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.

‘My Wedding’ Bridal exhibition...

The Bridal exhibition ‘My Wedding’ is held at the Sirimavo Bandaranaike Memorial International Hall (BMICH) from November 8 to 10. Pix by Kithsiri de Mel

West Indies quick handed suspension for on-field incident

A two-match ban for the pace bowler for his part in an on-field incident against England.

Nissan to lay off thousands of workers as sales drop

Nissan has said it will lay off thousands of workers as it slashes global production to tackle a drop in sales in China and the US.

Lady principal arrested over bribery in Ragama

Officials of the Commission to Investigate Allegations of Bribery or Corruption arrested a female principal of a primary school in Ragama for allegedly demanding a bribe of Rs. 150,000.

CR host first rugby encounter under lights

CR and FC will make history with their first-ever floodlight rugby match at Longden Place today when they play with their traditional rivals Havelock Sports Club. The kick-off is at 6.30 p.m.

CID arrests couple at BIA over multi-billion rupee pyramid scam

The Criminal Investigation Department (CID) arrested a 52-year-old man, Dhammika Kumara Ranasinghe, who returned from Malaysia this morning, at the Bandaranaike International Airport (BIA), for his involvement in defrauding over Rs. 10 billion through a pyramid scam.

Over 3,000 driving licenses suspended due to various illegal activities: DMT

A total of 3,249 driving licenses have been suspended since January this year due to various illegal activities committed by motorists, Department of Motor Traffic (DMT) Commissioner General Nishantha Anuruddha Weerasingha said.

New Zealand cricket team visits Minneriya Park

The New Zealand cricket team, currently touring Sri Lanka for a series of white-ball matches, took a break from their preparations to embark on an adventurous excursion to Minneriya National Park on Wednesday.

Schools close for elections from Wednesday, reopen on Nov. 18

The Education Ministry announced that all schools will close from November 13 in preparation for the parliamentary elections scheduled for the following day (November 14).

Probe reveals Lohan’s use of unregistered luxury car since 2020

Investigations into the recovery of an illegally assembled, unregistered luxury car from the home of former State Minister Lohan Ratwatte’s wife in Mirihana have revealed that Ratwatte had been using the vehicle since 2020 with a fake number plate.

India- Russia joint venture bid to manage China-built Mattala airport goes awry

The move initiated by the previous government to hand over the management of the Mattala International Airport to an India-Russia joint venture is poised to be abandoned since Sri Lankan authorities are not ready to grant the licence for it over legal barriers, a top source said.

Ask Grandfather if you don’t know how to manage finances: Ranil

Taking a swipe at the name he is often referred to by some of his opponents, former President Ranil Wickremesinghe yesterday said the government hierarchy should seek advice from the ’grandfather’ if they do not know how to handle government finances.

Supreme Court halts attempt to release illegally held elephants to suspects

The Supreme Court yesterday issued several interim orders, including staying and suspending all proceedings in the impugned Colombo Chief Magistrate’s Court case, where an order to release elephants to suspects in those proceedings, had been made by the Magistrate.

October tea sale averages slide

Sri Lanka’s national tea sales average for October declined to Rs. 1,172.15 (US$ 4.02) per kilogram, down by Rs. 35.84 and US$ 0.02 compared with September’s Rs. 1,207.99 (US$ 4.04), according to data from the Sri Lanka Tea Board.

Accurate weather forecasting soon: Meteorology Department

The Meteorology Department will be able to provide more accurate weather forecasts from 2026, following the installation of two Doppler radar systems by the end of this year.

Korea steps in with US$ 10.2mn to help Sri Lanka tackle trash

The Government of Korea has granted US$ 10.20 million to Sri Lanka to improve solid waste management practices in the Uva and Northern provinces.

Shortage of meteorologists hits weather department

The Meteorology Department lacks a sufficient number of duty meteorologists, Deputy Director of Forecasting and Early Warning M.M.P. Mendis said.

Sri Lanka mulls joining BRICS-founded New Development Bank

The government is considering obtaining the membership of the New Development Bank (NDB), a multilateral development bank established by the BRICS states, after failing to obtain BRICS membership due its decision not to grant new membership, Minister Vijitha Herath said yesterday.

Man arrested for attempting to transport woman to Italy with wife’s passport

In a classic case of human smuggling, a man attempting to transport an unknown woman to Italy with his wife’s travel documents was stopped by the Immigration and Emigration Department officials at the airport.

Rice shortage caused due to increased use in beer production: Mill Owners

The Small and Medium Scale Rice Mill Owners’ Association claimed today that the growing rice shortage in the market is due to increased use of raw rice for beer production.

Deadline to return firearms provided to civilians extended

The deadline to return firearms provided to civilians for personal protection has been extended till November 21, 2024, the Ministry of Defence said.