Only 6,000 out of 34,000 pre-school teachers are diploma holders: Susil

Education Minister Susil Premajayantha revealed today that only 6,000 out of 34,000 pre-school teachers and assistant teachers in Sri Lanka are diploma holders.

Twenty more sacred areas to be gazetted this year

Twenty more places of religious worship are expected to be gazetted this year as sacred areas, while nine places have already been gazetted so far, the National Physical Planning Department said.

Consider withdrawing diplomatic ties with Israel: Hakeem

Opposition MP Rauff Hakeem today urged the Sri Lankan government to consider withdrawing diplomatic ties with Israel if it fails to stop iys military offensives in Gaza.

Strategic dance between Health Ministry, trade unions: Dr. Bellana

The commencement of islandwide union actions has turned into a strategic interplay between Health Ministry officials and the collective health sector trade unions, the Government Medical Officers’ Forum (GMOF) said today.

US Assistant Secretary Donald Lu meets NPP representatives

Assistant Secretary of State for South and Central Asian Affairs Donald Lu met representatives of the National People’s Power (NPP) last evening at the Galle Face Hotel.

Lime prices up but cultivators incur losses

Farmers in the Anuradhapura District who cultivated lime are in a predicament for want of a remunerative market for their produce, while the price of lime has skyrocketed in urban areas due to the ongoing racket of the middleman.

Temperatures to drop as monsoon arrives: Met. Dept.

As higher rainfall spreads across the country and the southwest monsoon activates after May 20, temperatures, which have risen to a ’caution level’ for human comfort, are expected to decrease, the Meteorology Department said.

I hear that MPs’ vehicle permits approved: Chandima

Parliamentarian Chandima Weerakkody said yesterday he got to know that vehicle permits for Members of Parliament had been passed according to the request of the government.

Over 178,000 temporary residents under scrutiny for criminal connections

In light of reports indicating involvement in various criminal activities, including drug trafficking, originating from temporary residences, the police have gathered information on over 178,600 temporary residents during a two-day nationwide operation.

Health experts raise red flags over soaring influenza cases

​In the wake of the rising influenza cases at an unusual rate, health experts are urging the public to beware of symptoms such as fever, cough, sore throat, runny or stuffy nose, muscle or body aches, headaches and fatigue.

Facebook party raided inside Knuckles Reserve, over 20 arrested

A group of 22 young individuals, including five females, were apprehended by the Hunnasgiriya Range Forest Office for trespassing in the Knuckles Reserve and setting up illegal campfires, forest officials said. The suspects, hailing from various regions such as Bandarawela, Colombo, Badulla, and Kandy, are between the ages of 20 and 30.

Central Bank advises businesses to grasp current exchange rate mechanism

The Central Bank emphasised the importance of businesses in Sri Lanka understanding the current exchange rate system.

CTC says drop in 1Q sales due to tax-led price increases

Monopoly cigarette player Ceylon Tobacco Company PLC (CTC) yesterday said that its sales volume for the first quarter ended on March 31, 2024 was lower in comparison to the same period last year, mainly due to the tax-led price increases, in line with the government’s revenue proposals.

New entrepreneurs required for future productivity-based growth: Jafferjee

Sri Lanka needs a new set of entrepreneurs to drive future economic growth based on productivity, in transforming the current business landscape dominated by patronage, rent-seeking and crony capitalism, Advocata Institute Chairman Murtaza Jafferjee said.

Grace marks for questions outside of GCE (O/L) science syllabus

In response to concerns over irregularities during the 2023 (2024) G.C.E. Ordinary Level (O/L) examinations, grace marks are set to be awarded for answers of several questions found to be outside the Science syllabus.

Court fines 15 motorcyclists for dangerous riding on money bets in Bambalapitiya

Fifteen motorcyclists involved in dangerous riding for money bets on the Galle Road in Bambalapitiya, Colombo were fined Rs. 427,500 and had their driving licenses suspended for six months by the Colombo Traffic Court today.

President wishes Sri Lankan Cricket Team success

President Ranil Wickremesinghe wished the Sri Lankan Cricket Team success at the upcoming T20 World Cup as they depart for the United States of America and the West Indies tomorrow, the President’s Media Division (PMD) said.

Wellalage inclusion hints Three-Spin Attack in World Cup

National selectors announced the Sri Lankan squad for the upcoming T20 World Cup in USA & West Indies with uncapped Dunith Wellalage grabbing the headlines.

Hospice Sri Lanka Alliance makes a milestone in palliative care: Health Secy.

Forming an alliance in the hospice treatment sector in the country will make a milestone in the palliative care and will help to standardize an industry, which had rendered a significant service to the public, said Secretary of Health Dr. Palitha Mahipala.

Restraining order issued preventing obstacles to Wijedasa Rajapakse’ SLFP Chairmanship

A restraining order on instituting any legal action against the decision taken by the Sri Lanka Freedom Party (SLFP) Executive Committee on May 12, to appoint Minister Wijedasa Rajapakse as Chairman of the SLFP was issued by Kaduwela District Judge Dulani Wickremesuriya.

Climate change to cause 1. 2 percent annual loss of Sri Lanka’s GDP by 2050: Ruwan

The cost of climate change will account for a 1.2 percent loss of the annual Gross Domestic Product (GDP) of Sri Lanka by 2050 according to estimates by the World Bank, Senior Presidential Advisor on Climate Affairs Ruwan Wijewardene said.

Big names miss out as Netherlands announce squad for T20 World Cup

A reliable top-order performer and experienced all-rounder miss the cut as the Dutch reveal their playing group for next month’s tournament.

Philanthropist Nahil Wijesuriya donates Rs 270 Mn for Bishops College

Nahil Wijesuriya, a well-known figure in Sri Lanka’s charitable circles, has stepped forward to contribute a sum of Rs 270,000,000 towards the construction of a modern A-Level building at Bishops College, Colombo.

Court calls for report on progress of investigations against Pastor Jerome

The Supreme Court today directed the Attorney General to submit the progress of the investigations against Pastor Jerome Fernando within two weeks over his alleged hate remarks against religious harmony in the country.

Selectors deny favoritism in Sri Lanka’s T20 World Cup squad selection

While denying any favoritism during the selection of players for the Sri Lanka squad in the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2024, Sri Lanka Cricket Selection Committee Chairman Upul Tharanga said the Sri Lanka team is in a good position to challenge any team at the World Cup to be held in the West Indies and USA.

Patients bear the brunt as health strike continues

Patients have been highly inconvenienced due to the health strike launched by health professionals in all government hospitals at provincial level.

Foreigner injured after falling from Lotus tower

A foreigner sustained injuries while experiencing the Base Jump event at the Lotus Tower a short while ago.

Paper setters to take final decision on controversy over O/L science paper: Susil

Clarifying the controversy over the GCE Ordinary Level (O/L) Science and English papers, Education Minister Susil Premajayantha said today that steps will be taken to ensure that no injustice is caused to any students.

Restructuring of CEB will continue despite MR’s statement on privatisation: Minister

Restructuring of the Ceylon Electricity Board (CEB) will continue as former President Mahinda Rajapaksa has not requested for such a thing, Minister of Power and Energy Kanchana Wijesekera told Parliament today.

Floods kill 37 in Indonesia’s West Sumatra

Flash floods and mud slides in Indonesia’s West Sumatra province killed at least 37 people this weekend while the search for 17 missing people is still ongoing, authorities said on Monday.