Western Province bans private tutoring by school teachers

The Western Province Education Zonal Ministry has issued a circular prohibiting private tutoring classes for students by school teachers.

Do not organise school programmes disturbing Sunday school activities: Ministry

The Education Ministry has instructed all government schools not to organise various programmes on Sundays, as they may disrupt Sunday school activities.

Barath Arulsamy appointed vice president of Democratic People’s Front

The Democratic People’s Front (DPF), a prominent member of the Tamil Progressive Alliance and a key partner of the Samagi Jana Balawegaya coalition, appointed Barath Arulsamy as the party’s new Vice President.

Former govt’s hard work now yielding strong, tangible results: Semasinghe

The former government’s collective hard work and determination in steering the nation from crisis to growth are now yielding strong, tangible results, former State Minister of Finance Shehan Semasinghe said.

Special traffic operation from tomorrow

An island-wide traffic operation will be launched tomorrow to inspect passenger buses during the festive season, the Police Media Division said.

Son’s love...

President Anura Kumara Dissanayake visited his mother who is receiving treatment at the Anuradhapura Teaching Hospital on Friday night (20). The President is sitting by his mother inquiring into her health.

Chinese ship ‘Peace Ark’ to stay in Colombo till December 28

The Chinese People’s Liberation Army Navy hospital ship ‘Peace Ark’ arrived in Colombo on a formal visit yesterday.

Over 2,000 die in road accidents this year alone

A total of 2,243 people have died in road accidents this year, police said.

“I will be going to China mid next month”; President

President Anura Kumara Dissanayake will travel to the island’s largest bilateral lender China for talks in January, he said on Saturday, days after completing a long-delayed foreign debt restructure.

Nine-year-old among five killed in attack on German Christmas market

A nine-year-old child and four adults have been killed after a car drove into a crowd at a Christmas market in the eastern German city of Magdeburg.

People have complete right to lie: Kottahachchi

People have the complete right to convince others that something true is false or something false is true, as it is a democratic right, NPP MP Nilanthi Kottahachchi said today.

Three killed in bus accident

Three people have died and at least 30 others injured in an accident that occurred this morning (21) when a bus veered off the road on the Hatton-Kandy main road.

Lotus Tower extends operating hours till January 2

The Colombo Lotus Tower Management Company (Private) Limited has announced extended operating hours for the festive season.

Over 90% of SL’s major disasters due to meteorological phenomena

The Department of Meteorology in a press release mentioned that Sri Lanka experiences more than 90% of its major disasters due to meteorological phenomena, with dozens of incidents occurring annually as a result of torrential rainfall.

World Basketball Day...

Basketball players seen enjoying the game in Colombo on December 20, 2024, ahead of the World Basketball Day celebrations on December 21.PIx by Pradeep Pathirana

SL exits ’Restricted Default’ rating

Fitch Ratings has upgraded Sri Lanka’s Long-Term Foreign-Currency Issuer Default Rating (IDR) to ’CCC+’, from ’RD’ (Restricted Default).

Western province leads economic contribution to 2023 GDP with 43.7% share

The Western province continued to lead the provincial gross domestic product (GDP) in 2023, albeit slipping from the 2022 levels while the North Western and Central provinces following as the distant second and third in the provincial distribution of Sri Lanka’s total economic output.

Understanding Sri Lanka’s seasonal rice shortage: An analytical perspective

Sri Lanka’s recurring rice shortage during December and January has become a predictable yet pressing issue. This challenge is rooted in the country’s reliance on its two main paddy cultivation seasons, Maha and Yala, alongside structural inefficiencies in production, distribution, and storage systems. Understanding the statistical trends and underlying causes provides clarity on the situation and highlights actionable solutions.

Government hoping to update FTA with India: Vijitha

The government is hoping to initiate discussions with India to update the Free Trade Agreement between India and Sri Lanka, which was signed several decades ago, Foreign Minister Vijitha Herath said.

Halt harmful wildlife practices, adopt scientific solutions: CEJ urges President

The Centre for Environment Justice (CEJ) urged President Anura Kumara Dissanayaka to immediately halt informal practices across the island that harm wildlife and to adopt a scientific approach to environmental management.

Shooting incident in Galle leaves one dead

A person who was killed in a shooting incident in Dadalla, Galle today, the police said.

President hints at time period for LG, PC polls

President Anura Kumara Dissanayake said that the Local Government elections are expected to be held before the Sinhala and Tamil New Year in 2025.

President calls on Chief Prelates

President Anura Kumara Dissanayake visited the Chief Prelates of the Malwathu and Asgiri Chapters this afternoon (20) and received their blessings.

Cassilingham slams Govt. for following Ranil’s footsteps

Geethanath Cassilingham, the Jaffna District Chief Organizer of the Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna (SLPP), criticized the current government for failing to deliver on the promises it made during the election.

New national convenor appointed for SLPP

MP D.V. Chanaka has been appointed as the Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna (SLPP) new National Convenor.

Mobile phones, laptops worth Rs. 50 Mn seized at BIA

Customs officials at the Bandaranaike International Airport (BIA), Katunayake arrested three individuals attempting to smuggle electronic devices worth Rs. 50 million into Sri Lanka.

Misuse of President’s Fund: Dayasiri responds to allegations

MP Dayasiri Jayasekera has rejected allegations that he improperly benefited from the President’s Fund.

Govt. defends Ex-Ambassador Arunatilaka

While standing by former Deputy High Commissioner of Sri Lanka in Canberra Himalee Arunatilaka, who faced a lawsuit over a salary issue of a domestic aide, Foreign Minister Vijitha Herath said Arunatilaka had not committed any financial fraud and that it was due to an issue with Sri Lankan salary scale.

Stop removal of Army camps…

A protest was staged in Colombo on December 20, 2024, urging the government to stop the removal of Army camps nationwide. Pix by Pradeep Pathirana

Notorious underworld figure ‘Kudu Salindu’ granted bail

Salindu Malshitha Gunaratne, alias ‘Kudu Salindu,’ a notorious drug kingpin and underworld figure, was granted bail by the Panadura Magistrate’s Court today.