Run over by train while using phone

A factory worker in Koggala Free Trade Zone was run over by train last morning at the level crossing near the FTZ.

Liquor license fees do not affect liquor prices

The increase in liquor license fees will not affect the retail selling prices of liquor, Excise Department Commissioner Kapila Kumarasinghe said. Addressing the media, he said there is no c

SC judgement on economic crisis; recovery process must start now: Sumanthiran

Claiming that the Rajapaksa brothers have enough money parked outside the country to pay the 22 million people in this country if compensation had been ordered by the Supreme Court, TNA MP M.A. Sumanthiran said the recovery process must start now, from those who had been held responsible for the economic crisis. He told Parliament that the country’s economy can be revived just from the money parked by the Rajapaksa brothers outside the country.

SC issued judgments on four previous presidents which is not good for democracy: Wijeyadasa

The 19th A could not proceed even for five years. When 18A was introduced, we said the politicians who mediated to bring it will be in trouble, that has happened today

Gruesome recovery: head of elephant found

The head of a wild elephant, which had been separated from its trunk, was found in Kirindi Oya by the locals.

Mishandling of economic crisis in SL Rajapaksas at fault

Respondents were ordered to pay a legal cost of Rs.150,000 to each petitioner

Budget 2024: Yet another typical Sri Lankan budget

Another budget has been presented. Is it merely another budget, or does it differ from those in the past? These are loaded questions, given the distinct environment in which the 2024 budget was presented. However, it seems that the 2024 budg

yet to decide if I will re-contest Presidency -RW

He said UNP will look at re-grouping and making a comeback before elections next year

CEB introduces e-billing system to more consumers

While marking the discontinuation of the conventional practice of issuing printed paper bills, the Ceylon Electricity Board (CEB)

SLC rebuked for its weak processes

Committee on Public Enterprises (COPE) yesterday rebuked Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) for following weak processes in carrying out its activit

Appeal Court to deliver crucial verdict on retirement age of specialists

If the retirement rule is implemented as planned, a total of 305 specialists, including 70 doctors who will turn 63, will be forced to retire

BRI tenth anniversary Communist Party of China bolsters ties with political parties in Sri Lanka

In the aftermath of the tenth anniversary of the Belt and Road Initiative ( BRI), the Communist Party of China (CPC) enhanced engag

CAA conducts 22,000 raids during past 10 months

A total of 22,000 raids have been conducted during the past ten months, and cases have been filed against 19,000 offenders. The reports of the government analysts are to be received for the remaining incidents, and soon after receiving the reports, cases will be filed against them, Director of Consumer Affairs and Information at the Consumer Affairs Autho

Contempt of Court cases against Treasury Secretary dismissed

The Supreme Court yesterday dismissed two contempt of court applications filed against the Treasury Secretary Mahinda Siriwardana. These applications had

BUDGET 2024 Highlights

Diana Assault probe report to be handed over to speaker today

The committee which probed the alleged assault of State Minister Diana Gamage at the lobby recently is to hand over its reports to the Speaker today. It was reliably learnt that the committee is divided on their conclusion, while most of the members feel that the state Minister Gamage, MPs Sujith Sanjaya Perera and Rohana Bandara should be suspended from Parliament for two months. It has also been suggested that the report should be

This election budget is different -President

President Ranil Wickremesinghe yesterday unveiled a budget that could be deemed pragmatic, acknowledging the limited fiscal and political room for additional taxes, while simultaneously showcasing ambition through its revenue proposals and deficit targets to satisfy the International Monetary Fund (IMF). Contrary to expectations, the 2024 budget did not introduce new taxes or increase existing tax rates. Instead, the primary revenue propo

SLC consultancy role Deshabandu vows to resign if allegations proven

Senior DIG Deshabandu Tennakoon yesterday refuted the claim that he had accepted a confidential consultancy role with Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) and asserted that if there were any substantiated proof demonstrating that he had received any form of benefits from SLC, he would promptly resign from his current position. According to letters shared on social media, SLC offered Tennakoon a secret consultancy role as an advisor to the Consultant Securit

I never discussed budget proposals with President: MR

Claiming that the Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna (SLPP) was yet to take a decision regarding the budget 2024, former president Mahinda Rajapaksa said yesterday that the party would make a decision shortly.

