Mahinda conveys condolences after Moscow attack

Former President Mahinda Rajapaksa visited the Russian Embassy in Colombo today to express his condolences following the recent terrorist attack in Moscow. In a solemn gesture of solidarity and sympathy, he signed the condolence book to convey his deepest condolences to the government and people of Russia.

Minimum salary increased to Rs.17,500

Cabinet approval has been granted to amend the National Minimum Wage Act.

T-56 firearm goes missing at Wilgamuwa Police station

An investigation has been launched following the disappearance of a T-56 firearm of a police officer on duty at the Wilgamuwa Police Station in Matale.

USD 100 million, technical assistance to boost SMEs

The Asian Development Bank (ADB) will finance USD 100 million and technical assistance to boost Sri Lankan small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), the Finance Ministry, Economic Stabilization and National Policies announced.

Singer Chandra Kumara Kandaanarachchi passes away

Veteran singer Chandra Kumara Kandaanarachchi has passed away this morning at the age of 76.

12 more underworld gang members arrested

Twelve more suspected criminals of underworld gangs have been arrested yesterday during the special operation launched to crack down on organized criminal activities.

Customs seize rats among smuggled animals on SriLankan flight

A business couple was arrested last evening at the arrival lounge of the Bandaranaike International Airport (BIA) by Customs officials for attempting to smuggle 88 live animals worth Rs. 4 million into the country.

Fraudulent doctors offering Israeli jobs arrested

The officers of the Special Investigation Department of the Sri Lanka Foreign Employment Bureau (SLFEB) yesterday arrested a person who was defrauding money by using the names of high officials of the Labour and Foreign Employment Ministry, claiming to be a doctor and was offering jobs in the agricultural sector in Israel.

Will resort to massive trade union action if demands not met: Teachers’ principals’ union

The Teachers’ Principals’ Trade Union Alliance (TPTUA) yesterday warned the Finance Ministry Secretary that they would resort to severe trade union action if they did not receive any solutions to their demands, including the salary anomaly issues, Ceylon Teachers’ Union (CTU) General Secretary Joseph Stalin said.

Presidential Election in October first week

President Ranil Wickremesinghe has informed his close associates and hinted to his cabinet that the Presidential Election will be held as scheduled, indicating Basil Rajapaksa’s failure in convincing the President to hold the Parliamentary Polls first, the Daily Mirror learns.

Tax burden likely to remain longer than expected

Sri Lanka, coming out of the economic crisis, has significantly taxed businesses and individuals alike and according to the International Monetary Fund (IMF), this burden is here to stay, at least for now.

Rs. 3,439 million earned by exporting coconut water

An income of Rs. 3,439 million was earned in February this year by exporting coconut water from Sri Lanka, the Coconut Development Authority (CDA) said.

Two-week test runs to revise several train timetables

The Railway Department has decided to revise several train timetables on the Puttalam line as well as on the main and northern railway lines as per a two-week test run schedule starting today.

I don’t blame history; fulfill responsibility to the best: Susil

’’People in our country have a very short memory. I don’t blame history. If we bear the present responsibility, we will fulfill that responsibility to the best of our ability,’’ Education Minister Susil Premajayantha said.

President appoints Acting Cabinet Minister

State Minister Janaka Wakkambura has been appointed as Acting Cabinet Minister for Provincial Councils and Local Government

Kamindu Mendis cranks up pressure on Kusal Mendis

Kamindu Mendis made a grand comeback to the longest format smashing twin centuries against Bangladesh in the First Test concluded in Sylhet on Monday (25) becoming the first batman to do so batting at number 7 or lower position.

School children or their aging will not wait until our issues solved: Minister

Schoolchildren cannot wait, and their growth cannot be halted till we address their issues after resolving our own. They may opt for alternative educational systems in the meantime, Education Minister Susil Premajayantha said.

CA quashes PCoL recommendations against Ranil, Anura and others

The Court of Appeal today issued a writ of certiorari, squashing the report, the findings and the recommendations made by the Presidential Commission on Political Victimisation (PCoI) in respect of incumbent President Ranil Wickremesinghe, JVP leader Anura Kumara Dissanayake and several others.

Attorney General objects to Keheliya’s bail request

The Attorney General today raised objections against the bail application filed on behalf of former Health Minister Keheliya Rambukwella, who is currently held in remand custody in connection with the alleged import of substandard Immunoglobulin injections.

Despite showers, caution level temperature warning issued for 11 districts

Despite the showers at several places in the country, the National Meteorological Centre today issued a ’caution level’ warning that the temperature felt on the human body is expected to increase in eleven districts.

Moscow attack: Russian court charges four men with act of terrorism

Russia has charged four men it says attacked a Moscow concert hall and killed at least 137 people.

CID records Maithripala’s statement for nearly 6 hours

After recording a statement for nearly six hours, former President Maithripala Sirisena left the Criminal Investigation Department (CID).

Nissan to launch 30 new models by 2027

Nissan Motor (7201.T), opens new tab said on Monday it would launch 30 new models over the next three years and aim to raise its global sales by 1 million vehicles while cutting costs to improve profitability.

Malnutrition emerges as serious issue in Sri Lankan schools

Malnutrition has emerged as a significant concern in Sri Lanka, affecting schools regardless of income levels, President Ranil Wickremesinghe said while marking the beginning of the 2024 school meal programme held today (25) at the Sujatha Girls’ College in Narahenpita.

Shavendra's visit to Kenya explores defense ties including counterterrorism

Chief of Defense Staff General Shavendra Silva of Sri Lanka held talks with Chief of Defense Forces of Kenya General Francis Ogolla in Nairobo and explored cooperation in areas such as counterterrorism.

Discarded Romanian railway carriages back for tourism

With the expenditure of Rs. 5.5 million by the Sri Lanka Railways Department (SLRD), the Chief Mechanical Engineer’s Sub Department Ratmalana has renovated several old discarded Romanian railway carriages as tourist railway carriages to attract local and foreign tourists.

CID official who led Easter attack probe to head NPP’s Retired Police Forum: AKD

Claiming that the CID official who led the investigations into the Easter Sunday attacks will head the National People’s Power’s (NPP’s) Retired Police Forum which is to be launched this May, NPP leader Anura Kumara Dissanayake said they will implement law against those who were responsible for the attacks.

School meal programme launched

The official event to mark the beginning of the 2024 school meal programme was held today (25) at the Sujatha Girls’ College in Narahenpita under the patronage of President Ranil Wickremesinghe and with the participation of Education Minister Susil Premajayantha.

Demand for release of arrested protesters

The Joint Trade Union Federation today staged a protest in front of the Fort Railway station calling the authorities to release everyone who were arrested during a previous protest on March 20. Pix by Pradeep Dilrukshana

Hirunika charged for obstructing police

The Colombo Chief Magistrate today overruled a request by the Cinnamon Gardens Police to seek the Attorney General’s opinion against the National Organizer of the Samagi Jana Balavegaya Women’s Wing, Hirunika Premachandra and 14 others for participating in a street drama at Torrington Square.