COMPLAST & RUBEXPO 2024

The COMPLAST & RUBEXPO 2024 organized by SMART Expos & Fairs and co-organized by PRISL, with support from IDB was launched yesterday (30) at the BMICH. The event which attracted over 300 industry experts and featured 200+ exhibitors from the plastics, rubber, and packaging sectors will be held until September 01. Pix Kithsiri de Mel

Wild elephant killed, burned and buried; suspect arrested

A 47-year-old person was arrested on suspicion of killing a wild elephant and burning it in a pit, according to the Nikaweratiya Wildlife Office.

President promises to reduce tax burden over next two years

President Ranil Wickremesinghe said that he intends to ease the tax burden on the public over the next two years while adhering to the agreements the country has reached with the International Monetary Fund (IMF) and the 18 countries that have provided loans.

Colombo inflation falls to 0.5% as food and non-food prices cool

Inflation in the Colombo district slowed sharply in August, as both food and non-food prices cooled after the government started cutting the tariffs of the utilities and fuel, ameliorating the price pressures through the supply chains.

Economists urge incoming president to protect Central Bank’s independence

Economists have called on Sri Lanka’s incoming president to safeguard the Central Bank’s independence and address the taxation issues, key areas critical to stabilising the nation’s economy.

India’s move to secure ties as presidential race heats up

Ahead of the presidential poll, in an apparent move to ensure that Indo-Lanka bilateral cooperation on national security is not compromised under a future government, visiting Indian National Security Advisor Ajit Doval met with four main presidential candidates - President Ranil Wickremesinghe, Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB) candidate Sajith Premadasa, National People’s Power (NPP) candidate Anura Kumara Dissanayake

Mete out justice...

In line with the International Day of the Victims of Enforced Disappearance, families of the disappeared staged a protest in Colombo today urging the authorities to expedite the truth seeking process. Pix by Nimalsiri Edirisinghe

EU Election observation mission vows independent review

The European Union Election Observation Mission to Sri Lanka’s Presidential Election today assured a complete independent picture of the Presidential Election 2024 and said it will come up with recommendations for future electoral reforms.

Colombo Security Conclave: Charter, MoU signed

National Security Adviser to the Prime Minister of India Ajit Doval visited Colombo from 29-30 August 2024, for the signing of the Founding Documents of the Colombo Security Conclave (CSC), a statement from the Indian High Commission said.

India’s National Security Advisor Ajit Doval meets Namal Rajapaksa

India’s National Security Advisor Ajit Doval met SLPP Presidential candidate Namal Rajapaksa in Colombo today where the duo discussed several areas of mutual concern.

Israel says Hamas leader killed in West Bank

Israeli forces killed a local commander of the Islamist movement Hamas in the flashpoint city of Jenin on Friday as they pressed a major operation in the occupied West Bank for a third day, the Israeli military said.

Not been informed of removal: Range Bandara

United National Party (UNP) General Secretary Palitha Range Bandara said today that he has not been informed of his removal by the party leadership.

Government clarifies misleading reports on Hilton hotel divestiture

The Ministry of Finance, Economic Stabilization and National Policies has issued a statement clarifying recent misleading media reports about the divestiture of Hotel Developers (Lanka) Ltd, which owns the Colombo Hilton.

Father arrested for stabbing son to death

A 24-year-old youth was found stabbed to death with a sharp weapon by his father over a personal dispute in the Dehiattakandiya area last morning.

Two individuals, impersonating tax officers nabbed in Aluthgama

An attempt made by a gang to cheat businessmen in Aluthgama and Dharga Town under the pretext of tax officers of the Inland Revenue Department collecting income tax from business establishments and to obtain money was foiled by the Aluthgama police.

BASL president accused of lacking transparency in JAICA fund controversy

The five-member-Special Committee appointed by the Bar Council of the Bar Association of Sri Lanka (BASL) over the controversial BASL-JICA issue has found that BASL President Kaushalya Navaratne PC has failed to act with transparency in relation to the contract entered into by the BASL with JICA and thus has violated the trust reposed in him as the President of the BASL.

Namal can easily win; he entered fray with 35% votes in hand: D.V. Chanaka

SLPP Presidential candidate Namal Rajapaksa can easily become the President at the upcoming Presidential election as he began his campaign with a definite 35 percent votes of the people who stood with the ’Mahinda Chinthanaya’ policy, State Minister D.V. Chanaka said today.

Man found guilty of murdering Sri Lankan woman in Australia

A Melbourne man who killed his wife with a knife and an axe has been found guilty of murder, with a Supreme Court jury rejecting his story that he was acting in self-defence.

India’s National Security Advisor Ajit Doval meets President

India’s National Security Advisor Ajit Doval met President Ranil Wickremesinghe at the Presidential Secretariat this morning, the President’s Media Division (PMD) said.

NPP to increase government employees’ salary every six months: Anura Kumara

Claiming that the promise to increase government employees’ salary by Rs. 25,000 is an utter lie, NPP leader Anura Kumara Dissanayake said today the National People’s Power (NPP) will increase government servants’ salary every six months propotionate to the cost of living.

Former SL Test cricketer under probe over alleged misconduct towards female player

Former Sri Lanka Test cricketer Dulip Samaraweera is facing a Cricket Australia probe amid allegations of serious misconduct towards a female player.

'Vishwabhinandana’ tribute

The Western Provincial Vishwabhinandana Artist Tribute Ceremony 2024 was held yesterday at the NADA Auditorium Colombo. Photographer Nilan Maligaspe of the The Sunday Times newspaper and founder of the Nilan Maligaspe Creative Dance and Drama Academy (NCDDA) won the award for ballet dance (Mudra Natya) representing the Homagama Divisional Secretariat Division. Pix by Waruna Wanniarachchi

Workers trapped for days in Thai tunnel found dead

Three foreign workers trapped inside a collapsed train tunnel have died despite rescue efforts that lasted over five days, Thai authorities have said.

Lotus Tower to shine in red on September 1

The Colombo Lotus Tower will be illuminated in red on September 01, to mark the commencement of World Alzheimer’s Month, the Colombo Lotus Tower Management Company (Private) Limited announced.

Van collides with Kandy-Matara train

A van collided against the Matara bound express train from Kandy at the Keenadeniya railway crossing off Ambepussa railway station, police said.

Future uncertain, whoever becomes leader fails after three years in power: Rahula Thera

It is uncertain whether this country can ever be led in the right direction. Whoever comes to power seems to rule for only three years before their authority falls apart, founder of the National Namal Uyana, Ven. Wanawasi Rahula Thera said.

Range Bandara removed from UNP General Secretary post

The United National Party (UNP) is set to replace its General Secretary, Palitha Range Bandara, a top source said.

Jaffna flies high in air links, IndiGo to start daily flights from Chennai on September 1

IndiGo, a key Indian airline, will commence flight operations between Chennai and Jaffna starting from September 1, an official said.

ABBA joins music artists demanding Trump stop playing their songs

Swedish pop group ABBA has become the latest set of famous musicians to demand that former President Trump stop playing their songs at his campaign rallies.

Sri Lanka Police to deploy 54,000 personnel for Presidential election duties

In preparation for the upcoming Presidential election, the Sri Lanka Police has announced that appromexiate 54,000 personnel will be deployed from its force of 77,000 to ensure the smooth conduct of the electoral process.