Sports Minister greenlights Sri Lanka’s ODI squad for Afghanistan series

Minister of Sports and Youth Affairs Harin Fernando has approved the 16-member squad selected by the Sri Lanka Cricket Selection Committee to participate in the ODI series against Afghanistan.

Vegetable prices slump today

Compared to recent vegetable prices, today recorded lower prices for vegetables at the New Manning Market in Peliyagoda.

Shortcomings observed in Online Safety Act; open for amendments: Wijeyadasa

The government has observed that there are some shortcomings in the recently enacted Online Safety Act and the government is open to bring in amendments to the Act, Justice Minister Wijeyadasa Rajapakshe said today.

Blue Sapphires worth Rs. 370 million seized; Two including monk arrested

Two individuals, including a monk, were arrested while attempting to sell two Blue Sapphire gemstones valued at Rs. 370 million.

Police arrests 42 suspects over abuse, thefts on public transport

A total of 42 suspects have been arrested during an island-wide police operation targeting individuals who commit acts of abuse against children and women on public transport.

Jagath Priyankara sworn in as MP to fill Sanath Nishantha’s vacancy

Jagath Priyankara was sworn in as a Member of Parliament before Speaker Mahinda Yapa Abeywardane a short while ago.

President leaves for Australia

President Ranil Wickremesinghe left Sri Lanka this morning to participate in the 7th Indian Ocean Conference in Perth, Australia.

Sapporo Snow Festival 2024

The Sapporo Snow Festival - an annual celebration now in its 74th year - is in full swing.

UK to closely monitor Sri Lanka’s Online Safety Act amidst int’l concerns

While claiming that the Sri Lankan Parliament passed the Online Safety Act on 24 January, despite concerns raised by international internet providers and various other concerned parties, the United Kingdom has stated that it will closely monitor the progress of this Act.

Central Bank relaxes restrictions imposed on standing facilities

Monetary Board relaxes restrictions imposed on the Standing Facilities to Licensed Commercial Banks (LCBs) under Open Market Operations (OMOs).

SJB vies for Indian favor ahead of Presidential Elections following NPP move

Hot on the heels of the National People’s Power (NPP) undertaking a familiarization tour of India with interactions with the top Indian officials, the main opposition Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB) has sought a similar opportunity from India, Daily Mirror learns.

Shotguns to control wild boar, toque monkeys, giant squirrels

The Agriculture Ministry has decided to reduce the extent of five acres stipulated earlier, to two acres of farmland for their owners to qualify to own shotguns to protect their crops.

SL finance and leasing industry’s operative environment to remain stable: Fitch

The operating environment for the Sri Lankan finance and leasing company (FLC) industry is expected to continue to stabilise, following the inflation and interest rate shocks over the past two years, Fitch Ratings said yesterday.

Cabinet nod to import up to 15,000 tonnes of cashew nuts this year

The Cabinet nod has been given to import up to 15,000 tonnes of cashew nuts in shell this year, as the cashew harvest halved to 12,500 tonnes.

Anura and delegation attend a presentation of ’Gujarat Model’in India

NPP leader Anura Kumara Dissanayake and the NPP delegation held talks with Gujarat chief minister Bhupendra Patel, where they discussed about the development strategies for eliminating poverty in the State and the administrative system of the State during their third day in India’s visit.

Self-proclaimed Avalokiteshvara Bodhisattva enlarged on bail

Self-proclaimed Avalokiteshvara Bodhisattva, Mahinda Kodithuwakku held in remand custody for allegedly insulting Buddhism and insulting religious feelings was today granted bail by Colombo Fort Magistrate’s Court.

Continental invests €13 Mn to expand specialty tires production in Sri Lanka

Continental, a global leader in tire manufacturing, announced today a significant expansion of its Specialty Tires production footprint in Sri Lanka.

Magistrate questions CID’s conduct on investigations against Pastor Jerome

The Colombo Fort Magistrate questioned the CID on how they had filed action before the Mount Lavinia Magistrate’s Court against Pastor Jerome Fernando under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act, contrary to the accepted court jurisdiction.

Gazette issued keeping Environment Ministry under President’s purview

An extraordinary gazette notification was issued bringing in the Environment Ministry under the purview of the President after having consulted with the Prime Minister.

Wigneswaran backs Ranil as ideal Presidential candidate

Tamil People’s National Alliance (TPNA) MP C.V. Wigneswaran said he considers President Ranil Wickremesinghe as the best candidate among the others.

Sanath Nishantha’s wife wants probe into husband’s death

Late State Minister Sanath Nishantha’s wife lodged a complaint with the Criminal Investigation Department (CID), requesting a probe into her late husband’s death.

UNICEF urges focus on non-custodial rehabilitation for juvenile offenders

While welcoming the commencement of the amendments to the Children and Young Persons Ordinance, UNICEF called upon stakeholders in the justice, probation and child-care sectors to prioritize the application of non-custodial measures such as family-based rehabilitation for juvenile offenders.

Man arrested for brutal assault on children and blackmailing wife overseas

An individual who severely assaulted his two children and sent its video scenes to his wife employed abroad to pressurize her to increase the money sent to him was arrested by the Lindula police and handed over to Dimbula Pathana police today.

Suspects hospitalized after ingesting unidentified substance given by a visitor at Police cell

Two suspects, who were detained at the Wolfendhal Police Station over a recent shooting in the area of Jinthupitiya, were admitted to the Colombo National Hospital today (7) after drinking a packet of milk given to them by a visitor.

Fisheman dies, seven others hospitalized due to toxic gas leak

A fisherman died and several others hospitalised due to inhaling a toxic gas inside a fish tank of a fishing vessel docked at the Ambalangoda Fisheries Harbour.

Kandy requests Nittawela for their games

Defending League Champions and biggest crowd puller in local club rugby, Kandy Sports Club, has written to Sri Lanka Rugby (SLR) the governing body, requesting for Nittawela as their venue for Clifford Cup Knock-Out games.

Twin bombings kill at least 22 as Pakistan prepares for elections

Two bombs in Pakistan’s southwestern province of Balochistan have killed at least 22 people with more injured.

Undercover police deployed in public transport to tackle abuse

An island-wide police operation targeting individuals who commit acts of abuse against children and women in public transport has been initiated.

SJB decides not to support government anymore: Kiriella

The Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB) will not support the government despite the President’s appeals, as the government has acted arbitrarily during the recent past, Chief Opposition Whip Lakshman Kiriella said today.

Ukrainian-born Miss Japan relinquishes crown following alleged affair

The Ukrainian-born beauty queen who sparked a debate on cultural identity by being named Miss Japan has relinquished her title just two weeks after being crowned.