Colombo International Book Fair launched

The Colombo International Book Fair was launched today (September 27) at the Bandaranaike Memorial International Conference Hall (BMICH). The exhibition will continue till October 6. Pix by Kithsiri de Mel

Tanzanian President congratulates Anura Kumara

Tanzanian President Dr. Samia Suluhu Hassan Congratulates President Anura Kumara Dissanayake on His Election Victor

Fined Rs. 35,000 for possessing tortoise

An individual who had in his possessing a tortoise was fined Rs. 35,000 and the tortoise handed over to the Hikkaduwa Wildlife Office by Galle Chief Magistrate Isuru Netthikumara.

President orders to reopen roads near President’s House

President Anura Kumara Dissanayake has ordered the police to reopen Sir Baron Jayathilake Mawatha and Janadhipathi Mawatha near the President’s House, to the public starting today.

Landslide danger in Norton Bridge, school closed

A hill near the Sinhala Maha Vidyalaya in Vidulipura, Norton Bridge, is fa ing the risk of a possible landslide, leading to the temporary closure of the school.

Imthiaz Bakeer Markar appointed Chairman SJB

Former MP Imthiaz Bakeer Markar has been appointed the new Chairman of the SJB, Party Leader Sajith Premadasa announced today.

Japan to resume 11 stalled projects in Sri Lanka

The Japanese government has pledged to resume the construction of 11 stalled projects in Sri Lanka and has promised full support for the new government’s development programme, the President Media Division (PMD) said.

Comet visible to naked eye tomorrow after 80,000 years

A comet that is visible once every eighty thousand years (80,000) years will be seen with the naked eye in Sri Lanka tomorrow evening after sunset, Space Scientist and Engineering Lecturer Gihan Weerasekera said.

US President congratulates President Dissanayake; pledges support to Sri Lanka

While congratulating President Anura Kumara Dissanayake on his victory, US President Joe Biden said he looks forward to working with President Dissanayake to advance peace, security, and prosperity in the Indo-Pacific region.

CBSL maintains policy interest rates at their current levels

The Monetary Policy Board of the Central Bank of Sri Lanka has decided to maintain its policy interest rates at their current levels.

Nearly 40 children in India drown during Hindu festival

At least 46 people - including 37 children and seven women - drowned while celebrating a Hindu religious festival in eastern India, local officials said.

Anura Kumara’s government urged to address teacher, principal salary anomalies

The Anura Kumara Dissanayake-led government must address the salary anomalies of teachers and principals, an issue that has been under discussion since the Ranil Wickremesinghe administration, Ceylon Teachers’ Union (CTU) General Secretary Joseph Stalin said.

I hope justice meted out to me through NPP government – Ex-CID Director Shani

Claiming the Easter Sunday attacks was a well-orchestrated conspiracy rather than a mere isolated incident, ex-CID Director Shani Abeysekara said justice would be meted out to him in an NPP government.

Ruwan denies using govt. vehicle

Former Senior Adviser to the President on Climate Change, Ruwan Wijewardene, denied allegations yesterday that he had used a government vehicle during his tenure in the advisory role.

No vehicle abandoned near Presidential Secretariat will be auctioned: PMD

Clarifying the abandoned luxury vehicles in front of the Presidential Secretariat, President’s private secretary Ananda Wijepala said yesterday 107 vehicles have been parked in three locations and that none of the vehicles will be auctioned.

August consumer confidence down marginally in lead up to Presidential election

Sri Lanka’s Consumer confidence dropped marginally in August 2024 in lead-up to Presidential election, the Institute for Health Policy (IHP) survey showed.

Tourists arrival increased

Provisional data from the Sri Lanka Tourism Development Authority (SLTDA) shows a rise in tourist arrivals, with 70,678 visitors recorded in the first 17 days of September. This brings the total number of arrivals for the year to 1.43 million. Today marks the celebration of World Tourism Day (WTD), observed annually on 27 September. Pix by Pradeep Pathirana

Court suspends Cabinet approval of controversial passport deal

The Court of Appeal today issued an interim order suspending the operation of the Cabinet decision granting approval to purchase 750,000 N-Series passports from two companies as part of the initial procurement for the supply of five million e-Passports.

Stop inviting politicians to school events: Education Minister

Education Minister and Prime Minister Dr. Harini Amarasuriya today urged all schools to immediately stop inviting politicians to their school events.

29 vehicles missing from Presidential Secretariat; President orders probe

It has been revealed that 29 vehicles from the 833 currently owned by the Presidential Secretariat are unaccounted for, the President’s Media Division said.

Issuing of visa now available under previous system

The government has taken action to resume the issuing of visas under the previous system, beginning from 12.00 midnight today (26).

World Bank pledges support to President Anura Dissanayake

The World Bank Group has expressed its commitment to supporting Sri Lanka’s economic recovery and development.

Will bring change, says new Western Province Governor

Business leader Hanif Yusoof, recently appointed as the Governor of the Western Province, stated that he is determined to implement changes as pledged by President Anura Kumara Dissanayake.

Fertiliser subsidy for paddy farmers increased from October 1

President Anura Kumara Dissanayake has directed the Treasury to increase the fertiliser subsidy for paddy farmers from Rs. 15,000 to Rs. 25,000 per hectare for the 2024/25 Maha season, effective October 1.

SJB denies social media claim on Sajith’s offer to resign from party leadership

Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB) General Secretary Ranjith Madduma Bandara denied the claims made on social media that party leader Sajith Premadasa has offered to resign.

British national with largest-ever Kush stock worth over Rs. 430 mn nabbed at BIA

Sri Lanka Customs today seized the largest-ever stock of recreational cannabis, known as ’Kush’, worth over Rs. 430 million, smuggled by a 21-year-old British national.

SC dismisses FR petition against Janaprith Fernando’s appointment as Chief Scout Commissioner

A Fundamental Rights application seeking an order to stay the appointment of Janaprith Fernando as Chief Commissioner of the Ceylon Scout Council was dismissed by the Supreme Court on Wednesday (25).

Musk hits back after being shunned from UK summit

The world’s richest person, Elon Musk, has hit back after not being invited to the UK government’s International Investment Summit.

Sufficient fuel reserves available: Officials brief President

Officials of the Ministry of Power and Energy have informed President Anura Kumara Dissanayake that the country currently has sufficient fuel reserves to meet consumption needs.

Japan court acquits a former boxer, the longest-serving death row inmate

A Japanese court ruled Thursday that an 88-year-old former boxer was not guilty in a retrial for a 1966 quadruple murder, reversing an earlier decision that made him the world’s longest-serving death row inmate.