Buildings flattened as 7.3 magnitude earthquake hits Vanuatu

A powerful 7.3 earthquake hit Vanuatu on Tuesday, sparking a network outage, crushing vehicles and damaging multiple buildings, including a complex in the capital Port Vila that hosts the diplomatic missions of Western nations including the United States.

Will table educational qualifications in Parliament tomorrow: Sajith

Opposition Leader Sajith Premadasa said he will table all his education qualifications in the House tomorrow.

Total of 9,500 metric tons of rice imported, announces Customs

The Sri Lanka Customs announced today that a total of 9,500 metric tons of rice has been imported into the country as of now.

Dr. Archchuna’s eligibility for Parliamentary seat challenged

A writ petition has been filed before the Court of Appeal seeking an order declaring that Jaffna District Parliamentarian Dr. Ramanathan Archchuna is disqualified to be a Member of Parliament and is thus not entitled to hold office as a MP.

Biomedical engineer charged with corruption in procurement of 35 operating theater lamps

The Colombo High Court today served indictments on a biomedical engineer attached to the Biomedical Engineering Unit of the Health Ministry for allegedly causing a financial loss to the government during the procurement of 35 operating theater lamps.

Egg producers hit by price drop due to over-production

Egg producers have been affected by the price drop of eggs in the local market caused by high production, Sri Lanka Association of Animal Production president Ajith Gunasekera said.

Short-finned pilot whale found dead

Justice Minister calls for suspension of Parliament website until errors rectified

Justice Minister Harshana Nanayakara today called for the suspension of the Parliament website until erroneous data with regard to MPs are corrected.

Christmas just around the corner...

Deputy Speaker clarifies that he is not a specialist

Deputy Speaker Rizvy Sally today clarified that he is not a specialist doctor and never used the title in his official letterheads, visiting cards and prescriptions.

Government to remove tri-forces security of former Presidents from next week

The government has decided to remove the security provided by the tri-forces to former Presidents from next week, Public Security Minister Ananda Wijepala said today.

IMF agreed to hold discussions on zoom; MP questions why officials visited Washington

Opposition MP Chamara Sampath today questioned why the Central Bank and Finance Ministry officials visited Washington spending a colossal sum of money despite the International Monetary Fund (IMF)’s agreeing to hold discussions on its Extended Fund Facility (IMF) via zoom facility.

World Test Championship - State of Play ahead of 2025 final

New Zealand finish their ICC World Test Championship 2025 campaign with a win over England but are out of contention for the final.

Russian general killed in explosion in Moscow

A high-ranking general in the Russian armed forces has been killed in an explosion in Moscow.

Jaffna Hospital informs MP Archchuna he can only enter as a patient

The Director’s Office of the Jaffna Teaching Hospital has notified MP Ramanathan Archchuna that he will only be allowed entry to the hospital as a patient, and for no other reason.

MP wants Doctor, Professor titles avoided in House

MP Dilith Jayaweera proposed in Parliament that titles such as Doctor, Professor etc. should be avoided when introducing MPs in the House as it leads to social division.

Four MPs sworn in

Faizer Mustapha, Sujeewa Senasinghe, Mano Ganesan and Mohamed Ismail were sworn in as Members of Parliament (MPs) a short while ago before Deputy Speaker Rizvie Salih.

Jagath Wickramaratne elected as new Speaker

National People’s Power (NPP) MP Jagath Wickramaratne was elected as the Speaker of the 10th Parliament.

Two killed by female student in shooting at US Christian school

A student opened fire at a private Christian school in the US state of Wisconsin, injuring six people and killing a teacher and teenaged student.

NPP rules out need to evaluate educational qualifications of members: Govt. stands by its MPs

The NPP government which is now a little over a month old has in recent weeks faced criticism over some of its members allegedly publicising fake doctor titles, receiving much flak on social media and among the citizens.

November PMI signals continued expansion in manufacturing & services

Sri Lanka’s economic activities across both the manufacturing and services activities continued to expand during November.

Namal responds to allegations of preferential treatment in law exam

In response to the CID complaint filed by a civil society representative alleging that MP Namal Rajapaksa had received preferential treatment during a law examination 11 years ago, Rajapaksa said that there was no special treatment given to any candidate, including him.

AC Milan arrives in SL to launch three new Milan junior camps

AC Milan announced the arrival of the Milan Junior Camp project in Sri Lanka, which will make stops in the cities of Colombo, Galle and Jaffna at the beginning of next year.

Membership of NOCSL decides on early elections

The General Membership of the National Olympic Committee of Sri Lanka (NOCSL), during its Special General Assembly (SGA), resolved to conduct elections for new office-bearers no later than March 31, 2025.

Create formal institution to discuss sensitive info that BBS holds: Gnanasara Thera requests President

Bodu Bala Sena (BBS) General Secretary, Ven. Galagoda Aththe Gnanasara Thera, today requested the President to establish a formal institution to receive and discuss sensitive information they have collected regarding the growing racism and religious fanaticism in the country.

Cabinet Paper drafted to provide loans for restarting piggeries: Minister

A Cabinet Paper has been drafted to provide concessionary loan facilities for farmers affected by disruptions to their piggeries by the spread of the African Swine Disease in the country, Agriculture and Livestock Deputy Minister Namal Karunaratne said.

Complaint filed against Namal Rajapaksa’s law exam

A civil society representative has lodged a complaint with the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) alleging that MP Namal Rajapaksa received preferential treatment during a law examination 11 years ago.

Sirisena assures Court: No future claims for SLFP chairmanship

Former President Maithripala Sirisena, through his counsel, informed the Court of Appeal today that he will not claim any rights to the Sri Lanka Freedom Party (SLFP) chairmanship in the future.

’Won’t allow our land to be used against India’: President Anura Kumara

Sri Lankan President Anura Kumara Dissanayake, on his first official trip to India, has assured Prime Minister Narendra Modi of full cooperation while ensuring regional peace. Dissanayake said that India has always helped Sri Lanka and the island nation has very significant place in the foreign policy of India.

Close to 1,000 feared dead after Cyclone Chido hits Mayotte

Close to 1,000 people may have been killed after Cyclone Chido hit Mayotte in the Indian Ocean, according to the island’s top official.