Authorities to get tough on inferior beauty products

In the wake of recent sentiments expressed by the Government Medical Officers’ Association (GMOA), the Health Ministry and the National Medicines Regulatory Authority (NMRA) are keen to address concerns over the influx of substandard beauty products and cosmetics that lack proper regulation.

Alarming rise in online pornography involving underage Sri Lankans

An alarming increase in the number of cases involving online pornographic content featuring underage Sri Lankans is being reported, according to a senior police officer.

IMF allows authorities to draw US$ 336 mn following second review completion

The Intentional Monetary Fund (IMF) announced the completion of the second review under the 48-month Extended Fund Facility (EFF) Arrangement, allowing the Sri Lanka to draw SDR 254 million (about US$336 million).

Yadav, Arshdeep star as India beat USA to reach T20 World Cup second round

Suryakumar Yadav hit an unbeaten half-century and left-arm seamer Arshdeep Singh claimed a career-best 4-9 as India defeated the United States by seven wickets to reach the T20 World Cup second round on Wednesday.

Progress unknown on 89% of Budget proposals: Verité Research

Verité Research’s annual evaluation has shed light on the state of budget proposals in Sri Lanka, revealing that 89% of the highest-value expenditure proposals from the 2023 budget lacked progress information, amounting to a total of LKR 43.8 billion out of the allocated LKR 49.3 billion.

IMF approves 2nd review of Sri Lanka’s programme

The International Monetary Fund (IMF) has approved the second review of the country’s programme, Minister Ali Sabry said.

Australian rugby star Hayne wins appeal in rape case

Former Australian rugby league star Jarryd Hayne has won an appeal against his rape convictions and has been ordered to stand trial for a fourth time in the same case.

Human bones and cultural artifacts of indigenous people returned from Switzerland

A significant repatriation took place recently as twelve bodies, thirty skulls, and numerous cultural artifacts weighing four hundred kilograms belonging to the indigenous people of Sri Lanka were brought back to Sri Lanka from museums in Switzerland.

Sri Lanka to kick off relevant negotiations for FTA with Malaysia

Sri Lanka will be able to further strengthen its ties with Malaysia, with the Cabinet of Ministers this week giving the nod to commence the negotiations for a free trade agreement (FTA) between the two countries.

'No manpower!'

The Ports Trade Unions Collective staged a protest outside the Ports Authority premises in Colombo against the use of employees from manpower agencies and also in protest of the Eastern Container Terminal. Their protest slogan was ’’No man power - Let’s save the Eastern Container Terminal.’’ Pix by Pradeep Dilrukshana

NPP will bring in new Constitution, incorporating lasting solution to national issue: Vijitha

The National People’s Power (NPP) would bring in a new Constitution under its rule, which would incorporate a lasting solution to the national issue agreed by all parties, NPP MP Vijitha Herath said today.

Bus crashes into Makumbura multimodal centre; five injured

A private bus on Padukka- Pettah route that ran out of control had crashed into the Makumbura Multimodal Centre in Kottawa causing injuries to five individuals. Extensive damage had been caused to the building and the bus as well.

Committee appointed to probe intelligence handling in Easter attacks

President Ranil Wickremesinghe has established a Committee of Inquiry to investigate the actions and responses of Sri Lanka’s intelligence and security authorities in relation to the April 21, 2019 bombings.

Tragic collision claims three lives in Wegama

A collision between a van and a passenger bus in the Wegama area has left three members of a family dead and several others injured.

Selfie time...

The Teachers’ and Principals’ Trade Union Alliance in the Colombo Educational Zone launched a token strike at Borella Junction today, demanding the government to rectify the remaining two-thirds of their salary anomaly and uphold the rights of children. Pix by Kithsiri de Mel

Cabinet approves penal code changes on sexual harassment

Cabinet approval was granted for the revision of the Penal Code to strengthen legal provisions to prohibit sexual harassment.

Environmentalists, Mannar Bishop file FR petition against Wind Power Project

Three eminent environmentalists together with the Bishop of Mannar Rev. Fr. Bastian have filed a fundamental rights petition before the Supreme Court against the procurement and construction of the proposed 250 MW Mannar Wind Power Project in Mannar that is reported to have been awarded to Adani Green Energy Pte. Ltd.

Optimistic about favourable IMF review outcome: Semasinghe

Sri Lanka is optimistic about a favourable outcome from the International Monetary Fund’s (IMF) second review, under the Extended Fund Facility (EFF), State Minister of Finance Shehan Semasinghe said.

NWSDB denies reports on contaminated water

The National Water Supply and Drainage Board (NWSDB) today denied the reports circulating in social media that people are suffering from diarrhea and vomiting after drinking the pipe borne water distributed by the National Water Supply and Drainage Board around Colombo.

Heavy showers and strong winds expected in multiple provinces

Western, Sabaragamuwa, and North-western provinces, as well as Kandy, Nuwara Eliya, Galle, and Matara districts are expected to experience fairly heavy showers, with some locations in the Western and Sabaragamuwa provinces likely to receive rainfall amounts of up to 75 mm.

Postal services to launch 24-hour strike tonight

The United Postal Trade Unions Front (UPTUF) is set to launch a 24-hour trade union action from tonight due to the failure to fill more than 6,000 existing vacancies in the postal service.

Presidential Election crucial for country’s future, says President

President Ranil Wickremesinghe emphasized that the upcoming presidential election will be pivotal for the country’s future, focusing on national success rather than individual triumphs or losses.

Zampa milestone as Australia march into T20 World Cup Super Eights

Australia marched into the Super Eights of the T20 World Cup with a nine-wicket demolition of Namibia at the Sir Vivian Richards Stadium in Antigua on Tuesday.

PUCSL to finalise CEB tariff revision by mid-July

The Public Utilities Commission of Sri Lanka (PUCSL) is set to finalise the approval of the new electricity tariff revision proposed by the Ceylon Electricity Board (CEB) by mid-July.

Biden vows to respect guilty verdict in son’s gun trial

US President Joe Biden has said he will respect a jury’s decision to find his son guilty of gun crimes, after a week-long trial that laid bare a tumultuous time for the family.

Creating life-like worker replacements

A factory in China is developing hyper-realistic humanoid robots that can chillingly mimic human facial expressions and emotions in scientists’ latest attempt to replace workers with machines. (Daily Mail)

S.Africa into T20 Super Eights after Sri Lanka v Nepal rained out

Heavy rain and a waterlogged outfield led to the abandonment of the T20 World Cup match between Sri Lanka and Nepal on Tuesday in Florida.

Undecided voters to seal the poll?

As parties gear up for the Presidential and Parliamentary elections scheduled to be held later this year, it is learnt that an extensive popularity poll on all presidential candidates is being conducted by an international IT company who conducted a similar poll and predicted the victory of Narendra Modi at the just concluded Indian election.

Sri Lanka’s atmosphere for NGOs improve

The atmosphere for the operation of the NGOs (non-governmental organizations) has improved in Sri Lanka in 2024 compared to the previous years, a report says.

Rizwan, Babar keep Pakistan alive at T20 World Cup

Mohammad Rizwan and captain Babar Azam starred as Pakistan stayed alive at the T20 World Cup with a seven-wicket win over Canada on Tuesday.