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.

Will take all possible actions to defeat attempts to incite racism: PM

The government will take all possible actions to defeat attempts by various groups that were defeated through the political transformation, to incite racism for their petty political gains, Prime Minister Harini Amarasuriya said today.

Vietnamese tycoon loses death row appeal over world’s biggest bank fraud

Vietnamese property tycoon Truong My Lan has lost her appeal against her death sentence for masterminding the world’s biggest bank fraud.

GCE (A/L) exams to resume tomorrow

The 2024 GCE Advanced Level (A/L) Examinations which were postponed till today (3) due to adverse weather conditions, are scheduled to resume tomorrow (4), the Examinations Department said.

Gayantha appointed Chief Opposition Whip

SJB Galle District MP Gayantha Karunathilaka has been appointed as Chief Opposition Whip, Speaker Dr. Ashoka Ranwala announced today.

SLMC’s Mohamadu Sally Nahim sworn in as MP

Mohamadu Sally Nahim was sworn in as an MP before Speaker Asoka Ranwala a short while ago.

Musk’s record $56bn pay deal rejected for second time

Tesla CEO Elon Musk’s record-breaking $56bn (£47bn) pay award will not be reinstated, a judge has ruled.

SSP Manathunga appointed Director of Police Media, replacing DIG Thalduwa

Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) K.B. Manathunga has been appointed as the new Director of the Police Media Division and Police Spokesman, replacing DIG Nihal Thalduwa.

US Assistant Secretary Donald Lu to visit SL on Dec 5

Assistant Secretary of State for the Bureau of South and Central Asian Affairs, Donald Lu, will visit Sri Lanka on December 5.

First debate of 10th Parliament today

The first debate of the 10th Parliament will begin at 9.30 am today, where the MPs will speak on the policy statement presented to the House by President Anura Kumara Dissanayake on November 21.

Women officers take charge of key Police Divisions

For the first time in Sri Lanka’s police history, several female officers have been appointed to senior positions in key divisions, including the Criminal Investigations Department (CID) and the Special Investigation Unit.

Sri Lanka Navy seeks more joint operations with India to curb drug smuggling

Following the recent seizure of large quantities of narcotics in the Indian Ocean by the Indian Navy, the Sri Lanka Navy is looking to enhance collaborative deployments and operations with its Indian counterparts, especially in the high seas, to combat narcotics trafficking.

Lankan businessman nabbed with Rs. 5 million worth cosmetics

A Sri Lankan air passenger was arrested at Bandaranaike International Airport (BIA) while attempting to smuggle in cosmetic items worth Rs. 5 million.

Russian Embassy responds to reports of Jaffna youths forced to fight against Ukraine

In response to reports that some young men from Jaffna were allegedly forced to fight in the war against Ukraine while attempting to travel to France and Belgium on visit visas, the Russian Embassy in Colombo said yesterday that it had not received any official information about the recruitment of Sri Lankan citizens by unscrupulous local travel agencies.

Police to use drones for monitoring traffic congestion in Colombo

Sri Lanka Police will begin using drone cameras to monitor traffic congestion in Colombo and its surrounding suburbs.

Coconut cream in place of coconuts to address shortage

Coconut cream which is now only an export product will be released to the local market to address the coconut shortage in the market, an official said.

CG Corp Global bets big on SL’s recovery and growth

Chaudhary Group (CG) Corp Global, a Nepal-based multinational conglomerate, reaffirmed its commitment to Sri Lanka yesterday, pledging to remain invested in the long term while identifying opportunities to expand further.

SL will soon need to cut down number of state sector employees: Senior presidential advisor

Sri Lanka will not be able to afford a large public sector in the near future and will soon need to start reducing the number of state employees, a senior advisor to the president said yesterday.

Sri Lanka ranked 4th best country for long vacations in global study

Sri Lanka has been ranked among the top five destinations in the world for long vacations in a study conducted by Ubuy India, a global e-commerce platform.

Construction sector still uncertain about much-awaited tax concessions

Sri Lanka’s construction industry said it is still uncertain about receiving its much-awaited tax concessions, as the industry stakeholders opine that the government’s requirement to meet the International Monetary Fund (IMF)-driven fiscal targets in its budget next year may leave little room for relief.

Harini going to supermarket, Prez walking to work: time to stop grandstanding: opposition MP

Referring to the recent actions of President Anura Kumara Dissanayake and Prime Minister Harini Amarasuriya which has gained much publicity, Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB) MP Nalin Bandara Jayamaha yesterday said both should stop grandstanding

Dilruwan steps down from NSC to become U-19 Spin Coach

Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) are yet to appoint a replacement for Dilruwan Perera, who stepped down from his role as a member of the National Selection Committee (NSC) last week.

Govt. decides not to re-conduct Grade 5 Scholarship Exam: AG tells SC

The Attorney General’s Department today informed the Supreme Court that the Cabinet of Ministers has recommended not to re-conduct the Grade 5 Scholarship Examination, taking into consideration the mental stress students would undergo and the adverse effects it would have on the scheduled examination calendar.

EC issues ultimatum to candidates over expense reports

The Election Commission has announced that all candidates must submit their income and expenditure reports by December 6, with the deadline set at midnight.

GCE (O/L) exams 2024 (2025) registration deadline extended

The Examinations Department has extended the deadline for online registration for the 2024 (2025) GCE Ordinary Level (O/L) examinations for both government schools and private candidates.

Three dead and dozens sick after eating sea turtle stew

Three people have died and at least 32 were hospitalised in the Philippines after eating an endangered sea turtle cooked in stew.