Court issues order preventing IRD collecting APIT from judges

The Court of Appeal has issued an interim order preventing the Inland Revenue Department from collecting Advance Personal Income Tax (APIT) from judges. The Court of Appeal issued this order pursuant to the writ petitions filed by the Judges’ Associations.

Young couple who could not marry over birth certificate issue, commit suicide

CCTV footage of a teenage couple committing suicide at a hotel in Tangalle which had gone viral on social media, has revealed that the couple had committed suicide as they did not get a chance to marry over a birth certificate issue.

Italy willing to supply helicopters to combat human trafficking

Italy has expressed its willingness to help Sri Lanka by supplying helicopters for anti-human trafficking measures, the President’s Media Division said yesterday. Italian Ambassador Rita Giuliana Mannella conveyed the message during a meeting with President Ranil Wickremesinghe which was held at the Presidential Secretariat.

CA quashes Health Minister’s decision

The Court of Appeal yesterday issued a Writ of Certiorari quashing former Health Minister Pavithra Wanniarachchi’s decision to remove Prof. Harendra de Silva as President of the Sri Lanka Medical Council (SLMC) and removing four others as Council Members of the SLMC. Former President of Sri Lanka Medical Council Prof. Harendra de Silva and four council members, Dr. Sunil Rathnapriya, Dr. Upul Gunasekara, Prof. Narada Digagamini and Dr. Pushpith

Robbers remove CDM with Rs.8 Mn from private bank in Gampola

Several police teams were deployed after a Cash Deposit Machine (CDM) of a private bank in Gampola on the Gampola-Kandy main road was removed by a group of robbers along with around Rs. 8 million in cash on Tuesday night.

IDB suggests international conference in SL to find ways to address liquidity

In the backdrop of the financial crisis in Sri Lanka, the Islamic Development Bank (IDB) offered to have an international conference here to explore alternate ways to address liquidity issues, a Minister said.

IMF tells govt. to tax those who earn above Rs 45,000: Bandula

Gunawardena said President Ranil Wickremesinghe had revealed this IMF proposal to the cabinet on Monday

Nine Independent Commissions including Election Commission to get new members

An advertisement will be published in the weekend newspapers calling for applications for members to be appointed to these commissions

Excise Dept. ordinance should be updated: Siyambalapitiya

Says amendments to the Excise Act will be tabled in Parliament soon

Aragalaya activist shouts at Cabraal

An Aragalaya activist was heard shouting at former Central Bank Governor Ajith Nivard Cabraal calling him a thief. The incident took place outside courts. “Aragalaya activist Da

‘Homosexuality not a crime’: Pope Francis

Pope Francis criticized laws that criminalize homosexuality as “unjust,” saying God loves all his children just as they are and called on Catholic bishops who support the laws to welcome LGBTQ people into the church.

Dr. Shafi’s FR petition fixed for May 16

The Fundamental Rights petition filed by Dr. Shafi Shihabdeen, who was at the centre of the controversy surrounding the alleged sterilization of female patients was today fixed for support by Supreme Court.

No power cut until end of A/L exam: HRCSL

The Human Rights Commission of Sri Lanka (HRCSL) said yesterday that the parties that gathered at the HRC had agreed not to impose power cuts until the end of the Advanced Level Examination.

UK to support SL to secure extended financing facility with IMF

Constructive engagement across creditors is vital to secure a prompt and comprehensive International Monetary Fund programme for SL

Hundreds rush to Colombo over fake job opportunities in Turkey

A tense situation was reported at the J R Jayawardena Centre in Colombo today after hundreds of job seekers around the country gathered at the centre following a fake Turkey job interview published on social media.

EC member Charles resigns from post Chairman expected to follow suit

Member of Election Commission P. M. S. Charles resigned from her post while Chairman of the commission Nimal Pumchihewa is also expected to follow suit, a spokesman from the President’s office said.

Commonwealth Secretary-General to attend 75th Independence Day celebrations

Commonwealth Secretary-General Patricia Scotland KC will visit Sri Lanka next week to attend the nation’s 75th National Independence Day celebrations.

Chief Inspector hospitalized, claims SSP assaulted him

A Chief Inspector of the Kebithigollewa Police had been admitted to Anuradhapura Teaching Hospital following an alleged assault by an SSP, Police Spokesman SSP Nihal Thalduwa said. He said the

17.8 Mn recovered by protesters at President’s House Police yet to question Gota, despite order

It was transpired before Colombo Fort Magistrate’s Court that despite a Court order, police have so far failed to record a statement from former President Gotabaya Rajapaksa regarding ongoi

13 years sans justice

Sandya Ekneligoda, the widowed wife of disappeared journalist Prageeth Ekneligoda made offerings to the Kali Kovil in Modara on Tuesday to mark the 13th year since the disappearance of her husband on January 24th in

PUCSL to expedite CEB tariff proposal subject to Electricity Act

PUCSL seeking a legal opinion on the implementation of the cabinet request for an interim tariff with retrospective effect

Boyfriend forces young girl sitting A/L exam to drink acid

The young man, riding on a motorcycle obstructed their way and attempted to make her drink acid

Johnston asks for Trade Ministry?

President had reportedly told his cabinet that he had no more intentions of expanding his cabinet

Mujibur goes before Supreme Court to proceed with LG Election

Mujibur Rahuman is seeking an order quashing the Cabinet Decision instructing District Returning Officers not to accept deposits from LG Election candidates

SL woos Muslim countries for support at UN fora, in economic development

In a fresh move to secure the support of the Muslim world, Foreign Affairs Minister Ali Sabry held talks with Secretary General of Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) Hissein Brahim Taha and r

Ajith Prasanna jailed for contempt of court

Retired Major Attorney-at-Law Ajith Prasanna was yesterday sentenced to a four-year-rigorous imprisonment by the Supreme Court in connection with a contempt of court application.

Met. Dept. warns of severe lightning

The Meteorology Department warned of thundershowers accompanied by severe lightning at several places in Western and Sabaragamuwa Provinces and in Kandy, Nuwara-Eliya, Galle and Matara Districts during the afternoon or night. T

China offers Sri Lanka debt moratorium, IMF help still in doubt

Regional rivals China and India are the biggest bilateral lenders to Sri Lanka

Failure to prevent power cuts during A/L exam Power and Energy Ministry Secretary, PUCSL Chairman summoned before HRCSL

The Ministry of Power and Energy and the PUCSL has not taken any step to prevent the schedule power cuts despite the Commission’s instruction

Approving of electricity tariff revision Writ petition filed against cabinet decision

Electricity and Renewable Energy Association and Centre for Environmental Justice filed this writ petition