India gives NDA third term, Modi a message

The people have spoken and the NDA which claimed 294 Lok Sabha seats is set to return for a third term but the mandate is not exactly what Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who spearheaded the BJP campaign, may have hoped for.

Relief for the flood affected..

Those affected by floods in Gampaha were moved to the Wijayarama temple in Ihalagama, a designated safe location. Gampaha town and several low-lying areas were flooded yesterday. The Navy used boats to supply food and other necessities to the affected. Pix by Kushan Pathiraja

United Petroleum Australia to begin Sri Lanka operations by August

United Petroleum Australia, which has entered Sri Lanka’s petroleum retail market, will start their operations by the end of July or beginning of August this year, taking over 150 existing fuel stations and building over 50 new stations, Director of United Petroleum Lanka Private Limited in Sri Lanka Dr. Prabhat Samarasinghe said.

’Kukul Chaminda’ arrested over assault on 4-year-old child

The suspect identified as Kukul Chaminda alias Bibile Chaminda, who was wanted for the brutal assault on a 4-year-old child, has been arrested by the Police, along with his wife and another woman.

President raises concerns with NATA over ‘Happy Hour’

President Ranil Wickremesinghe has raised concerns with the National Authority on Tobacco and Alcohol (NATA) yesterday about the latter’s moves to enforce law against scrapping hotels’ ‘Happy Hour’, which in turn could result in the country’s growing tourism industry, the Daily Mirror learns.

Sri Lankans fighting in Russia-Ukraine war face lies, hardships

In the midst of the increased number of calls from ex-Sri Lankan soldiers who joined the Russian military to fight against Ukraine, a Sri Lankan delegation headed by State Minister of Foreign Affairs Tharaka Balasuriya will head to Russia later this month to seek repatriation of them under a plan to be implemented in stages, the Daily Mirror learns.

Constitutionality of Economic Transformation Bill challenged in SC

A Special Determination petition has been filed in the Supreme Court challenging the constitutionality of the Economic Transformation Bill, which was recently published in the Government Gazette.

SL’s financial market woes defy Colombo Dockyard growth targets

The global market demand for ship building and ship repairs looks promising in the near future. However, financial market problems in Sri Lanka will continue to pose a challenge to the growth targets of Colombo Dockyard PLC.

Sri Lanka fails to cross 900,000 milestone in tourist arrivals end May

Sri Lanka failed to cross the 900,000 milestone in tourist arrivals in the five month period ended in May, as the country trailed the arrival target by 13 percent or 133,983 arrivals at the end of the month.

A/L classes to commence today before release of O/L results

Following Cabinet approval, the General Certificate of Education (GCE) Advanced Level (A/L) classes will commence today, prior to the release of the GCE Ordinary Level (O/L) examination results.

‘Enterprise Sri Lanka’ to be established as dedicated agency for SME support

The Government has decided to establish a brand new consolidated and dedicated agency named ‘Enterprise Sri Lanka’ for the monitoring and development of Sri Lanka’s struggling small and medium (SME) sector efficiently.

Environmental organizations, certain politicians preventing permanent solutions to floods

Whilst highlighting that the government had come up with permanent solutions to prevent floods, State Minister Pramitha Bandara Tennekoon told Parliament today that it has become impossible to implement them because of environmental organizations and certain politicians.

Do not share examination results papers on social media: Prof. Amaratunge

University Grants Commission (UGC) Chairman, Prof. Sampath Amaratunge, has urged students and parents not to share their 2023 (2024) GCE Advanced Level (A/L) examination results on social media.

NTC suspends three buses for unsafe driving on flooded roads

The National Transport Commission (NTC) suspended the services of three passenger transport buses that were driven unsafely on flooded roads, NTC Director General Nayomi Jayawardana said.

Major shutdown of Sapugaskanda refinery to begin on July 8

The Ceylon Petroleum Corporation (CPC) has scheduled a major shutdown of the refinery at Sapugaskanda from July 8, its media spokesman S.M.C.P. Samarakoon said.

Flood warning issued for downstream areas of Attanagalu Oya basin

A flood warning was issued for the lower valley of the downstream areas of the Attanagalu Oya basin for the next 48 hours, the Irrigation Department said.

Same-sex couple resists husbands’ efforts to take them home

Pandemonium broke out at the Kandy Police Station when the husbands of two women who were in a same-sex relationship attempted to take them home from the hotel where the two were staying at in Kandy.

Hope in every package...

As floodwaters engulf the streets in Gampha, a dedicated man wades through the dirty water, ensuring essential supplies reach his house. Balancing a box and a bag of provisions on his head, he exemplifies the resilience and caring towards his loved ones. Pix by Kushan Pathiraja

Avoid walking or swimming in floodwaters - Health experts

In the aftermath of severe flooding across Sri Lanka, health authorities urge people to avoid walking or swimming in floodwaters, as they may contain hazardous bacteria and debris causing complications.

ChatGPT was down for hours, now recovered

ChatGPT has now recovered from what OpenAI described as a ’’major outage’’ earlier today, which hit millions of users of worldwide.

SC stays indictment signed by DG Bribery Commission

The Supreme Court today issued an interim order suspending the operation of an indictment signed by the Director General of the Bribery Commission against Land Commissioner General Bandula Jayasinghe in 2023.

India coach Dravid to step down after T20 World Cup

India coach Rahul Dravid is to stand down when his contract expires after the T20 World Cup.

Sri Lanka’s lack of preparation exposed in T20 World Cup

Sri Lanka’s embarrassing defeat to South Africa in their opening match of the T20 World Cup 2024 in USA and West Indies exposed their lack of preparation ahead of the tournament.

Public assistance sought to trace missing mother, daughter

Police seek the assistance of the public to locate a mother and her daughter who had gone missing since May 29.

Sri Lanka unhappy with T20 World Cup schedule

Sri Lanka captain Wanindu Hasaranga and spinner Maheesh Theekshana expressed their dissatisfaction over their scheduling in the T20 World Cup.

’Sajith playing childish game’: Anura says in Parliament

NPP leader Anura Kumara Dissanayake raised concerns in Parliament saying that Opposition Leader Sajith Premadasa had raised the same question he was to raise in Parliament over the University non-academic staff, calling it a childish act by the Opposition Leader.

SEC says 2024 a challenging year but hope remains for economic growth

The capital market regulator, the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), highlighted 2024 would be a challenging year in terms of economic recovery and path to growth but there is hope, as the economy is on the right track.

Assets of 15 extremist organizations frozen

A gazette notification has been issued announcing the freezing of all funds and assets of 15 organizations and 210 individuals in the country involved in terrorist and extremist activities.

Laugfs gas prices reduced

Laugfs Gas PLC today announced a substantial reduction in the prices of its Laugfs-branded domestic liquefied petroleum gas (LPG), effective midnight.

Environmental organizations, certain politicians preventing permanent solutions to floods

Whilst highlighting that the government had come up with permanent solutions to prevent floods, State Minister Pramitha Bandara Tennekoon told Parliament that it has become impossible to implement them because of environmental organizations and certain politicians.