Overstaying Russians and Ukrainians must apply for visa or depart: Alles

Public Security Minister Tiran Alles said yesterday that Russians and Ukrainians who have been in Sri Lanka since February 2022 will need to apply for a visa or leave the country.

SLPP has to find a better candidate than RW - Prasanna

Indicating the problem faced by the Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna (SLPP) in facing the forthcoming Presidential election, Minister Prasanna Ranatunga told yesterday that his party, the SLPP would have to find a better candidate than President Ranil Wickremesnghe if it wants to field a candidate of its own.

January construction activity exceeds neutral threshold

Sri Lanka’s construction sector for the first time saw its activity exceed the neutral threshold since January 2022.

Trained police and armed forces personnel are hired by underworld gangs - IGP

IGP Deshabandu Thennakoon said hiring of experienced police and security force personnel of marksmanship by underworld gangs has been going on unchecked since long and that and effective mechanism would be worked out to prevent such malpractices.

Electricity, petroleum supply declared as essential services

All activities related to the supply of electricity and petroleum products have been declared as essential services through a Gazette Extraordinary.

Ceylon Electricity Board ends FY23 with massive profits

The financial performance of the Ceylon Electricity Board (CEB) is largely positive as it ended the financial year 2023 with a massive profit.

Sri Lanka’s appeal as tourist hotspot grows stronger

Tourist arrivals to the island nation surpassed the 200,000 mark for the third consecutive month this February, affirming Sri Lanka is regaining its position as a sought-after destination among its key source markets.

Over 2500 smallholder dairy farms in Nuwara Eliya District closed last year

The milk production from smallholder dairy farms in Nuwara Eliya District has been reduced by over half a million litres last year with the closure of over 2500 such farms being reported from the District, according to the Central Province Department of Animal Production and Health.

President attends ‘Battle of the Maroons’ encounter

President Ranil Wickremesinghe graced the 94th ’Battle of the Maroons’ cricket clash between Ananda and Nalanda Colleges, iconic Buddhist boys’ schools in Sri Lanka, at the SSC ground in Colombo today (03).Ananda College Principal Lal Dissanayake is also in the picture. Pix by Kushan Pathiraja

St. Peter’s emerge Zahira Centenary 7s Champions

Reigning schools rugby league and knockout champions St. Peter’s sounded a warning when they got their 2024 schools rugby season off to an electrifying start as they emerged Cup champions of the Zahira Centenary Rugby 7s tournament after recording a comfortable 17-5 win over Isipathana in the final played at the Racecourse Ground in Colombo today.

How’s Niroshan Dickwella Public Enemy No 1?

Niroshan Dickwella was drafted into Sri Lanka T20 squad last week in place of Kusal Janith Perera who is claimed to be suffering from an illness and is unavailable for Bangladesh tour. Since then the chief selector Upul Tharanga has come under heavy criticism over the selection of the notorious wicket-keeper batsman.

Ranil’s election propaganda aims to attack NPP: Anura Kumara reveals

President Ranil Wickremesinghe has handed over his propaganda activities for the Presidential election to three advertising agencies aiming to attack the National People’s Power (NPP), NPP leader Anura Kumara Dissanayake said yesterday.

President meets Dawoodi Bohra Leader

President Ranil Wickremesinghe welcomed His Holiness Dr. Syedna Mufaddal Saifuddin Saheb, Spiritual Leader of the Dawoodi Bohra Community, at the official residence of President this afternoon (03).

President hosts meeting with Spiritual Leader of Dawoodi Bohra Community

President Ranil Wickremesinghe welcomed His Holiness Dr. Syedna Mufaddal Saifuddin Saheb, the Spiritual Leader of the Dawoodi Bohra Community, at the official residence of President this afternoon (03).

President joins ’’Battle of the Maroons’’

President Ranil Wickremesinghe attended the 94th historic ’’Battle of the Maroons’’ cricket encounter between Ananda and Nalanda Colleges held today at the SSC ground in Colombo. Pererannual cricket encounter commemorates the esteemed ’’Late Dr. N.M. Perera Memorial Challenge Championship Trophy,’’ with today marking the culmination of this year’s two day encounter.

O/L exam subjects to be reduced to 7: Minister

The current number of subjects for the GCE Ordinary Level (O/L) examination will be reduced to seven subjects, Education Minister Susil Premajayantha said.

AI learning opportunity for Grade 8 and above from March 19

Students from Grade 8 and above will have the opportunity to study artificial intelligence (AI) with their information technology subject and this pilot project will be started in 20 schools from March 19, Education Minister Susil Premajayantha said.

Save Suwaseriya by increasing salary of workers: Harsha

While highlighting that the Suwaseriya ambulance service is fighting for its survival, its founder Harsha de Silva said its employee should be given a salary increment as a priority.

Parents urged to cease pressure on primary school children

The pressure exerted by parents on their children during primary education from Grades 1to 5 should be stopped and the necessary environment will be prepared to reduce its competitiveness, Education Minister Susil Premajayantha said.

Flags of Royal-Thomian big match displayed on SriLankan flight

The SriLankan Airlines flight arriving from Melbourne proudly displayed the two flags of the 145th Royal Thomian big match.

Shehbaz Sharif elected Pakistan’s prime minister for second term

Pakistan’s newly formed parliament elected Shehbaz Sharif on Sunday as prime minister for a second time, three weeks after uncertain national elections caused delays in the formation of a coalition government.

STF seize 9kgs of Ice narcotics in Colombo raid

The Police Special Task Force arrested three suspects along with 9 kgs of ice narcotics during a raid in Colombo.

Sri Lanka Army clinches gold in Pakistan

The Sri Lanka Army team has secured the prestigious gold medal at the 7th Pakistan Army Team Spirit Competition - 2024.

Heat advisory raised to caution level in 14 districts, showers expected on Monday

The temperature felt on the human body is expected to increase up to ‘Caution level’ at some places in the North-Western, Western, Southern, Sabaragamuwa and Eastern Provinces and in the Mannar district on Sunday, the Department of Meteorology said.

Applications for Presidential Scholarships 24/25 open

The ’’Presidential Scholarship Programme 2024/25’’ is currently accepting applications targeting 100,000 economically disadvantaged school students.

Zahran’s brother-in-law, others arrested in Kattankudy cleared of criminal intents

The investigations conducted thus far into the suspects, including Zahran’s brother-in-law, who were arrested by the Kattankudy Police, have concluded that these individuals were not planning to commit any criminal or anti-state activities.

Farmers, foreign employees brought down dollar rate: Minister

Farmers and foreign employees made the most commitment to bring down the value of the increased dollar rate, Agriculture and Plantation Industries Minister Mahinda Amaraweera said.

UN concerned over Sri Lanka’s proposed laws

UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Volker Türk expressed deep concern over Sri Lanka’s proposed legislative measures, at the 55th Session of the Human Rights Council, warning of their potential impact on fundamental rights and freedoms.

Two injured in accident on Outer Circular Expressway

Two persons were injured following an accident between a container lorry and a cab vehicle on the Colombo Outer Circular Expressway last night, the expressway police said.

Maldivian expands horizons: New flight route to Colombo from April 25

The Maldivian, the flag carrier of the Maldives, announced the commencement of its highly anticipated service to the Bandaranaike International Airport (BIA) from April 25.