Discussion on polls media guidelines

A discussion on media guidelines on the upcoming elections was held recently at The Courtyard by Marriott with the participation of over 70 attendees. The discussion, organised by Factum in partnership with IRES, the Media Law Forum, Hashtag Generation and the Sri Lanka Broadcasters’ Guild, was led by a distinguished panel, including the Commissioner General of Elections Saman Sri Ratnayake. Pix by Nisal Baduge

Preparing for Vesak

Homagama town is currently witnessing the construction of a Vesak Pandol in anticipation of the upcoming Vesak festival. Pix by Nisal Baduge

Strategic dance between Health Ministry, trade unions: Dr. Bellana

The commencement of islandwide union actions has turned into a strategic interplay between Health Ministry officials and the collective health sector trade unions, the Government Medical Officers’ Forum (GMOF) said today.

US Assistant Secretary Donald Lu meets NPP representatives

Assistant Secretary of State for South and Central Asian Affairs Donald Lu met representatives of the National People’s Power (NPP) last evening at the Galle Face Hotel.

Lime prices up but cultivators incur losses

Farmers in the Anuradhapura District who cultivated lime are in a predicament for want of a remunerative market for their produce, while the price of lime has skyrocketed in urban areas due to the ongoing racket of the middleman.

Temperatures to drop as monsoon arrives: Met. Dept.

As higher rainfall spreads across the country and the southwest monsoon activates after May 20, temperatures, which have risen to a ’caution level’ for human comfort, are expected to decrease, the Meteorology Department said.

I hear that MPs’ vehicle permits approved: Chandima

Parliamentarian Chandima Weerakkody said yesterday he got to know that vehicle permits for Members of Parliament had been passed according to the request of the government.

Over 178,000 temporary residents under scrutiny for criminal connections

In light of reports indicating involvement in various criminal activities, including drug trafficking, originating from temporary residences, the police have gathered information on over 178,600 temporary residents during a two-day nationwide operation.

Health experts raise red flags over soaring influenza cases

​In the wake of the rising influenza cases at an unusual rate, health experts are urging the public to beware of symptoms such as fever, cough, sore throat, runny or stuffy nose, muscle or body aches, headaches and fatigue.

Facebook party raided inside Knuckles Reserve, over 20 arrested

A group of 22 young individuals, including five females, were apprehended by the Hunnasgiriya Range Forest Office for trespassing in the Knuckles Reserve and setting up illegal campfires, forest officials said. The suspects, hailing from various regions such as Bandarawela, Colombo, Badulla, and Kandy, are between the ages of 20 and 30.

Central Bank advises businesses to grasp current exchange rate mechanism

The Central Bank emphasised the importance of businesses in Sri Lanka understanding the current exchange rate system.

CTC says drop in 1Q sales due to tax-led price increases

Monopoly cigarette player Ceylon Tobacco Company PLC (CTC) yesterday said that its sales volume for the first quarter ended on March 31, 2024 was lower in comparison to the same period last year, mainly due to the tax-led price increases, in line with the government’s revenue proposals.

Touching scene

A girl tenderly shields a disabled elder from heavy rain at the Colombo Fort Railways Station, reflecting the heartwarming Sri Lankan hospitality and compassion. Pix by Kushan Pathiraja

New entrepreneurs required for future productivity-based growth: Jafferjee

Sri Lanka needs a new set of entrepreneurs to drive future economic growth based on productivity, in transforming the current business landscape dominated by patronage, rent-seeking and crony capitalism, Advocata Institute Chairman Murtaza Jafferjee said.

Grace marks for questions outside of GCE (O/L) science syllabus

In response to concerns over irregularities during the 2023 (2024) G.C.E. Ordinary Level (O/L) examinations, grace marks are set to be awarded for answers of several questions found to be outside the Science syllabus.

Court fines 15 motorcyclists for dangerous riding on money bets in Bambalapitiya

Fifteen motorcyclists involved in dangerous riding for money bets on the Galle Road in Bambalapitiya, Colombo were fined Rs. 427,500 and had their driving licenses suspended for six months by the Colombo Traffic Court today.

President wishes Sri Lankan Cricket Team success

President Ranil Wickremesinghe wished the Sri Lankan Cricket Team success at the upcoming T20 World Cup as they depart for the United States of America and the West Indies tomorrow, the President’s Media Division (PMD) said.

Wellalage inclusion hints Three-Spin Attack in World Cup

National selectors announced the Sri Lankan squad for the upcoming T20 World Cup in USA & West Indies with uncapped Dunith Wellalage grabbing the headlines.

Hospice Sri Lanka Alliance makes a milestone in palliative care: Health Secy.

Forming an alliance in the hospice treatment sector in the country will make a milestone in the palliative care and will help to standardize an industry, which had rendered a significant service to the public, said Secretary of Health Dr. Palitha Mahipala.

Restraining order issued preventing obstacles to Wijedasa Rajapakse’ SLFP Chairmanship

A restraining order on instituting any legal action against the decision taken by the Sri Lanka Freedom Party (SLFP) Executive Committee on May 12, to appoint Minister Wijedasa Rajapakse as Chairman of the SLFP was issued by Kaduwela District Judge Dulani Wickremesuriya.

Stop military offensive in Gaza

A protest organized by ‘Friends of Free Palestine’, calling on Israel to stop the military offensive in Gaza, was held in Colombo today with the participation of Opposition Leader Sajith Premadasa and several Samagi Jana Balawegaya MPs. Pix by Pradeep Pathirana

Climate change to cause 1. 2 percent annual loss of Sri Lanka’s GDP by 2050: Ruwan

The cost of climate change will account for a 1.2 percent loss of the annual Gross Domestic Product (GDP) of Sri Lanka by 2050 according to estimates by the World Bank, Senior Presidential Advisor on Climate Affairs Ruwan Wijewardene said.

Big names miss out as Netherlands announce squad for T20 World Cup

A reliable top-order performer and experienced all-rounder miss the cut as the Dutch reveal their playing group for next month’s tournament.

Complaint against Diana to Bribery Commission

The ‘Anti-Bribery and Anti-Waste Power Organization’ filed made a complaint with the Bribery Commission today against former State Minister Diana Gamage, alleging that she had acquired a BMW vehicle and utilized government resources while possessing a dual citizenship. Pix by Nisal Baduge

Philanthropist Nahil Wijesuriya donates Rs 270 Mn for Bishops College

Nahil Wijesuriya, a well-known figure in Sri Lanka’s charitable circles, has stepped forward to contribute a sum of Rs 270,000,000 towards the construction of a modern A-Level building at Bishops College, Colombo.

Court calls for report on progress of investigations against Pastor Jerome

The Supreme Court today directed the Attorney General to submit the progress of the investigations against Pastor Jerome Fernando within two weeks over his alleged hate remarks against religious harmony in the country.

Selectors deny favoritism in Sri Lanka’s T20 World Cup squad selection

While denying any favoritism during the selection of players for the Sri Lanka squad in the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2024, Sri Lanka Cricket Selection Committee Chairman Upul Tharanga said the Sri Lanka team is in a good position to challenge any team at the World Cup to be held in the West Indies and USA.

Patients bear the brunt as health strike continues

Patients have been highly inconvenienced due to the health strike launched by health professionals in all government hospitals at provincial level.

University staff protest dispersed...

Tensions escalated near the Diyatha Uyana Junction in Battaramulla as police resorted to using water cannons to scatter a gathering of university non-academic staff engaged in a protest. Pix by Nisal Baduge

Foreigner injured after falling from Lotus tower

A foreigner sustained injuries while experiencing the Base Jump event at the Lotus Tower a short while ago.