NPP government will remove VAT on medicines, school items, food: Anura Kumara

A future National People’s Power (NPP) government will remove the VAT on medicines, school items and food items through its first budget, NPP leader Anura Kumara Dissanayake said today.

18 countries offer ten billion dollar loan concession :Ranil

President Ranil Wickremesinghe kicked off his campaign today by revealing that 18 creditor nations have offered USD 18 billion loan concession.

Election law violation complaints top 500

A total of 519 complaints related to the upcoming Presidential election have been received by the Election Commission as of yesterday evening.

Sri Lanka strongly protests Tamil genocide monument in Canada, summons Canadian HC

Sri Lanka’s Foreign Minister Ali Sabry summoned the Canadian High Commissioner yesterday to formally protest the laying of the foundation stone for a so-called Tamil Genocide Monument at Chinguacousy Park in Brampton, Canada on August 14.

Flood warning for low-lying areas of Kuda Ganga, Maguru Ganga

The Irrigation Department warned of a possible flood situation in low-lying areas of the Kuda Ganga and Maguru Ganga valleys in Bulathsinhala Madurawala and Palinda Nuwara within the next 48 hours.

Man caught with counterfeit currency while attempting to buy gold

A suspect was arrested yesterday in the Ratnapura town while attempting to purchase gold at a jewellery shop using 102 counterfeit Rs. 5,000 notes.

Vote on account before presidential poll or fully-fledged budget after- Govt. weighs options

The government weighs whether to move a vote an account to seek parliamentary approval to seek allocations to cover expenditure during the remainder of this year or to present a fully-fledged budget after, State Finance Minister Shehan Semasinghe said yesterday.

Live births decline 20 per cent between pre-and post-pandemic era, deaths increase

The number of live births has dropped by 20 per cent between the pre-pandemic and post-pandemic period and the deaths increased by 30 per cent, an expert said

Key candidates seek to spend Rs.1,000 a voter, lesser-known 50 cents

A few key candidates, in their meetings with the Election Commission to decide on a ceiling on campaign financing, have sought to spend as much as Rs.1,000 for a voter according to the new law whereas some others have quoted as low as 50 cents, a source said.

SL sets eyes on welcoming 3mn tourists next year

Sri Lanka has set its eyes on welcoming three million tourists next year, aligned with the Sri Lanka Tourism Promotion Bureau’s (SLTPB) plans to launch the much-awaited tourism promotion campaign covering the key source markets, starting from the second week of September this year.

PAFFREL complains to EC over Rs.25,000 pay hike for public servants

The latest decision by the Cabinet to increase the salary of public sector employees by Rs.25, 000 from 2025 could have a serious influence on the free vote of the government workers in the Presidential Election, the independent observers have complained to the Election Commission.

20 Sri Lankans rescued from Myanmar undergoing screening process in Thailand

The 20 Sri Lankans, who were stranded in Myanmar as victims of human trafficking and rescued earlier this week, are undergoing a screening process in Thailand before their expected repatriation to Sri Lanka, the Foreign Ministry said today.

Landslide warning issued for three districts

The National Building Research Organization (NBRO) today issued early warnings for landslides in Kalutara, Matara, and Galle districts.

India-Sri Lanka passenger ferry service resumes

The passenger ferry service between Nagapattinam in India and Kankesanthurai (KKS) near Jaffna in Sri Lanka’s Northern Province, which was first launched in October 2023, resumed operations today.

Current rainy conditions to intensify with showers over 100 mm

The current rainy weather in the southwestern parts of Sri Lanka is expected to intensify today and tomorrow due to a low-level atmospheric disturbance near the island.

UNFPA hosts key dialogue on Sri Lanka’s population dynamics

The UNFPA Sri Lanka, in partnership with the Ministry of Finance, Economic Stabilization, and National Policies, recently organized a policy dialogue titled “Shaping the Future: A Policy Dialogue on Population Dynamics in Sri Lanka” at the BMICH in Colombo.

Dickwella suspended for alleged anti-doping violation

Sri Lankan cricketer Niroshan Dickwella has been suspended from all forms of cricket due to an alleged anti-doping violation, Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) said.

Maithripala denies supporting any 2024 Presidential candidate

Former President Maithripala Sirisena has announced that he will not back any candidate in the upcoming 2024 Presidential Election.

Backbone of Northern Province

Bicycles play a crucial role in transportation across the Northern Province, with school children and adults relying on them as their primary mode of travel. Pix by Kithsiri de Mel

Symbols of independent candidates announced

The Election Commission has officially assigned electoral symbols to 17 independent candidates vying for the presidency in the upcoming 2024 Presidential Election, set for September 21.

Opposition MP Ali Zahir Moulana pledges support to RW

Sri Lanka Muslim Congress (SLMC) MP, Seyed Ali Zahir Moulana met President Ranil Wickremesinghe and pledged his support for the latter at the Presidential election, UNP sources said.

President rejects Maithri’s support

A request made by former President Maithripala Sirisena to support President Ranil Wickremesinghe at the Presidential election was rejected by the President.

Maithripala has not joined SJB: Marikkar

Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB) spokesman MP S.M. Marikkar said the news that former President Maithripala Sirisena has joined the SJB is far from the truth.

Derailment disrupts train services on Colombo-Badulla main line

Train service on the Colombo-Badulla main line came to a standstill this afternoon due to a derailment at Demodara.

Sobhitha Rajakaruna appointed Acting President of Appeal Court

Court of Appeal Judge R.M. Sobhitha Rajakaruna has been appointed as the Acting President of the Court of Appeal by President Ranil Wickremesinghe.

Chamari Athapaththu signs three-year deal with Sydney Thunder

Syndey Thunder signed Sri Lankan star Chamari Athapaththu on a three-year contract, while Perth Scorchers signed Sophie Devine and are reportedly in talks with Finn Allen.

Elephant shot dead by police

A tense situation was prevailed at Dampura, Damanayaya in Bakamuna on last night (15) when the police shot dead a wild elephant which was blind in one eye, frequenting the area and loved by the people since it had not hurt anyone.

Construction Exhibition at BMICH

Sri Lanka’s largest and leading construction exhibition was launched today at the BMICH. Organized by the National Construction Association of Sri Lanka (NCASL) for the 21st consecutive year, the exhibition will run until Sunday, the 18th. Pix by Kithsiri de Mel

’Won’t promote myself at Presidential poll, will only focus on country’: President

President Ranil Wickremesinghe said today that he does not intend to promote himself at the Presidential election but will only focus on the nation.

Ex-PM’s daughter picked as youngest ever Thai leader

Thailand’s parliament has picked Paetongtarn Shinawatra, the daughter of billionaire tycoon and former leader Thaksin, as prime minister.