Overall 22.5% electricity tariff revision from today

The Public Utilities Commission of Sri Lanka (PUCSL) announced yesterday a 25 per cent electricity tariff reduction for domestic consumers, effective from today, along with an overall tariff revision of 22.5 per cent.

Government approval rating tripled in July compared to four months ago: Verité Research

The latest round of the Gallup style ‘Mood of the Nation’ poll of Verité Research revealed that over three times as many people approve of the government and feel better about the economy and the country’s economic trajectory compared to four months ago, the Verité Research said.

Richard Pieris Group Chairman Sena Yaddehige to be arrested upon arrival

Chairman of Richard Pieris Group, Sena Yaddehige, will be arrested upon his return to the country in connection with the alleged sexual abuse of a female business analyst from the company.

Pregnant woman and lover demand ransom from husband

A pregnant woman who had gone missing from home for several days was found in the company of her paramour on Saturday evening (13) by Govindupura police at a house in Weddgala in Kalawana.

Visa-free travel to Thailand, decision effective once Thai Embassy informs authorities

Thailand has announced the inclusion of Sri Lankans among nationals of 93 countries eligible for visa-free entry into that country but the decision will be effective only after the Thai Embassy formally informs the Sri Lankan authorities in this regard, a source said.

Sajith’s UNP membership will be reinstated if he supports Govt: Prez

President Ranil Wickremesinghe yesterday urged Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB) and National Peoples Power (NPP) to turn Sri Lanka into a developed nation and pledged to revive SJB Leader’s UNP membership if the former decides to support him.

Minister warns senior Police officers over suspect’s confession video

Public Security Minister Tiran Alles has strongly warned senior police officers, including Western Province (South) Deputy Inspector General of Police Gayantha Marapana, for interrogating the owner of a tattoo studio in front of the media.

President, Opposition Leader condemn the assassination attempt on Trump

President Ranil Wickremesinghe yesterday expressed his shock on the assassination attempt on former President Donald Trump on Saturday and said he was relieved to learn that he is safe. “The President stated that Sri Lankans have been at the receiving end of such violence in politics, and urged all to adhere to the laws protecting Democracy,” President’s media unit said.

Rs 1.8Bn tax in arrears from liquor manufacturers, Champika lashes out

The Excise Department had failed to collect the total tax amount of Rs. 1.8 billion in arrears up to June 15, 2024, from last year from the relevant liquor manufacturers despite recommendations from the Committee on Ways and Means, Committee Chairman MP Patali Champika Ranawaka said.

45 Sri Lankan organised criminals still at large overseas

As many as 45 Sri Lankan criminals –red noticed by Interpol are stationed overseas - mostly in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) - and carry organised criminal activities in Sri Lanka, a top police source said.

Drastic drop in tourist arrivals due to eVisa, Rauff Hakeem says

Sri Lanka Muslim Congress (SLMC) leader MP Rauff Hakeem who launched a scathing attack on the eVisa system said a significant drop in tourist arrivals is reported because of its introduction, and urged the government to take immediate corrective action.

Petitions on Presidential Election Don’t make a mockery of judiciary: Wijeyadasa tells people and lawyers

Claiming that people continue to go to court at their whims and fancies to prevent the Presidential Election, Justice Minister Wijeyadasa Rajapakshe yesterday requested people and lawyers not to make a mockery of the judiciary.

Sri Lanka increasingly facing air pollution issues: Hong Kong-based scientist

Director of Environment Protection of Hong Kong Dr. Samuel CHUI highlighted that Sri Lanka, as a developing country, is facing increasingly serious air pollution issues.

