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.

Paper setters to take final decision on controversy over O/L science paper: Susil

Clarifying the controversy over the GCE Ordinary Level (O/L) Science and English papers, Education Minister Susil Premajayantha said today that steps will be taken to ensure that no injustice is caused to any students.

Restructuring of CEB will continue despite MR’s statement on privatisation: Minister

Restructuring of the Ceylon Electricity Board (CEB) will continue as former President Mahinda Rajapaksa has not requested for such a thing, Minister of Power and Energy Kanchana Wijesekera told Parliament today.

Floods kill 37 in Indonesia’s West Sumatra

Flash floods and mud slides in Indonesia’s West Sumatra province killed at least 37 people this weekend while the search for 17 missing people is still ongoing, authorities said on Monday.

Chamal defends MR’s decision to construct airport, port, stadium in Hambantota

Defending the allegations on former President Mahinda Rajapaksa’s decisions to construct an international airport, habour and cricket stadium in the Hambantota District, SLPP MP Chamal Rajapaksa said the issue is not the constructions but the failure to develop them as business ventures.

No sufficient staff for office handling FTAs: Harsha

The new ’Office of International Trade’ (OIT) which has been established at the President’s office has informed the Committee on Public Finance (COPF) that it has no sufficient staff members, COPF Chairman Dr. Harsha de Silva told Parliament today.

All Blacks captain Cane to retire from international rugby

New Zealand captain Sam Cane will retire from Test rugby at the end of 2024, the side said Monday, calling time on a World Cup winning 12-year international career.

Kuwait forms new government headed by Ahmad Abdullah Al-Sabah

Kuwait formed a new cabinet headed by Sheikh Ahmad Abdullah Al-Sabah, according to a royal decree issued Sunday.

Due to low-level atmospheric disturbance, 100mm rain likely after 1p.m

Due to a low-level atmospheric disturbance, more than 100 mm of rain can be expected after 1 p.m. in the Western, Sabaragamuwa, Central, North-Western and Uva Provinces and in the Galle and Matara districts, the forecasting division of the National Meteorological Centre said.

Girlfriend arrested over Kuliyapitiya youth murder

An 18-year-old girl, the girlfriend of the youth from Kuliyapitiya who was allegedly murdered while visiting the girl’s house in Kuliyapitiya, has been arrested.

Minister Alles vows stringent action against police misconduct in Yukthiya operation

Responding to allegations of police officers misusing the Yukthiya Operation and being involved with criminals in exchange for bribes, Public Security Minister Tiran Alles said that stringent action will be taken against any officers found abusing their authority.

Govt. confident of attracting over US$ 3 bn investments this year

Sri Lanka is all set to triple the investment target set for 2024, State Minister of Investment Promotion Dilum Amunugama said, as the necessary activities to realise the goal for 1Q24, set by the Finance Ministry has been successfully rolled out.

Concessionary vehicle permits: MPs have their way, ignoring economic crisis

Despite the cost of living sizzling at red hot levels and the country being cash- strapped, the House Committee of Parliament has endorsed the proposal to offer concessionary vehicle permits for MPs as requested by them, a top source said.

NMRA to introduce security sticker for all pharma registration certificates soon

As a move to counter the controversial issue of substandard and dangerous medicines entering Sri Lanka through unregistered importers like the human immunoglobulin racket, the National Medicines Regulatory Authority (NMRA) will introduce a security sticker in future.

Tourism earnings strengthen further despite March low levels

Earnings from tourism displayed continued strengthening despite some softening from March. Arrivals eased last month but the momentum persists, projecting robust earnings from the trade which once saw a prolonged decline due to repeated crises from 2019 onwards through 2022.

Targeted stimulus an option to push economic growth: SLBA Chief

Sri Lanka may need to consider a targeted stimulus package to boost growth in productivity sectors upon completion of the on-going debt restructuring exercise, Sri Lanka Banks’ Association Chief said.

Some ministers seem determined to promote immorality through Diana Gamage’s programs

It is clear that some Ministers seem determined to promote immorality and erode morality by perpetuating the illegal and immoral programmes initiated by former State Minister Diana Gamage, Venerable Omalpe Sobitha Thera said.

Politicians tout Rs. 26 billion school lunch programme for 1.7 million children

Some people make popular statements from political platforms in the guise of continuing to develop and maintain the school lunch programme by spending Rs. 26 billion for 1.7 million children, covering all students in the primary grades in the country, said Education Minister Susil Premajayantha.

Some 2,000 Buddhist monks abandon robes annually: Champika Ranawaka

As many as 2,000 Buddhist monks with higher ordination leave their robes annually and the economic crisis is one of the reasons for this, United Republican Front (URF) leader MP Patali Champika Ranawaka said.

Hand over MRIA management to aircraft-owning company: Udayanga Weeratunga

The government should explore the option of assigning the management of the Mattala Rajapaksa International Airport (MRIA) to a company that not only specializes in management but also owns airplanes and has the capability to attract and facilitate aircraft operations, former Sri Lankan Ambassador to Russia Udayanga Weeratunga said.

Rapid decline in birthrate; having kids has not become priority of new generation

The birth rate in Sri Lanka is on a rapid decline, and currently it has decreased by 30%, Kalubowila Teaching Hospital gynecologist Prof. Ajith Fernando said.

Environmental leaders of tomorrow

A workshop organised by the National Youth Services Council (NYSC) was held in Gampaha today. Senior Presidential advisor Ruwan Wijewardene participated in the programme as the chief guest. NYSC Chairman Pasindu Gunaratne was also present. Pix by Pradeep Pathirana

Man who received first pig kidney transplant dies

The first man to receive a genetically modified pig kidney transplant has died two months after the operation, the hospital which carried out the procedure has said.

Afghanistan floods devastate villages, killing 315

Flash floods caused by heavy rains have devastated villages in northern Afghanistan, killing 315 people and injuring more than 1,600, authorities said on Sunday, as villagers buried their dead and aid agencies warned of widening havoc.

SLFP gets new acting General Secretary

Colombo, May 12 - The faction of the Sri Lanka Freedom Party (SLFP) under the leadership of former President Maithripala Sirisena has announced the appointment of Attorney-at-Law Keerthi Udawatte as the Acting General Secretary.