Sri Lanka to hand management of China-built airport to India, Russia companies

Sri Lanka will hand over management of its $209 million Chinese-built airport to two Indian and Russian companies, a cabinet statement said on Friday, as the island nation attempts to reduce losses from its state enterprises.

14-hour water cut in Colombo tomorrow: NWS&DB

Colombo residents are set to experience a 14-hour water cut tomorrow as the National Water Supply and Drainage Board (NWSDB) announced that water supply to several areas in the city will be suspended.

Indian heart gives new lease of life to Pakistani girl

The heart of a 69-year-old man who passed away earlier this year will continue to live, across the border, in Pakistan on a teenager.

Protests as Venice begins charging entry fee for day-trippers

April 25 has long been a historic day in Venice – the date is not just Italy’s Liberation day, but it’s also the feast day of the city’s patron saint, St. Mark.

Sajith didn't get appointment from Iranian Embassy to meet Iranian President: Nalin Bandara

Refuting reports that Opposition Leader Sajith Premadasa avoided meeting visiting Iranian President Dr. Ebrahim Raisi, SJB MP Nalin Bandara said today that Opposition Leader Sajith Premadasa did not get an appointment from the Iranian Embassy to meet the Iranian President.

Sajith wants probe into distribution of low quality rice among people

Claiming that poor quality rice is being distributed among people in some areas under the government’s programme to distribute free rice for April and May, Opposition Leader Sajith Premadasa today urged the government to launch an investigation into this incident.

US$ 3 Million grant to strengthen inland fisheries

A US$ 3 million grant from the Japanese government, through the Food and Agriculture Organisation of the United Nations (FAO), in partnership with the Ministry of Fisheries, is set to boost the country’s inland fisheries sector.

Massive money transferring scam from accounts without notice: MP reveals

A massive scam is being operated where money is transferred from current and savings accounts to other multiple accounts without any notice to the account holder, an Opposition MP revealed in Parliament.

BIA welcomes Maldivian Airlines

The Bandaranaike International Airport (BIA) welcomed the Maldivian Airlines as they launched their newest flight route connecting Colombo, Sri Lanka with Male, Maldives, the Airport & Aviation Services Sri Lanka Private Ltd (AASL) said.

Sri Lanka among main countries with asthma in the world

Sri Lanka has come to the forefront among the countries in the world suffering from asthma, Sri Lanka Respiratory Disease Specialists’ Association President Dr. Neranjan Dissanayake said.

Soldier killed, nine injured in army cab-lorry collision

A soldier was killed and nine others injured when a lorry collided with an army cab at Vasanthanagar in Mankulam early this morning.

Surgeons perform first combined heart pump and pig kidney transplant

The first transplant surgery to combine a mechanical heart pump as well as a gene-edited pig kidney has been completed at NYU Langone Health, the system said Wednesday.

Sri Lanka and China discuss vehicle manufacturing investment

A meeting between the China Association of Small and Medium-commercial Enterprises (CASMCE) and Prime Minister Dinesh Gunawardena took place yesterday at Temple Trees, focusing on bilateral cooperation and investment opportunities.

Foreign powers intensify surveillance on Presidential elections as strategic interests take centre stage

Ahead of the presidential election scheduled for October this year, the foreign powers have ramped up their efforts in the assessment of ground political developments as was in the case of vital elections in the past.

Not AirAsia bidding to acquire SriLankan: Capital A CEO clarifies

Capital A CEO Tan Sri Tony Fernandes clarified that it is AirAsia Consulting Sdn Bhd that is bidding to acquire SriLankan Airlines

New uterine loop for monkey birth control

The Veterinary Faculty at Peradeniya University has introduced a novel small-sized loop designed for implantation into the uterus of female monkeys to effectively prevent pregnancy

Undercover cops to combat criminal activities in prisons: IGP

In light of ongoing criminal activities within prison facilities, police have initiated decisive measures to deploy undercover officers to monitor and thwart illicit operations within the prisons.

SLAS appoints independent committee for investigation

While the Sri Lanka Army is conducting an inquiry, a three-member independent committee headed by a Senior President’s Counsel has been appointed by Sri Lanka Automobile Sports (SLAS) to conduct an inquiry into the tragic incident that occurred during the Fox Hill Super Cross 2024 event in Diyatalawa.

No decision to reduce milk powder prices: Importers

While condemning the media reports, the Milk Powder Importers’ Association said today that they had not taken any decision to reduce the retail prices of the milk powder packets in the local market.

Let’s not get into a ‘Aragalaya’ again: President

While highlighting that the economy in on the mend, President Ranil Wickremesinghe pleaded for people not to resort to another ‘Aragalaya’ which would escalate chaos in the country.

Businessman claims Rs.50 Mn from Gota, Mahinda, Basil

A businessman, who was adversely affected by the country’s economic crisis, has sent letters of demand claiming Rs.50 million as damages from former President Gotabaya Rajapaksa, former Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa, former Finance Minister Basil Rajapaksa, former CBSL Governor Ajith Nivard Cabraal and the Monterey Board for mishandling the economic crisis in the country.

Anura Kumara leaves for Sweden tonight

National People’s Power (NPP) leader Anura Kumara Dissanayake is scheduled to leave for Sweden tonight, party sources said.

Police launch motorcycle squadron against underworld

The passing out parade of a team of 100 police personnel who underwent special training at the Katukurunda STF camp to go after criminals operating in the Western and Southern Provinces was held with the participation of Public Security Minister Tiran Alles, IGP Deshabandu Tennakoon, STF Commandant Senior DIG Waruna Jayasundara and the Western Province Senior DIG.

Do not be afraid to use weapons, Minister Alles tells police

Public Security Minister Tiran Alles told the police today that eliminating criminals from the country is not a sin and not to be afraid to use weapons.

Ali Sabry to leave for Riyadh to attend World Economic Forum

Foreign Minister Ali Sabry is scheduled to leave for Riyadh, Saudi Arabia to attend the World Economic Forum’s Special Meeting on Global Cooperation, Growth and Energy for Development which will be held in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia between April 28 and 29.

ITC Ratnadipa Colombo declared open

President Ranil Wickremesinghe unveiled the epitome of luxury: ’ITC Ratnadipa Colombo’ - featuring Sri Lanka’s inaugural sky bridge ’AHASA ONE’, soaring 100m above ground. Pix by Pradeep Dilruskshana

GCE O/L tuition classes banned from midnight April 30: Exams Dept.

Conducting coaching or tuition classes aiming at the 2023 (2024) G.C.E. Ordinary Level (O/L) Examination aspirants will be prohibited from April 30 till the date where the exam is concluded, the Department of Examinations said.

Japan grants USD 3 Mn for inland fisheries enhancement

Japan Provides USD 3 million through the Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO) to strengthen inland fisheries and improve rural livelihoods in Sri Lanka. Pix by Kithsiri de Mel

Upul Shantha Sannasgala released on bail

Upul Shantha Sannasgala, the popular tutor and author who was arrested by the Kandana Police today in connection with an alleged fraud, has been released on bail.

Railway gets S.S. Mudalige to cover GMR’s duties

Director General (Planning) of the Transport and Highways Ministry, S.S. Mudalige has been appointed to cover the duties of the position of General Manager, Railways until the Cabinet appoints a suitable officer.