Sri Lanka weighs Open Skies amidst plans for national carrier privatization

Sri Lanka is in a dilemma to decide whether to adopt an open skies policy or not in the event of divestiture of shares of the national carrier ‘SriLankan Airlines’, a top official said.

Katunayake-Colombo Expressway closed from 2pm to 3pm today

In view of the Iranian President’s visit, Katunayake - Colombo Expressway will be closed from 2 pm to 3 pm and 9:30 pm to 10:30 pm today, police announced.

Tight security for Iranian President’s visit to Sri Lanka

Stringent security measures have been put in place ahead of the arrival of Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi in Sri Lanka today. The President is scheduled for a one-day official visit to join a public event commemorating the launch of the Uma Oya Multipurpose Development Project (UOMDP).

IMF third tranche hinges on proposed PFM Act: Dr. Coomaraswamy

The proposed Public Financial Management (PFM) Act remains crucial for the disbursement of the third tranche under the International Monetary Fund’s (IMF) US$ 3billion bailout package, stressed Former Central Bank (CB) Governor and economist, Dr. Indrajit Coomaraswamy.

Loosening fiscal squeeze could derail IMF programme commitments: Economist

A top economist yesterday raised concerns over the “loosening of fiscal squeeze” by authorities to stimulate economic growth. Since doing so could lead to potential risks of jeopardising Sri Lanka’s agreements with the International Monetary Fund (IMF).

Tourist arrival momentum dips slightly in April

Tourist arrivals to the island nation continue to pickup from levels witnessed since the pandemic and the economic crisis. However, a slight drop in momentum is seen for the month of April.

Sri Lanka took minimal steps to punish officials who committed human rights abuses: US report

Sri Lanka took minimal steps to identify and punish officials who may have committed human rights abuses, the 2023 report issued by the US State Department’s Bureau of Democracy, Human Rights and Labour on Sri Lanka’s Human Rights Practices has alleged.

Uma Oya Hydro Power Plant to add 120 MW to national grid: Minister

With the commissioning of the Uma Oya Hydro Power Plant tomorrow, 120 MW generation capacity will be added to the national grid and reduce the cost of energy, Power and Energy Minister Kanchana Wijesekara said today.

Finance Ministry urges public caution during vehicle purchases

The Finance Ministry has urged the public to exercise vigilance when purchasing vehicles as numerous vehicles have been imported into Sri Lanka through various illegal methods from 2015 to 2022.

Voyager-1 sends readable data again from deep space

The US space agency says its Voyager-1 probe is once again sending usable information back to Earth after months of spouting gibberish.

Sixteen dead, 28 missing after boat capsizes off Djibouti coast

Sixteen would-be migrants have died and another 28 are missing after a boat carrying 77 people capsized off the coast of Djibouti, the second such incident in two weeks, the United Nations migration agency said on Tuesday.

Court bars CEB employees’ protest march

The Colombo Chief Magistrate’s Court issued a restraining order preventing a planned protest march by the Ceylon Electricity Board (CEB) employees’ union tomorrow near the Polduwa Junction in the Welikada police area.

Narendra Modi accused of ‘anti-Muslim hate speech’

India’s main opposition party accused Prime Minister Narendra Modi of using hate speech after he called Muslims “infiltrators” — some of his most incendiary rhetoric about the minority faith, days after the country began its weekslong general election.

Temperature rises to ’Caution’ level

The Meteorology Department issued a cautionary warning today about escalating temperatures that may be particularly intense for people across the country except in Matale, Kandy, Nuwara Eliya and Badulla.

Colombo’s consular services temporarily suspended for system transition

Document authentication services provided by the Consular Affairs Division of the Foreign Affairs Ministry in Colombo will be temporarily suspended for the public on April 29 and 30 in order to facilitate the transition of the Electronic Document Authentication System (e-DAS) to the new premises at Suhurupaya.

Top Chinese delegation meets Anura Kumara

A top delegation of the Chinese Communist Party headed by Vice Minister of the International Department, Sun Haiyan met National People’s Power (NPP) leader Anura Kumara Dissanayake at the JVP head office today.

Over 25 tons of garbage disposed in Sri Pada for five months

More than 25 tons of garbage have been disposed of into the environment in the Sri Pada route from Nallathaniya for the last five months of the Sri Pada pilgrimage season.

More than one in five cars sold worldwide in 2024 will be electric

More than one in five cars sold worldwide in 2024 will be electric vehicles (EV’s) according to the forecasts of the International Energy Agency (IEA).

Uma Oya project ready to be handed over to public tomorrow

All arrangements have been made to hand over the Uma Oya Multi-Purpose Development Project to the public tomorrow (April 24), Irrigation, Wildlife and Forest Conservation Minister Pavitra Wanniarachchi said following a recent visit to inspect the project.

78-year-old swimmer from Bengaluru dies while swimming from Sri Lanka to India

A 78-year-old man, Gopal Rao, of Bengaluru, Karnataka, died of a heart attack while he was swimming from Thalaimannar in Sri Lanka to the Dhanushkodi islet in Rameswaram, T.N., on Tuesday, April 23, 2024.

Athapaththu back atop ICC Women’s ODI Batting Rankings

Sri Lanka captain Chamari Athapaththu is back at the top of the ICC Women’s ODI Batting Rankings after a superb 195 not out in the third ODI against South Africa in Potchefstroom that helped her team level the ICC Women’s Championship Series 1-1.

Showers of about 50 mm on the cards across Sri Lanka

Residents in the Western and Sabaragamuwa Provinces, as well as the Galle and Matara districts, should be prepared for fairly heavy showers of about 50 mm in some areas, the Meteorology Department predicted.

Army forms committee to probe Diyatalawa Fox Hill Supercross accident

The Sri Lanka Army has decided to appoint a special investigation committee consisting of 07 senior officers chaired by a Major General to probe the accident that occurred during the Diyatalawa Fox Hill Supercross.

CBSL announces eight new pyramid activities

Based on complaints received, the Central Bank of Sri Lanka (CBSL) has released eight other institutions and inputs identified as engaging in pyramid activities.

Ten dead as two Navy helicopters collide mid-air in Malaysia

Ten people have died after two navy helicopters collided in mid-air during a military rehearsal for a Royal Malaysian Navy parade.

Railways chief passes away

The General Manager of Railways, H.M.K.W. Bandara passed away this morning due to a sudden illness at the Anuradhapura Hospital.

National consumer prices soften in March

The consumer prices measured by the broader National Consumer Price Index (NCPI) continued to soften in March, as the non-food prices cooled sharply while the food prices remained unchanged from a year ago.

Two killed in police shooting at Moragahahena

Two persons have died after police fired at a three-wheeler that was driving in defiance of orders to halt at Millawa in Moragahahena.

Anura Kumara gives date for debate with Sajith

The National People’s Power (NPP) has officially notified the Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB) yesterday that they are prepared to hold the proposed debate between NPP leader Anura Kumara Dissanayake and SJB leader Sajith Premadasa on one of the following days: May 7, 9, 13, or 14.

SJB, SLPP MPs broker liquor licences for cronies

Some MPs from both Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB) and the ruling Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna (SLPP) have reportedly brokered liquor licences from the government for their cronies for hefty commissions involved, Daily Mirror learns.