State owned enterprises should no longer be a burden to country - Sajith

Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB) presidential candidate Sajith Premadasa said that state-owned enterprises (SOE) can no more be a burden to the country, economy, taxpayers and the people.

Fragmented tour guides sector risks SL’s ability to cater to tourism targets: Study

Sri Lanka’s tourism industry is grappling with lower number of licensed tour guides, which could threaten the country’s ability to cater to the expected five million visitors by 2030.

Exporters caution against risky election promises

The National Chamber of Exporters of Sri Lanka (NCE), ahead of the country’s upcoming presidential election, urged candidates to avoid making unrealistic fiscal promises that could jeopardise the nation’s fragile economic recovery.

Sri Lanka’s resurging retail sector well positioned for take-off: SLRA

Sri Lanka’s resurging retail sector which is undergoing a significant transformation is well positioned for a take-off supported by recent developments, according to Sri Lanka Retailers’ Association (SLRA).

Prisoners to get voting rights?

Officials from the Human Rights Commission of Sri Lanka (HRCSL), the Election Commission, Department of Prisons, and election monitoring bodies have come together to address challenges related to prisoners’ right to vote, the HRCSL said in a statement.

Over 45 apparel workers injured in bus collision in Bibila

A total of 47 apparel factory workers were injured following a bus collision in Bibila today.

Education State Minister vacates illegally occupied house after court order

The Nuwara Eliya Magistrate’s Court today (05) ordered that a house at the Henfold Estate in Lindula, which has been illegally occupied by State Minister of Education Aravindh Kumar since 1987 be handed over to the plantation authorities.

NPP using people’s issues unnecessarily for political gain

The National People’s Power (NPP), which was formerly the Janatha Vimukthi Peramuna (JVP), is playing politics by unnecessarily using issues of the people, Ven. Ulapane Sumangala Thero said.

Four State Ministers removed from office

Four State Ministers have been removed from their positions with immediate effect by President Ranil Wickremesinghe.

Postal voting continues...

As postal voting continues, personnel from the Sri Lanka Air Force casting their votes at the Air Force Headquarters in Colombo. Pix by Nimalsiri Edirisinghe

Asitha Fernando’s journey to Sri Lanka’s test spearhead

Out of the pool of Sri Lanka Under - 19 fast bowlers back in 2015, the two names that were discussed the most were Lahiru Kumara and Asitha Fernando. While they both made their international debuts in 2017, Kumara was the one who had a consistent run in the national team, and one of the reasons for this was his extra pace.

Vedda community permitted to enter forests

The Department of Wildlife has taken step to issue special identity cards to those from the Vedda community to enter the forests and use the resources to make a living without any obstacles.

Doctors protest...

Doctors affiliated to the Government Medical Officers’ Association (GMOA) staged a protest outside the Health Ministry, denouncing the government’s suppression of health trade unions. Pix by Waruna Wanniarachchi

Shooting at Uddika’s vehicle: Former ASP arrested

The Criminal Investigation Department (CID) has arrested the former Assistant Superintendent of Police (ASP) of Anuradhapura Sanjeewa Mahanama for allegedly assisting in the incident involving the shooting of actor-turned-politician Uddika Premaratne’s vehicle near his residence in Anuradhapura.

Namal Rajapaksa accuses Ranil, ITAK of undermining Provincial Elections

President Ranil Wickremesinghe and the Illankai Tamil Arasu Kadchi (ITAK) have sabotaged the passage of the bill to amend the Provincial Council Elections Act without a debate, Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna (SLPP)’s Presidential Candidate Namal Rajapaksa said.

Velu Kumar secures enjoining order against Dayasiri over bar permit controversy

The Colombo District Court today issued an enjoining order preventing Parliamentarian Dayasiri Jayasekara from circulating defamatory statements against Parliamentarian Velu Kumar on social media and other public platforms.

Sri Lankan market too small for entrepreneurs, industrialists to survive: AKD

Claiming that the Sri Lankan market is too small for entrepreneurs and industrialists to survive, NPP leader Anura Kumara Dissanayake said that an NPP government will establish trade embassies in the African region to find emerging markets there.

Sri Lanka Air Force Beechcraft participates in India’s ’Tarang Shakthi’ exercise

The Sri Lanka Air Force Beechcraft aircraft is making a significant contribution to the inaugural edition of India’s biennial multinational air combat exercise, ’Tarang Shakthi’.

Ugandan Olympic athlete Rebecca Cheptegei dies after petrol attack

Olympic athlete Rebecca Cheptegei has died days after being doused in petrol and set on fire by a former boyfriend, Ugandan official says.

Some candidates request for support but will remain neutral: CBK

Claiming that some Presidential candidates have sought her support, former President Chandrika Kumaratunga said today that she has decided to remain neutral at the 2024 Presidential election.

SLPP defectors form new alliance

A group of SLPP MPs together with several other parties today formed the Podujana Eksath Nidahas Peramuna (PENP) led by Prime Minister Dinesh Gunawardena.

EC issues directives to employers on granting leave for Presidential election

The Elections Commission has requested all employers to grant leave to both public and private sector employees to cast their vote at the Presidential election 2024.

Lorry topples on Southern Expressway

All heavy vehicle drivers towards Matara are advised to exit from the Pinnaduwa interchange as a lorry which has toppled on the Southern Expressway (E-01) this morning has partially blocked the expressway beyond Pinnaduwa.

SJB unveils manifesto, economic blueprint

The Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB) unveiled its manifesto and economic blueprint. Presidential candidate Sajith Premadasa, along with the SJB’s economic team, presented their vision for a more inclusive and equitable Sri Lanka. Pix by Nimalsiri Edirisinghe

Four killed in Georgia high school shooting

Two 14-year-old students and two teachers were killed in a mass shooting at Apalachee High School in Winder, Georgia. Nine other people — eight students and one teacher — were wounded and hospitalized, all of whom are expected to survive.

Asteroid burns up in Earth’s atmosphere over Philippines

A roughly 1-meter (3-foot) asteroid burned up in Earth’s atmosphere over the Philippines near Luzon Island early Wednesday afternoon, according to NASA.

Guidelines issued to Police stations for handling election-related social media violations

With the Presidential Election set for September 21, social media has become the primary platform for campaign activities and criticisms targeting candidates

Governance is second, rebuilding economy first - President

In the midst of talks about abolition of the executive presidency, President Ranil Wickremesinghe said he will leave it up to the next Parliament since rebuilding the economy precedes governance in his view.

Election Commission slams salary hike as candidate promotion tactic

The Election Commission has criticized the government’s decision to increase public sector employee salaries, labeling it a clear tactic to promote a candidate.

CTU demands government to issue circular on salary increases by September 21

The Ceylon Teachers’ Union (CTU) demanded the government to release a circular before September 21 announcing the proposed salary increments of government employees, including teachers and principals.