Manusha urges calm: Ready to evacuate Sri Lankans if Middle East conflict escalates

All arrangements are in place for Sri Lankans to be brought into the country if the conflicts develop in the Middle East, Labour and Foreign Employment Minister Manusha Nanayakkara said.

SLFP and UPFA faction back Sajith Premadasa in Presidential Election

The Sri Lanka Freedom Party (SLFP) and the faction of the United People’s Freedom Alliance (UPFA) led by Dayasiri Jayasekara have decided to support Opposition Leader Sajith Premadasa in the upcoming Presidential Election.

Sangakkara says England job is an ’exciting prospect’

Sri Lankan great Kumar Sangakkara has admitted it would be an ’’exciting prospect’’ to lead England’s white-ball team, but admits he has not yet been approached for the role.

Incumbent Govt has given liquor, gun licenses to SLPP MPs: Dayasiri

The incumbent government, led by President Ranil Wickremesinghe, has issued a significant number of liquor and gun licenses to Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna (SLPP) MPs, claimed Sri Lanka Freedom Party (SLFP) General Secretary Dayasiri Jayasekara.

45 election law violation complaints: PAFFREL

The People’s Action for Free and Fair Elections (PAFFREL) reported that a total of 45 complaints related to violations of election laws have been received during the run-up to the Presidential election.

Forged document interceptions surge at BIA, 181 cases in 2023

There has been a significant increase in the number of intercepted forged documents at Bandaranaike International Airport (BIA) over the past five years, with 181 forged documents intercepted in 2023 alone, the Immigration and Emigration Department said.

Do not venture into Arabian Sea areas till further notice

Naval and fishing communities are advised not to venture into the Arabian Sea areas due to the active south-west monsoonal conditions, the Natural Hazards Early Warning Centre of the Meteorology Department said.

Bear terrorises village in Sigiriya, two persons mauled

Residents of Ilukwala area in Sigiriya area living in constant fear of any possible danger from a bear that roams into the village.

Magnitude 6.7 earthquake strikes off Mindanao, Philippines

An earthquake of magnitude 6.7 struck off the eastern shore of the island of Mindanao in the Philippines on Saturday, the German Research Centre for Geosciences (GFZ) said.

Migratory bird of a rare species, presumably sick due to ingested debris, stranded

A migratory bird of a rare species, incapacitated and found on the Hikkaduwa beach, was rescued by a team of wildlife officers and transferred to the Attidiya Bird Sanctuary for treatment.

Presidential candidates double down on efforts to woo minor, minority parties

In the wake of declaration of the Presidential Elections, the main candidates, particularly President Ranil Wickremesinghe and Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB) leader Sajith Premadasa have doubled down on their efforts to woo various parties and individuals, particularly those representing the minority communities to strengthen their bids for presidency.

IMF urges revenue measures and spending cuts for 2025 budget

The International Monetary Fund (IMF), during its recent mission to Sri Lanka, said the 2025 budget needs to be underpinned by appropriate revenue measures and continued spending restraint.

EduExpo 2024

EduExpo 2024, an educational career fair, is taking place at the BMICH from August 2nd to 4th. The event features a range of universities and showcases numerous career opportunities. Pix by Huzefa Aliasger

Immigration and Emigration Department earns record Rs.42.76bn in 2023

Sri Lanka’s Immigration and Emigration Department beat the revenue forecasts for 2023, earning a total revenue of Rs.42.76 billion, driven by higher tourist arrivals and passport issuances.

Opening ODI ends in a nail-biting tie after Asalanka and Wellalage’s brilliance

The first ODI in the 3-match series ended in a dramatic tie on Friday at the R. Premadasa Stadium in Colombo, as India could only manage to equal Sri Lanka’s first innings score of 230.

Sri Lanka secures presence in regional human smuggling watch: Immigration Chief

Sri Lanka Immigration and Emigration Department securing a position to send an officer to function at the Regional Support Office (RSO) of the Bali Process to watch human smuggling and migrant trafficking is a great achievement for the country, said the Immigration Chief Harsha Illukpitiya.

Sri Lanka Tourism wins ‘Best Tourism Board’ at Global Tourism Awards 2024

Sri Lanka Tourism Promotion Bureau (SLTPB) has been awarded the prestigious ’’Best International Tourism Board’’ accolade at the Global Tourism Awards 2024, held in New Delhi, India today.

Police sergeant arrested for soliciting bribe

A police sergeant attached to the Mahabage Police Traffic Division has been arrested for soliciting a bribe of Rs. 150,000 from a suspect in Uswetakeiyawa.

I want to apologise to Khelif - Italian boxer Carini

Italian boxer Angela Carini, who abandoned her Olympic bout against Algeria’s Imane Khelif inside 46 seconds, says she ’’wants to apologise’’ to her opponent for how she handled the moments after the fight.

‘Ranil 24’ - official election campaign portal launched

‘Ranil 24’ - the official 24 hour Presidential campaign update provider for President Ranil Wickremesinghe was launched a short while ago.

SC fixes date to hear petitions against Adani Mannar wind power project

Five Fundamental Rights applications filed seeking an order preventing the authorities from issuing any permits to Adani Green Energy Sri Lanka Limited (AGESL), to carrying out the wind power plant in the Mannar Island were today fixed for hearing on October 14 by the Supreme Court.

Field of Presidential contenders swells to 14

Four more candidates placed cash deposits for the upcoming Presidential election today (02) bringing the total number of candidates to fourteen.

Final rites of Ven. Galboda Gnanissara Thera to be held under state patronage

The final rites of the late Ven. Galaboda Gnanissara Thera, known as Podi Hamuduruwo, of the Gangaramaya Temple, will be held under State patronage.

Supreme Court suspends controversial visa deal

The Supreme Court today issued an Interim Order suspending the Cabinet decision granting the approval in relation to online and expat visa operations in Sri Lanka.

Water Board urges consumers to clean water tanks every three months

The National Water Supply and Drainage Board emphasised that if the consumers clean and maintain their water collection tanks at least in three months, the tap water supplied by the board will be of high quality, even for direct consumption.

Protest against removal of CEA Chairman

A protest was held in front of the head office of the Central Environmental Authority (CEA) in Battaramulla today, with employees demanding the removal of the new Chairman of the CEA Venura Fernando. Pix by Pradeep Pathirana

Galle district MP returns back to SLPP after pledging support to Ranil Wickremesinghe

Galle district SLPP MP Mohan Priyadarshana, who previously pledged support to Ranil Wickremesinghe during the Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna (SLPP) politburo meeting on Monday (29), has withdrawn his decision and officially returned to the SLPP.

IMF staff urges for swift resolution of remaining steps to achieve debt sustainability

While stating that Sri Lanka has made commendable progress with putting debt on a path towards sustainability, the IMF staff encouraged a swift resolution of the remaining steps to achieve debt sustainability and regain investor confidence.

Almost 67% of population lacks sustainable access to safe drinking water

Nearly 67 percent of the country’s population is still without sustainable access to safe drinking water in Sri Lanka, Prof. P.P.A. Wasantha Athukorala of the Department of Economics & Statistics of the Peradeniya University said.

Pensioners to get Rs. 5,500 increase from September: Siyambalapitiya

The Government is to increase the pensioners’ interim allowance to Rs. 5,500 in September.