Greek wildfire

Greek wildfire spreads to edge of Athens; towns, hospitals evacuated

A fast-moving wildfire fuelled by gale-force winds spread to the edge of Athens on Monday, torching trees, houses and cars and forcing evacuations of several hospitals and a dozen towns and villages, Greek authorities said.

Minimum daily wage for estate workers increased to Rs.1,700

The Wages Board today agreed to pay Rs. 1,700 as an increment for the daily payment for the estate workers.

Heavy rainfall expected across multiple areas

Heavy showers exceeding 100 mm are likely in the Western, Sabaragamuwa, Central, Southern, North-western, and North-central provinces after 12:00 p.m. today.

Election Commission informed of two Parliamentary seats falling vacant

The Chairman of the Election Commission has been informed of the two Parliamentary seats that fell vacant due to the cancellation of parliamentary seats of Members of Parliament Manusha Nanayakkara and Harin Fernando.

Former England batter Thorpe took his own life, family says

Thorpe, who played 100 Tests and 82 one-day internationals for England, died last week aged 55.

ICC Women’s Player of the Month for July 2024 revealed

Sri Lanka’s talismanic skipper Chamari Athapaththu beat a hot field by overcoming India’s star openers, Smriti Mandhana and Shafali Verma, to win the ICC Women’s Player of the Month for July 2024.

Nine-member squad for Paralympic Games

Sri Lanka will field a nine-member contingent for the 2024 Paralympic Games, sources from the National Paralympic Committee of Sri Lanka revealed.

Sri Lanka begins England Test tour with confidence as Jayasuriya pushes for full effort

Following their confidence-boosting ODI series win against India in Colombo, the Sri Lanka national cricket team departed for England yesterday to play a three-match Test series.

Ali Sabry sworn in as Justice Minister

Foreign Affairs Minister Ali Sabry was sworn in as the Minister of Justice, Prison Affairs and Constitutional Reforms before President Ranil Wickremesinghe.

Poll-related complaints continue to surge

The Election Commission continues to receive a flood of complaints related to the upcoming Presidential election.

Pensioners to receive Rs. 6,000 with their October payments

All pensioners will receive an additional Rs. 6,000 with their October pension payments. This amount includes a Rs. 3,000 interim allowance for October and Rs. 3,000 in allowance arrears that were due in September, Finance State Minister Ranjith Siyambalapitiya said.

SLPP to hold inaugural Presidential Election rally in Anuradhapura

The Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna (SLPP) will kick off its campaign for the upcoming Presidential Election with its inaugural public rally in Anuradhapura on August 21, according to MP Johnston Fernando.

EC to meet striking Grama Niladhari officers

The Election Commission is scheduled to meet with the striking members of the All-Island Grama Niladhari Officers’ Association to ensure the smooth conduct of duties related to the Presidential election.

Indo-Sri Lanka ferry service to resume

The Indo-Lanka passenger ferry services are scheduled to begin operations on August 16 between Kankesanthurai in Sri Lanka and Nagapattinam in Tamil Nadu, IndSri Ferry Service Pvt. Ltd. said.

Anura Kumara signs nomination papers

National People’s Power (NPP) leader Anura Kumara Dissanayake signed his nomination papers today for the upcoming Presidential election.

ICFS to host education exhibition for overseas study

An Education Exhibition, offering students a unique chance to explore overseas study options with universities from the UK, Australia, New Zealand, USA, Canada, Germany, Finland, Malaysia, and Singapore, is scheduled to take place on August 17, the International Centre for Foreign Studies (ICFS) said.

Man dies after being hit by train

A 35-year-old man died last night after being hit by a train travelling from Colombo towards Badulla.

Five Sri Lankans held as prisoners of war in Ukraine

Five Sri Lankan ex-soldiers who joined the Russian military and crossed the border have been arrested by the Ukrainian authorities and held up as prisoners of war, an informed source said yesterday.

16-year-old girl allegedly raped by 22 schoolboys

Police began probe on a case where a 16- year- old girl in Thanamalwila had been raped by 22 schoolboys.

Visa approval crisis threatens tourism sector

Sri Lanka’s tourism industry, which only recently celebrated the suspension of the VFS Global-led visa issuing system, is now grappling with a significant crisis.

Industrial production gains heft in June from food sector

Sri Lanka is gradually clawing back its industrial heft it lost two years ago when it nearly ran out of foreign currency, reflecting that the manufacturing sector is on its way to its former glory.

Sri Lanka sees US$ 566.8mn in July remittances

Sri Lanka’s remittances from overseas workers continued to rise in July, providing a boost to the country’s external sector.

Digitalisation is not just replacing blackboards with smart boards: Minister

Digitalisation in education is not just about replacing blackboards with smart boards; it has a much broader purpose and vision, Education Minister Susil Premajayantha said at a recent Ministry event.

Perseid meteor shower visible after midnight

One of the best meteor showers of the year the ‘Perseid meteor’ shower will be visible to Sri Lanka tonight, after midnight or pre-dawn light hours.

Ministry ready to fund increasing presidential candidates: Siyambalapitiya

The increase in the number of candidates for the Presidential election is not a problem, and the Finance Ministry is prepared to allocate funds based on the estimates presented, Finance State Minister Ranjith Siyambalapitiya said while addressing a programme in Yatiyantota.

Lankan drug trafficker arriving by Indian fishing boat arrested at Wennappuwa beach

A Sri Lankan national who arrived on the shores of Thal Deka (Kadawatha), Wennappuwa by an Indian fishing boat was arrested during a coordinated operation by the Sri Lanka Navy and Police.

No room should be left for Bangladesh’s fate to befall Sri Lanka: Champika Ranawaka

United Republican Front (URF) leader MP Patali Champika Ranawaka said that no room should be left for the fate that befell Bangladesh to befall Sri Lanka, no matter what.

Fire erupts onboard Colombo Port cargo ship

A fire broke out onboard a cargo ship anchored in the port of Colombo this morning.

Tourists watch elephant bathing at Pinnawala Orphanage

Tourists watched as an elephant bathed in the Ma Oya River at the Pinnawala Elephant Orphanage in Kegalle, Sri Lanka. Originally founded to care for orphaned elephants from Sri Lankan jungles, the Pinnawala Elephant Orphanage now houses 69 elephants, including 29 males and 40 females from three generations. Pix by Pradeep Pathirana.