SOE reforms must move ahead without disruptions: Shah

It is essential for the reforms planned for the government owned entities to go ahead without further disruptions, else it is the general public that will continue to take on the burden, State Owned Enterprises Restructuring Unit (SOERU) Head Suresh Shah said.

100 intelligence officers reassigned for security in Colombo

Around 100 Intelligence Officers from the police in the Western Province have been discharged from their duties and reassigned to security duties in Colombo.

Foreigners overstaying visas and doing odd jobs

Foreign nationals who overstay their visas and do various odd jobs to earn money continue unabated with the authorities concerned hamstrung with the lack of resources to curb them, an official said.

School student dies after concrete bay collapse in Maskeliya

Tragedy struck when a concrete bay collapsed killing a pupil of the Gartmore Tamil High School in Maskeliya today.

Protest for promised jobs...

The Joint Centre for Unemployed Graduates staged a protest outside the Fort Railway Station today urging the authorities to provide them with jobs that were promised earlier. Pix by Pradeep Dilrukshana

Education Ministry website hacked, hacker raises security concerns

The official website of the Sri Lanka Ministry of Education has fallen victim to a cyber intrusion.

President inaugurates Ratnapura Gem Tower

The International Gem and Jewellery Trade Centre, known as the Ratnapura Gem Tower, was inaugurated this morning (04) by President Ranil Wickremesinghe.

Court orders CID to investigate credibility of Maithripala’s statement

The Maligakanda Magistrate’s Court today ordered the CID to investigate into the credibility of former President Maithripala Sirisena’s controversial revelation regarding the Easter Sunday attacks.

Kamindu among ICC contenders for March Player of the Month awards

The International Cricket Council (ICC) today revealed the shortlist of candidates in contention to scoop the ICC Men’s and Women’s Player of the Month awards for performances in March.

Sun directly over Sri Lanka for 10 days

The sun is expected to be directly over Sri Lanka from April 5 to April 15, as a result of its apparent northward relative motion, the Forecasting Division of the National Meteorological Centre said.

Authorities directed to develop programme to maintain essential services for New Year

President Ranil Wickremesinghe has directed officials to develop a formal programme aimed at maintaining essential and public services seamlessly during the upcoming Sinhala and Tamil New Year season.

First application under Online Safety Act filed before Court

The first application under the newly enacted Online Safety Act was made to the Colombo Chief Magistrate’s Court and Court issued a conditional order preventing respondent parties from communicating alleged false information against former Chairman of the Public Utilities Commission (PUCSL) Janaka Ratnayake.

SC decides to hear FR petition against policemen involved in Narammala shooting

The Supreme Court today granted leave to proceed with the Fundamental Rights petition filed by the widow of the carpenter who died in the Narammala police gunfire during the ’Yukthiya Operation’.

Damitha, her husband arrested by CID

Actress Damitha Abeyratne and her husband were arrested by the Criminal Investigations Department (CID) this morning.

M.G. Weerasena to fill vacancy created by K.H. Nandasena’s death

M.G. Weerasena is to fill the vacancy created by the death of Anuradhapura District SLPP MP K.H. Nandasena.

CBK obtains enjoining order against Maithripala on SLFP Chairmanship

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

’Dunhinda Odyssey’ to be launched tomorrow

While marking 100 years since the beginning of the train service between Colombo and Badulla, the Railways Department is to launch a special train, ’Dunhinda Odyssey’, tomorrow.

Defence Ministry declares month-long general amnesty for Tri Forces absentees

The Ministry of Defence has declared a month-long General Amnesty from 20 April to 20 May (2024) to Tri-Forces absentees, enabling them to receive an official discharge from their respective services.

Lord Buddha relics from Sri Lanka to be presented To Dalai Lama

Lord Buddha’s sacred Kapilawasthu relics, situated at a holy temple in Sri Lanka, will be offered to the Dalai Lama on Thursday morning, the office of Dalai Lama said in a statement.

MP H. Nandasena passes away at 69

Anuradhapura District MP of Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna (SLPP) H. Nandasena has passed away this morning (04) at the age of 69 due to a sudden illness.

Historic day for Sri Lanka with South Africa series clinched

Sri Lanka’s women’s side created history in East London on Wednesday as they registered their first series triumph over South Africa in any format.

Trains delayed on mainline this morning

Train services on the main line will be delayed due to the technical fault of a train that plies to Colombo Fort from Maho blocking the tracks this morning.

Education Ministry to increase examiner allowances in two to three weeks

The Education Ministry has decided to increase the allowances paid to examiners and those engaged in examination duties in the next two to three weeks.

Taylor Swift joins world’s richest on billionaire list

Taylor Swift has joined Elon Musk as ranking among the world’s wealthiest people, according to a new rich list.

Attempt to dissolve Parliament for snap General Election fails

The attempt by some MPs to dissolve Parliament by passing a resolution has proven to be a futile exercise as the required number of 113 MPs cannot be mustered, a parliamentarian who wished to remain anonymous said.

Central Bank issues guidelines to establish Business Revival Units

Sri Lanka will likely see fewer businesses collapse from the challenging macroeconomic circumstances, as the financial sector regulator, the Central Bank, instructed the licensed banks to further strengthen the already established revival units.

Tourist arrivals surpass 200,000 mark but miss monthly target

Sri Lanka crossed the 200,000 tourist arrival mark for four consecutive months from December 2023, through March 2024, affirming good times are back for the once hard-hit industry that almost came to a standstill.

Sustainability neglect may stunt tourism growth in Sri Lanka: Intrepid Travel Chief

A global leader in responsible tourism raised concerns on lack of focus on sustainability in the tourism sector, which in turn could impede the current growth momentum in the medium term.

Colombo schoolchildren at higher risk of road accidents: Minister

Children attending school face a greater risk of road accidents in the densely populated city of Colombo compared to other areas of the country, Education Minister Susil Premajayantha said, addressing an event organized at the Ministry for the official launch of the ’School Road Safety Club’.

Weak prosecution case clears police OIC charged for bribery

The Colombo High Court Judge Navaratne Marasinghe today acquitted the former OIC of Mount-Lavinia Special Crime Investigation Bureau (SCIB) Inspector of Police Samaraweera Gunarathne from all the charges of bribery as the prosecution failed to prove the charges beyond reasonable doubt.