Biting the hands that feed you

A family that sought refuge at the residence of a leading gem businessman in Ratnapura after being affected by the floods have allegedly stolen gemstones valued Rs.25 million, according to the police.

Fears of election postponement still loom

Despite assertions that the presidential election would be conducted as scheduled, political circles are abuzz with speculations that the government will try to exploit the provisions in the Constitution to extend the term of the presidential term and the parliamentary period.

Rise in flies poses risk of diarrhoea and contagious viral fever

As floodwaters recede, the proliferation of flies has raised alarms among health authorities due to the increased risk of diarrhoea outbreaks and the spread of contagious viral fevers.

Exercise caution in chicken purchases due to flood contamination: CAA association

The Consumer Affairs Authority’s (CAA) General Workers’ Association urged the public to exercise caution when purchasing chicken from the market due to the increased risk of contamination caused by recent floods.

Ransomware menace plaguing Sri Lankan businesses: Kaspersky

A total of 2,650 ransomware incidents have been detected and blocked by Kaspersky’s cybersecurity solutions for businesses in Sri Lanka from January to December 2023, it was revealed.

Sri Lanka should separate foreign policies from borrowing policies: Dr. Devarajan

A prominent economist stressed the need for Sri Lanka to separate its foreign policies from the borrowing policies, so it does not repeat the same mistakes that have resulted in it having to grapple with high cost of debt.

Colombo District Court recognises Sri Lankan divorce entered into in USA

In a landmark judgment, the Colombo District Court held that a foreign decree of a marriage contracted in Sri Lanka can be recognized and enforced in Sri Lanka. Accordingly, the Colombo District Court issued a decree of dissolution of marriage in favor of a plaintiff living in California by upholding international legal standards relating to marriage laws.

Non-communicable diseases cause nearly 90% of deaths in Sri Lanka

Sri Lanka is facing a health crisis of non-communicable diseases (NCDs) which account for 89% of deaths, according to Health Secretary Dr. Palitha Mahipala.

Elon Musk’s thank you note to Indian-origin man behind Tesla’s AI success

Elon Musk, on Sunday, expressed gratitude towards Indian-origin Ashok Elluswamy – the first person hired for Tesla’s autopilot team.

Retired soldiers left for Russia to make ends meet: Defence Secy.

The retired soldiers of Sri Lanka who dedicated their lives to the war left for Russia not to abandon the motherland but to make ends meet, who have been deceived by the scammers promising them a lucrative opportunity, opined Defence Secretary General Kamal Gunaratne.

Planters’ Association condemns Thondaman’s illegal actions at Pedro Estate, calls for justice

While condemning Minister Jeevan Thondaman’s recent illegal behaviour at Pedro Estate, Nuwara Eliya, the Planters’ Association of Ceylon (PA) urged the Sri Lankan Government and the Sri Lankan Police to conduct a comprehensive investigation into this incident and ensure that those responsible are brought to justice.

New laws planned to control wetland destruction and illegal constructions

New laws are to be enacted to control the destruction of wetlands, including illegal constructions and they are negotiating with all government agencies to reach a common consensus, Housing, Construction and Cultural Affairs Ministry Secretary W.S. Sathyananda said.

Railways Department yet to calculate losses from strike

The Railways Department has said that the losses incurred as a result of the non-operation of trains during the trade union strike initiated by the Sri Lanka Railways Locomotive Operating Engineers’ Union have not yet been calculated.

Absorb us into teaching profession…

The All Ceylon School Development Officers Union staged a protest march towards the Fort Railway Station today, demanding that the government promptly absorb their service into the teaching profession. Pix by Nimalsiri Edirisinghe

Police hunt for fraudster who defrauded Rs. 17.5 million in job scam

Police are seeking public assistance in apprehending a suspect wanted for defrauding individuals of Rs. 17.5 million with promises of employment abroad, particularly in countries like England and Poland.

Selfie with Minister

The programme of appreciation of the students who obtained excellent results in the 2023 (2024) GCE Advanced Level Examination was held today at the Education Ministry under the chairmanship of Minister Susil Premajayantha and they appeared for a group photo and a selfie photo with the Minister.

Train strike called off

The Sri Lanka Railways Locomotive Operating Engineers’ Union decided to call off their ongoing strike following discussion with the Transport Minister.

Minister urges union to end strike and return to duty

Transport and Highways Minister Bandula Gunawardena today requested the Sri Lanka Railways Locomotive Operating Engineers’ Union to call off their strike and report to work.

Modi likely to visit Sri Lanka in August

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi is likely to visit Sri Lanka in August this year, officials from the President’s office told journalists here.

President meets Indian External Affairs Minister

President Ranil Wickremesinghe met Indian External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar in New Delhi today where he discussed bilateral ties with India and the sub continant’s neighbourhood programmes.

Wanted gunman in ’Pas Podda’ murder arrested at BIA on return from UAE

The gunman responsible for the killing of underworld figure Saman Rohitha Perera alias ‘Pas Podda’ in Gampaha in 2022 was arrested by immigration officials at the Bandaranaike International Airport, Katunayake upon his return to the country.

Is it time to back Wanindu Hasaranga?

Having lost their first two games of the ongoing T20 World Cup in United States of America & West Indies, Sri Lanka are on the brink of another humiliating exit from the most high-profile event of the year.

Substandard soaps cause skin allergies in babies

According to the Government Family Health Services Association, it has been reported that various allergies have occurred on the skin of babies due to the use of substandard soaps.

Nepal’s Lamichhane to join T20 World Cup squad in West Indies

Sandeep Lamichhane will join Nepal’s T20 World Cup squad in the West Indies after missing matches in the United States because his visa was denied, the cricket association said Monday.

Regional well wishes...

President Ranil Wickremesinghe met his Indian counterpart, Narendra Modi, who began his third consecutive term after being sworn-in at New Delhi. Both leaders agreed to maintain bilateral ties between the two nations. The Indian Prime Minister also met other heads of state who attended the swearing-in. Pix by Pradeep Pathirana

President meets Bangladesh Prime Minister in New Delhi

President Ranil Wickremesinghe met Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina of Bangladesh in New Delhi earlier today.

Future government under Sajith to implement 13th Amendment

A government under him in the future will be committed to implementing the 13th Amendment to the Constitution, Opposition Leader Sajith Premadasa said recently.

French President dissolves parliament and calls a snap election

President Emmanuel Macron dissolved the lower house of France’s parliament in a surprise announcement sending voters back to the polls in the coming weeks to choose lawmakers, after his party was handed a humbling defeat by the far-right in the European elections Sunday.

World interest grows in nuke power generation in Sri Lanka

In the backdrop of the government evolving legislation to regulate nuclear power generation and the Sri Lanka Atomic Energy Board (SLAEB) getting ready to call for Expression of Interest from prospective investors, a delegation of China National Nuclear Corporation (CNNC) is expected in the country soon to explore investment in a nuke plant in the country, an official said yesterday.

Tourism trade remains robust despite seasonal softening in May

The tourism trade is going through an expected softening due to the seasonality tied to the arrivals, but it has managed to eke out an income of US$ 154.0 million in May, data showed.