Kumar Sangakkara’s relative’s house, gutted by fire in Kandy

A two-story house in Buwelikada, Kandy, reportedly belonging to a relative of cricket legend Kumar Sangakkara, was gutted by flames.

Tourist arrivals could drop below two million this year amidst Visa fiasco: Stakeholders

Tourism Industry veterans cautioned that heightened confusion over the new visa system, along with the abrupt increase in visa fees, could derail 2.3 million tourist arrival target set for the year. This could potentially reduce arrivals below 2 million, while service providers stand to gain $50 million in fees.

Asteroid that exploded over Berlin was fastest-spinning space rock ever recorded

An asteroid that tore through the atmosphere over Germany in January was spinning faster than any other near-Earth object ever recorded, new research suggests.

GMOF requests NMRA to monitor quality of inhalation devices from India

The Government Medical Officers’ Forum (GMOF) has requested the National Medicines Regulatory Authority (NMRA) to carry out post-marketing surveillance to assess the quality of inhalation devices, which are largely imported from India.

No tender calling required: Minister Tiran Alles

Public Security Minister Tiran Alles, in response to allegations about the tender process, said there is no such requirement to call for tenders because these are the only companies involved in e-visa processing in different countries.

Sri Lankan rupee has become one of fastest growing currencies in the world: Siyambalapitiya

The Sri Lankan rupee has now become one of the fastest-growing currencies in the world, Finance State Minister Ranjith Siyambalapitiya said.

Minimum Room Rate to end by May 31

The highly debated Minimum Room Rate (MRR), which has the tourism industry divided, would be removed the end of this month, Tourism Minister Harin Fernando confirmed.

Question arises on national security threat, impact on tourism

The award of contract for issuing on-arrival visas at the Bandaranaike International Airport (BIA) to a foreign consortium including VFS Global as the key technology partner is mired in further controversy since it has been done without following due tender process, any consideration to a threat on national security and the impact on increased charges from foreign nationals on the country’s burgeoning tourism industry.

Harin backs doing away with visas altogether for tourists

As the Cabinet is currently considering extending free visa travel to tourists from 67 countries, Tourism Minister Harin Fernando opined that Sri Lanka should consider doing away with visa altogether for tourists.

Gazette to include single-entry visa fees next week: Harin

Minister of Tourism Harin Fernando attempted to play down the controversy surrounding the high visa charges incurred by tourists arriving at the Bandaranaike International Airport earlier this week, adding that a fresh gazette with revised fees will be issued next week.

World Cup finalist named in USA T20 World Cup 2024 squad

Former New Zealand player and 2015 ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup finalist Corey Anderson has been named in USA’s squad for the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2024.

Japanese Foreign Minister to visit Sri Lanka

The Foreign Affairs Minister of Japan Yoko Kamikawa is scheduled to undertake an official visit to Sri Lanka for two days from tomorrow (4), the Foreign Affairs Ministry said.

Sri Lanka’s press freedom ranking plummets in 2024

Reporters Without Borders (RFS) unveiled its annual World Press Freedom Index on Friday, revealing a concerning trend for Sri Lanka as it plummeted to the 150th position.

Young Lawyers flay Tiran for calling eliminating criminals not a sin

When the country has an accepted legal system in place, it is shameful and dangerous for a senior minister to say to eliminate the criminals and to threaten the lawyers not to appear for them, a lawyers’ collective said today.

Ukraine can use British weapons inside Russia - Cameron

UK Foreign Secretary Lord Cameron has said it is up to Ukraine to decide how to use British weapons and insisted it has the right to strike targets on Russian territory.

Co-hosts West Indies announce squad for T20 World Cup

West Indies announced their 15-member squad for the upcoming ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2024, which will be co-hosted by the Caribbean nations and the USA.

SriLankan Airlines clarifies incident regarding UL 503

SriLankan Airlines has issued a statement addressing the recent incident involving Flight UL 503 bound for London, which was diverted to Vienna International Airport in Austria due to a medical emergency.

Maithripala appears before CID over Easter Sunday attacks

Former President Maithripala Sirisena made a significant appearance today at the Criminal Investigations Department (CID) to provide a statement regarding the Easter Sunday terror attacks that rocked the nation.

Ministry to expedite plans for developing Galle Port into a tourist port

The Ports, Shipping and Aviation Ministry has decided to accelerate plans for the development of the Port of Galle into a tourist port.

LPL 2024 Player Auction on May 21

The Player Auction of the Lanka Premier League (LPL) 2024 will be conducted on May 21, 2024 at the Hotel Shangri-La, Colombo starting at noon.

Dispersed...

Police resorted to using water cannons to disperse a group of protesting medical students near Viharamahadevi Park in Colombo 07.

Issuing of fresh liquor licenses challenged before Supreme Court

A Fundamental Rights petition has been filed before the Supreme Court seeking an order restraining authorities including the Excise Department from issuing any new excise licenses to any applicant in violation of the provisions of the Excise Ordinance.

Protesting medical students teargassed

Tensions escalated near Viharamahadevi Park in Colombo 07 as police resorted to using water cannons to disperse a group of protesting medical students.

Traffic disrupted in Colombo 07

A significant section of Srimath Anagarika Dharmapala Mawatha has been temporarily shut down to vehicular traffic owing to a protest staged by medical students.

Fishing communities urged to watch out for rising swell wave heights

The naval and fishing communities involved in activities from Kalpitiya to Pottuvil via Colombo, Galle, and Hambantota are advised to remain vigilant as swell wave heights and periods may rise in the sea areas, the Natural Hazards Early Warning Centre said.

Fried rice, kottu prices down by Rs.20

The price of a plate of fried rice and kottu will be reduced by Rs. 20 from tonight, the Canteen Owners’ Association announced.

ICC announce Match Officials for ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2024

The International Cricket Council (ICC) has announced the 26 match officials for the first round of the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2024 in the United States of America (USA) and the West Indies.

South Africa to host Sri Lanka for two tests

South Africa will host Sri Lanka for two tests and Pakistan for an all-formats tour in the 2024-25 home summer, officials confirmed on Friday, with the women’s team to play a first test on home soil since 2002 when they welcome England.

Royal Pardon for 44 Sri Lankans in UAE

Forty four Sri Lankans who were in different prisons across the United Arab Emirates have been pardoned by a Royal order, the Embassy of Sri Lanka in Abu Dhabi said.

I have not joined SJB: Arjuna

Former Sri Lankan cricket captain and former Minister Arjuna Ranatunga refuted reports that he had joined the Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB) though he appeared in a May Day rally in Talawakale which Opposition Leader Sajith Premadasa had attended.