India recognizes Pali as classical language

New taxes imposed on several imported goods

The government has announced a temporary increase in taxes on several imported goods, starting from October 14 till December 31, 2024.

Teachers’ union welcomes removal of Keheliya’s name from Wattegama school

The Ceylon Teachers’ Union (CTU) appreciated the measures taken by the Central Province Governor to remove former Minister Keheliya Rambukwella’s name from a school in the Wattegama Education Zone, Kandy.

Bangladesh court issues arrest warrant for ex-prime minister

Bangladesh’s International Crimes Tribunal on Thursday issued an arrest warrant for former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, citing her alleged involvement in mass killings during violent protests that erupted earlier this year.

Colouring ceremony...

The colouring ceremony of the newly constructed seven-story building and the 105-foot-tall Bhadrasana Buddha statue was held today at the Weluwanaramaya International Buddhist Center in Ragama. The ceremony took place under the patronage of the Chief Incumbent, Ven. Waduruppe Nagitha Thera. Alongside the colouring ceremony, a blood donation campaign was also held. Pix by Nimalsiri Edirisinghe

Banks ordered to provide account info of ex-MP’s shooting, SF Lokka’s murder probe

The Anuradhapura Magistrate’s Court directed all state and private sector banks in Sri Lanka to provide details of bank accounts belonging to a former ASP, a Sub Inspector of Police, a Police Sergeant, a woman and another individual to the Illegal Assets or Property Investigation Division of the CID.

Maximum expenditure limits announced for general election

The Election Commission announced the maximum expenditure limits allowed for candidates, parties, independent groups and national list candidates ahead of the upcoming Parliamentary election slated for November 14.

India all out for 46 against New Zealand in first Test

India crashed to a new low after being dismissed for 46, their lowest Test score ever at home, by a disciplined New Zealand fast bowling attack on the second day of the rain-affected first Test at Bangalore on Thursday.

Indian with Ice worth Rs. 25 million nabbed at BIA

An Indian national was arrested this morning by the officers at the Bandaranaike International Airport (BIA) while he was attempting to smuggle one kilogram of Ice narcotic into the country.

One Direction star Liam Payne dies after balcony fall

Liam Payne, the former One Direction star, has died aged 31 in Argentina after falling from the third floor of a hotel in Buenos Aires, police say.

Experienced persons should be in Parliament to handle economic crisis: Ranil

There should be experienced people in Parliament to resolve the economic crisis, former President Ranil Wickremeisnghe said today.

Damitha asks for national list slot from SJB

Actress turned aragalaya activist Damitha Abeyratne, whose name was omitted from the Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB) list in the Ratnapura District asked for a national list slot from the party.

More than enough for certain group to rule country for 76 years: CBK

Claiming that it is more than enough for a certain group to rule the country for 76 years, former President Chandrika Kumaratunge said a new group must come to power.

Vap Poya observed at Kelaniya

Devotees at the Kelaniya Raja Maha Viharaya are seen participating in religious observances on Vap Full Moon Poya Day, which falls today. A child is seen offering a flower to a foreign visitor at the temple. Pix by Pradeep Pathirana

Italy bans couples from travelling abroad for surrogacy

Italy has made it illegal for couples to go abroad to have a baby through surrogacy.

Boy drowns in Kotadeniyawa while bathing in ditch

A 14-year-old boy drowned and died yesterday while bathing in a water-filled ditch in Kotadeniyawa, police said.

Keheliya’s name removed from school

Central Province Governor Prof. S.B.S. Abayakoon yesterday authorized the immediate renaming of ’Keheliya Rambukwella Primary School’ in the Kundasale Division of the Wattegama Education Zone, Kandy.

Man sentenced to death for deliberate electrocution

The Galle Magistrate’s Court yesterday sentenced a man to death for deliberately killing another person by electrocution, the police said.

Police seek regulatory changes to combat surge in online scams involving foreign nationals

Following the recent arrests of several foreign nationals, mostly Chinese, involved in online scams, the police are now seeking guidance from relevant authorities including the Attorney General’s Department to update laws and regulations.

500-house township to be vested to recipients after 14 years

A township of 500 houses with other facilities such as a hospital and a recreation hall built with assistance from Saudi Arabia way back in 2009 is to be vested with recipients only now.

Disease affecting pigs spirals out of control

The highly contagious viral disease known as ’Porcine Reproductive and Respiratory Syndrome’ (PRRS), which is spreading among pigs, hogs, and boars in Sri Lanka, has spiraled out of control, according to informed sources, over 2000 pigs have so far succumbed to the virus.

Has the govt. overborrowed in its first month in office?

Admitting the fact that the Central Bank has issued treasury bills of Rs. 465.1 billion during the period between September 27 and October 15,a top economist of the government said it was not an additional loan obtained by the new government as alleged by some but it is a routine practice of the Central Bank to issue treasury bills for debt servicing.

Sri Lanka and WI clash in T20I series decider

The third and final T20 International between Sri Lanka and the West Indies will be played at the Rangiri Dambulla International Stadium in Dambulla today. The series is evenly poised at 1-1.

Manufacturing & services PMI points to continuous expansion in activities through September

The Purchasing Managers’ Index (PMI) for both manufacturing and services activities pointed to persistent expansion in the economic activities in the respective sectors through September 2024, albeit there has been some softening in both from a month earlier.

Tourist arrivals surpass 63,000 in first half of October

Sri Lanka welcomed 63,491 tourists in the first half of October, in continuing with the slowdown in tourist arrivals, ahead of the winter season, the Sri Lanka Tourism Development Authority (SLTDA) data showed.

SJB refuses to accept Hirunika’s resignation as National Organizer of party’s women’s wing

In what seemed like an interesting development within the Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB), The party leadership had refused to accept the resignation letter submitted by Samagi Vanitha Balawegaya National Organiser Hirunika Premachandra while Ms. Premachandra insisted that she had to focus on her campaign in Colombo.

Iranian impersonating Italian intercepted at BIA after informed by Interpol

An Iranian national who tried to enter Sri Lanka by impersonating an Italian national was intercepted by the Immigration and Emigration Department officials at the Bandaranaike International Airport today.

Who is the best!

The 45th National Conference of the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Sri Lanka (CA Sri Lanka) was held at the Monarch Imperial Hotel in Sri Jayawardenepura Kotte. Former presidents of the institute attended the event and shared their experiences from their respective tenures. Pix by Nimalsiri Edirisinghe

Voters’ thumb instead of little finger to be marked in Elpitiya PS election

The Elections Commission announced that the thumb of the voter’s left hand will be marked with the appropriate marking ink for the Elpitiya Pradeshiya Sabha election scheduled for October 26, 2024.

Prioritise safety of public, railway employees in executing railway projects: President tells officials

President Anura Kumara Dissanayake instructed officials of the Ministry of Transport and Highways to prioritise the safety of railway employees and the public in the execution of railway line projects.