CESS levy imposed ON 600 items amended from Nov.15

The government has changed the rate of the CESS levy imposed on over 600 items with effect from yesterday (15).

Abduction case against Hirunika fixed for trial in January

The case against Colombo district former Parliamentarian Hirunika Premachandra for her alleged involvement in the abduction of a youth was yesterday fixed for trial by Colombo High Court.

Sports Festival for Jaipur Limb users

The Board of Management of The Colombo Friend-in-need Society and the Organising Committee of Aidex 2022 recently conducted a Sports Festival for Jaipur Limb users at Rifle Green Grounds near Air Force Headquarters, at Sir Chittampalam A. Gardiner Mawatha, Colombo 2.

SL China friendship association hails people to people diplomacy

Five major friendship associations working towards enhancing people-to-people diplomacy between Sri Lanka and China organized a symposium on Tuesday in Colombo to welcome His Excellency Lin Songtian, President of the Chinese People’s Association for Friendship with Foreign Countries, who is on an official visit to Sri Lanka. Officials repr

Proposed shifting authority of Mahaweli Authority over land Will not vote for budget if govt. fails to amend proposal : Channa

SLPP MP Channa Jayasumana yesterday said he will not vote in favour of the budget if the government fails to amend the proposal to shift the authority which Mahaweli Authority enjoys over lands towards the divisional Secretariats. Speaking during the second reading debate on the budget, MP Jayasumana questioned whether MPs including S.M.Chandrasena, Roshan Ranasinghe can vote in favour of this budget which has

Hirunika used to give hugs to Cops to make them uncomfortable: Police

Former Parliamentarian Hirunika Premachandra used to give hugs to the police officers during public protests as a tactic to make them uncomfortable, police told court yesterday.

IGP, Public Security Ministry Secy summoned by HRCSL

To inquire into possible violation of human rights

Diana’s Parliament membership challenged in Court

A social activist filed a writ petition in the Court of Appeal yesterday seeking an order declaring State Minister of Tourism Dian

Seeking intervention to demand GoSL to quit repression on peaceful protests Activists handover communiqué to top ten foreign missions in Colombo

A group of media and civil society activists yesterday handed over a communiqué to ten leading foreign missions in Colombo including the United Nations office, seeking their intervention to demand the Government of Sri Lanka to sto

People being taxed while Aloysius’ Co. evades taxes: Vijitha

The license of the Company had been cancelled due to non-payment of taxes

Sri Lanka abstains from UN vote seeking Russian reparations to Ukraine

Sri Lanka abstained in the UN General Assembly on a draft resolution calling for Russia to be held accountable for violations of international law by its invasion of Ukraine and requiring Moscow to pay reparations to Kyiv for damages, loss and injury resulting from the war.

Hirunika, 14 others released on cash and surety bail

Police produced 15 suspects before the Colombo Chief Magistrate

Rs. 200 crore money laundering case Jacqueline Fernandez granted bail

She was granted bail to the actress on a personal bond of Rs. 50,000 and one surety of like amount

New Campaign Finance Bill in the offing

The Former President was misled by black money holders who financed his campaign

Minister Ali Sabry meets South African President Cyril Ramaphosa

Minister of Foreign Affairs Ali Sabry sharing a lighter moment with South African President Cyril Ramaphosa at the Bandaranaike International Airport in Katunayake on Monday during the latter’s transit stop at the Katunayake airport. “We discussed the historically strong ties between our nations and shared knowledge on nation-building and domestic peace-building mechanisms,” Minister Sabry tweeted.

Mixed reactions from government and opposition MPs to budget

The budget has failed to arrest the economic downturn and stabilize the economy. It aims to sell off profit making state entities such as Telecom, Water’s Ed

Prez pledges new economic order in budget

President Ranil Wickremesinghe, in his maiden budget for 2023, pledged to introduce a new economic order to suit world trends and highlighted that Sri Lanka will embark on this new path through the 2023 budget. “The economic order which was introduced in 1978 is no longer valid. Our aim now is to take the country towards a new economic order. Sri Lanka will move towards a social market economy through the budget,” the President said. “It is impor

Four SLPP dissidents support SJB

Four MPs who have declared independence from Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna (SLPP) yesterday decided to join Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB) to form a broad alliance.

Ravi K tipped to be UNP General Secretary?

Former Minister Ravi Karunanayake is expected to make a return to active politics as the new General Secretary of the United National Party, Daily Mirror learns. UNP Sources said that a majority in the UNP have proposed appointing Karunanayake as the UNP General Secretary. President Ranil Wickremesinghe, who is also in favour of the move, has already had discussions in this regard with Karunanayake, sources said. Sources also said that curren

News in brief

Happy that President has realized the value of Cannabis: Diana Gamage

State Minister Diana Gamage yesterday said she was extremely happy about the proposal made by President Ranil Wickremesinghe to promote Cannabis plantation in Sri Lanka. “I am very happy that the President has realized the value of Cannabis. It is an industry which can provide many employment opportunities. This is why I promoted it. I hope to bring in investments worth dollars two billion in the cannabis plantation sector next year,” Ms. Gamage

Trade Union activist Ananda Palitha released from a case

Ceylon Petroleum Corporation’s (CPC) Jathika Sevaka Sangamaya (JSS) Secretary Ananda Palitha was yesterday ordered to be released from a case filed against him for allegedly making a statement about fuel shortage. C

Heavy rains and earth slips experienced in Badulla District

Heavy rain experienced in the Badulla District had resulted in earth slips at several locations obstructing traffic last morning.Traffic on the Passara-Lunugala road and Modolsima-Pitamaruwa road had come to a standstill for about eight hours until the obstructions were cleared. Badulla-Passara road was obstructed by an earth slip at Wewessa area and traffic operated on a single lane.

Remembering the lost sons and daughters

A soldier or a revolutionist, it’s another son or a daughter that would be lost in any struggle to a mother. Armed Forces Remembrance Commemoration Ceremony 2022 (Poppy Day) was held yester

Police begin probe against cops harassing female cops, protesters

Video showing the Panadura South HQI and his team harassing female protesters and female police officers went viral on social media

Capital, exports, labour markets, digital economy focussed in 2023 budget

President Ranil Wickremesinghe, in his capacity as the Finance Minister, will present the 2023 budget to Parliament today with special attention to the sectors of capital market, export market,

Sooriyawewa boat tragedy Bodies of three missing girls found

Investigations revealed that the small catamaran used by fishermen had been carrying the entire group of eight individuals

Elephant calf injured by “Hakka Patas” cared for by villagers

An elephant calf that received serious injuries in a “ Hakka Patas” explosion had roamed into a home garden in Mahamweddegama in Navagatthegama in the early hours of last morning apparently se

Elephant knocked down by motor car

A wild elephant knocked down by a motorcar at Meegashandiya in Galgamuwa on Saturday night (12) had died on the spot. The driver had been injured and the motorcar extensively damaged.The injured was admitted to the Galgamuwa hospital. Wi

Eastern Siberia Pacific Ocean Crude Oil cargo unloaded

The Eastern Siberia Pacific Ocean (ESPO) Crude Oil cargo, which has been seen docked off the west coast of Sri Lanka for over 50 days due to a delay in settling payment, has commenced unloading, a Minister said.