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.

Two new trains to commemorate Badulla line centenary on April 5

Two new trains are expected to be run on April 5 to mark the centenary of a train plying to Badulla, Transport Minister Bandula Gunawardana said.

COPA calls for CID investigation into import of contaminated fish

The Committee on Public Accounts (COPA) called for an investigation into the import of contaminated fish in January this year and has thus advised the Ministry of Finance to refer the matter to CID.

New uniform for Sri Maha Bodi police post

A new style of uniform for the police officers on duty at the upper compound of the Sri Jayasri Maha Bodhi in Anuradhapura was introduced today.

Pay only Rs. 80 for a cup of tea from today: Asela Sampath

National Consumer Front Chairman Asela Sampath urges people to limit their expenditure on a cup of tea to Rs. 80 starting today.

First ever solar tunnel dryer technology in Sri Lanka

The first ever Solar Tunnel Dryer technology, which was introduced to dry grain seeds including maize, paddy, green gram, cow peas, sesame, finger millet and black seed was successful, the Agriculture Ministry said.

Protest to approve promotions...

A protest was held by the Joint Committee of Government Executive Officers in front of the Finance Ministry, demanding the immediate approval of the Cabinet Paper related to the promotion of departmentalized Executive Officers. Pix by Nisal Baduge

Former GM of Coconut Cultivation Board arrested for misappropriation of Rs. 77Mn

The former General Manager of the Coconut Cultivation Board was arrested for allegedly misappropriating over Rs. 77 million from the Employees Provident Fund, police said.

COPF showdown led to milk powder price slash: Harsha

The Committee on Public Finance’s (COPF) showdown with milk powder importers led to the slashing of milk powder prices, its chairman Harsha De Silva said today.

Amnesty offered to illegal Sri Lankan residents in Kuwait

The Emir of Kuwait, Sheikh Meshaal Al-Ahmed Al-Jaber, has announced a three-month general amnesty to Sri Lankans who have overstayed their residency visas in the country.

Protest at Kelaniya University over sudden death of student last night

A group of students attached to the Kelaniya University is currently protesting in front of the university administrative building over the death of a student due to a sudden illness, a student union said.

Cabinet approval granted to digitize the foreign employment sector

The entire operations of Foreign Employment would be digitized soon, where migrant workers can coordinate via an app, Labour and Foreign Employment Minister Manusha Nanayakkara said yesterday. He said that cabinet approval has been granted in this regard.

Former President Sirisena to appear before CID today

Former President Maithripala Sirisena is scheduled to appear before the Criminal Investigation Department today (25).

Prime Minister leaves for China on five-day official visit

Prime Minister Dinesh Gunawardena left for China last night for a five-day official visit, airport sources said.

Showers expected at several places in the country this evening

Showers will occur at several places in the Western, Sabaragamuwa, Southern, and Central Provinces during the afternoon or night, the forecasting division of the National Meteorological Centre said.

Church skeptical on CID questioning Maithri

National Catholic Director of Mass Communications Fr. Jude Krishantha yesterday said the church in Sri Lanka has decided to adopt a wait and see policy with regard to action which the authorities would take against former President Maithripala Sirisena despite the assurance given by the CID that it will probe the latter would be questioned on the remark he made on Friday.

Govt. to enact law to safeguard IMF programme amid political uncertainty

Amid fears that the current programme with the International Monetary Fund ( IMF) will be derailed in case of a regime change, the government is planning to enact an economic transformation law to ensure sustainability of the project despite political changes, a minister said yesterday.

Sri Lanka authorizes English as court language in Commercial High Courts

The Justice Minister has issued an extraordinary gazette notification permitting to use English language for all purposes of record and proceedings in the Commercial High Courts.

Unemployment rate declines to 4.3% as economy recovers

Sri Lanka’s official unemployment rate slipped to 4.3 percent in the final quarter of last year from 4.7 percent in the quarter before as the economy expanded in the final three months of the year.

Central Bank to revisit regulatory sandbox framework

The Central Bank (CB) is planning to revisit the framework of its regulatory sandbox, relaxing some of stringent rules, after the initiative failed to gain traction among fintech players over the past four years.

NPP will not allow new parliamentary electoral system before Presidential polls: AKD

The National People’s Power (NPP) will not allow the government to implement the proposed Constitutional Amendments to introduce a new parliamentary electoral system before the Presidential polls, NPP leader Anura Kumara Dissanayake said.

Badulla Hospital becomes a Teaching Hospital

Badulla Hospital has become a Teaching Hospital along with the Faculty of Medicine from yesterday.

Sri Lankan Refugee ends life in Manapparai

A 45-year-old person residing in the Sri Lankan Refugee Rehabilitation Centre in Thirumayam ended his life in a municipal complex in Manapparai on Saturday.

Sri Lanka pushes Bangladesh to brink after de Silva, Mendis score centuries

Dhananjaya de Silva and Kamindu Mendis both slammed their second century of the match as Sri Lanka set up a 511-run target for Bangladesh before pushing the host to the corner in the first Test today.

Main meal for all children in Grades 1-5 from tomorrow

The Education Ministry has undertaken measures to offer a main meal at school to every student in Grades 1 through 5, starting tomorrow.

UPDATE - Fire engulfs NOLIMIT outlet in Wellawatte

A fire broke out at the NOLIMIT Shopping Complex in Wellawatte this evening, the Colombo Fire Brigade said.

Received crucial information on Easter attacks three weeks ago: Maithripala

In the wake of his controversial statement on the Easter Sunday bomb attacks, former President Maithripala Sirisena said he made that statement based on information he had received only three weeks ago.

Heartwarming sight...

Amidst the bustling tourist scene in Sri Lanka, a heartwarming sight unfolds at the Gangaramaya Temple as a tourist feeds an elephant. Pix by Kushan Pathiraja

To mark President’s birthday

A religious ceremony was conducted at Gangaramaya Temple in Hunupitiya to commemorate President Ranil Wickremesinghe’s birthday. Senior members of the UNP took part in the religious observances. Pix by Kushan Pathiraja

Colombo HC prevents Abans using McDonald’s brand name

The Colombo Commercial High Court issued an enjoining order preventing Rusi Pestonjee, Managing Director of Abans PLC or his servants from in any way or manner to use the name McDonald’s or any name in any way or manner similar to the name McDonald’s.