President addresses challenges confronting Muslim schools in Colombo

In a concerted effort to tackle the educational hurdles encountered by Muslim schools in the Colombo region, President Ranil Wickremesinghe chaired a formal discussion at the Presidential Secretariat today (02).

12-year-old shoots classmate dead, wounds two others in Finland

One child was killed and two seriously wounded in a shooting at a school outside the Finnish capital on Tuesday, police said, with a 12-year-old fellow pupil suspected of the attack taken into custody.

Parliament approves VAT increase from 15% to 18%

The order under the Value Added Tax (VAT) which proposed to increase the VAT percentage from 15 percent to 18 percent was passed in Parliament with a majority of 36 votes.

Taxes to be levied from importers who have earned undue profits

The Ways and Means Committee has requested the Customs to handover the names of importers, who have earned undue profits last year, to the Inland Revenue Department so that they could be taxed, the Chairman of the Committee Patali Champika Ranawaka said today.

Sri Lanka’s economy shows signs of stabilization, but poverty remains elevated

Sri Lanka’s economy is projected to see moderate growth of 2.2% in 2024, showing signs of stabilization, following the severe economic downturn of 2022 while the country still faces elevated poverty levels, income inequality, and labor market concerns, said the World Bank’s latest bi-annual update.

1,000 vehicles to be imported to accelerate tourism industry development

Cabinet approval has been granted to import 1,000 vehicles only for the tourism industry to transport tourists, Cabinet spokesman and Minister Bandula Gunawardana said.

Close all liquor, meat shops on May 22, 23 and 24

Due to a series of programms to be held for the State Vesak festival for Sri Buddha year 2568 (2024), the Buddha Sasana, Religious and Cultural Affairs Ministry requested to stop the slaughter of animals and to close down meat shops and places where drugs are sold, including liquor stores, on May 22, 23 and 24.

Anura ready for public debate with Sajith on economic policies: Handunnetti

The National People’s Power (NPP) today invited Opposition Leader Sajith Premadasa for a public debate on economic policies with NPP leader and presidential candidate Anura Kumara Dissanayake.

Ehelepola Walawwa to be handed over to Dalada Maligawa

In accordance with a decision at the Cabinet meeting held on February 19, approval was granted to hand over the Ehelepola Walawwa to the Temple of the Tooth Relic (Sri Dalada Maligawa).

Indian, Sri Lankan crew stay aboard ship till probe is complete

The crew of 20 Indians and a Sri Lankan of the container vessel that collided with a key Baltimore bridge last week is “busy with their normal duties” and will remain on board until the investigation into the accident is completed.

Cabinet approves providing free sanitary pads for 800,000 remote school students

Cabinet approval was granted to implement a programme to provide sanitary pads free of charge annually from April 2024 to 800,000 female students studying in most remote schools.

Cabinet approves contract for four aircraft to Sri Lankan Aviation Company

Cabinet granted approval to award the contract for obtaining two out of the five required wide-body aircraft for Sri Lankan Aviation Company Limited under the operational lease scheme.

Court refuses bail to Ven. Gnanasara Thera

The Colombo High Court today refused to release Bodu Bala Sena (BBS) General Secretary Ven. Galaboda Atte Gnanasara Thera on bail.

Parliament sessions suspended due to absence of scheduled speakers

Parliament sessions were suspended till 4.00 pm today by Deputy Speaker Ajith Rajapakse due to the absence of both Government and Opposition MPs to speak in the debate scheduled for today.

Health workers protest - 2nd day

Health workers today held a protest in front of the Health Ministry for the second day over several demands, including the provision of a Disturbance, Availability and Transport (DAT) allowance. Pix by Nisal Baduge

Not possible to suspend liquor license for long: State Minister

It is not possible to suspend liquor licenses for a long period as the government loses revenue in such an eventuality, State Minister of Finance Ranjith Siyambalapitiya told Parliament today.

Order on Ven. Gnanasara Thera’s bail request to be delivered today

Colombo High Court Judge Adithya Patabendige has scheduled for 12.30 p.m. today the delivery of its order regarding the bail application filed on behalf of Bodu Bala Sena (BBS) General Secretary Ven. Galaboda Atte Gnanasara Thera, who was sentenced to four years of rigorous imprisonment.

World’s End attracts more tourists...

During the recent long weekend, a significant number of tourists and local residents were observed visiting World’s End. With the country’s economy on the mend, there has been an increase in tourist arrivals, leading them to explore various areas, including Nuwara Eliya, for leisure activities. Pix by Nisal Baduge

New Director General appointed to Bribery Commission

President Ranil Wickremesinghe has appointed W.K.D. Wijerathne as the Director General of the Commission to Investigate Allegations of Bribery or Corruption, the President’s Media Division (PMD) said.

Railways to remove hazardous trees along Galabada-Hatton line

The Railways Department has decided to remove the dangerous trees on both sides of the railway line between Galabada and Hatton, Railways Superintendent S. Godage said.

Central Environment Authority investigating into ship carrying toxic wastes from US: Minister

The Central Environment Authority (CEA) has launched a comprehensive investigation into the incident where a Singapore cargo ship was carrying hazardous materials to Sri Lanka from the US, State Minister of Environment Janaka Wakkumbura said today.

SL border officials thwart 10 illegal migration attempts via BIA in first quarter

About ten unlawful attempts by the Sri Lankans to leave their homeland for good in search of European greener pastures have been thwarted by the local border controlling agents during the first quarter of this year.

Dinesh Chandimal withdraws from ongoing 2nd Test match

Dinesh Chandimal has withdrawn from the team playing the 2nd Test match against Bangladesh with immediate effect due to a ’family medical emergency.’

Sri Lanka unaware of ship carrying toxic wastes from the US

Sri Lanka is not yet aware of the nature of hazardous materials in the Singapore cargo ship Dali chartered by Maersk, which crashed into the Baltimore, US bridge on March 26, carrying 764 tons of hazardous materials as reported by the US media, an official said.

Katchatheevu Island a done deal, India has no intention to reverse agreement

India has no intention to reverse the agreement that ceded the Katchatheevu Island to Sri Lanka despite the political debate in India that is primarily meant for domestic consumption in view of the upcoming Lok Sabha elections, Daily Mirror learns.

Exporters call for urgent action on rupee appreciation

Five leading export associations have called on the authorities to tackle the pressing challenges posed by the Sri Lankan rupee’s appreciation against the US dollar.

Local milk powder consumption slowly increasing: Maliban

Sri Lanka’s monthly milk powder consumption, which almost halved following the economic crisis, due to the price escalation, is witnessing a slight increase, a senior industry representative said.

Laugfs Gas announces massive price drop in domestic LPG

Laugfs Gas PLC yesterday announced a substantial reduction in the prices of its Laugfs-branded domestic liquefied petroleum gas (LPG), effective midnight.

Tax concessions lead to Rs 978 bn foregone revenue in FY 2022/23

For the fiscal year 2022/23 (April to March), tax concessions resulted in a total of LKR 978 billion in foregone revenue, the government reported yesterday (31 March).

Eight including Excise officials arrested for Kerala Ganja trafficking

Eight suspects, including four Excise officials were arrested by the Police Narcotics Bureau (PNB) for allegedly transporting 45 kilograms of Kerala Ganja in a cab belonging to the Excise Office.