Govt. assures solutions to shortage in rice and coconut within next two weeks

Steps are being taken to distribute one million coconuts through Sathosa outlets at a price of Rs. 130 within the next two weeks, Minister of Trade, Commerce, Food Security and Cooperative Development Wasantha Samarasinghe said yesterday.

Unlocking data for AI in Sri Lanka: Exclusive forum on the transformative role of artificial intelligence

The LIRNEasia is hosting an exclusive forum titled “Unlocking Data for Artificial Intelligence in Sri Lanka” on December 7, 2024, at the ITC Ratnadipa Hotel in Colombo to explore AI’s transformative potential and its implications for the country’s sustainable growth.

Floods inundate 95,000 acres of paddy fields, reservoirs stabilised: Dept. of Irrigation

The recent floods have caused widespread damage, submerging approximately 95,000 acres of paddy fields, officials reported yesterday.

ACJA delegation visits Sri Lanka

A delegation from the All-China Journalists Association (ACJA) visited Sri Lanka recently and met members of the Sri Lanka China Journalists’ Forum (SLCJF) in Colombo. During their stay, the delegation visited several print and electronic media institutes to know about local media activities. President of the SLCJF, Nalin Aponso is also in the picture.

SSP Manathunga appointed Police Spokesman

Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) K.B. Manathunga has been appointed as the new Director of the Police Media Division and Police Spokesman, replacing DIG Nihal Thalduwa.

National Procurement Commission probes E-passport tender process

The Attorney General yesterday informed the Court of Appeal that the National Procurement Commission is conducting an inquiry regarding the awarding of tenders for the purchase of five million e-passports.

Govt. to introduce new Constitution in three years

The government will introduce a new Constitution in another three years’ time and there is ample time until then to submit proposals on the future of the Provincial Council system, Cabinet spokesman Dr. Nalinda Jayatissa said yesterday.

Govt. to bring BTI bacteria to control dengue: Dr. Jayatissa

The government is in discussions with the Cuban government to launch a sustainable programme aimed at eradicating the dengue menace from the country.

CTU condemns attack on Development Officers

The Ceylon Teachers’ Union has condemned the attack on the protest of the Development Officers on Monday in front of the Ministry of Education.

Elephant tramples mahout to death in Neluwa

A domesticated elephant, used as a beast of burden to move logs in the Neluwa area, trampled its mahout to death.

Astrologer cheats businessman of Rs. 2.9Mn with fake treasure scam

An astrologer who buried a stock of fake gems in a home garden and misled the owner that a treasure had been buried in the garden and undertook to perform rites to unearth it had cheated him and taken away cash Rs.2.9 million as part payment for digging up the treasure.

Sri Lanka Navy seeks more joint operations with India to curb drug smuggling

Following the recent seizure of large quantities of narcotics in the Indian Ocean by the Indian Navy, the Sri Lanka Navy is looking to enhance collaborative deployments and operations with its Indian counterparts, especially in the high seas, to combat narcotics trafficking.

Govt. expects imported stocks of rice between December 16 and 25

Around 5,200 tonnes of fresh stocks of imported rice will be released to the market between December 16 and 25, the Sri Lanka State Trading Corporation (STC) said yesterday.

New Parliamentary committees to be appointed this week

New committees such as the Committee on Public Enterprises (COPE), Committee on Public Accounts and others will be appointed this week, the Parliament Communication Unit said yesterday.

People’s Struggle Alliance calls for abolition of PTA

Whilst recalling that the Janatha Vimukthi Peramuna (JVP) and the NPP have strongly opposed the Prevention of Terrorism Act (PTA), the People’s Struggle Alliance yesterday urged the present government to scrap it.

Some SJBers favour contesting future elections under the Elephant symbol: Ruwan

Some members of the Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB) favour contesting future elections under the elephant symbol and wants a reconciliation between the two parties, UNP Deputy Leader Ruwan Wijewardene said over the weekend.

Compensation for crop devastation

Vedda Chief Uruvarigelage Vannila Ettho said Rs.40,000 of compensation for the crop devastation caused by rain and floods was quite insufficient.

IDMNC International Campus celebrates graduation of 700 students

IDM Nations Campus International (IDMNC) hosted its annual graduation ceremony at the Bandaranaike Memorial International Conference Hall (BMICH) yesterday under its visionary leader and Chairman IDMNC Dr. Janagan Vinayagamoorthy, where the remarkable achievements of more than 700 graduates were celebrated.

Train services on mainline back to normal

The Department of Railways is hopeful that the upcountry mainline affected by earth slips and rock falls could be cleared of obstructions and the train service between Colombo and Badulla would be back to normal today.

Leopard seeks shelter from floods in Mullaitivu home: Safely rescued by Wildlife Officers

A leopard that entered a house at Ilangowapuram in Mullaitivu to escape floods was captured by the Wildlife Conservation officers and released to a safer location.

Baby elephant separated from herd finds refuge with buffaloes

A wild elephant calf, which was separated from its herd due to the overflow of the Mahaweli River and the Divulana Willuwa Dam in Polonnaruwa, arrived at a cowshed in the Divulana village with a herd of buffaloes on Thursday.

SL expat worker trying to smuggle e-cigarettes worth Rs.1.4Mn stopped at BIA

A Sri Lankan expatriate worker attempting to smuggle e-cigarettes worth over Rs.1.4 million on his way back from Malaysia was arrested by the Police at the Bandaranaike International Airport (BIA) yesterday morning.

MP Archchuna surrenders to court, warrant recalled

The Colombo Magistrate’s Court yesterday recalled the arrest warrant issued against newly elected Jaffna District Parliamentarian Dr. Ramanathan Archchuna after he surrendered to the court.

Temporary vehicle number plates valid till December 15

The validity period of temporary vehicle number plates issued by the Department of Motor Traffic (DMT) will end on December 15, DMT Commissioner General Nishantha Anuruddha Weerasinghe announced.

Over 1,000 rat fever cases reported in Ratnapura

A total of 1,882 leptospirosis (rat fever) cases have been reported in the Ratnapura District, marking the highest number of deaths from the disease this year.

GCE (A/L) exams postponed by three more days

Australia assures technical support to Sri Lanka’s national security, maritime affairs

Australia has expressed its potential technical support in areas such as national security, maritime affairs, digitalisation, public sector modernisation, vocational education, and the energy sector in Sri Lanka.

Concerns raised in UK Parliament over Sri Lankan asylum seekers in Diego Garcia with criminal records

Concerns are mounting in the UK Parliament over the potential acceptance of Sri Lankan asylum seekers, currently located in Diego Garcia, with allegations surfacing that some may have criminal records, including serious charges such as child abuse.

Three FR petitions challenging business transactions involving LTL Holdings dismissed

Three Fundamental Rights petitions filed challenging the legality of business transactions involving LTL Holdings (Private) Limited were today dismissed by the Supreme Court.

Navy steps up flood relief operations

Following inclement weather prevailing in the country, the Sri Lanka Navy dispatched 11 relief teams to the districts of Ampara, Batticaloa and Matara. The relief teams are currently (as of 27th November 2024) working round the clock to provide necessary aid and support to the affected communities.