Alarming spike in HIV; mostly among gay community

There has been an alarming increase in HIV positive cases in the country during this year compared to last year, and most of them were among people who engaged in same-sex relationships, National STD/AIDS Control Programme Consultant Community Physician Dr. Janaka Weragoda said. “4,600 HIV positive patients had been identified since the first patient was found in

Security sticker on bottles of liquor forged: SJB MP

MP Pathirana said the racket is being carried out with the knowledge of certain Excise Department officials and requested an immediate inquiry into the matter

Lakshman Kiriella and Chamara Sampath Dasanayake clash in Parliament

Chief Opposition Whip Lakshman Kiriella and State Minister Chamara Sampath Dasanayake were engaged in a showdown in Parliament yesterday over the session closing time. State Minister Dasanayake said the closing time of the sessions should be changed. “ The sessions close at 7pm. Parliament staff are inconvenienced by this as it is close to midnight when they

Exporting 2,000 MT plantains lost due to Agriculture Dept. negligence

Accordingly, it was planned to export 2000MT of plantains to China per month at the rate of 500MT per week

SLFP objects to selling of profitable SOEs

The Sri Lanka Freedom Party (SLFP) yesterday said the party voted against the budget 2023 on Tuesday (22) to record its protest and disagreement to the proposed selling of profit making State Owned Enterprises (SOEs) as it poses a threat to the national security and goes against the national interests. Part

Ven. Eethalawetunawewe Gnanathillaka Thera appointed as Chief Incumbent of Ruwanweliseya

Chancellor of the Rajarata University Ven. Eethalawetunawewe Gnanathillaka Thera has been appointed as Chief Incumbent of the Ruwanweliseya temple in succession to former Chief Incumbent Ven, Pallegama Hemarathana Thera who was appointed recently as Anuradhapura Atamasthanadhipati. Th

CB’s economic policies have badly affected people’s lives: AKD

Says CB Governor was harping on contracting the economy as the only solution to the economic crisis

Int’l force behind SL’s economic crisis- MR

An international force is behind Sri Lanka’s economy and this force is still active, former Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa told Parliament yesterday. Speaking during the second reading debate in the House, he said the local agents of these forces are still active. “It was they who sponsor protests that are taking place in the nation. Their action affects the tourism sector whic

Second reading OF Budget passed with a majority of 37

18 members were absent while MP C. V. Vigneswaran abstained from voting

60 percent of US $ 1 billion Indian credit line exhausted

Out of US $ 600 million, US $ 200 million had been used for oil purchases

Increase in viral flu similar to influenza among children

There is no need to admit patients with mild symptoms to hospitals

Human trafficking Officer attached to SL mission in UAE suspended

An officer attached to the Sri Lankan mission in UAE who has been involved in human trafficking has been suspended and will be brought back to Sri Lanka, Minister of Labour and Foreign Employment Manusha Nanayakkara told Parliament yesterday.

Dress code circular doesn’t apply for teachers: Public Adm. Secy.

Public administration circulars were not legally entitled to any schools whatsoever

Statement on malnutrition Interdicted Doctor goes to court

Files FR challenging Health Ministry Secretary’s decision

Cabinet approves framework for election expenditure

The General Secretary of political parties collectively and candidates individually are responsible to adhere to the limit of expenditure at polls monitored by the election commission

Death toll in Human Elephant conflict ups

Death toll of the human elephant conflict has been increasing in alarming proportions in the Anuradhapura wildlife zone, as revealed by the District Committee to Pay Compensation for Damages Caused by Wild Elephants. The committee met under the chairmanship of Anuradhapura Additional District Secretary Sandya Abesekara. W

Amaraweera axed from UPFA General Secretary post

The Central Committee of the Sri Lanka Freedom Party (SLFP) yesterday decided to remove Mahinda Amaraweera from the post of United People’s Freedom Alliance (UPFA) General-Secretary and unanimously decided to appoint Thilanga Sumathipala to the post.

No payment made by Basil to use VIP arrival lounge at BIA

Former Finance Minister Basil Rajapaksa who arrived in Sri Lanka on Sunday morning to a grand welcome at the VIP lounge of the Bandaranaike International Airport (BIA) is yet to pay the bill for using the VIP services as well as for the food which was provided to his guests.

World’s largest sapphire aggregate not sold yet, brought to Dubai from Switzerland

The world’s largest single natural blue star sapphire cluster has not been sold as yet, and the cluster is being moved to Dub

Mrs. Grand International 2022 alleges she was asked for sexual bribe

Magen Ratata Organization President Sanjaya Mahawatte claims that Sri Lankas representative for Mrs.Grand International 2022, Chamika Withanawasam, had allegedly been asked for sexual bribes by the Director of M.R. Entertainment Malith Ranasinghe.

Many teachers attend school in casual attire

They claimed that purchasing sarees was unaffordable due to the economic crisis

Woman arrested over alleged human trafficking racket was a translator

It was revealed before Colombo Chief Magistrate’s Court that a woman arrested in connection with the investigations into alleged human trafficking to Dubai and Oman was a translator attached to a foreign employment agency. Acco

An earthquake on the main Indonesian island of Java has killed at least 162 people and injured hundreds

Rescuers were working into the night to try and save others thought to still be trapped under collapsed buildings

Gammanpila’s travel ban temporarily lifted to attend religious function in India

The Colombo High Court yesterday permitted Parliamentarian Udaya Gammanpila to travel abroad from November 23 to November 29.

SLFP asks JVP to apologize to nation over its terrorist acts

The Sri Lanka Freedom Party (SLFP) yesterday called on the Janatha Vimukthi Peramuna (JVP) to tender an apology to the nation for the atrocities committed in 1971 and 1989 – 90 period and also an assurance that the JVP would not resort to terr

At 3rd NMFT Ministerial Conference in New Delhi SL proposes setting up group of eminent persons

Sri Lanka proposed to set up a group of eminent persons with a view to helping galvanize greater political will and to create further international awareness among states on the importance of combating terrorist financing, at the recently concluded 3rd No Money For Terror (NMFT) Ministerial Conference in New Delhi, a statement from the Sri Lankan mission in New Delhi said.

Tamils will decide separatism unless Government chooses federalism: Ponnambalam

“We will not keep quiet and you will have to spend more for defence,” said the MP

SJB questions presence of Police Commission members to welcome Basil at airport

Speaker Abeywardena assured that new members will be appointed to the commissions soon

US ambassador stresses importance of free and fair elections

U. S. Ambassador Julie Chung said free and fair elections are a cornerstone of any democracy, including both her country and Sri Lanka. Issuing a Twitter message, she said she had a good meeting yesterday with civil society representatives to discuss how transparency and inclusion are essential to preparation for future elections here.

SL wants resolution of Ukrainian crisis through dialogue and diplomacy

Foreign Minister Ali Sabry who met Levan Dzhagaryan, the Russian Ambassador to Sri Lanka, said he discussed bilateral relationship between our two nations and emphasized Sri Lanka’s consistent position to see an immediate resolution of the Ukrainian crisis through dialogue and diplomacy. The Minister said this in a Twitter message.