Sri Lankan bank teller saves woman losing $2000 to ’cunning’ romance scam

A bank teller from Sri Lanka, working at the Melbourne branch of National Australia Bank,saved a woman who he said was ’’blinded by her love’’ from losing thousands of dollars to a ’’cunning’’ scammer.

Visa-free entry extended to visitors from seven countries including India, Russia

The pilot project that allows visa-free entry to visitors from seven countries, which includes India, China and Russia has been extended till April 30, 2024, Minister of Tourism Harin Fernando said.

Pakistan court suspends Imran Khan’s prison sentence in state gifts case

A court in Pakistan has suspended former Prime Minister Imran Khan’s jail sentence in a case related to illegal selling of state gifts.

Cops tender apologies as per Sinhala tradition

Five policemen have tendered an apology as per Sinhala tradition during a Supreme Court hearing involving the arrest of three individuals over Easter Sunday attacks.

University student killed in train accident

A third-year student of the Law Faculty of the Peradeniya University has been killed after being hit by a train in the Penideniya area, Peradeniya Police said.

President appoints Independent Remuneration Committee to review Central Bank pay hike

President Ranil Wickremesinghe, in his capacity as the Minister of Finance, Economic Stabilization and National Policies has appointed an Independent Remuneration Committee to review the salary increase of the Central Bank.

Ten distillery companies default taxes worth Rs 6.9 billion in 2023

Ten distillery companies have defaulted taxes to the tune of Rs 6.9 billion in 2023 as per the report of the Ways and Means Committee which was tabled in Parliament today.

Recent fuel price revision shows which sections of society affected most

The recent reduction of Petrol 95 Octane by Rs.7 and super diesel by Rs. 72 shows which sections of society were most affected by the economic difficulties, All-Island Three-Wheeler Drivers’ Union (AITWDU) President Lalith Dharmasekera said.

Sri Lanka donates USD 01 mn aid to Gaza’s conflict-affected children

Sri Lanka today donated USD 01 million as aid to Gaza’s conflict-affected children, the President’s Media Division (PMD) said.

500 bicycles donated from Japan to support school attendance in remote areas

In order to encourage the daily school attendance of school children in remote areas, a total of 500 bicycles were given as a grant from the Japanese ’ChildFund’ organization to Sri Lanka to provide students with the opportunity to attend school continuously.

UNDP meets NPP; discusses increasing poverty in Sri Lanka

The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) met with National People’s Power (NPP) today at the JVP Head Office, party sorces said.

No bus fare revision at this time, potential switch to super diesel if price decreases further: Gemunu

Since there hasn’t been a price revision for Lanka Auto Diesel, it is not possible to consider a bus fare revision right now, but if the prices of Lanka Super Diesel decrease further, they may be able to switch to using it, Lanka Private Bus Owners Association (LPBOA) president Gemunu Wijerathne said.

Health workers protest

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

AG’s Department has done its duty, other institutions should act: Minister

The Attorney General’s Department has implemented the action recommended by the Presidential Commission which probed the Easter Sunday attacks while it is up to other institutions to act, Minister of Justice Wijedasa Rajapakshe told Parliament today.

Litro gas prices reduced from today

The price of a 12.5 kg domestic Litro LP gas cylinder will reduced by Rs. 135 from midnight today, Litro Gas said.

Government withdraws Bill to reduce consent age for sex to 14 years

The government today withdrew the Penal Code (Amendment) Bill which calls to reduce the consent age for sex to 14 years.

Woman to be summoned before Privileges Committee over social media post

A person is to be summoned before the Commitee on Privileges for a post uploaded on social media criticising an MP.

Wijeyadasa’s presence at SLFP meeting creates stir

Presence of Minister Wijeyadasa Rajapakshe at the SLFP central committee meeting over the weekend surprised many. Responding to journalists as to whether he intends joining SLFP, the Minister said he will make a political decision later.

SL braces for AI powered election malpractices in future

In the wake of AI (Artificial Intelligence) powered election malpractices mushrooming globally, Sri Lanka’s Election Commission is bracing for such possibilities in the future elections here, an official said yesterday.

Man who came first in drinking competition dies within hours

An individual who came first in a drinking competition in Lethenty estate in Hatton had died within hours of the competition.

Ship was carrying US toxic waste to Sri Lanka: Report

The Singapore cargo ship Dali chartered by Maersk, which crashed into the Baltimore, US bridge on Tuesday 26 March, was carrying 764 tons of hazardous materials to Sri Lanka,

Another health strike to inconvenience millions

The specter of a widespread health worker strike looms over Sri Lanka’s medical landscape, as the Health Trade Union Alliance, representing 72 unions, has issued an ultimatum slated to commence on Tuesday, April 2, at 6:30 a.m.

Construction sector activities gather momentum as infrastructure projects return

The construction sector, which picked up at the start of the year, is seen gathering pace as the Purchasing Manager’s Index (PMI) compiled only for the sector showed continued expansion in February.

Tourist arrivals cross 600,000 mark within three months

Tourist arrivals to Sri Lanka surged past the 600,000 mark by 27 March, in nearly half the time compared to last year. Provisional data from the Sri Lanka....

Beach cleaning in Crow Island

Senior Presidential Advisor on Climate Change Ruwan Wijewardene participated in a beach cleaning campaign at Crow Island in Colombo 15 yesterday. The programme was organized by Sustainability Climate Action Plan, Marine Environment Protection Authority, National Youth Services Council and few other civil organisations. Pix by Nisal Baduge

Bunker demand rises across Sri Lankan ports

As shipowners and charters continue to take longer voyages to avoid Red Sea, bunker demand across ports on India’s west coast has risen and VLSFO supplies at the ports of Kochi....

Trade account reflects normalising economy

The deficit in the trade account of the Balance of Payment (BoP) widened in February from a year ago on higher imports as the economy normalises.

Fuel prices revised from tonight

The Ceylon Petroleum Corporation (CPC) has decided to revise its fuel prices with effect from tonight.

School students taken into custody for holding alcohol party in abandoned building

A group of school students who held an alcohol party in an abandoned building in the Welimada area were taken into custody by the police.

15-year strategic national development plan discussed

A 15-year strategic national development plan for the development of the country, which has been discussed in the country for a long time, has been presented to all political leaders and with their participation, a special programme has been launched to implement it in the country. The presentation of this strategic national plan to all political party members was held at the Shangri-La Hall in Colombo. Pix by Kirthsiri de Mel