Limited has decided not to increase the retail price of a 12.5 kg LP gas cylinder, even though gas prices in the international market have risen, Litro Chairman Channa Gunawardana said.

Walk the talk: Sajith tells government

The Government should deliver what it had pledged at the electoral platform, especially with regard to debt sustainability agreements and the agreement with the IMF, Opposition Leader Sajith Premadasa told Parliament today.