New IMF agreement a must: Sajith

A new agreement with the IMF is a must in order to extend the debt repayment period to 2033 and to avoid another economic crisis, Leader of Opposition Sajith Premadasa said yesterday.

JVP has forgotten November Heroes’ commemoration: Kumar Gunaratnam

Frontline Socialist Party (FSP), a breakaway group of the Janatha Vimukthi Peramuna (JVP), yesterday said the latter which is governing the country today had even neglected the commemoration of November heroes on the due date.

CID launches probe into Channel 4 documentary on Sri Lanka’s Easter bombings: Pillayan summoned by CID

The Criminal Investigation Department (CID) has initiated an investigation into the documentary aired by Britain’s Channel 4 TV over Sri Lanka’s Easter Bombings in 2019.

CID to question 18 former cabinet ministers over Keheliya’s medicine import scandal

The Maligakanda Magistrate yesterday allowed the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) to record statements from 18 Ministers in the previous government led by former President Ranil Wickremesinghe, who represented the Cabinet which approved the cabinet paper submitted by former Health Minister Keheliya Rambukwella to import 182 types of medicines under the Indian loan scheme, allegedly by pretending there was a shortage of medicines.

Sri Lankans falling prey to cyber scam centres in Myanmar on the rise

Sri Lankans currently staying in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) are being sent to cyber scam centres in Myanmar in groups and the National Anti-Human Trafficking Task Force (NAHTTF) has received information through reliable sources that there is an increase in the number of newly recruited Sri Lankan citizens there, the Defence Ministry said.

Polling cards available online: Election Commission

Ahead of the Parliamentary election scheduled for November 14, the Election Commission has launched an online system enabling voters to access their polling cards.

Anuradhapura lawyer arrested for smuggling narcotics to detainees

A lawyer practising in the Anuradhapura court was arrested yesterday by Anuradhapura Division Crime Investigations Unit on suspicion of peddling narcotics to detainees under the pretext of giving them legal advice.

Kataragama Devalaya owes Rs 600,000 for its fuel use - Southern Province Governor

Southern Province Governor Bandula Harischandra said the Kataragama Devalaya had run into arrears of 900,000 for fuel for the Devala vehicles supplied by Tissamaharama Multi-Purpose Cooperative and only Rs. 300,000 had been paid. He said a balance of Rs, 600,000 was outstanding.

Monsoon hits India-Sri Lanka ferry service

The India-Sri Lanka ferry service is to be suspended for over a month due to the turbulent sea during the monsoon period, an official said.

Sri Lanka’s BRICS application to be considered - Russian Embassy

Sri Lanka’s application to join BRICS will be considered in due course in consultations and consensus along with numerous other bids from other countries under the chairmanship of Russia, the Russian Embassy said yesterday.

Price of an egg will increase to Rs 1000 if SL fails to stabilize economy: RW

Price of an egg will rise to Rs 1000 if Sri Lanka fails to stabilize the economy, former President Ranil Wickremesinghe said yesterday.

Will inter-monsoon rain hamper voting? EC, DMC brace for any disaster on polling day

With heavy inter-monsoonal rain beating the country, the election authorities have decided to work out extra plans along with the Disaster Management Centre (DMC) to conduct polling of the General Election next Wednesday without any impact from a possible disaster situation, an official said.

Suspected attack in Arugam Bay Israel commends Sri Lanka for swift protection of nationals

In an official meeting, Ambassador Aviv Ezra, Deputy Director General and Head of the Asia and Pacific Division at the Israeli Ministry of Foreign Affairs, met with the Sri Lankan Ambassador to Israel, Nimal Bandara

78-year-old Trump’s election as President, it is an example for Sri Lanka: Wajira

Ranil can run country for another 12 years

Vijitha Herath visits Colombo Port: Employees reveal irregularities in container clearances

Daily clearances drastically dropped from 1,800-2,000 last year to 300-400 now, despite having the same workforce

Customs and CTC destroy Rs.390Mn worth counterfeit fags seized from BIA

Cigarettes seized through multiple detections over the past two months

Over 3,000 driving licences suspended due to various illegal activities: DMT

Suspensions made following court orders

X-Press Perl disaster Cardinal’s Counsel concludes oral submissions before SC

Counsel representing Cardinal Malcolm Ranjith, who filed a Fundamental Rights petition related to the X-Press Pearl disaster, concluded his oral submissions yesterday before a five-judge bench of the Supreme Court.

SJB candidate Charith Abeysinghe lodges complaint with EC

Says social media report on his imprisonment in UK few years ago is mudslinging

Use of social media restricted in schools

Ministry noted that it has been receiving reports of negative effects associated with students’ use of these applications, which has prompted the Ministry to issue the circular

Attempted abduction of ex-girlfriend at gunpoint foiled

He entered the girl’s house, armed with two locally made guns and sharp weapons

Galle Election Dispute Centre suspends former Minister’s dinner party

Over 500 attendees had arrived from various parts of the district

Female principal arrested over bribery in Ragama

Allegedly demanded bribe to admit student to Grade 1

Schools close for elections from Nov 13, reopen on Nov 18

Schools used as counting centres be closed only for the specific periods necessary

Complaints on election law violations surpass 2,000

A total of 149 fresh complaints related to the upcoming General Election were received, pushing the total number of complaints to over 2,000. The Election Commission said the complaints were received during the period from September 26 to November 07.

NMRA clarifies misinformation on pharmacy licence rejections

In response to recent reports suggesting a potential wave of pharmacy closures across Sri Lanka due to alleged rejections of licence renewal applications, the National Medicines Regulatory Authority (NMRA) clarified that these reports are inaccurate.

Investigations reveal defective brakes caused fatal bus crash in Badulla

Witnesses report the driver warned of brake failure moments before the crash

Indian High Commissioner distributes aid, reviews Housing Project in Uva Province

High Commissioner of India to Sri Lanka Santosh Jha recently visited one of the sites of the Indian Housing Project (IHP) Phase - III at Narangala Division in Uva Province in a bid to extend multi-sectorial assistance.

Rotary Pink Pledge Affair Month-long Breast Cancer awareness campaign launched

Hilton Colombo hosted Rotary Pink Pledge Affair on October 29 —the culminating event of Rotary District 3220’s month-long Rotary Pink Pledge campaign – Rotary’s fight against breast cancer, led by the Women in Rotary initiative. This evening brought together over 150 participants, including Rotary members and supporters, all united in a shared mission to champion breast cancer awareness, resilience, and empowerment.

Supreme Court halts attempt to release illegally held elephants to suspects

The Supreme Court yesterday issued several interim orders, including staying and suspending all proceedings in the impugned Colombo Chief Magistrate’s Court case, where an order to release elephants to suspects in those proceedings, had been made by the Magistrate.