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

Will launch real ’Yukthiya’ operation under NPP government: Samantha Vidyaratne

Claiming that the ’Yukthiya’ operation nets only the minor offenders, NPP politburo member Samantha Vidyaratne said the National People’s Power (NPP) will launch the real ’Yukthiya’ operation under its government.

Sri Lanka make highest Test total without a hundred

In the second Test of the two-match series against Bangladesh, Sri Lanka amassed 531, the highest ever Test match total without an individual hundred.

Man dies due to sudden illness at spa

A 52 year old man who sought the services of an unauthorized spa at Embillawatta on the Dehiwala-Maharagama main road died due to a sudden illness.

Local egg price will be below Rs.35 during festive season

As domestic egg production has exceeded the total daily requirement, the price of an egg is likely to be below Rs. 35 during the coming festive season.

Devram Vehera Medin maha perahera

Medin Maha Perahera of the Pannipitiya Devram Vehera was held last night for the seventeenth time. Inspector General of Police Deshbandu Tennakoon also joined this procession as a guest, which was organized under the guidance of Most Ven. Kolonnawe Siri Sumangala thera.

‘Eye opening’: PM Modi lashes out at Congress for giving away Katchatheevu island to Sri Lanka

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday lashed out at the Congress party over a controversial island, Katchatheevu that was given to Sri Lanka by former Indian Prime Minister Indira Gandhi in 1974. The Katchatheevu island debate has taken centre stage in Tamil Nadu politics as the Lok Sabha election nears.

Easter Sunday celebrated in a clam athomosphere

The Easter Sunday service was held at St Anthony’s Church Kochchikade in a clam athomosphere but under tight security. The church was reduced to a carnage five years ago when a suicide bomber blew up him self killing scores of people. Pic by Kushan Pathiraja

Man hospitalized after police shooting in Ranminithenna

An individual was hospitalized after he was shot at by the police during a raid in Ranminithenna.

Security tightened near churches

Inspector General of Police Deshabandu Tennakoon has instructed all police stations to deploy special security measures at churches hosting Easter Sunday services.

UNESCO adopts landmark decision for International day of Vesak

The Executive Board of UNESCO at its 219th Session adopted by acclamation a Decision to commemorate the International Day of Vesak at UNESCO in alignment with the Organization’s core mandate of promoting global peace, intercultural dialogue, and the preservation of cultural heritage.

Health Ministry probes fatal incident at Ragama Hospital

The Ministry of Health has launched an investigation following the tragic death of a 50-year-old patient at Ragama Teaching Hospital shortly after receiving a vaccine.

Inflation in March 0.9, non-food inflation - 0.5: Siyambalapitiya

Following the latest Central Bank report, the inflation in March was 0.9, and inflation in the non-food sector was 0.5, Finance State Minister Ranjith Siyambalapitiya said.

Sri Lanka, India discuss economic connectivity projects

Senior Advisor to the President on National Security and Chief of Presidential Staff, Sagala Ratnayaka, led a high-level delegation in discussions with Indian officials in New Delhi on March 28, aimed at assessing bilateral economic connectivity projects between Sri Lanka and India.

Amaraweera, Lasantha, Duminda removed from SLFP positions

Ministers Mahinda Amaraweera, Lasantha Alagiyawanna and Duminda Dissanayake were stripped of their positions in the Sri Lanka Freedom Party (SLFP) today.

China, Sri Lanka ink MoU on conformity assessment cooperation

The China Quality Certification Center and the Sri Lanka Bureau of Standards signed a Memorandum of Understanding on Friday on mutual recognition of conformity assessment results at a ceremony held in Shanghai.

Immigration nabs Indians violating work visa conditions in N’eliya restaurants

Three Indian nationals who were engaged in employment at restaurants in Nuwara-eliya by violating their work visa conditions were nabbed by the Immigration and Emigration Department yesterday.

Innocent Passage to enter Arabian Sea: India remains unresponsive to Sri Lanka’s request

India remains unresponsive to the request by Sri Lanka to allow an innocent passage through the Indian Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) for its fishermen to enter the Arabian Sea, a top source said.

An early General Election will create political unrest: Ruwan

An early General Election will create political unrest as the ultimate result of it would be a hung Parliament, UNP Deputy Leader Ruwan Wijewardene said yesterday.

Singaporean authority accuses Colombo Port of inaction in X-Press Pearl disaster

A Singaporean authority has made a serious accusation against Colombo Port over the X- Press Pearl disaster saying that to assist was deemed limited and there was no follow-up after a team of firemen had assessed the situation onboard XP.

Abolition of corporal punishment problematic in Sri Lanka: NCPA

Abolition of corporal punishment in Sri Lanka is problematic because of the attitude of children, parents and the teachers, said the National Child Protection Authority (NCPA).

Karuna decides to back Ranil at Presidential Election

The Tamil United Freedom Front, the political party led by one time LTTE commander turned politician Vinayagamurthi Muralitharan alias Karuna Amman, decided to support President Ranil Wickremesinghe if he contests the presidential election.

National Hospital Colombo water tanks untouched for 20 years: Dr. Bellana

The National Hospital Colombo (NHC) Deputy Director Dr. Rukshan Bellana, said today that the hospital’s main water tank tower and other water storage tanks have not been cleaned in the past 20 years.

Confident SL eye series win over Bangladesh

After convincingly defeating Bangladesh in the first Test, Sri Lanka will be determined to clinch victory in the two-Test series when the two teams clash in the second Test starting at Chattogram tomorrow.

Single-track operations on coastal line between Colombo Fort and Wellawatta till Sunday

The train operations on the coastal line will run on a single track between Colombo Fort and Wellawatta railway stations until Sunday (31), the Railways Department said.

Ven. Gnanasara Thera admitted to Prison Hospital

Bodu Bala Sena (BBS) General Secretary Ven. Galagodaaththe Gnanasara Thera who was sentenced to four years of rigorous imprisonment has been admitted to the Prison Hospital, Prisons Spokesman Gamini Dissanayake said.

Minimum monthly expenditure per person gone up by 144% compared to 2019:DCS

The minimum expenditure required by a person to fulfill the basic needs for a month has gone up by 144 per cent in January, 2024 when compared to 2019, the Official Poverty Line declared by the Department of Census and Statistics (DCS) has revealed.

Special Commodity Levy to be scrapped from next year: Siyambalapitiya

The Special Commodity Levy that was imposed to protect the local famers and producers will be scrapped from January next year and a new tax system based on seasons will be introduced, State Minister of Finance Ranjith Siyambalapitiya said today.

Easter security beefed up...

Security has been beefed up at all churches in view of Good Friday and Easter Sunday. The IGP has instructed the OICs to meet with the priests and boards of trustees of churches to prepare security plans that will be tailored according to the needs of each church while the Holy Masses are in progress today and tomorrow. Pix by Nimalsiri Edirisinghe