A dozen MPs dispute Harsha de Silva’s report, complain to Speaker

​A dozen MPs who are members of the Committee on Public Finance distanced themselves from the report submitted by its chairman Dr. Harsha de Silva saying it was false and unacceptable. The MPs who dissociated themselves from the report are Shehan Semasinghe, Dr. Seetha Arambepola, Anupa Pasqual, Johnston Fernando, Mahindananda Aluthgamage, Wajira Abeywardena, Suren Raghavan, Duminda Dissanayake, Nimal Siripala de Silva, U.K. Sumith Udukumbura, P

Online visa process mired in controversy, top parliamentary committee finds

Calls for forensic audit and possible abrogation or amendment

Devale kapuwa arrested for impregnating underage girl in guise of performing rituals

The kapuwa (lay priest) of Paththini Devale in the Lunugala area of the Badulla District who allegedly impregnated a 14-year-old schoolgirl by raping her under the pretext of performing rites to dispel the malefic effects of a ghost haunting her was taken into custody by Lunugala Police.

Lawyer files petition urging referendum before Presidential Election

A lawyer has filed a Fundamental Rights petition in the Supreme Court seeking a declaration that the Presidential Election should not be held without a referendum on the 19th amendment to the Constitution.

Opposition MPs urge Presidential Election as scheduled amidst delay concerns

A significant number of MPs from the opposition have requested the Election Commission to expedite the forthcoming Presidential Election, citing concerns over potential attempts to delay the polls

Work from Home to be legalised: Labour Minister

Providing legal provision for work from home or ‘work from a remote location’ under the new labour law that is being drafted at the moment, Parliament was informed yesterday.

Japanese Ambassador to deliver lecture on ‘Japan’s Vision for Sri Lanka’

Hideaki Mizukoshi, Ambassador of Japan To Sri Lanka, will deliver the second lecture in the Japan Lecture Series initiated by the Lanka-Japan Friendship Society in 2023.

Training programme on mosque administration for SL mosque administrators

A delegation of mosque administrators from Sri Lanka will depart for Malaysia on Monday (15) for a two-week training session in mosque administration.

Unions confer with minister : Train strike called off

Following discussions with Transport Minister Bandula Gunawardana, the Sri Lanka Railways Station Masters’ Union (SLRSMU) has decided to call off their ongoing train strike from last night.

Mahinda is the ‘game master’, not Ranil - AKD

Claiming that President Ranil Wickremesinghe is not a ‘game man’ or crafty man like former President Mahinda Rajapaksa, National People’s Power (NPP) leader Anura Kumara Dissanayake said yesterday all plans by Ranil Wickremesinghe so far had been failures and that all his plans to prevent the Presidential election too will be a failure.

Presidential poll: No legal or financial barriers as of now - EC

Amidst concerns raised by various parties about the Election Commission’s ability to conduct the impending Presidential election due to legal and financial obstacles, Election Commission chairman R.M.A.L. Rathnayake has emphasized that currently there are no such barriers.

Club Wasantha murder case: MPs question airing of confession made by Tattoo shop owner

MPs of both sides in Parliament yesterday questioned the airing of the video clip on the confession made by the tattoo shop owner who is held in connection with the killing of ‘Club Wasantha’ in Athurugiriya on Tuesday.

Security intensified in Mannar to prevent possibility of Athurugiriya suspects escaping

Special checkpoints have been established across Mannar in response to intelligence reports that suspects involved in the Athurugiriya shooting may attempt to escape to India via fishing boats.

Police in soup over Athurugiriya shooting

The National Police Commission yesterday ordered the police to conduct an investigation into the leaking of the confession made by the Athurugiriya shooting suspect to the media and submit a report within two weeks .

CEYPETCO had sufficient jet fuel for flights despite train strike

Despite 12 train services with fuel carriages not operating between Kolonnawa and Bandaranaike International Airport, CEYPETCO Aviation unit assured it had sufficient JET A-1 fuel for daily flights.

New speed limit rules in two weeks

State Minister of Transport, Lasantha Alagiyawanna announced that a gazette with the necessary regulations on speed limits, aimed at reducing road accidents, will be issued within the next two weeks.

IGP’s attention drawn to suspect’s confession video in Athurugiriya shooting case

Inspector General of Police Deshabandu Tennakoon’s attention has been drawn to a video of a confession made by a suspect in the Athurugiriya shooting in which two persons including ‘Club Wasantha’ was killed, being released to the media.