Bondholders’ agreement delay won’t hinder IMF third tranche payout:  Dr. Coomaraswamy

Possible delays in reaching an agreement (in principle) with private bondholders is unlikely to impact the disbursement of the third tranche under IMF’s US$ 3billion bailout package, given negotiations are moving ahead in good faith, Former Governor of Central Bank (CB) and renowned economist, Dr. Indrajit Coomaraswamy said.

Grave risk of substandard medicines entering market soon

Sri Lanka is facing an imminent threat in its health sector with high chances of substandard medicines like human immunoglobulin entering the market in the near future, as the law enforcement body of the National Medicines Regulatory Authority (NMRA) has diminished to just a single officer since this week.

Global Week Summit of Mindfulness programme to be launched on May 3, 4

To advance the implementation of the ’’Mindfulness’’ programme, the Education Ministry plans to launch it with a Global Week Summit on May 3 and 4.

Sri Lanka 1Q24 tea exports dollar earnings at six year high

A review of data published by Sri Lanka Customs analyzed by Siyaka Research confirms that the country shipped 62 Mnkg during the period January – March 2024, up 15% on last year’s figure of 54 Mnkg.

Kenya military helicopter crashes with defense chief on board

A military helicopter carrying the head of the Kenya Defence Forces, General Francis Ogolla, has crashed in a remote area near the Ugandan border.

Suspect arrested for defrauding Belgian national over vadai and plain tea

The Moragalla Tourist Police arrested a 60-year-old man who posed as a tourist guide and fraudulently obtained money from a foreign national at an eatery in Kalutara for medhu vadai and plain tea.

CID arrests Sub Inspector, Sergeant over alleged links with drug traffickers

A Sub-Inspector from the Mawathagama police station and a Sergeant from the Doretiyawa police station, both found to have connections with drug traffickers, were arrested by the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) today.

Don’t make Presidential election a regime changing poll: Vajira

People should not make the 2024 Presidential election a regime changing poll as it has to be one which elects a custodian for the nation, UNP Chairman Vajira Abeywardana said today.

Sri Lankan wanted for 1991 murder in Romania arrested in Germany

A 53-year-old Sri Lankan man, wanted internationally for a murder committed in Bucharest in 1991, has been arrested in Germany earlier this year. He is set to be extradited to Romania on April 23 to serve a 19-year prison sentence.

Import of human immunoglobulin, medical supplies without competitive bids challenged before court

Transparency International Sri Lanka (TISL) has filed a Fundamental Rights petition before the Supreme Court seeking a declaration that the imports of human immunoglobulin (Human-IG) and several other medicinal drugs without competitive bids is wrongful and illegal.

SL Army issues general amnesty to absentees

The Ministry of Defence has directed the Sri Lanka Army to implement a month-long General Amnesty starting from April 20 to May 20, 2024 enabling all Army absentees to receive an official discharge from their service.

Climate change to cost world economy US$ 38 trillion

The global annual damage caused by climate change is estimated to be 38 trillion dollars until the year 2050, a study by a German research institute has found.

Google fires 28 employees involved in protest of Israeli cloud contract

Google has fired 28 workers after dozens of employees participated in sit-ins at the company’s New York and Sunnyvale, California, offices to protest the company’s cloud computing contract with the Israeli government.

Parties raise objections against first court case under Online Safety Act

The respondent parties in the first application filed before the Colombo Chief Magistrate’s Court under the newly enacted Online Safety Act, raised objections challenging the maintainability of the application.

NPP presents its 7-point statement on Easter attack to Cardinal

The National People’s Power (NPP) today presented to Archbishop of Colombo Cardinal Malcolm Ranjith its 7-point statement pledging to mete out justice to the victims of the Easter Sunday attacks.

Hirunika noticed to appear before Court over contempt of court

The Court of Appeal has issued notice on former Member of Parliament Hirunika Premachandra, requiring her to appear before court on May 8 in connection with a contempt of court application.

Retired Major arrested for fraud in Russian army job scheme

The Criminal Investigations Department (CID) arrested two suspects, including a retired Major of the Sri Lanka Army for fraudulently obtaining money from individuals promising employment in the Russian army.

IMF ready to support Sri Lanka’s discussions with bondholders

The International Monetary Fund (IMF) stands ready to support Sri Lanka’s discussions with international bondholders and will provide a formal assessment after the parties reach a tentative agreement-in-principle, an IMF spokesperson said on Thursday.

Marking the tree planting ritual...

A Moringa tree was planted this morning to mark the tree planting ritual for the Sinhala and Tamil New Year at the Gangaramaya Temple. Indigenous Medicine State Minister Sisira Jayakody participated at the event along with Gangaramaya Deputy Incumbent Ven. Kirinde Assaji Thera. Pix by Pradeep Dilrukshana

Sri Lankan among NASA’s new crew for next simulated Mars journey

A Sri Lankan postdoctoral research scientist Piyumi Wijesekara is among the new crew of four volunteers selected by NASA to participate in a simulated mission to Mars within a habitat at the agency’s Johnson Space Center in Houston.

Mount Ruang volcano eruption

This handout photograph taken and released by the Center for Volcanology and Geological Hazard Mitigation yesterday (17), shows Mount Ruang spewing hot lava and smoke as seen from Sitaro, North Sulawesi.

Enjoining Order preventing Maithripala holding SLFP chairmanship extended further

The Colombo District Court today further extended its enjoining order preventing former President Maithripala Sirisena from functioning as the chairman of the Sri Lanka Freedom Party (SLFP).

Indonesia issues tsunami alert after volcano erupts on remote island

Indonesian authorities on Wednesday ordered hundreds of villagers to evacuate following multiple eruptions of a remote island volcano, raising fears it could collapse into the sea and trigger a tsunami.

Proposed electricity sector reforms gazetted

A gazette notification on the proposed electricity sector reforms was published yesterday, the Power and Energy Ministry said.

Easter attacks: NPP pledges action against culprits under its government

The National People’s Power (NPP) said that a future NPP government will appoint a special Commission of Inquiry with full judicial powers to further investigate the facts

SL on alert on possible genocide allegations by Canada

Sri Lanka is still at a loss to thwart the efforts by a city council in Canada to construct what it called a Tamil genocide monument, and to counter the allegations by the Canadian politicians, an informed source said .

Tensions in Gulf could hurt Ceylon Tea cuppa: Industry

The mounting tensions in the Middle East that are becoming increasingly unpredictable are likely to impact the Ceylon Tea cuppa, the industry stakeholders said, especially since over 50 percent of the island nation’s tea is exported to that region.

Tourist arrivals cross 700,000 mark in 14 weeks

Sri Lanka crossed the 700,000 tourist arrival milestone within the first 14 weeks of the year, almost half the time frame taken to reach the mark in 2023.

Tough action against those inconveniencing foreign visitors: Diana Gamage

Strict measures will be taken against anyone causing inconvenience to foreigners visiting the country. She expressed concern over a group of individuals engaging in such indecent behavior, labeling them as disgraceful, Tourism State Minister Diana Gamage said.

Highest possible level of transparency provided in bondholders talks: Semasinghe

In a bid to set the record straight, State Minister Finance Shehan Semasinghe pointed out that authorities continue to engage all debt restructuring negotiations in good faith, within principles of equitable treatment among creditors, and with maximum transparency within the norms of such negotiations.