Explanations called from parliamentary employees

The process of re-checking and updating the information of all MPs on the parliamentary website is underway following the discovery that some titles were fake, an informed source said.

Colombo Shopping Festival...

The Colombo Shopping Festival offers the opportunity to find all kinds of textiles, footwear, home appliances, and gifts under one roof for this festive season. The festival will be open daily from 10 AM to 10 PM at BMICH, from yesterday (13) until December 24. Pix by Kithsiri De Mel.

Gazette issued on Sripada pilgrimage guidelines

A gazette notification was issued to inform the general public about the guidelines they must strictly follow during the Sripada pilgrimage season, which commences today.

Security for former Presidents to be periodically reviewed

In the wake of the decision to reduce the number of security personnel assigned to former Presidents, including Mahinda Rajapaksa, police said that the committee appointed to review security will meet periodically and assess reports to determine whether the number of personnel should be further reduced or increased.

Extreme heat worsens coconut shortage in Sri Lanka

The high temperatures experienced during the first three months of this year have worsened Sri Lanka’s ongoing coconut shortage, alongside the increasing population of toque macaques, Head of the Department of Crop Science at the Ruhuna University and Senior Lecturer Professor K.K.I.U. Arunakumara said.

Sri Lanka completes sovereign bond exchange

The government has announced the successful completion of its International Sovereign Bonds (ISBs) exchange offer, with 98% of bondholders participating.

Minor fire at Herali restaurant in Colombo 2

A fire broke out at Herali restaurant in Colombo 2 on Friday, the Fire Service Department said.

Ukraine facing ’massive’ Russian attack on energy sector

Russia launched a widespread attack on Ukraine’s energy infrastructure overnight, forcing the country to implement emergency power outages, Ukrainian authorities said on Friday.

Govt MPs failing to prove qualifications should resign: Namal

Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna (SLPP) MP Namal Rajapaksa urged government MPs to resign if they fail to provide evidence of their educational qualifications, echoing the recent resignation of Speaker Ashoka Ranwala.

Speaker resigns

Speaker Ashoka Ranwala has stepped down from his position amid controversies regarding his doctorate qualifications.

President to embark on first overseas visit to India

President Anura Kumara Dissanayake is set to make his inaugural state visit to India from December 15 to 17, 2024, at the invitation of Indian President Droupadi Murmu, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs announced today.

NDF to propose Select Committee to review educational qualifications of NPP MPs

The New Democratic Front (NDF) Parliamentary Group Leader, Jeewan Thondaman, is expected to propose the establishment of a select committee to review the educational qualifications of all Members of Parliament (MPs) of National People’s Power (NPP)

Chinese Commodity Exhibition 2024

Organized by the Lanka-China Economic and Cultural Council, the 16th Chinese Commodity Exhibition showcases an array of Chinese-made products for display and sale at the BMICH premises in Colombo. Pix by Kithsiri De Mel

Members appointed to Port City Economic Commission

President Anura Kumara Dissanayake officially appointed members to the Port City Economic Commission, the President’s Media Division (PMD) said.

Govt spends Rs. 214 bn annually on alcohol-related health issues

The government spends Rs. 214 billion annually to address health issues related to alcohol consumption, highlighting the significant social, economic and health challenges posed by alcohol.

South Indian actor Allu Arjun arrested over ’Pushpa 2: The Rule’ stampede

South Indian superstar Allu Arjun was arrested on December 13 in connection with a devastating stampede at the December 4 premiere of his film Pushpa 2: The Rule at Sandhya Theatre in Hyderabad, which claimed the life of a 39-year-old woman and critically injured her young son.

Former Sri Lankan diplomat in Australia fined more than $100,000 for ‘entrapping’ domestic worker

A diplomat who “entrapped” a domestic worker in her Canberra home, forcing her to work 14 hours, seven days a week, for less than a dollar an hour, has been fined more than $100,000 in the federal court.

’’Dr’’ title added mistakenly to Justice Minister’s profile: Parliament clarifies

Clarfying the removal of the title ’’Dr’’ for Justice Minister Harshana Nanayakkara from the Parliament website, the Parliament media unit said the title was mistakenly added before the name of the Justice Minister and that it has now been corrected.

Increased Customs tax prevents selling rice at controlled price: Importers

Even though the required stocks of rice have been imported into the country, releasing these stocks to the local market has been difficult due to an increase in Customs duty charged per kilogram, a rice importer said.

Latvia blocked fertiliser shipment to SL for over two years, claims Russian Ambassador

Russian Ambassador Levan S. Dzhagaryan alleged yesterday that Latvia, a European Union country, blocked a shipment of free fertiliser to Sri Lanka for over two years.

Anyone found guilty of wrongdoing will face consequences: President

Claiming that the government will not shield anyone who errs, for any reason, President Anura Kumara Dissanayake said today anyone found guilty of wrongdoing will face the consequences.

SJB MPs to sign no-faith motion on Speaker today

Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB) MPs are to begin placing their signatures to the no-confidence motion that is to be brought in against Speaker Asoka Ranwala today.

CPC refutes fuel shortage

The Ceylon Petroleum Corporation (CPC) yesterday refuted certain reports about a possible fuel shortage due to a fuel shipment imported by a private company being sent back.

US: plane crashes onto Texas highway, splits in half; four injured

A twin-engine propeller plane crashed onto a Texas highway on Wednesday and split into two parts, damaging cars and injuring at least four people in the process, according to authorities.

Indian national arrested for alleged match-fixing in Lanka T10 league

An Indian national, the owner of the ’Galle Marvels’ team in the Lanka T10 Super League, has been arrested by the Special Police Unit for the Prevention of Misconduct Related to Sports on charges of alleged match-fixing.

Two more fake ’Dr’ titles rock govt.

Days after a shocking dispute over the doctoral credentials of Speaker Asoka Ranwala and his stoic silence over it, fresh controversy has emerged following the discovery that Urban Development and Housing Minister Anura Karunatilake also does not possess such qualifications despite him being referred to as ’Dr.’ on certain occasions and in instances, and the same of Justice Minister Harshana Nanayakkara

Yala National Park overcrowded again

A recent decision by the Department of Wildlife Conservation to increase the number of Safari jeeps to 550 into the Yala National Park has received backlash from animal rights activists who claim that the National Park is facing a threat of overcrowding and this is a violation of animal rights.

Some 50,000 monkeys residing in villages and urban areas causing issues - report

The most recent statistics indicate that out of the estimated 300,000 monkeys in the country, around 50,000 monkeys are causing issues by residing in villages and urban areas.

All MPs must publish their educational qualifications: SJB MP

While highlighting that the false claim by Speaker Ashoka Ranwala on his doctorate has degraded Parliament, Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB) MP Harshana Rajakaruna said today that all Members of Parliament should publish their educational qualifications.

Geminids meteor shower visible in Sri Lanka on Dec 14

The Geminids Meteor shower will be visibe to Sri Lanka at its peak on December 14, the Arthur C. Clarke Centre said.