No decision against competitive procurement of diesel for electricity generation: CEB

Clarifying that the Ceylon Electricity Board (CEB) has never purchased diesel for electricity generation, through competitive bidding, including during the tenure of the previous management, the CEB said the new management has not taken any decision against competitive procurement of diesel for electricity generation.

’We never said NPP government will not take loans’: Lal Kantha

Claiming that none of the National People’s Power (NPP) leaders had claimed that the NPP government will not obtain loans, NPP member Lal Kantha said President Anura Kumara Dissanayake continuously said loans are not a ’crime’.

Education Fair at BMICH

Students who have completed their general and advanced levels now have the opportunity to pursue higher education in various fields at top international universities. This opportunity is available at the ’’Education Fair’’ being held at the BMICH, Colombo, from 10 am until October 20th. Pix by Kithsiri de Mel

Sri Lanka names squad for ODI series against West Indies

Sri Lanka Cricket selectors have selected the 16-member squad for the three-match ODI series against the West Indies.

IMF approves concessional financing to low-income member countries

Washington, DC: The Executive Board of the International Monetary Fund (IMF) has completed the Review of Poverty Reduction and Growth Trust (PRGT) Facilities and Financing, the IMF’s vehicle for providing concessional financing to low-income member countries.

UGC gets a new chairman

Senior Professor Kapila Senevirathne has been appointed as the Chairman of the University Grants Commission (UGC).

All flood warnings withdrawn: Irrigation Department

The Irrigation Department has withdrawn all flood warnings issued for the Kelani Ganga and Attanagalu Oya, Irrigation (Hydrology) Director S.P.C. Sugeeshwara said.

Fuel deal without competitive bidding risks corruption, higher costs for public: Expert warns

In the wake of the new government’s move to strike a fuel supply deal with the Ceylon Petroleum Corporation (CPC) for the Ceylon Electricity Board (CEB) to generate power, a top economic analyst said such a transaction without a competitive bidding process will leave room for corruption.

CBK, Ranil in argument over hidden money in Dubai; Ranil says couldn’t find any

Former presidents Ranil Wickremesinghe and Chandrika Kumaratunga engulfed in an argument over an incident of a certain political leader’s young son hiding USD 1000 million in a Dubai bank, where Mr. Wickremesinghe rebuffed the allegation claiming that his 2015 government could not find any even though teams were sent to Dubai.

How Israel found and killed Hamas leader Yahya Sinwar

Israeli troops had for more than a year hunted the leader of Hamas, who disappeared in Gaza soon after masterminding the 7 October attacks.

Batticaloa-Colombo train services disrupted after fuel train hits herd of elephants

Train services on the Batticaloa-Colombo main line have been disrupted between Hingurakgoda and Gal Oya railway stations after a fuel train collided with a herd of elephants, the Railways Department said.

New NPP govt. mirrors RW regime’s borrowing strategy: Economists

Sri Lanka’s new NPP government is following a similar borrowing strategy to the Ranil Wickremesinghe regime, raising significant funds from domestic markets to manage its debt, according to leading economists.

SriLankan captain resigns after cockpit lockout incident

The captain involved in a controversial cockpit lockout incident aboard SriLankan Airlines flight UL607 from Sydney to Colombo has reportedly resigned.

Mendis clinches Sri Lanka series win over West Indies

Kusal Mendis hit an unbeaten 68 to help clinch Sri Lanka’s first T20 international series win over the West Indies with a thumping nine-wicket victory in the third and final game on Thursday.

Disagree that 74 years of rule ruined country: Sirisena

Former President Maithripala Sirisena said that he does not like to hear that those who ruled the country over the past 74 years had ruined it.

Ministers cannot steal without their secretaries, chief accountants being aware: Maithri

While pointing out how Ministers rob government assets, former President Maithripala Sirisena noted that Ministers cannot steal without the knowledge of their secretaries and chief accountants.

India recognizes Pali as classical language

New taxes imposed on several imported goods

The government has announced a temporary increase in taxes on several imported goods, starting from October 14 till December 31, 2024.

Teachers’ union welcomes removal of Keheliya’s name from Wattegama school

The Ceylon Teachers’ Union (CTU) appreciated the measures taken by the Central Province Governor to remove former Minister Keheliya Rambukwella’s name from a school in the Wattegama Education Zone, Kandy.

Bangladesh court issues arrest warrant for ex-prime minister

Bangladesh’s International Crimes Tribunal on Thursday issued an arrest warrant for former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, citing her alleged involvement in mass killings during violent protests that erupted earlier this year.

Colouring ceremony...

The colouring ceremony of the newly constructed seven-story building and the 105-foot-tall Bhadrasana Buddha statue was held today at the Weluwanaramaya International Buddhist Center in Ragama. The ceremony took place under the patronage of the Chief Incumbent, Ven. Waduruppe Nagitha Thera. Alongside the colouring ceremony, a blood donation campaign was also held. Pix by Nimalsiri Edirisinghe

Banks ordered to provide account info of ex-MP’s shooting, SF Lokka’s murder probe

The Anuradhapura Magistrate’s Court directed all state and private sector banks in Sri Lanka to provide details of bank accounts belonging to a former ASP, a Sub Inspector of Police, a Police Sergeant, a woman and another individual to the Illegal Assets or Property Investigation Division of the CID.

Maximum expenditure limits announced for general election

The Election Commission announced the maximum expenditure limits allowed for candidates, parties, independent groups and national list candidates ahead of the upcoming Parliamentary election slated for November 14.

India all out for 46 against New Zealand in first Test

India crashed to a new low after being dismissed for 46, their lowest Test score ever at home, by a disciplined New Zealand fast bowling attack on the second day of the rain-affected first Test at Bangalore on Thursday.

Indian with Ice worth Rs. 25 million nabbed at BIA

An Indian national was arrested this morning by the officers at the Bandaranaike International Airport (BIA) while he was attempting to smuggle one kilogram of Ice narcotic into the country.

One Direction star Liam Payne dies after balcony fall

Liam Payne, the former One Direction star, has died aged 31 in Argentina after falling from the third floor of a hotel in Buenos Aires, police say.

Experienced persons should be in Parliament to handle economic crisis: Ranil

There should be experienced people in Parliament to resolve the economic crisis, former President Ranil Wickremeisnghe said today.

Damitha asks for national list slot from SJB

Actress turned aragalaya activist Damitha Abeyratne, whose name was omitted from the Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB) list in the Ratnapura District asked for a national list slot from the party.

More than enough for certain group to rule country for 76 years: CBK

Claiming that it is more than enough for a certain group to rule the country for 76 years, former President Chandrika Kumaratunge said a new group must come to power.

Vap Poya observed at Kelaniya

Devotees at the Kelaniya Raja Maha Viharaya are seen participating in religious observances on Vap Full Moon Poya Day, which falls today. A child is seen offering a flower to a foreign visitor at the temple. Pix by Pradeep Pathirana