Government to establish new Faculty of Medicine at NSBM

The Cabinet has green-lit the proposal to establish a Faculty of Medicine under the National School of Business Management (NSBM).

Resolve pending requests...

The Joint Health Workers’ Union (JHWU) today staged a protest in front of Colombo National Hospital (CNH) demanding government resolve their pending trade union requests including allowances. Pix by Nimalsiri Edirisinghe

Sri Lanka ODI squad against Bangladesh announced

Sports Minister Harin Fernando has approved the 16-member ODI squad for the upcoming three-match series against Bangladesh, commencing tomorrow at the Zahur Ahmed Chowdhury Stadium in Chattogram.

GI Pipes case: Court rejects Keheliya’s objections

The Colombo High Court today rejected the preliminary objections raised by former Health Minister Keheliya Rambukwella against the GI pipes case.

Newcomers to SJB can be controlled through political tactics: Marikar

In response to why the Samagi Jana Balwegaya (SJB) is depending on newcomers while neglecting its own members, its spokesman and Member of Parliament S.M. Marikar said the newcomers can be dealt with political tactics.

Thai Airways to recommence scheduled flights to BIA from April 1

Thai Airways, the flag carrier airline of Thailand, will re-commence its operations at Bandaranaike International Airport (BIA) with daily flights from April 1.

Haiti’s Prime Minister Ariel Henry has resigned

The embattled leader of Haiti, Ariel Henry, has resigned after weeks of mounting chaos in the Caribbean nation, where gangs have been attacking government structures and social order is on the brink of collapse.

TikTok is a national security threat, Facebook is ’enemy of the people’

Former President Donald Trump said he believes that TikTok is a national security threat but that he couldn’t support Congress’ banning the popular app because doing so would boost support for Facebook, which is the ’’enemy of the people.’’

No tax on 92% of sanitary pads

A total of 92% of the sanitary pads required in this country are produced in our country, and no tax is charged for them, Finance State Minister Ranjith Siyambalapitiya said.

Main suspect in murder of Buddhist monk, killed in police fire

The main suspect arrested in connection with the killing of a Buddhist monk at a temple in Malwathuhiripitiya was killed when police opened fire at the suspect while attempting to escape custody, police said.

Gazette allowing import of several spices suspended

The government has decided to suspend the gazette notification published recently allowing the import of several types of spices, including pepper, for re-export, the Agriculture Ministry said.

Sri Lanka rejects global report on child malnutrition

In response to recent findings published in the British medical journal, The Lancet, concerning child malnutrition and underweight girls, Sri Lanka’s health authorities have rejected the content referred to the portrayal of Sri Lanka.

Showers likely in Ampara, Batticaloa, Hambantota districts during morning

Showers will occur at a few places in the Colombo, Kalutara, Ratnapura, Galle and Matara districts in the evening or night, the forecasting division of the National Meteorological Centre said.

Government’s push for electoral change raises eyebrows

Ahead of the pending national elections, the government has made fresh attempts to bring about changes to the parliamentary election system by seeking to amend the Parliamentary Elections Act, a Minister said.

Tragic death of 16-year-old schoolboy during marathon race

A 16-year-old schoolboy has died in Ampara after collapsing while participating in a marathon race held at the Tirukkovil Methodist Central College yesterday morning, police said.

Bankers vow to continue exercising mortgage actions via courts

Sri Lanka’s bankers vow to continue exercising mortgage actions against the defaulted creditors through the courts of law, once the suspension of the parate rights of banks comes into effect

Deflation in producer prices persists through January

The deflationary conditions, which have persisted for many months since around the middle of last year, continued through January, as the prices contended by the producers across the industries have fallen by 3.0 percent from a year ago.

Jobs of 6,000 employees uncertain if SriLankan unable to show progress within six months: Minister

The jobs of about 6,000 employees are uncertain if SriLankan Airlines is unable to show progress of its operational and financial units within the next six months, Shipping and Aviation Minister Nimal Siripala de Silva said.

Ramadan fasting month begins tomorrow

The month of Ramadan fasting begins for the Muslim community in Sri Lanka from tomorrow (12) as the new crescent moon has been sighted, the Colombo Grand Mosque said.

Another shooting kills two, injures two more in Ambalangoda

Another shooting incident was reported in Galagoda, Ambalangoda tonight resulting in two fatalities and two others sustaining injuries, police said.

One killed, three injured in shooting at Pitigala

An individual was killed and three others, including a woman, were injured in a shooting incident at Guruwala in Pitigala tonight.

Excise seize liquor bottles with forged security stickers in multiple North–East raids

In a series of multiple snap raids carried out over the weekend, the Department of Excise has seized a large stock of local liquor bottles with forged security stickers from Northern, North Central and Eastern Provinces.

Leaders past, present, future lack development vision: Janaka Ratnayake

Those who ruled the country, those who are currently ruling the country, and those who intend to rule the country in the future have no plan on how the country should be developed, Presidential candidate Janaka Ratnayake said.

Air rifles issued to farmers to prevent crop damage by animals

Steps have been taken to provide 1,000 air rifles this year to farmers to prevent crop damage caused by animals, the Agriculture and Plantation Industries Ministry said.

‘Kudu Salindu’ remanded till March 25

Notorious drug trafficker Salindu Malshika alias ‘Kudu Salindu’ was remanded till March 25 by the Panadura Chief Magistrate Champika Rajapakshe today.

Plane veered off flight path after both pilots fell asleep

Indonesia’s transport ministry will launch an investigation after two Batik Air pilots fell asleep during a recent flight, according to state news agency Antara, citing the ministry’s civil aviation director-general M Kristi Endah Murni.

2 MW capacity solar plants in Eastern Province

A two-megawatt ground-mounted solar power plant was commissioned at Kommathurai in Batticaloa yesterday, which is a part of the 1X90 SBS II solar tender under the Ceylon Electricity Board (CEB).

Against steep salary hikes of Central Bank

A silent protest was held in front of the Central Bank of Sri Lanka (CBSL) over the steep salary hikes given to its employees. Pix by Pradeep Dilrukshana

’Harak Kata’ remanded until April 26

Underworld figure Nadun Chithaka Wickremeratne, alias ’Harak Kata,’ has been remanded until April 26 in connection to his unsuccessful escape bid from the Criminal Investigation Department (CID).

Writ petitions against divestiture process of Lanka Hospital and SLT withdrawn

Two writ petitions filed against the divestiture process of the Lanka Hospital Corporation PLC and Sri Lanka Telecom PLC were withdrawn before the Court of Appeal today.