Divorce law to be totally scrapped: Justice Minister

’’The government is planning to totally scrap the divorce law and introduce a new law named ’no fault divorce’,’’ Justice Minister Wijeyadasa Rajapakshe said yesterday.

1H merchandise exports top US$ 6 bn

Sri Lanka’s merchandise export performance for the first half of the year (1H24) totalled US$ 6.098 billion, a 3.87 percent growth Year-on-Year (YoY) when compared with the corresponding period in 2023.

Banks’ operating environment continues to show signs of stabilisation: Fitch Ratings

Sri Lankan banks’ operating environment (OE) continues to show signs of stabilisation, Fitch Ratings said, as it is evident in sustained improvements in reported headline macroeconomic indicators, supporting the recovery in banks’ operational flexibility.

Registrar of Companies to introduce e-signature facility next year

Sri Lanka’s Department of Registrar of Companies announced plans to introduce electronic signature next year, in an effort to simplify and fully digitise its services.

Govt. offers interest relief as gold pawn arrears hit record Rs. 571bn

As arrears in gold pawn advances hit a record Rs.571 billion amidst the economic crisis, the government has decided to provide interest relief for borrowers in hard-hit low-income communities.

Cabinet greenlights draft bill increasing national minimum wage

The Cabinet green light has been granted to the draft bill amending the he National Minimum Wage of Workers Act No. 3 of 2016 in order to adjust the national minimum wage to Rs. Rs. 17,500 from current Rs. 12, 500.

Presidential election date before Saturday

The National Election Commission is slated to announce date for the 2024 Presidential Election before Saturday (27).

Sri Lanka gets more funds under Union Budget allocation for MEA

Sri Lanka, which has a number of India-funded projects, has received ₹245 crore, an improvement of ₹95 crore over last year’s funding of ₹150 crore.

US missile destroyer arrives in Colombo

USS Michael Murphy of the United States Navy arrived at the port of Colombo on a formal visit today (23).

'Tactile ballot paper’ for visually-impaired voters in Presidential poll: EC

A special ballot paper called ’’tactile ballot paper’’ will be introduced for the benefit of the visually-impaired voters at the upcoming Presidential election for the first time, Chairman of the Elections Commission Saman Sri Rathnayake informed a Parliamentary Committee.

To buy or not...

A person in a quandary at a stall at the Pettah Market in Colombo, contemplating whether or not to buy vegetables, given the soaring prices. Pix by Pradeep Pathirana

Death toll in southern Ethiopia mudslides rises to 157

At least 157 people were killed in mudslides in a remote part of Ethiopia that has been hit with heavy rainfall, many of them as they tried to rescue survivors of an earlier mudslide, local authorities said Tuesday.

Sharks off Brazil coast test positive for cocaine

Sharks off the coast of Brazil have tested positive for cocaine, scientists say.

Soul Sounds Academy shines at 13th Bali International Choir Festival 2024

Twenty-five young soloists from Sri Lanka’s Soul Sounds Academy triumphed at the 13th Bali International Choir Festival 2024, securing 17 gold medals and 8 silver medals in the solo categories.

Restore Hope Project reaffirms support

The Restore Hope Project, under the auspices of the Tarana Foundation, reaffirmed its commitment to the Lady Ridgeway Hospital for Children with a significant donation of medical equipment valued at Rs. 7.5 million. The donation ceremony took place on 23 July 2024 at the Orthopaedic Unit Operating Theatre of the Lady Ridgeway Hospital. The donation included a valuable Rs. 2 million from Heuschen & Schrouff Oriental. Pix by Nimalsiri

GR govt. made wrong decision to cremate COVID dead, RW govt. to apologize

The Gotabaya Rajapaksa government made the wrong decision to forcefully cremate the COVID dead, after recent research found that the virus had not spread in the surface water.

Sri Lanka players on rankings rise following Asia Cup exploits

Unbeaten starts to the Asia Cup from Sri Lanka and India has helped a group of their player progress on the updated rankings list.

Murray to retire after Paris Olympics

Andy Murray has announced he will retire from tennis after the 2024 Paris Olympics. The 37-year-old is planning to play in the singles and doubles in Paris, in what will be his fifth Games.

Lawyer pays Rs. 500,000 legal costs after dismissal of Presidential election FR petition

The lawyer who filed a Fundamental Rights petition against the holding of the Presidential election today paid the Rs. 500,000 legal costs before the Supreme Court, as per the order made by the Court after dismissing his petition.

Government owes more than Rs. 8 Bn to medicine suppliers: Ramesh Pathirana

The Medical Supplies Division has not settled a payment of Rs. 8.1 billion to the suppliers of medicines, Minister of Health Ramesh Pathirana said today.

Kataragama Golden Gate opens

The newly constructed ‘Golden Gate’ staircases entrance to enhance the convenience of pilgrims were declared open recently leading through the Menik Ganga to the sacred Ruhunu Kataragama Maha Devalaya.

Musk says Tesla to use humanoid robots next year

Tesla boss Elon Musk says the electric vehicle car maker will start producing and using humanoid robots from next year.

Sports Minister approves Sri Lanka’s T20I squad against India

Minister of Sports and Youth Affairs Harin Fernando has approved the 16-member squad, captained by Charith Asalanka, for the T20I series during India’s Tour of Sri Lanka.

Update: Singer K. Sujeewa transferred to private hospital

Popular singer K. Sujeewa, who was treated at the National Hospital, Colombo for injuries sustained in the Athurugiriya shooting, has been discharged and transferred to a private hospital.

Supreme Court declares sections of two Bills inconsistent with Constitution

The Supreme Court has observed that certain sections of Immigration Bill and Reciprocal Recognition, Registration and Enforcement of Foreign Judgements are inconsistent with the Constitution, Deputy Speaker Ajith Rajapaksa announced today.

Cost of transport, booze, tobacco increase for Sri Lankans

With Sri Lanka’s inflation increasing to 2.4 per cent in June from 1.6 per cent reported in May according to the national consumer price index, people appeared to have been compelled to spend more on transport, alcoholic beverages and tobacco.

UAE jails 57 Bangladeshis over protests against own government

A court in the United Arab Emirates has handed 57 Bangladeshis long prison terms for holding protests in the Gulf state against their own country’s government.

Water cutting ceremony ends Kataragama Esala festival

The Esala festival in Ruhunu Kataragama Maha Devala ended after the water cutting ceremony last morning at Jeewamali ferry in Menikganga. The Kapurala performing the rite was brought to the venue of the ceremony in a palanquin. The first pot of water collected from the site was taken to Valliamma Devala after performing traditional rites.

Man found stabbed in three-wheeler at Town Hall

A man was found dead in a three-wheeler near the dental hospital in Town Hall, Colombo, police said.

UDA irked by CMC’s failure to act against unauthorised construction on sanctioned street line

Colombo Municipal Council’s (CMC) deliberate failure to take legal action against an unauthorised construction on a sanctioned street line in Colombo 6, has irked the Urban Development Authority (UDA)