BOI signs agreement for US $ 9.3mn hotel project in Ella

The town of Ella in Sri Lanka is set to witness a new development in tourism infrastructure, as the Board of Investment (BOI) has signed an agreement with the local company Nature First Resort & Spa Limited to build a new hotel in the tourist region.

Chinese Criminal Investigation Unit joins local CID in tackling online fraud involving Chinese

In response to the surge in online financial frauds involving foreign nationals, including Chinese, the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) has sought assistance from the Chinese Special Criminal Investigation Unit for investigative support.

Container truck driver found dead at Port Customs gate queue

The Foreshore Police launched an investigation after the driver of a container truck, who had been waiting in a queue at the Customs exit gate since yesterday, was found dead inside his vehicle this evening within the port premises.

Commonwealth to observe Sri Lanka’s presidential election

A Commonwealth Observer Group (COG), led by Danny Faure, former President of Seychelles, will observe Sri Lanka’s Presidential Election, which will be held on 21 September 2024.

Let us put an end to borrowing: Ranil

President Ranil Wickremesinghe called for the support of all parties to create an era where Sri Lanka could end borrowing funds from other countries.

Minister urges caution during postal voting, warns against false promises

Education Minister Susil Premajayantha today urged government employees to be cautious when casting their postal votes and not to be misled by false election promises.

Marking 73rd anniversary

President Ranil Wickremesinghe, together with the SLFP Nimal Siripala de Silva faction, waves at party members during a ceremony to mark the Sri Lanka Freedom Party’s 73rd anniversary today. Pix Waruna Wanniarachchi

Deva Dutha perahera...

The Deva Dutha Perahera of the Rathna Sri Ghanarama Pothgul Viharaya was held recently with the blessings of Ven. Sivuralumulle Sumanarathne Thera of the temple. Pix by Nimalsiri Edirisinghe

Customs destroy counterfeit cigarettes

Sri Lanka Customs today destroyed a large quantity of counterfeit cigarettes seized from many smuggling attempts through the Bandaranaike International Airport (BIA) during the first half of this year. Pix by Nimalsiri Edirisinghe

Grade five exam on September 15

The Examinations Department announced the date for holding the Grade 5 scholarship examination for 2024.

Visa free policy for 38 countries comes into immediate effect

The Cabinet has approved a ’one chop’ system for the 38 visa-free countries, commencing with immediate effect, Advisor to the Ministry of Tourism Harin Fernando said.

Husband sentenced to death for murdering wife

An accused who stood indicted with the murder of his wife was found guilty and sentenced to death by Uva Province High Court Judge Prasanna Alwis.

CA Orders registration of 41 unregistered assembled vehicles after 12-year delay

The Court of Appeal today issued a Writ of Mandamus directing the Commissioner General of Motor Traffic to register 41 assembled motor vehicles under the terms of the Motor Traffic Act, which had not been registered for 12 years.

Harini responds to Anura’s V8

Commenting on NPP Presidential candidate Anura Kumara Dissanayake travelling in expensive vehicles for election rallies, NPP MP Harini Amarasuriya said today the party has to take some decisions considering the security of Anura Kumara.

Annual Perahera of Puwakpitiya Temple

The 48th annual Perahera of the Puwakpitiya Temple in Maharagama was held yesterday. Pix by Pradeep Dilrukshana

Namal's manifesto launched...

Election manifesto of the Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna (SLPP) presidential candidate Namal Rajapaksa was launched today. Namal is presenting a copy of the manifesto to former president and SLPP leader Mahinda Rajapaksa. Pix by Pradeep Dilrukshana

Health officials warn of spike in Dengue cases

In the wake of incessant rains experienced over the past few weeks, health officials have warned of a surge in Dengue cases.

Indian customs officials nab three Sri Lankans for smuggling gold at KIA

Officials of the Bengaluru Air Customs on Saturday caught three Sri Lankan nationals, who were allegedly part of an international gold smuggling racket at Kempegowda International Airport.

Namal vows to end fraud, corruption within three years

Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna (SLPP) Presidential candidate Namal Rajapaksa today pledged to wipe out fraud and corruption within three years under his government.

German far right hails ’historic’ election victory in east

Germany’s anti-immigration Alternative for Germany (AfD) is celebrating a ’’historic success’’, with a big victory for the far-right party in the eastern state of Thuringia.

‘Russian spy’ whale Hvaldimir found dead in Norway

A beluga whale suspected of having been trained as a spy by Russia has been found dead off the Norwegian coast.

UPDATE - Customs destroy Rs.75Mn worth counterfeit cigarettes at Ceylon Tobacco compound

Sri Lanka Customs today destroyed a large quantity of counterfeit cigarettes seized from many smuggling attempts through the Bandaranaike International Airport (BIA) during the first half of this year.

Namal’s election manifesto ’Namal Dekma’ launched

Election manifesto of the Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna (SLPP) presidential candidate Namal Rajapaksa was launched a short while ago.

No official decision on ITAK supporting Sajith Premadasa: Mavai Senathirajah

Ilankai Tamil Arasu Kachchi (ITAK) senior leader Mavai Senathirajah said the party has not made a formal decision to support Opposition Leader Sajith Premadasa at the upcoming Presidential election.

Striking images reveal depths of Titanic’s slow decay

It was the image that made the Titanic’s wreck instantly recognisable - the ship’s bow looming out of the darkness of the Atlantic depths.

AI generated election related videos: Election Commission handicapped without tools

The Election Commission is handicapped due to the lack of technological know-how to debunk adversarial election propaganda videos generated by Artificial Intelligence (AI) with a bearing on some candidates, a top source said.

SJB Economic Policies - The Good, The Bad, The Ugly

The SJB manifesto in English is long (11,795 words), comprehensive and detailed. Like most manifestos it is aspirational, but it is also detailed.

Leopard’s death at Luccombe Estate sparks urgent calls for action

A leopard’s death at Luccombe Estate in Maskeliya has raised alarm among conservationists including the Wildlife and Nature Protection Society (WNPS).

July trade deficit up over higher imports, but exports remain robust

Merchandise trade deficit, what Sri Lanka spent for its imports over its exports, expanded in July and so was for the cumulative seven months as imports gained pace with the economy normalising.

Colombo district land prices increase 6.9% YoY

The Land Valuation Indicator (LVI) for Colombo District rose 6.9 percent year-on-year in the first half of 2024, driven by increases across all sub-indicators — Residential, Commercial, and Industrial.