FTA with Thailand to bring range of goods to Sri Lanka

The Free Trade Agreement (FTA), which is expected to be signed between Thailand and Sri Lanka this week, will benefit Thailand’s exports of automotive parts, textiles, electrical appliances, machinery, steel products, paper, processed food and animal feed, Thai media reported.

2023 Grade five scholarship exam: Cut-off marks released

The Examinations Department today released the cut-off marks for the enrolment of students into Grade Six next year, based on the 2023 Grade 5 Scholarship Examination.

Independence rehearsal Day 4

Sri Lankan military personnel take part in the fourth day of rehearsals for the Independence Day parade in Colombo. Sri Lanka will celebrate its 76th Independence Day on February 4. Pix by Pradeep Pathirana

Displaying weight, price of a loaf of bread made mandatory

The Consumer Affairs Authority (CAA) has taken steps to issue an extraordinary gazette notification, making it mandatory for sellers to display the proper weight and price for bread, which is a bakery-related product.

No LP gas price revision this month: Litro

Litro Gas announced today that they have decided not to revise their current domestic LP gas prices, despite the increase in international market prices.

Former naval officer identified as main gunman in Beliatta shooting - Wife, father arrested

The Police Special Task Force (STF) arrested the wife and father of the person suspected to be the main gunman in the killing of five people, including the leader of the Ape Jana Bala Party, Saman Perera in Beliatta.

Cathay Pacific re-commences flight operations to Sri Lanka

Scheduled flight operations by Cathay Pacific Airways were resumed with the inaugural flight, CX 611, which arrived at the Bandaranaike International Airport (BIA) last night, the Airport and Aviation Services (Sri Lanka) Limited said.

Keheliya arrives at CID

In adherence to a court order issued on Thursday, former Health Minister Keheliya Rambukwella reported to the premises of the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) this morning.

Constitutional Council rejects President’s Supreme Court pick

The Constitutional Council (CC) has declined to endorse the nomination of Court of Appeal President Nissanka Bandula Karunaratne as a Supreme Court judge by President Ranil Wickremesinghe triggering him to be on a collision course with the parliamentary body, Daily Mirror learns.

Thailand Prime Minister to participate in 76th Independence Day

The Thailand Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin will visit Sri Lanka as the chief guest of honour at the invitation of the President and the Prime Minister of Sri Lanka to celebrate the 76th Independence Day, which falls on Sunday (4), Home Affairs State Minister Ashoka Priyantha said.

Veterinary Surgeon arrested for theft of cows

The Veterinary Surgeon of Padaviya division and four others had been arrested on their alleged involvement in the theft of 20 head of cattle including pregnant cows on forged documents, and produced before Kebithigollewa District Judge and Magistrate by Padaviya Police.

Health strike brings people to their knees

The healthcare services across the country were hampered as health workers resorted to strike action from yesterday (1).

Efficient public sector operations possible with fully digitalized workforce of 200,000: Suresh Shah

The public sector can smoothly run with a workforce as low as 200,000 persons through digitalization, against the current public sector workforce of 1.3 million, according to the Head of State-Owned Enterprises Restructuring Unit (SOERU) Suresh Shah.

SriLankan Airlines CEO points to technical woes, spare part delays

Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of SriLankan Airlines Richard Nuttall, who responded to concerns over flight delays, said though the delays were in line with the world averages, there are more delays than used to be because of technical issues.

Teachers boycott A/L marking over unpaid allowances

The Teachers and Principals Trade Union said that the Rs. 2,000 per day allowance given for marking the A/L answer sheets was not given this time, so they have decided to withdraw from the evaluation of the answer sheets.

162 graduates appointed to address growing interest in foreign languages

Considering the increasing tendency among students to learn foreign languages, the global economic trends and current economic priorities in Sri Lanka, a total of 162 graduates were recruited today to teach foreign languages in national schools.

General Daya Ratnayake has not left SJB: Party official

The report which said the former Army Commander had left Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB) is false, an official statement from the party said.

Sri Lanka Telecom announces second leadership transition in seven months

Sri Lanka Telecom has seen its leadership change for the second time in about seven months with the entity affirming the appointment of a new Chairman.

Sri Lanka face Afghanistan in historic Test

Sri Lanka will hope to revive their flagging Test fortunes when they take on Afghanistan in their historic one-off match starting at the SSC Grounds in Maitland Place Tomorrow.

State Minister defends President’s foreign trips

State Minister of Foreign Affairs Taraka Balasuriya, has defended President Ranil Wickremesinghe’s recent foreign trips against criticism and stressed that Sri Lanka cannot afford to be isolated on the global stage.

China executes couple for double child murder

China has executed a couple for throwing two toddlers out of a high-rise apartment window, in a case that provoked nationwide outrage.

Newly appointed envoys presented letters of credence to President

A newly appointed High Commissioner and three Ambassadors to Sri Lanka presented Letters of Credence to President Ranil Wickremesinghe at a ceremony held at the Presidential Secretariat in Colombo this afternoon (01).

Increase in school van fares from today

The internal committee of the All Ceylon Inter-Provincial School Children Transport Services Association has decided to take a collective decision to increase the school children’s transport fares from today, Associations chairman E.H. Ruwan Prasad said.

Steps to provide mid-day meals to all primary school children from March

Education Minister Susil Premajayantha said that a sum of Rs. 16 million has been allocated to facilitate the provision of school lunches for students in Grades 1 to 5, and measures will be implemented to ensure that all children in these primary grades receive lunch starting in March this year.

Island-wide health strike continues amid government’s inaction

In the wake of the government failing to provide a concrete solution to their grievances, the health sector trade unions have decided to continue the island-wide strike till Friday (02 Feb.).

Colombo hosts Pakistan Lifestyle Exhibition

Pakistan Lifestyle Exhibition is being held at BMICH until February 5. The Exhibition features leading Pakistani companies and manufacturers of Textile and Clothing, Designer wear, Handicraft and Traditional Textiles, Cutlery, Furniture, Carpets, Marble and Services. Pix by Kithsiri de Mel

No bus fare increase: Shashi Welgama; Increase bus fare by 10% within two weeks: Gemunu

National Transport Commission Chairman, Shashi Welgama said today that there is no provision to increase bus fares even though the price of diesel has increased by Rs. 5.

Government policy statement to be debated for two days

Party leaders representing Parliament have decided to hold a two-day adjournment debate on the government policy statement to be presented in Parliament by the President on February 7 at the ceremonial opening of the fifth dession of the ninth Parliament.

Afghanistan prepares in Colombo ahead of Test match tomorrow

The Afghanistan cricket team was spotted practicing at the SSC ground in Colombo ahead of the Test match scheduled to commence tomorrow. Both the Sri Lankan and Afghan captains participated in the pre-match press conference at the SSC. Pix by Waruna Wanniarachchi

Travel ban imposed on Keheliya Rambukwella

An overseas travel ban has been imposed on former Health Minister Keheliya Rambukwella by the Maligakanda Magistrate.