Defence Secretary instructs SLAF to standby to airlift patients following bus accident

The Defence Secretary has instructed the Sri Lanka Air Force to keep a Bell 412 helicopter on standby at the Diyatalawa Air Force Base for the potential airlift of patients injured in yesterday’s bus accident to Colombo for further treatment.

No more Govt bungalows for Ministers

Thirty one government bungalows built during the colonial period and allocated to ministers as their official residences in recent times under different governments will be reserved for viable purposes in the future without assigning them to any government official or minister, an informed source said.

Measles raising its head again, special vaccination drive to be launched

Though the World Health Organization (WHO) declared Sri Lanka as a country free of measles, the country has been hit by cases once again since 2023, prompting the health authorities to declare a special vaccination week from November 4 to 9, according to a press release from the Health Promotion Bureau of the Health Ministry.

Van-lorry collision injures 20 on Radella Loop

A collision between a van and a lorry on the Radella Loop, just off the Hatton-Nuwara Eliya main road, left twenty persons injured, police said.

Ministers will not be given houses in Colombo: President

President Anura Kumara Dissanayake said recently that ministers will not be given houses in Colombo claiming that they must go to villages and attend to people’s issues.

President’s office denies reports on reduced security for MR

The Government refuted recent media claims suggesting a reduction in the security detail provided to former President Mahinda Rajapaksa.

Immigration dept. to launch online passport appointment system

The Department of Immigration and Emigration has announced plans to introduce an online appointment system for passport applications, set to launch in the coming weeks.

Government to digitise paddy storage system

A discussion on the digitalisation of social welfare benefit programmes took place (01) under the patronage of President Anura Kumara Dissanayake, where the significance of digitising the paddy storage system was also discussed.

Young eye on nature...

The annual Nature and Wildlife Photography Exhibition 2024 organised by the Young Zoologists’ Association of Sri Lanka was launched at the JDA Perera Gallery, Colombo 07 today (01) and will continue till Sunday (03). Pix by Kithsiri de Mel

Thundershowers, lightning on the cards in several provinces

Heavy rainfall exceeding 100 mm is forecast in parts of the Central, Sabaragamuwa, Uva, and North-Central Provinces, with atmospheric conditions expected to bring afternoon thundershowers across much of the island.

’’Leave the media alone’’: Sajith slams AKD for comments on media

Leader of the Samagi Jana Balawegaya Sajith Premadasa slammed President Anura Kumara Dissanayake for his recent comments about the media, asking Dissanayake to back off trying to control media narratives.

Dr. Hans Wijayasuriya appointed President’s chief advisor on digital economy

Dr. Hans Wijayasuriya has been appointed as the Chief Advisor to the President on Digital Economy, the Presidential Media Division (PMD) announced.

Palali-Achchuveli Road reopens after 30 years

The Palali–Achchuveli main road in the Northern Province reopened today (01), after being closed for more than three decades.

Fire breaks out at vehicle garage in Rajagiriya

A major fire was reported at a vehicle garage in Obeysekarapura, Rajagiriya and the Kotte Fire Brigade has dispatched several fire trucks to control the blaze.

Ranil could make a comeback: Rajitha

Former President Ranil Wickremesinghe could make a comeback as people may start looking up to him in the event of another economic crisis which looks to be a possibility, former MP and New Democratic Front (NDF) Kalutara District candidate Dr. Rajitha Senaratne said.

SJB’s Lihini Fernando calls on Lal Kantha to apologise over derogatory remarks

Condemning the statement by NPP member Lal Kantha over SJB Kandy District candidate Chamindrani Kiriella, SJB National List candidate Lihini Fernando said Lal Kantha must tender a public apology to Chamindrani in for his derogatory remarks on a woman.

Another jeep suspected to belong to Lohan Ratwatte seized

The Theldeniya police seized a suspicious jeep with a forged number plate, allegedly used by former State Minister Lohan Ratwatte.

Sri Lankan dies during immigration check in Malaysia

A Sri Lankan man died after falling from a pedestrian bridge connecting JB Sentral and Sultan Iskandar Building during an immigration check on Thursday.

Bitter history of strikes will end under NPP government: Lakshman Nipuna Arachchi

The bitter history of strikes will end under the National People’s Power (NPP) government where it will be a thing of the past, NPP candidate Lakshman Nipuna Arachchi said.

Australia cricket team to tour Sri Lanka in early 2025

The Australia Men’s National Cricket Team will tour Sri Lanka from January to February 2025 to participate in a two-match Test series and one ODI.

Arrest warrant against Johnston Fernando recalled by Court

The Colombo High Court today recalled the arrest warrant issued against former Minister Johnston Fernando after he appeared before court.

TISL raises concern over violation of election laws through new appointments

Transparency International Sri Lanka (TISL) has filed a formal complaint with the Election Commission of Sri Lanka (ECSL) regarding the recent appointments made at the Palmyrah Development Board (PDB) in Jaffna, which appear to contravene current election laws.

Kenya’s new deputy president to be sworn in

The softly spoken Kithure Kindiki is due to be sworn in as Kenya’s new deputy president on Friday, after senators ousted Rigathi Gachagua in a dramatic series of impeachment votes a fortnight ago.

Two students killed, 40 injured in bus accident

At least two female students were killed and 40 others were injured after a bus carrying university students overturned after colliding with a bund on the Badulla-Mahiyangana main road this morning.

Couple arrested with 54 kilos of heroin in Sevanagala

A couple has been arrested by the Police Special Task Force (STF) at Kiriwewa in Sevanagala along with nearly 54 kilos of heroin valued at Rs. 2,000 million.

Security detail for Mahinda Rajapaksa reduced to 60 personnel

The security personnel assigned to former President Mahinda Rajapaksa has been reduced to 60, official sources said

16 politically appointed ambassadors, high commissioners to be recalled with immediate effect

The government has decided to recall 16 political appointees serving as ambassadors and high commissioners of Sri Lanka’s overseas missions with immediate effect, a Foreign Ministry source said yesterday.

‘Only available symbol will be the ball guard’: Mahela jokes about a future in politics

Former Sri Lanka cricket captain Mahela Jayawardena joked about a future in politics, saying that he and his friends would have to contest under the ball guard symbol.

Govt clarifies Arugam Bay incident as organized crime, not extremism

The government in a meeting with US embassy officials in Colombo on Wednesday has reportedly ruled out any links between the recent incident in Arugam Bay and ‘extremism’, categorizing it instead as an incident of ‘organized crime’.

Chennai Super Kings retain Matheesha Pathirana for INR 13 crore

Chennai Super Kings (CSK) have retained Sri Lankan pacer Matheesha Pathirana for a staggering INR 13 crore, equivalent to approximately USD 1.56 million ahead of the IPL player auction.