SJB alleges NPP goes back on election promise to reduce borrowings

Former MP and former Chairman of the Committee on Public Finance Harsha de Silva said the electoral pledge made by the National People’s Power (NPP) in the political platform has proven to be unrealistic. Dr. de Silva told a media briefing that the only option available for the government is to borrow funds from financial markets.

No decision taken against competitive procurement of diesel for CEB

CEB purchases three types of petroleum fuels, Heavy Fuel Oil, Naphtha and Diesel

Schoolboy dies in tragic motorcycle collision with double-cab

A schoolboy riding on a motorcycle had received serious injuries in a head-on collision with a double-cab from the opposite direction and died on admission to the Nalanda Hospital in the Matale District.

Meta to work with EC in crackdown on misinformation

Around 60 per cent of complaints filed by the Election Commission have been addressed, Meta said at a post-election briefing recently.

Sri Lanka reaffirms commitment to climate resilience and sustainable development at GGGI Summit

the Secretary to Environment, Wildlife, Forest Resources, Water Supply, Plantations, and Community Infrastructure, highlighted Sri Lanka’s partnership with GGGI and stated that the country is committed to climate and risk mitigation as key principles for agricultural development, along with the transition to electric mobility as part of the national transportation strategy.

Chairman Urban Settlement Development Authority assumes duties

Asanka Abeywardene who has been appointed as the new Chairman of Urban Settlement Development Authority assumed duties recently.

10,000 Chinese cigarettes seized in raid in Kollupitiya

A stock of 10,000 Chinese cigarettes was seized by a team of Excise Officers from Sri Jayawardenapura Excise Station during a raid on a Chinese business establishment at Samagi Mawatha in Kollupitiya.

Chinese Ambassador Qi Zhenghong visits the Pathfinder Foundation

The Pathfinder Foundation had the honour of hosting Qi Zhenghong, Ambassador of the People’s Republic of China to Sri Lanka, who was accompanied by the Chief of Political Section, Mr Qin Ligong and Third Secretary Mr. Jin Enze, from the Embassy of China, for a luncheon meeting at its ‘River Point’ premises in Peliyagoda. The delegation was warmly welcomed by the Founder of Pathfinder Foundation, Mr. Milinda Moragoda, CEO of MMBL Pathfinder, Mr. K

Voters with disabilities can bring assistant: EC

The Election Commission has announced that voters with disabilities will receive special assistance to cast their ballots in the upcoming Parliamentary Election on November 14, 2024.

Is sustainable farming the answer to end child malnutrition in Sri Lanka?

The Serendip Be the Change Foundation (SBTCF), founded in 2021 during Sri Lanka’s economic crisis, focuses on addressing child malnutrition and food insecurity.

Government will follow proper criteria in releasing films: Minister

Claiming that allegations were rife that there had been irregularities and favouritism in releasing films, Media Minister Vijitha Herath said yesterday the present government will formulate proper criteria and release films in a proper order without resorting to any such irregularity or favouritism.

Man, stepfather arrested for series of robberies, rape in Gampaha

A young man and his stepfather, wanted in connection with a series of robberies and rape of several women had been arrested by Malwathu hiripitiya Police in the Gampaha Police Division.

Pali, accorded the status of ‘Classical language’ in India

Pali, the language in which the The Buddha gave his sermon, has been recognized and accorded the status of Classical language by the Indian government.

CBK, Ranil in argument over hidden money in Dubai; Ranil says couldn’t find any

Former presidents Ranil Wickremesinghe and Chandrika Kumaratunga engulfed in heated argument over an incident of a certain political leader’s young son hiding USD 1000 million in a Dubai bank, where Mr. Wickremesinghe rebuffed the allegation claiming that his 2015 government could not find any even though teams were sent to Dubai.

Fuel deal without competitive bidding risks corruption, expert warns

In the wake of the new government’s move to strike a fuel supply deal with the Ceylon Petroleum Corporation (CPC) for the Ceylon Electricity Board (CEB) to generate power, a top economic analyst said such a transaction without a competitive bidding process will leave room for corruption.

SriLankan Captain resigns after cockpit lockout incident

The captain involved in the controversial cockpit lockout incident aboard SriLankan Airlines flight UL607 from Sydney to Colombo has reportedly resigned.

