Reshan Most Outstanding Schools Golfer for 2023

Fifteen-year-old schoolboy from Colombo International School, Reshan Algama was recognised as the Most Outstanding Schools Golfer of the Year 2023 at the second Sportunleash Schools Sports Awards 2024, which took place at the BMICH in Colombo.

ICJ orders Israel to prevent acts of genocide, fails to order ceasefire

The International Court of Justice (ICJ) ordered Israel on Friday to prevent acts of genocide against the Palestinians and do more to help civilians, although it stopped short of ordering a ceasefire as requested by South Africa.

Uma Oya project to add 120 MW of electricity to national grid by February: State Minister

The Uma Oya project is expected to add 120 MW of electricity to the national grid by February 15, Minister of State for Irrigation Shasheendra Rajapaksa said today.

WPL 2024: UP Warriorz names Chamari as replacement for Lauren

English fast bowler Lauren Bell has opted out of the upcoming Women’s Premier League (WPL) season, prompting UP Warriorz to announce Sri Lanka’s Chamari Athapaththu as her replacement.

Parliament prorogued till February 7

President Ranil Wickremesinghe has prorogued Parliament till February 7, 2024.

Election Commission notified of vacancy in parliamentary seat

The Parliament has informed the Chairman of the Election Commission in a letter that a Parliamentary seat has fallen vacant from 25 January 2024, following the demise of Puttalam District Member of Parliament Sanath Nishantha, the Parliament Media Division said.

Unite for discussion with IMF on alternative proposals: President urges political parties

President Ranil Wickremesinghe extended an invitation to all political party leaders in the Parliament to engage in discussions with the Managing Director of the International Monetary Fund (IMF) on the implementation of the agreement with the IMF, the President’s Media Division (PMD) said.

Ahead of Independence Day…

Vendors in Colombo selling national flags ahead of the Independence Day celebrations. Sri Lanka will celebrate its 76th Independence Day on February 4. Pix by Pradeep Pathirana

Hotel accountant arrested for soliciting sexual bribe from female employee

The Commission to Investigate Allegations of Bribery or Corruption (CIABOC) conducted the first crackdown on bribery in the private sector under the powers conferred by the new Anti-Corruption Act.

Paying last respects

Several Ministers and MPs including former President Mahinda Rajapaksa paying their last respects to State Minister Sanath Nishantha while his remains lie in state at a private funeral parlour in Borella. The remains will be taken to Arachchikattuwa today for the last rites to be held on Sunday. Pix by Nisal Baduge

Team Barishal, Shoaib Malik dismisses match-fixing rumors in BPL

It was circulating on social media that Malik’s contract has been terminated due to match-fixing suspicions

Kedella Expo opens at BMICH

Once again this year, the Kedella exhibition and trade fair kicked off at Colombo BMICH, providing an excellent opportunity to shop for thousands of essential items for homes. The event, taking place from the 26th to the 28th of December, was officially inaugurated by Sanjaya Perera, Senior Vice President- Personal Banking and Customer Experience. Pix by Kithsiri De Mel

Thai police to charge Sri Lankan over pet lion spotted cruising in Bentley

Police in Thailand have arrested a woman whose pet lion was pictured going on a joyride in the streets of Pattaya.

Austrian tourist dies, three others injured in highway accident

An Austrian national died and three other foreigners injured when the van they were travelling in collided against the back of a lorry on the Katunayake Expressway near the 27th kilometre post this morning.

Russia and India set to revitalize alternative shipping line

Moscow and New Delhi on Wednesday held detailed talks on reviving the Eastern Maritime Corridor (EMC) connecting Vladivostok in the Russian Far East and Chennai on India’s eastern coast.

Alabama carries out first U.S. execution by nitrogen

Alabama carried out the first American execution using nitrogen gas on Thursday evening, killing a convicted murderer whose jury had voted to spare his life and opening a new frontier in how states execute death row prisoners.

SJB wants Speaker to call for a party leaders’ meeting before endorsing Online Safety Bill

The Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB) today urged Speaker Mahinda Yapa Abeywardene to call for a party leaders’ meeting to discuss the Online Safety Bill before endorsing it.

75th Republic Day of India celebrated in Colombo

The Indian High Commission of Sri Lanka celebrated the 75th Republic Day at the India House today (26). The Indian High Commissioner Mr. Santosh Jha unfurled the Indian flag to mark the event. Pix by Kithsiri De Mel

Daughter of legendary music director Ilaiyaraaja dies of cancer in Sri Lanka

Legendary music director Ilaiyaraaja’s daughter and playback singer Bhavatharini died of cancer on Thursday (25) in Sri Lanka.

Two more arrested over Beliatta shooting

Two more suspects have been arrested on suspicion of aiding and abetting the shooting in Beliatta where five persons were killed.

Government allocates Rs.1,000 million for small scale irrigation reconstructions in 2024

Government has allocated Rs.1,000 million for 2024 for the reconstruction of small-scale tanks, culverts and embankments in the country.

Card payments’ merchant fee shouldn’t be borne by customers: CB Deputy Governor

Merchant fees which are at most times conveniently passed on to the customer should not be borne by the customer, the Central Bank asserted this week. As per agreements inked between banks and vendors, the fee must be absorbed by the merchant himself. Speaking on the issue, the Central Bank’s Senior Deputy Governor, Yvette Fernando said they have made aware the merchants at times who should bear the merchant fee which often gets added to the cost

Katunayake expressway in the dark

It was recently reported that it was impossible to turn on the lights of the Katunayake expressway as thieves have cut and removed the high-voltage electricity cables.

Sanath Nishantha; will he be remembered?

Forty-eight-year-old Sanath Nishantha who hailed from Puttalam, left his house late on Wednesday to attend two weddings, one in Kurunegala and another in Chilaw. While wishing his wife and four children goodbye, little did he know that he would never return.

Police bust suspect selling organ to buy drugs

In a grim tale of addiction and desperation, Kattankudi Police nabbed two suspects yesterday, uncovering a significant stash of the illegal drug ICE and a shocking story of organ traf­ficking fuelled by addiction.

Sri Lankans with forged Italian resident cards nabbed at BIA

The Immigration and Emigration Department officials at the Bandaranaike International Airport (BIA) searched two Sri Lankan men bound for Dubai on suspicion yesterday and found forged Italian resident visa cards in their possession.

PUCSL tells CEB to submit proposal before Feb. 12

After considering the favourable hydroelectric storage and profits earned during the year ending December 2023, the Ceylon Electricity Board (CEB) was directed by the Public Utilities Commission of Sri Lanka (PUCSL) to submit a tariff proposal.

Group connected to certain political party posting insulting posts: Amaraweera

A group connected to a particular political party and fake account holders have posted insulting posts on State Minister Sanath Nishantha’s tragic death, Minister Mahinda Amaraweera said.

Solutions to principals’ issues, Ministerial Committee report released

The report of the committee appointed to resolve the outstanding issues in the Principals’ Service, to develop the pricipals’ service compatibility according to the educational reforms while uplifting the professional nature of the service was handed over to Education Minister Susil Premajayantha today.

Judge proposes Spain’s Luis Rubiales face trial over Hermoso World Cup kiss

A Spanish judge has proposed that former football federation president Luis Rubiales should stand trial over the women’s World Cup kiss involving captain Jenni Hermoso.