SL among the lowest in South Asia for spending on education: UNICEF

Sri Lanka allocated less than 2% of its GDP on education, which falls well below the international benchmark of 4-6% of GDP and is among the lowest in the South Asia region, a statement issued by UNICEF said.

No decision to cancel leave for doctors: Health Ministry

Responding to media reports that the leave of medical consultants who are overseas have been cancelled, Health Ministry Secretary Janaka Sri Chandragupta said the Health Ministry has not taken such a decision as yet.

Govt. to purchase three new CT scan machines worth Rs. 750 Mn

The Government is to spend a sum of Rs 750 million to acquire three CT scan machines, Daily Mirror learns.

Water in Samanalawewa sufficient for three days’ power generation

The water capacity in the Samanalawewa reservoir is sufficient for a maximum of two days of hydropower generation if made with the maximum capacity, an engineer attached to the Ceylon Electricity Board (CEB) said.

Some SJBers ready to extend conditional support to Ranil

Some SJB MPs are of the opinion that they should support President Ranil Wickremesinghe at a future Presidential Election on the condition that he appoints Leader of Opposition Sajith Premadasa as the Prime Minister if he emerges victorious.

Gazette issued relaxing import restrictions on selected vehicles

A Gazette notification has been issued relaxing the import restrictions on selected vehicles used for public and cargo transport services.

Health Ministry and SLMC clash over illegal migration actions

In the backdrop of numerous medical specialists leaving the country, the Health Ministry and Sri Lanka Medical Council (SLMC) have failed to reach consensus on actions to be taken against the doctors who have migrated illegally.

Reveal names of those from whom advice was sought: SJB MP

Amidst the decision of Speaker Mahinda Yapa Abeywardana to be firm on his ruling on the motion of the Domestic Debt Restructuring (DDR) process, the main opposition Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB) came out with more questions, calling him to reveal the names of the experts from whom he had sought advice from.

Death of patient forces withdrawal of another antibiotic

The Health authorities have been compelled to withhold the use of an antibiotic following a death of a patient at the Gampaha District Hospital.

Sri Lanka’s Covid-19 vaccine stock set to expire on August 24

The stock of Covid-19 vaccines available in Sri Lanka will expire on August 24, Daily Mirror learns.

Uproar in Parliament over Speaker’s ruling on judiciary

Speaker Mahinda Yapa Abeywardena today dismissed the request made by Opposition MPs to withdraw his ruling given on the domestic debt restructuring programme (DDR) despite the uproar created by them.

Sri Lanka allows Chinese Warship, navigates Indian concerns

Sri Lanka finally allowed a Chinese warship to make a port of call in Colombo for replenishment yesterday despite India’s initial resistance, Daily Mirror learns.

’How can I give elections when you are not ready to take even NCM?’ President asks Sajith

Claiming that the Opposition has declined to take up the debate on the no-confidence motion (NCM) on Health Minister Keheliya Rambukwella this week, President Ranil Wickremesinghe questioned as to how he can give an election when the Opposition is not ready to take up even the no-confidence motion.

81 NVQ certificate issuing institutions suspended for offering low standard courses

Some 81 institutions offering NVQ certificate courses have been suspended so far due to their low standards, the Sub Committees on Tertiary Education of COPE has revealed.

Health Ministry initiates probe on suspended JMO

The Health Ministry has launched a ministerial-level investigation into Consultant Judicial Medical Officer (JMO) Dr. Ruhul Haq, who had practised notwithstanding the suspension being issued against him by the Sri Lanka Medical Council (SLMC).

Imran Khan jailed for three years, banned from politics for five years

Pakistan’s former Prime Minister Imran Khan has been sentenced to three years imprisonment and disqualified from politics for five years.

Unpaid Electricity bill: Namal Rajapaksa wants clarification from CEB

MP Namal Rajapaksa has demanded a clarification from the Ceylon Electricity Board (CEB) in relation to an alleged unpaid electricity bill by him being circulated on social media under the letterhead of the CEB.

Namal still to pay Rs. 2.6 mn power bill due for his wedding in 2019?

Former Janatha Vimukthi Peramuna (JVP) Provincial Council member Nalin Hewage said the Ceylon Electricity Board (CEB) informed him in reply to an RTI filed by him that Parliamentarian Namal Rajapksa has still not paid the electricity bill due for his wedding in 2019.

Suspended JMO conducts two crucial postmortems

Consultant Judicial Medical Officer (JMO), Dr. Ruhul Haq, from the Colombo JMO Office, has conducted two significant postmortems in the past six months despite the suspension that was issued against him by the Sri Lanka Medical Council last December, being still effective until August 20.

Billionaire Onesh Subasinghe’s remains brought from Indonesia after six months

The remains of Sri Lankan businessman Onesh Subasinghe, who was murdered in a serviced apartment in Jakarta earlier this year, were brought to Sri Lanka on Tuesday after six months and handed over to his family members, police said.

Tanks, anicuts in National Parks to be filled with water for tourism management

The Wildlife Conservation Department has decided to provide water for animals in the tourism zones of The National Parks as part of its strategy for tourism management, Wildlife Conservation Department Director General Chandana Sooriyabandara said.

President to make special statement on 13A

President Ranil Wickremesinghe is to make a special statement on the 13th Amendment to the Constitution in Parliament next week, a special statement from the UNP said.

Probe commenced over death of three-year-old boy at LRH

The Lady Ridgeway Children’s Hospital has commenced an investigation into the death of a three-year-old boy who died following a kidney operation at the LRH last week.

Japan-SL discuss LRT, Central Expressway, BIA projects

President Ranil Wickremesinghe and Foreign Minister of Japan Hayashi Yoshimasa discussed several Japanese-funded projects such as the Light Rail Transit (LRT), the East Terminal, the Kandy Development Plan, Central Highway, and the expansion of the Bandaranaike International Airport.

China’s top option for next naval base is Sri Lanka, report says

Sri Lanka tops the list of nations that may host a Chinese naval base in the coming years as Beijing seeks to expand its maritime capabilities, according to a new report.

Billions have circulated via Pastor Jerome’s bank accounts -AG

The Attorney General informed the Supreme Court today that investigations have so far revealed that approximately Rs. 12.25 billion have circulated via Pastor Jerome Fernando’s bank accounts.

Health Ministry responds to Daily Mirror report, releases funds

The Health Ministry has taken action in response to an exclusive report by the Daily Mirror regarding defaulted payments of electricity and maintenance bills at seven hospitals in Colombo.

Lady attorney arrested for chewing and destroying case documents inside court

The Kekirawa police has arrested a female attorney-at-law who had allegedly torn and destroyed two copies of documents that were included in a file in the archives in relation to a land case pending before the Kekirawa District Magistrate’s Court.

Saudi Arabia launches new programme in SL to attract talented employees

In an effort to draw in more talented employees from Sri Lanka, the Saudi Arabian Ministry of Human Resources and Social Development (MHRSD) inaugurated the Skill Verification Programme (SVP) on Wednesday, a statement from the Saudi embassy in Colombo said.

SL born Gary Anandasangaree appointed Canadian minister

Sri Lankan born Tamil MP Gary Anandasangaree has been appointed as a Cabinet Minister in the Canadian Government.