I cannot represent Pment. under a leader who backstabs his party members: Mannapperuma

Former MP Ajith Mannapperuma, who announced his withdrawal from contesting the upcoming General Election as a candidate of the Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB) following his removal as SJB Gampaha District Organizer, stated that he cannot represent Parliament from a party headed by a leader who backstabs his own party members.

Depression on the rise among adolescents, parents should be alert as such teens vulnerable to self- harm, substance use

Depression among adolescents are high, and parents should be vigilant as they are predisposed to self- harm and substance use, an expert said yesterday.

Ranil to make a special statement on Thursday

Former President Ranil Wickremesinghe is to make a special statement on Thursday October 17.

SC urged to cancel Grade 5 Scholarship Exam Papers

Twenty-seven (27) students, along with their parents, filed a Fundamental Rights petition in the Supreme Court yesterday, seeking an order to cancel Paper I and Paper II of the Grade 5 Scholarship Examination held on September 15. The petitioners are also requesting that the Grade 5 Scholarship Examination be re-conducted.

Govt. will take action to recover Aloysius’ defaulted tax money: Minister

The government will take action to recover the defaulted tax money by Director of W.M. Mendis and Company Ltd. Arjun Aloysius, who was sentenced to a six-month jail term for defaulting a VAT payment amounting to Rs. 3.5 billion, Cabinet Spokesman Vijitha Herath said yesterday.

New govt. to strike fuel supply deal between CPC, CEB for power generation

The Ceylon Electricity Board has decided to strike a fuel supply deal with the Ceylon Petroleum Corporation to receive fuel for power generation in the future instead of the plan initiated by the previous government to do so through an open bidding process ,an official said .

Influx of illegal fags in recent weeks; Most Dubai cigarettes seized at BIA are nearing expiry date :Customs

Large quantities of illegal cigarettes worth over hundreds of millions of rupees seized at the Bandaranaike International Airport over the past few weeks, in what seems to be ‘an influx of illegal fags’, are found to be nearing expiry dates, the Daily Mirror learns.

EC decides to proceed with legal action against those who didn’t submit campaign finance reports

The Election Commission has decided to proceed with legal action against a candidate and political parties that failed to submit their campaign finance reports within the stipulated time after the results of the presidential election were announced, an official said yesterday .

Arjun Aloysius and two others jailed for six months for defaulting VAT payment

Three Directors of W.M. Mendis and Company Ltd- Arjun Aloysius, A.R. Dinendra John, and Prasanna Kumarasiri de Silva- were sentenced yesterday to a six-month jail term by the Colombo Chief Magistrate’s Court for defaulting on the payment of Value Added Tax (VAT) amounting to Rs. 3.5 billion.

Does NPP tone down Uganda money allegation?

National People’s Power (NPP) candidate Nilanthi Kottahachchi who made allegations about stolen assets stashed in Uganda by the previous regime said she made such remarks in a broader context on the need to recover ill-gotten wealth concealed in Uganda and elsewhere in the country.

Rain, cold weather likely to increase childhood asthma, respiratory infections

With the rainy and cold weather conditions, childhood asthma, especially respiratory viruses infections including influenza will increase, Lady Ridgeway Hospital (LRH) Consultant Paediatrician Dr. Deepal Perera said.

Chinese nationals involved in online fraud Chinese Embassy assures full support to curb such crimes

Asserting that China is closely following the recent reports that Sri Lankan police arrested a number of foreign suspects of online fraud, including Chinese nationals, the Chinese Embassy said it provides full support to Sri Lankan law enforcement agencies in resolutely cracking down on suspects while protecting their legitimate rights and interests in accordance with the law.

SriLankan captain locks first officer out of cockpit

A tense situation had unfolded aboard SriLankan Airlines flight UL607 from Sydney to Colombo when the captain locked the female First Officer out of the cockpit.

Govt. to review Adani Mannar wind power project: AG tells SC

Deputy Solicitor General Dr. Awanti Perera, appearing on behalf of the Attorney General, informed the Supreme Court that the interim cabinet of the new government has decided to review this project. As part of this process, the materials and issues raised by the petitioners before the Court will be considered. The Attorney General also gave an undertaking to maintain the status quo regarding the project until the new government makes an appropria