This is totally an election budget: Harsha

Says an election may be held in April or October

Budget proposes to steer economy through same failed economic path: AKD

The budget 2024 has proposed to steer the country through the same failed economic path instead of finding permanent solutions to the grave economic issues faced by the country, NPP leader Anura Kumara Dissanayake said yesterday. Commenting on the budge

Diana happy about introduction of flexible opening hours for liquor shops and bars

The proposal was made in yesterday’s budget by the President to introduce flexible opening hours for bars and liquor shops in order to stop illicit liquor sales

SC delivers a landmark judgment broadly interpreting parate execution

A Supreme Court seven-judge-bench yesterday delivered a landmark judgment giving a broad interpretation in respect of parate execution (law which allows sale of mortgaged properties without intervention of courts), by overruling the decision of Chelliah v Ramachandran case. The Supreme Court seven-judge bench comprising Justices Buwaneka Aluwihare, Murdu Fernando, S. Thurairaja, Gamini Amarasekara, A.H.M.D. Nawaz, Kumudini Wickremasinghe and M

SC holds Deradicalization Regulations are not legally valid

The Supreme Court yesterday made a declaration that the regulations issued by former President Gotabaya Rajapaksa in respect of Prevention of Terrorism (De-radicalization from holding violent extremist religious ideology) Regulations No. 01 of 2021 are not legally valid. The Supreme Court further held that these regulations are in violation of the fundamental rights of the petitioners guaranteed under Articles 10 (the freedom of thought, consci

Ports Ministry to start several revenue-generating programmes at Hambantota Port

Ports, Shipping and Aviation Minister Nimal Siripala de Silva has focused on starting several revenue-generating programmes at the Hambantota Port. Following a discussion at the ministry, it was revealed that the Sri Lanka Ports Authority (SLPA) owns 15% of the total shares of Hambantota Port, and the government has not received any dividend as no profit has been made from the Hambantota Port so far. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic and the

No tea party but lunch

The usual tea party which is held for MPs and other invitees after the second reading of the budget was not held this year, but a late lunch because of the fact that the presentation of the budget began at 12 noon.

B-day celebrations at parliamentary group meeting

Dual birthday celebrations were held during the ruling party parliamentary group meeting at the parliamentary complex yesterday. Birthdays of State Minister Shehan Semasinghe and MP Sagara Kariyawasam were celebrated with the cutting of cakes, according to reliable sources. President Ranil Wickremesinghe had also participated in the celebrations.

Sugar shortage sparks price surge; CAA urges complaints

The National Movement for Consumer Rights Protection (NMCRP) claimed that there is a huge shortage of white sugar in the local market. NMCRP head Ranjith Vithanage told the Daily Mirror that the shortage is due to the controlled price imposed on sugar. The Consumer Affairs Authority (CAA) has issued a gazette notification setting a maximum retail price (MRP) for sugar, with effect from November 3. Despite the maximum retail price for

Main suspect who threatened ex-PUCSL Chairman arrested

The main suspect who allegedly made death threats and attempted to extort Rs. 1.5 million from former chairman of the Public Utilities Commission of Sri Lanka (PUCSL) Janaka Rathnayake has been arrested in Wellampitiya. Police said the suspect was arrested by the Colombo Crimes Division and that the suspect had 12 grams of ice drug in his possession at the time of arrest. The CCD launched investigations into the alleged death threats and extortio

SL to produce train tickets locally after 150 years?

Sri Lanka is slated to decide on manufacturing train tickets locally after 150 years with an investor who has been in the local paper industry and is set to meet government top brass to convey his plan to produce train tickets locally. Chairperson of Ceylon Eco-Friendly Products (Pvt) Ltd Udaya Gunarathne said he will engage in a meeting with the government top brass this week when he will present his project proposal of developing train tickets