Adani Group may run three Sri Lankan airports ?

Adani Group is negotiating with Sri Lankan authorities to manage three airports in the island nation, including its premier international gateway, Bandarnaike International Airport in Colombo.

’For me to be back I must contest’: President on Presidential election

President Ranil Wickremesinghe expressed optimism of contesting the upcoming presidential election that is slated to be held this year.

Will not join 225 MPs to create parties or alliances: Janaka Ratnayake

Presidential hopeful Janaka Ratnayake said today that he and all civil organisations have decided not to join any of the 225 MPs in Parliament to form political alliances.

Two killed in separate shootings in Negombo and Puttalam

Two individuals have been killed in separate shooting incidents this evening, one in Negombo and the other in Puttalam.

India’s Unified Payments Interface to be launched on Monday: Ali Sabry

India’s Unified Payments Interface (UPI) will be launched on 12 February, Foreign Minister Ali Sabry has told the Indian media.

‘We need international support to achieve desired transformation’: Anura Kumara

Claiming that Sri Lanka can no longer function as an isolated country, NPP leader Anura Kumara Dissanayake said today their intention is to strengthen diplomatic ties to garner international support to achieve the desired transformation in the country.

Second child injured by falling tree in Gampola international school dies

Another child who was being treated for injuries after a tree collapsed on a group of students at an international school in Gampola, died this morning.

Awareness for Arabian leopard protection raised in Colombo

Saudi Ambassador Khalid bin Hamoud Alkahtani, held the “Cat Walk 2024” event at the Galle Face Hotel in Colombo to celebrate the International Day of the Arabian Leopard, which was adopted by the United Nations General Assembly on June 12,2023.

Customs nab airport cleaner trying to smuggle out gold worth Rs.58 Mn

An employee attached to a private cleaning company at the Bandaranaike International Airport (BIA) was nabbed by the Sri Lanka Customs officials while attempting to smuggle out gold worth over Rs. 58 million early this morning, sources said.

Former PM Imran Khan gets bail In military installations attack cases

An anti-terrorism court on Saturday granted bail to jailed former Pakistan premier Imran Khan in 12 cases linked to the May 9 attacks on military installations by his supporters following his arrest in an alleged corruption case.

Hope AKD attracts FDIs through his Indian visit: Kanchana

Power and Energy Minister Kanchana Wijesekera said today that he hopes that National People’s Power (NPP) leader Anura Kumara Dissanayake (AKD) makes positive statements regarding his visit to India and he understands the need for investors in Sri Lanka.

PUCSL will announce tariff revisions after February 15: Kanchana

The Public Utilities Commission of Sri Lanka (PUCSL) will decide the date of the announcement for the next electricity tariff revision, Power and Energy Minister Kanchana Wijesekera said.

Invoking blessings...

Devotees engaging in religious activities at the Jaya Sri Maha Bodhi and the Thuparamaya Vihara in Anuradhapura. Pix by Nisal Baduge

DMK MPs walk out of Lok Sabha over fishermen issue

The DMK on Saturday walked out of the Lok Sabha after an adjournment motion given by the party to discuss the arrest of 88 fishermen by the Sri Lankan Navy was rejected by the Speaker.

SLC to facilitate training for Ugandan cricket team, to play seven T20s

Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) will facilitate the Uganda national cricket team for a 14-day training camp.

2 dead after plane crashes into car on Florida highway

Florida, Feb 10 (USA Today) - At least two people were killed Friday afternoon when a small plane that had lost both its engines crashed into a vehicle on a Florida interstate as the pilot attempted to make an emergency landing, authorities said.

Fire engulfs private warehouse in Piliyandala

A private warehouse in the Palanwaththa vicinity of Piliyandala has been engulfed in flames, resulting in its complete destruction.

Troops reap the harvest…

Troops from the Sri Lanka Army Corps of Agriculture and Livestock harvesting the paddy cultivated near the fields of the Army headquarters in Colombo. They currently maintain 20 farms island-wide, covering a total of 7,500 acres, which include 450 acres dedicated to paddy cultivation. Pix by Pradeep Pathirana

Pakistan election: US, UK and EU urge probe, express concern

The United States, Britain and the European Union on Friday separately expressed concerns about Pakistan’s electoral process in the wake of a vote on Thursday and urged a probe into reported irregularities.

Namal Rajapaksa holds talks with Yogi Adityanath

SLPP MP Namal Rajapaksa who is presently in India on a two-day visit held discussions with BJP member and Chief Minister of Uttar Pradesh, Yogi Adityanath and several senior Indian officials.

Trump vows to undo Biden gun restrictions if re-elected

(Reuters) - Former President Donald Trump, the Republican frontrunner in the 2024 presidential race, said on Friday he had firmly protected gun rights while in the White House and vowed if re-elected to undo all restrictions enacted by President Joe Biden.

Increase in worker remittances than last year

Labour and Foreign Employment Minister Manusha Nanayakkara today claimed that worker remittances for January have recorded an increase of 11.4 per cent compared to last year.

Traffic restricted on New Kelani Bridge till Monday

The road leading to the harbour from the New Kelani Bridge will be closed until Monday (12) due to repair work, the Highway Tourism Police announced.

Increased allowances for police officers from next week

The food, travel and accommodation allowance for police personnel which were increased by the 2024 budget will be paid at the beginning of next week, Finance State Minister Ranjith Siyambalapitiya said.

Several injured during Hariharan’s concert in Jaffna

Several people were reportedly injured during the concert conducted by popular Indian singer Hariharan at the Muttraveli Stadium in Jaffna last night, the police said.

Ranil meets Jaishankar in Perth

India’s External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar today met President Ranil Wickremesinghe in Perth to discuss the progress of bilateral projects, the President’s Media Division said.

Pakistan elections: Imran Khan, Nawaz Sharif both claim wins

Former Pakistani prime ministers and bitter rivals Nawaz Sharif and Imran Khan on Friday both declared victory in elections marred by delayed results and militant attacks, throwing the country into further political turmoil.

Reduce electricity tariffs by considerable amount: Sajith urges Govt.

Opposition Leader Sajith Premadasa yesterday urged the government to reduce the electricity tariff by a considerable amount after analysing the data of the Verité Research and Committee on Public Finance on electricity tariff, which is said to be higher in South Asia.

Fair weather today

The National Meteorological Centre Forecasting Division today said that fair weather will prevail over the island.

NGOs spend billions unchecked, new law soon to monitor them

In the wake of reports that as much as over half of funds received by various NGOs are spent without any monitoring, the government is in the final stage of evolving a new law that provides for compulsory registration of all such organizations with the National NGO Secretariat, an official said.