Bills promoting LGBTQ and transgender rights a threat to local culture: Buddhist Congress

The All Ceylon Buddhist Congress (ACBC) yesterday criticised two bills now pending before Parliament- Women Empowerment Bill and Gender Equity Bill - saying that they, if enacted, would promote LGBTQ rights and transgender rights compromising on the local culture, ethos and values.

UNP zonal organizers receive their appointment letters from President

President Ranil Wickremesinghe yesterday distributed appointment letters to UNP zonal organizers at the party headquarters Sirikotha in Kotte. UNP General Secretary Palitha Range Bandara, Chairman Vajira Abeywardana, National Organizer Sagala Ratnayaka, Assistant Leader Akila Viraj Kariyawasam were also present.

Wild boar frequenting Nallathanniya town

The residents of Nallathanniya town are living in constant fear of any possible danger from herds of wild boar frequenting the town during daytime.

PC arrested for selling drugs

A PC attached to Thanthirimale police was arrested on Monday night (17) on suspicion of his involvement in drug peddling.

Countrywide liquor ban on Poson Poya Day, seven days in Anuradhapura

The sale of all alcoholic beverages will be banned countrywide on Friday, June 21st in view of the Poson Full Moon Poya Day and the sale of booze is prohibited from two to seven days in selected sacred zones by order of the Excise Commissioner General.

Caused accident and misled police

A driver who caused a fatal accident and attempted to mislead the investigations was arrested by Katugastota police yesterday.

Ananda Sastralaya Kotte PPA organises Poson Zone from June 21-23

The Poson Zone organised by the Past Pupils Association of Ananda Sastralaya Kotte will take place from June 21st to June 23rd where there will be exposition of sacred Buddhist Relics. The singing of devotional songs and a drama competition are also included in the programme.

Poson week commences today

The Poson Week will commence today with the main ceremonies in Anuradhapura. Mihintale and Thanthirimale sacred cities.

Advanced Residency Programme on Parliamentary leadership held in Sri Lanka

The inauguration of the Advanced Residency Programme on Leadership in Parliament for Clerks and Officials organised by the Commonwealth Parliamentary Association and the Parliament of Sri Lanka was held recently in Parliament under the patronage of the Speaker Mahinda Yapa Abeywardena.

Anuradhapura to become economic nerve centre: Bandula

Minister of Transport, Highways and Mass Media Bandula Gunawardana said Anuradhapura town would be developed as a nerve centre of the economy, for which President Ranil Wickremesinghe had allocated Rs.200 million in the current budget.

Prime Minister of next government from SLPP: S.M.Chandrasena

Anuradhapura District Parliamentarian S.M. Chandrasena stated that the Prime Minister of the government formed after the next general election would necessarily be appointed by the Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna (SLPP).

Only President should contest presidential election, others should refrain from fielding candidates - Wajira

United National Party (UNP) Chairman MP Wajira Abeywardana said non should contest the presidential election other than sitting President Ranil Wickremesinghe enabling him to be the candidate of the nation.

Sri Lanka Navy seizes over 600kg of drugs worth Rs. 13 Bn in 2024

The Sri Lanka Navy has seized over 600 kg of narcotics valued at over Rs. 13 billion during naval operations conducted so far in 2024. According to the Navy, they have confiscated narcotics with a street value exceeding Rs. 13,210 million and have handed over these substances to authorities for legal proceedings.

A future SJB government will make major companies settle their loans: Sajith

Whilst being critical on the proposed imputed rental income tax on houses and properties, Opposition Leader Sajith Premadasa over the weekend said a future Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB) government will cancel debt moratoriums given to major companies as a result of political influence.

Lotus Tower to shine in vibrant green, white today

The Colombo Lotus Tower will be illuminated in vibrant green and white today, as the country celebrates the Eid al-Adha Hajj Festival, the Colombo Lotus Tower Management Company (Private) Limited announced.

President awards land deeds in Mannar under ‘Urumaya’ programme

President Ranil Wickremesinghe symbolically awarded 442 out of the allotted 5,000 land deeds to the residents of the Mannar District today.

No future leader can rebuild country alone: Namal Uyana Rahula Thera

No matter who comes to power in the future, no leader alone can achieve this, and none of the current leaders in this country have a system to rebuild the country, the founder of the National Namal Uyana, Wanawasi Rahula Thera said. While addressing the media at the Namal Uyana premises, he requested all politicians to form a national government without trying to gain political power for themselves.

Smart boards to leading schools

Minister Premajayantha said 2,500 smart boards will be given to all the leading schools in the country between August-September in the first phase.

Cash rewards to traffic police officers increased

Cash rewards to traffic police officers have been increased through a special circular issued by IGP Deshabandu Tennakoon.

Verify identity of plainclothes officers to avoid scams: Police advice public

Police said that public has the right to request to see official identification of officers in plain clothes for verification before consenting to any checks.

SLAF fallen war heroes honoured

The Sri Lanka Air Force’s fallen war heroes commemoration ceremony 2024 was held yesterday (14) under the guidance of the Commander of the Air Force, Air Marshal Udeni Rajapaksa, at the Sri Lanka Air Force War Heroes Monument, SLAF Trade Training School Ekala.

Sri Lanka’s Presidential race: Ranil, Sajith and AKD vie for leadership amid economic recovery

Sri Lanka is approaching a significant presidential election, which will be a pivotal moment for the country’s political and economic future. Sri Lanka Election Commission announced recently that the 2024 Presidential Elections would be held on a date between September 17 and October 16 this year.

Vesak celebrated on a grand scale in China

The Sri Lanka Embassy in Beijing together with Chinese well-wishers organized a Vesak celebration on 25th and 26th May 2024, with over 500 devotees from China. The Sri Lankan community also attended the celebrations.

Kshenuka meet with Indian Finance Minister

Sri Lanka High Commissioner to India, Kshenuka Senewiratne, met with Indian Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman on Wednesday (12) in New Delhi.

Tharusha Navod Dulsara tops A/L Engineering Technology in Kalutara

P.K. Tharusha Navod Dulsara of Mihindu National School Agalawatta has topped the G.C.E Advanced Level stream in Engineering Technology from the Kalutara District.

Pada Yatra journey on foot to Kataragama

The Kumana entrance to the wildlife sanctuary will open on July 1 for the “Pada Yatra” pilgrims from the North and East journeying to Kataragama on foot to attend the Esala festival of the Ruhunu Kataragama Maha Devala which is scheduled to commence on July 6.

Impact of unlimited gas lighter imports threaten match industry - employees

The importation of gas lighters in almost limitless quantities has dealt a severe blow to the match industry, which previously provided employment to thousands of individuals, the Organization to Protect Local Industries claimed.

The Motor Racing Association Marks The 35th Anniversary of The Mazda MX5

The Motor Racing Association will be conducting a drive on the 9th of June, which will commence at 8am from the Smart Wheels Showroom Baybrooke Place Colombo 2.

High Commissioner Milinda Moragoda unveils portrait of St. Joseph Vaz in Mumbai

High Commissioner of Sri Lanka to India Milinda Moragoda who is on a two-day official visit to the State of Maharashtra, unveiled a portrait of St. Joseph Vaz, the ‘Apostle of Sri Lanka’ at the Archbishop’s House in Mumbai in the presence of Archbishop of Bombay, His Eminence Oswald Cardinal Gracias yesterday (14). The High Commiss

Three-wheelers used to rob people in rural areas: Gemunu

The Lanka Private Bus Owners’ Association (LPBOA) claimed that people in rural areas are being robbed by three-wheelers when transporting passe