Pope Francis, in Muslim-majority Indonesia, warns against religious extremism

Pope Francis on Wednesday urged political leaders in Indonesia, the world’s most populous Muslim-majority country, to guard against religious extremism, which he said distorted people’s religious beliefs through ’’deception and violence’’.

New Zealand hikes tourist tax prompting warning

New Zealand will steeply increase an entry tax for foreign tourists in a move some fear could deter visitors.

Ranil’s Economic Policies - The Good, The Bad and The Ugly

Ranil Wickremesinghe’s (RW) manifesto in English spans 13,496 words. While it is primarily aspirational, like most manifestos, it also uniquely outlines his efforts over the past two years to stabilize the economy.

Postal voting for 2024 Presidential election kicks off

Postal voting for the 2024 Presidential election officially begins today, with over 700,000 eligible voters set to cast their ballots.

A/L 2023 (2024) re-scrutiny results released

The re-scrutiny of results for the 2023 (2024) GCE Advanced Level (A/L) examination was released last night, the Examinations Department announced.

SLSC demands action following driver’s death at Customs gate

The Sri Lanka Shippers’ Council (SLSC), together with 17 member associations, the Container Transport Owners Association, and the Association of Clearing & Forwarding Agents (ACFA), yesterday expressed deep concern over the tragic death of a container driver who was stranded in line at the Customs exit gate for three days.

Cabinet nod for tax convention with Austria

Cabinet nod was given this week for a new tax convention between Sri Lanka and Austria, aimed at preventing double taxation and mitigating tax evasion.

Strategic framework for local fisheries industry gets Cabinet approval

The Cabinet this week approved a strategic framework aimed at revitalising Sri Lanka’s fisheries sector. The proposal, presented by the President and Minister of Fisheries, outlined a plan to position the industry as a key economic driver. The strategic report,

Bill to appoint Truth and Reconciliation Commission presented to House

The proposed Truth and Reconciliation Commission will not have a mandate to penalize anyone, Minister of External Affairs Ali Sabry told Parliament today.

Decision to raise public service salaries faces heavy criticism

With postal voting for the Presidential election just round the corner, the government’s decision to increase public service salaries has come under heavy criticism, with election monitors suggesting it is an attempt to exert influence.

RW asks SJB, NPP to withdraw proposals on public sector salaries

The Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB) and the National People’s Power (NPP) should retract the proposals in their policy statements regarding increasing the public servants’ salaries, as this task has already been accomplished, President Ranil Wickremesinghe said.

Ranil making impractical promises: AKD

President Ranil Wickremesinghe, who senses his defeat, has started to give impractical pledges like increasing salaries of government servants and writing off crop loans, NPP leader Anura Kumara Dissanayake said today.

Brendon McCullum named as England white-ball coach

England Test coach Brendon McCullum will also take control of the white-ball teams, the England and Wales Cricket Board announced on Tuesday.

Bangladesh beat Pakistan for historic Test series win

Bangladesh celebrated a historic first-ever Test series win over Pakistan and a 2-0 clean sweep with a tense six-wicket victory in Rawalpindi on Tuesday.

Government behind the release of viral video clip, says Marikkar

Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB) MP S. M. Marikkar today said that the viral video clip showing him having a discussion with President Ranil Wickremesinghe has been released by associates of the President himself.

More than 40 killed, 180 injured in Russian strike on Ukraine

At least 41 people were killed and more than 180 injured Tuesday in a Russian missile strike on central Ukraine, President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said.

Parliament approves three legislations

The Reciprocal Recognition, Registration and Enforcement of Foreign Judgments Bill, the Code of Criminal Procedure (Amendment) Bill and the National Minimum Wages of Workers (Amendment Bill) were approved by Parliament today.

Cabinet nod for final report on increasing public service salaries

The Cabinet has approved the Presidential Expert Committee’s final report, which recommends increasing public service salaries and allowances effective January 1, 2025, the President’s Media Division (PMD) said.

Jaffna market in full swing

The public market of Jaffna bustling with trading, particularly with the demand for the traditional and famous Palmyrah products. Pix by Samantha Perera

Polls-related complaints top 2,000; 14 cases of violence

A total of 129 fresh complaints related to the upcoming presidential election were received, bringing the total number of complaints to over 2,000.

Lawyer disenrolled for failing professional duties, ordered to return legal fees

The Supreme Court today issued a ruling to remove a lawyer from the position of Attorney-at-Law for failing to take necessary steps in two cases after receiving legal fees.

Putin welcomed in Mongolia despite ICC arrest warrant

Russian President Vladimir Putin has arrived in Mongolia, his first visit to an International Criminal Court (ICC) member since it issued a warrant for his arrest last year.

Dates confirmed for 2025 World Test Championship final

Lord’s to host the third edition of the World Test Championship final from 11 June 2025.

Government writes off crop loans taken by farmers

The government has decided to write-off all crop loans taken by farmers to provide financial relief and support.

Cathay Pacific grounds planes after engine problem

Hong Kong’s flagship airline Cathay Pacific has cancelled tens of flights after a plane heading from the city to Zurich was forced to turn around due to an ’’engine component failure’’.

Waiting for passports...

People were seen waiting outside the Immigration and Emigration Department even in the rain to obtain their passports. Recently, the Immigration Department had limited the issuing of passports due to a shortage of blank passports and also as step to introduce new electronic passports. Pix by Nisal Baduge

Mujibur rule out RW and SP reconciliation

Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB) MP Mujibur Rahman today ruled out a possible political marriage between President Ranil Wickremesinghe and Leader of Opposition Sajith Premadasa before the Presidential election.

High-speed satellite internet connectivity for in-flight passengers

Cabinet approval has been granted to provide internet connectivity to passengers enabling them to use Wi-Fi facilities and GSM services on their mobile phones while in flight.

Training on robotics, artificial technology for 7,500 teachers

The government has approved the training of 7,500 teachers selected from schools covering all the provinces in areas relevant to the STEAM concept, including information technology, biotechnology, engineering technology and mathematics, under three stages by the Skills College of Technology (SCOT CAMPUS).

School bus ploughs into crowd in China killing 11

A school bus ploughed into a crowd of people killing at least 11, including five students, in China’s Shandong province, state media report.