Damitha, husband granted bail

Popular actress Damitha Abeyratne and her husband, who were held in remand custody over an alleged financial fraud, were today ordered to be released on bail by the Colombo Fort Magistrate’s Court.

Ten families from Ella evacuated due to impending landslide danger

Steps were taken last morning to evacuate ten families from Karandagolla in Ella due to the danger of an impending landslide.

Debate on Easter Sunday attacks begins

The three-day adournment debate on the Easter Sunday attacks commenced in Parliament today.

Iranian President arrives in Sri Lanka

President of the Islamic Republic of Iran Dr. Ebrahim Raisi arrived at the Mattala Rajapaksa International Airport (MRIA) a short while ago for the opening of the the Uma Oya Multipurpose Development Project.

M.G. Weerasena sworn in as MP

M.G. Weerasena was sworn in as a Member of Parliament before Speaker Mahinda Yapa Abeywardena today.

US Senate approves potential TikTok ban

The US Senate has approved a controversial landmark bill that could see TikTok banned in America.

Puttalam Qazi court judge arrested for accepting bribe

A judge from the Puttalam Qazi Court has been arrested by officials from the Commission to Investigate Bribery or Corruption, for accepting a Rs. 5,000 bribe.

Teacher recruitment interviews from April 29–May 9 at Education Ministry

Interviews for the recruitment of teachers will be conducted between April 29 and May 9 at the Education Ministry in accordance with the results of the competitive examination held on March 2.

Prepared for debate in May but not on dates suggested by NPP: SJB

Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB) yesterday said its leader Sajith Premadasa is ready for the proposed debate with National People’s Power (NPP), leader Anura Kumara Dissanayake on the policies of both parties on economic issues in the month of May but not on dates proposed by NPP Member Nalinda Jayatissa.

Sri Lankan Ambassador engages in bilateral talks with Gambian President

Sri Lankan Ambassador Kana Kananathan in Kenya, who is concurrently accredited to other African countries, engaged in bilateral discussions with Adama Barrow, the President of The Gambia, marking a step forward in solidifying the bonds of friendship and cooperation between the two nations.

Mattala airport privatization: Cabinet decision this week

The Cabinet is likely to endorse a proposal this week on the transfer of the management of Sri Lanka’s second largest Mattala international airport, a top official said.

Sri Lanka weighs Open Skies amidst plans for national carrier privatization

Sri Lanka is in a dilemma to decide whether to adopt an open skies policy or not in the event of divestiture of shares of the national carrier ‘SriLankan Airlines’, a top official said.

Katunayake-Colombo Expressway closed from 2pm to 3pm today

In view of the Iranian President’s visit, Katunayake - Colombo Expressway will be closed from 2 pm to 3 pm and 9:30 pm to 10:30 pm today, police announced.

Tight security for Iranian President’s visit to Sri Lanka

Stringent security measures have been put in place ahead of the arrival of Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi in Sri Lanka today. The President is scheduled for a one-day official visit to join a public event commemorating the launch of the Uma Oya Multipurpose Development Project (UOMDP).

IMF third tranche hinges on proposed PFM Act: Dr. Coomaraswamy

The proposed Public Financial Management (PFM) Act remains crucial for the disbursement of the third tranche under the International Monetary Fund’s (IMF) US$ 3billion bailout package, stressed Former Central Bank (CB) Governor and economist, Dr. Indrajit Coomaraswamy.

Loosening fiscal squeeze could derail IMF programme commitments: Economist

A top economist yesterday raised concerns over the “loosening of fiscal squeeze” by authorities to stimulate economic growth. Since doing so could lead to potential risks of jeopardising Sri Lanka’s agreements with the International Monetary Fund (IMF).

Tourist arrival momentum dips slightly in April

Tourist arrivals to the island nation continue to pickup from levels witnessed since the pandemic and the economic crisis. However, a slight drop in momentum is seen for the month of April.

Sri Lanka took minimal steps to punish officials who committed human rights abuses: US report

Sri Lanka took minimal steps to identify and punish officials who may have committed human rights abuses, the 2023 report issued by the US State Department’s Bureau of Democracy, Human Rights and Labour on Sri Lanka’s Human Rights Practices has alleged.

Uma Oya Hydro Power Plant to add 120 MW to national grid: Minister

With the commissioning of the Uma Oya Hydro Power Plant tomorrow, 120 MW generation capacity will be added to the national grid and reduce the cost of energy, Power and Energy Minister Kanchana Wijesekara said today.

Finance Ministry urges public caution during vehicle purchases

The Finance Ministry has urged the public to exercise vigilance when purchasing vehicles as numerous vehicles have been imported into Sri Lanka through various illegal methods from 2015 to 2022.

Voyager-1 sends readable data again from deep space

The US space agency says its Voyager-1 probe is once again sending usable information back to Earth after months of spouting gibberish.

Sixteen dead, 28 missing after boat capsizes off Djibouti coast

Sixteen would-be migrants have died and another 28 are missing after a boat carrying 77 people capsized off the coast of Djibouti, the second such incident in two weeks, the United Nations migration agency said on Tuesday.

Court bars CEB employees’ protest march

The Colombo Chief Magistrate’s Court issued a restraining order preventing a planned protest march by the Ceylon Electricity Board (CEB) employees’ union tomorrow near the Polduwa Junction in the Welikada police area.

Narendra Modi accused of ‘anti-Muslim hate speech’

India’s main opposition party accused Prime Minister Narendra Modi of using hate speech after he called Muslims “infiltrators” — some of his most incendiary rhetoric about the minority faith, days after the country began its weekslong general election.

Temperature rises to ’Caution’ level

The Meteorology Department issued a cautionary warning today about escalating temperatures that may be particularly intense for people across the country except in Matale, Kandy, Nuwara Eliya and Badulla.

Elephants in search of food...

Wild elephants crossing the road at Tissamaharama in search of food and water in the current dry weather. Some elephants were searching for food amidst the garbage dumped by the people. Pix by Nisal Baduge

Colombo’s consular services temporarily suspended for system transition

Document authentication services provided by the Consular Affairs Division of the Foreign Affairs Ministry in Colombo will be temporarily suspended for the public on April 29 and 30 in order to facilitate the transition of the Electronic Document Authentication System (e-DAS) to the new premises at Suhurupaya.

Top Chinese delegation meets Anura Kumara

A top delegation of the Chinese Communist Party headed by Vice Minister of the International Department, Sun Haiyan met National People’s Power (NPP) leader Anura Kumara Dissanayake at the JVP head office today.

Over 25 tons of garbage disposed in Sri Pada for five months

More than 25 tons of garbage have been disposed of into the environment in the Sri Pada route from Nallathaniya for the last five months of the Sri Pada pilgrimage season.

More than one in five cars sold worldwide in 2024 will be electric

More than one in five cars sold worldwide in 2024 will be electric vehicles (EV’s) according to the forecasts of the International Energy Agency (IEA).