Madurai-Punalur train service extension requested to connect ferry to Sri Lanka

The railway passengers associations have requested to extend the Madurai-Punalur night express train service to Nagapattinam or Karaikal to provide better access to the ferry service from Nagapattinam to Sri Lanka.

Qatar suspends role as mediator between Israel and Hamas

Qatar has suspended its work as a mediator in ceasefire and hostage release talks between Israel and Hamas, officials say.

Sri Lanka Police empowered to implement law without influence: Acting IGP

Acting Inspector General of Police (IGP) Priyantha Weerasuriya said the Sri Lanka Police now operates in an environment conducive to enforcing the law impartially and without undue influence.

SL’s application for BRICS membership not rejected: Foreign Ministry refutes reports

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs refuted media reports that Sri Lanka’s application for BRICS membership has been rejected and that pending requests for BRICS membership from many countries including Sri Lanka will be considered by BRICS member countries in due course.

IMF delegation to visit Sri Lanka for third review

A delegation from the International Monetary Fund (IMF) is scheduled to visit Sri Lanka next week to conduct the third review under the country’s Extended Fund Facility (EFF) programme.

Asalanka knock seals four-wicket Sri Lanka win over New Zealand

A captain’s knock by Charith Asalanka steered Sri Lanka to a hard-fought four-wicket victory over New Zealand with six balls to spare in Saturday’s Twenty20 opener in Dambulla.

SriLankan cancels flights due to technical issues

SriLankan Airlines said that several flights have been cancelled in the past few days due to technical issues affecting multiple aircraft in their fleet.

Drive against measles

A special anti-measles vaccination drive began across 12 districts today. The four-week programme targets youths between the ages of 20 and 30 years, who have received only one dose of the vaccine.

Will probe killings of Thajudeen, Lasantha: President

The government will investigate into and bring to book those responsible for the killing of peaceful people like Wasim Thajudeen, Lasantha Wickramatunga and the disappearance of Pradeep Ekneligoda, President Anura Kumara Dissanayake said today.

Shooting incident reported at Lotus Tower last night

A shooting incident was reported at the Lotus Tower during a musical show last night, police said.

Beach cleaning program held under ’Clean Sri Lanka’ initiative

Beach cleaning program held under ’Clean Sri Lanka’ initiative As part of the special project ’Clean Sri Lanka,’ which aims to make Sri Lanka the cleanest country in the Asian region, a beach cleaning program was conducted today. The initiative was carried out under the guidance of SSP Manoj Perera, Director of the Police Environmental Division, SSP Ambepitiya of the Colombo South Division, and OIC of Kollupitiya Police, CI Dushmantha.

Special measles vaccination program launched in 12 districts

A special measles vaccination program kicked off today in 12 districts across Sri Lanka.

Iranian charged in plot to kill Trump, also tasked with targeting Israelis in Sri Lanka, US

The Iranian national, charged by the US Department of Justice (DoJ) on Friday in a murder-for-hire plot to assassinate then-candidate Donald Trump and an American journalist critical of Tehran, was also tasked with targeting Israeli tourists in Sri Lanka, the DoJ said.

Sujeewa Senasinghe claims vehicle cleared by government analyst

The vehicle owned by Samagi Jana Sandanaya (SJS) National Organiser and national list nominee Sujeewa Senasinghe has been cleared by the government analyst as being genuine.

’Will introduce programme to eradicate drug menace’: President

The government will take steps to eradicate the drug menace and the underworld while putting an end to the insecure situation in the country, President Anura Kumara Dissanayake said yesterday.

Hamper voting? EC, DMC brace for any disaster on polling day

With heavy inter-monsoonal rain beating the country, the election authorities have decided to work out extra plans along with the Disaster Management Centre (DMC) to conduct polling of the General Election next Wednesday without any impact from a possible disaster situation, an official said.

Excessive taxation could undermine economic equity, warns legal expert

President’s Counsel Dr. Shivaji Felix raised critical concerns about Sri Lanka’s Inland Revenue practices, suggesting they may place undue burdens on the taxpayers, without delivering equivalent benefits.

Sri Lanka unveils new sustainable tourism strategy to capture UK market at WTM 2024

Sri Lanka presented a fresh vision for its tourism industry at World Travel Market (WTM) 2024 in London, introducing an ambitious sustainability-driven strategy aimed at enhancing visitor engagement while preserving the island’s rich natural and cultural resources.

Colombo Tea Auction sees offering cross 6 MnKgs after 5 months

The total auction offerings crossed the 6.0 million kilogramme mark, after a lapse of five months (Sale No. 22 of 4/June 5, 2024).

Kanthale hospital faces surgical crisis amid consultant shortage

Base Hospital Kanthale has issued an urgent plea to the Ministry of Health for the immediate replacement of its Consultant Surgeon, whose recent absence has disrupted critical surgical services and forced the hospital to divert emergency cases to other facilities.

Sri Lanka should consider a One-Stop Centre for Investors – taking Rwanda learnings: MTI

Countries like Sri Lanka should consider conceptualising and developing such an entity, which requires cutting through layers of bureaucracy and legislation, to ensure an almost effortless, seamless investor experience, according to MTI Consulting.

Government rules out any plans to offer ministerial portfolios to Douglas

The government ruled out any plans to offer ministerial portfolios to EPDP leader former minister Douglas Devananda.

Customs, CTC destroy Rs. 390 Mn worth illicit fags seized from BIA

A large stock of illicit cigarettes seized by the Sri Lanka Customs from the airport, which was worth over Rs. 390 million was destroyed at the Western Power Waste-to-Energy Power Plant in Kerawalapitiya this week.

Sri Lanka prepare for rain-soaked T20 showdown with New Zealand

Sri Lanka hope to maintain their purple patch at home with a two-match Twenty20 series against New Zealand starting Saturday -- but rains may force the hosts to keep their formidable spin attack on standby.

NMRA clarifies misinformation on pharmacy license rejections

In response to recent reports suggesting a potential wave of pharmacy closures across Sri Lanka due to alleged rejections of license renewal applications, the National Medicines Regulatory Authority (NMRA) clarified that these reports are inaccurate.

Complaints on election law violations surpass 2,000

A total of 149 fresh complaints related to the upcoming General Elections were received, pushing the total number of complaints to over 2,000.

Special circular issued on use of social media tools in schools

The Ministry of Education has issued a special circular on the use of “social media tools” in school education and communication.

Investigations reveal defective brakes caused fatal bus crash in Badulla

Motor Vehicle Examiners of the Department of Motor Traffic, who examined the bus involved in the recent fatal bus accident at Ambagahaoya on Badulla – Mahiyangana on November 01, have reported that the accident was due to defective brakes. They examined the wreckage on Thursday (07) at Badulla Police ground.

Motor Traffic Department closes for two days for election

The Department of Motor Traffic (DMT) has decided to close its Narahenpita Head Office on Wednesday, November 13 and Thursday, November 14 due to the General Elections.

Police constable arrested for burglary

A police constable who burgled a house in Dehiwala and took away property including foreign currency, gold jewellery and electrical appliances was arrested yesterday by the Dehiwala police.