CB keeps door open for more rate cuts; but says future action would depend on data

Although the Central Bank said the current monetary policy stance is appropriate to both maintain inflation in line with their desired goal of 5 percent while supporting the recovery in the economy, they kept the door open for future rate cuts, but

Sri Lanka, Pakistan seek further air links

Sri Lanka and Pakistan have agreed to explore the possibility of increasing air connectivity by launching direct flight from Colombo to Islamabad, a top source here said .

Waterfalls swell again

The waterfalls in the central hills have swelled creating a lovely and attractive sight due to the heavy rain experienced at present.

EC defends talks with Julie Chung amid criticisms

Following severe criticism that US Ambassador Julie Chung had interfered in discussing Sri Lanka’s election process with the Election Commission (EC) officials, the EC chairman R.M.A.L. Rathnayake defended the move saying that the discussion with Chung was a casual one.

SL refutes reports of move to sell surplus ammunition to Ukraine via Poland

Sri Lanka’s Ministry of Defence has refuted recent media reports, stating that Poland is utilizing intermediaries to procure surplus ammunitions from Sri Lanka to transfer to Ukraine.

Families of disappeared against freeing Ex-Navy Chief

The Families of the Disappeared with the parents staged a protest against the attempt to free former Navy Commander Wasantha Karannagoda from the Trial-at-Bar relating to the disappearance of 11 youths by a group of Navy officers.

Sufficient water is to hydro-power plants, irrigation tanks fill over 80%

With the increased rainfall in the catchment areas of the central hills, the hydro-power plants are receiving sufficient capacity of water, the Irrigation Department’s Irrigation (Hydrology) Director, Eng. S.P.C. Sugeeshwara Bandara said.

Underworld figure Midigama Ruwan brought to Sri Lanka

Ruwan Jayasekara, alias Midigama Ruwan, a notorious underworld figure allegedly involved in planning an attack on the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) headquarters in Colombo to free drug trafficker Nadun Chinthaka alias ’Harak Kata’, brought to Sri Lanka from Dubai by a CID team.

International spotlight on presidential election

The International spotlight is already cast on the conduct of the upcoming presidential election in Sri Lanka with the European Union already deploying its experts for a pre-election assessment of the ground situation, an official said yesterday.

Calls for probe into Bar Assoc. office bearers over misconduct in JICA project

Several concerned members of the Bar Association of Sri Lanka (BASL) - Attorneys-at-Law including President’s Counsels have urged the newly appointed five-member expertise Committee of Inquiry to look into the very serious and perturbing allegations of misconduct against few members of the Bar Association office bearers into the JICA funded project/ activities.

CSE sees growing trend among listed entities adopting ESG standards

Having nearly one third of listed entities adopting Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) principles in their business models and reporting, the Colombo Stock Exchange (CSE) Chief acknowledges a growing interest among listed entities to adopt ESG principles.

Chronic kidney disease: Cases now drop due to purified water

Deputy Director General of Beijing Center for Disease Control and Prevention Professor Quanyi Wang said that the Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS) has been providing necessary guidance and support to tackle the Chronic Kidney Diseases of Unknown Etiology (CKDU) since 2015.

Customs strongly refutes allegations of misappropriating billions from reward fund

Sri Lanka Customs strongly refuting all allegations levelled against them including misappropriation of billions of rupees from the Customs Reward Fund said even a Supreme Court verdict in 2000 proves that the present reward scheme has been approved by the then Finance Minister in 1988.

Extending term of President and P’ment is an option- Presidential Adviser

Whilst United National Party (UNP) General Secretary Palitha Range Bandara said he will explain his proposal of extending the terms of the President and Parliament on Monday, Presidential

Engage primary kids more in extra-curricular activities than academics: Minister

Children in primary grades should be engaged in more extracurricular and co-curricular activities than academic activities, Education Minister Susil Premajayantha said.

Prisoner escapes from Kalutara Malwatta Prison

A prisoner from Kalutara Malwatta Prison, serving time for a drug-related offense, escaped this afternoon, according to prison sources.

Black men sue American Airlines after kicked off plane over body odour

American Airlines has been sued by three Black men who have alleged that they were racially discriminated against when they were removed from a flight.

Politicians’ future uncertain if salary issue not resolved by Poson Poya: Teachers’ Principles’ Union

If politicians fail to resolve the salary anomaly issue of teachers and principals before Poson Poya, their political future will be uncertain, the National Teachers’ Power (NTP) said.

Maithripala to be charged for contempt of court?

A contempt of court application has been filed before the Court of Appeal against former President Maithripala Sirisena for allegedly disregarding an order made by the Colombo District Court regarding the Sri Lanka Freedom Party (SLFP) chairmanship.

US to boycott UN tribute to Iran leader killed in helicopter crash

The United States will boycott a United Nations tribute on Thursday to Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi, who was killed earlier this month in a helicopter crash, a U.S. official said.

’’Name the powerful Western country’’

Russian Ambassador in Sri Lanka Levan Dzhagaryan slammed a ’’powerful western country’’ for its comments, published in an article on today’s edition of the Daily Mirror, regarding Sri Lankans who were part of his country’s war against Ukraine. The Ambassador questioned why Sri Lankans fighting for Russia was being made an issue, but no similar comments were being made about Sri Lankans fighting for Ukraine. Pix by Pradeep Pathirana

SL diplomats to meet Russian Defence Ministry today

Sri Lankan diplomats in Russia will engage with officials of the Russian Defence Ministry this evening, in ’’first steps’’ towards repatriating Sri Lankans in Russia, who have been thrust into the battlefront of its war against Ukraine.

Shelton Premaratne passes away

Renowned Sri Lankan composer, instrumentalist and music director Dr. Shelton Premaratne passed away this morning (30) in Australia at the age of 94.

New York boosts T20 Cricket World Cup security after reported threats

New York will boost security for the upcoming T20 Cricket World Cup in June, the governor said on Wednesday, after reports of threats especially related to the India-Pakistan match.

World Bank discusses energy transition for Sri Lanka in high-level roundtable

The World Bank organized a high-level roundtable discussion on advancing energy transitions in Sri Lanka, yesterday.

Higher water level recorded in Mahaweli Ganga, those in Kandy requested to be vigilant

Due to the considerable rainfall in the catchment areas of the central hills yesterday, those living in Nuwara-Eliya and Kandy are requested to be vigilant as the water level of the Mahaweli Ganga has risen and hence may cause sudden floods.

University employees in peaceful protest

The Joint Committee of University Trade Unions held a peaceful protest today in front of the University Grants Commission (UGC), demanding an immediate and satisfactory wage increase for university employees.

Sri Lanka Electricity Bill to be taken up for debate in Parliament next week

Party leaders decided to take up the second reading debate on the Sri Lanka Electricity Bill next week, Communications Department of Parliament said.

Person dies after being sucked into airplane engine in Amsterdam airport

A person has died after falling into a running aircraft engine at Amsterdam’s Schiphol airport, police say.

GMOA warns of terminal hospital closures if doctor shortage not addressed

If the responsible parties do not intervene in increasing the approved number of doctors for the hospital system in the country, the Government Medical Officers’ Association (GMOA) today warned that they will take a decision on the closure of terminal hospitals that are crippled without doctors.