Prez holds talks with Indian External Affairs and Finance Ministers

President Anura Kumara Dissanayake who arrived in India yesterday held talks with Indian External Affairs Minister Dr.S. Jaishankar and Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharama New Delhi.

Rice crisis: Importers cite inability to stick to control prices

Importers insist that the government should reduce duty on rice from Rs.65 to 50 a kilo and extend deadline for placement of orders till December 31 st at least as otherwise local retailers will find it challenging to stick to the price controls stipulated by the government, a spokesperson said.

Over 300 errant rice traders netted in raids

Over 300 traders have so far been found violating rice control price regulations during recent nationwide raids, according to Consumer Affairs Authority (CAA) Director of Information Asela Bandara.

14 teachers caught with forged certificates in North Central Province

The service of several teachers in the North Central Province who had forwarded forged education certificates to join the government service have been suspended.

NMRA hints at potential medicine price reductions

The National Medicines Regulatory Authority (NMRA) has indicated the possibility of reducing drug prices, pending the resolution of legal hurdles.

Sripada Pilgrim season commences today

Sripada Pilgrim season will commence with the dawn of Unduvap Full Moon Poya Day today.

Monkey menace: sterilization begins

Government allocates Rs. 4.5 million for this initiative

President to address business leaders in India during his state visit

President Anura Kumara Dissanayake who will undertake a state visit to India from December 15 to 17 will interact with business leaders there apart from his official engagements with Indian leaders – Prime Minister Narendra Modi, President Droupadi Murmu, External Affairs Minister Dr. S. Jaishankar and National Security Advisor Ajit Doval. The President will be accorded the highest protocol as it is a state visit. It is expected to deliver

Important for Adani Group to commence operations of CWIT: Minister

Work on East Container Terminal (ECT) to be completed by June 30, 2025

Fever outbreak in Jaffna under control

The fever that spread in Jaffna, claiming seven lives, has been identified as Leptospirosis, commonly known as Rat Fever, the Epidemiology Unit of the Health Ministry announced yesterday.

Anyone found guilty of wrongdoing will face consequences: President

We will not tarnish the extraordinary trust placed by people even by the slightest misconduct

Govt. contemplates relocating Toque Monkeys to uninhabited Islands

Highlighting that the government is determined to end the toque monkey menace as soon as possible, Minister of Agriculture K. D. Lalkantha yesterday said a project to relocate them to uninhabited islands is contemplated. “We are determined to put a stop to this menace and not to leave it to the next generation. A project is being prepared to confine toque monkeys to uninhabited islands in Sri Lanka.

Fake titles of MPs on parliamentary website: Explanations called from parliamentary employees

Communication Department of Parliament apologises to Justice Minister Harshana Nanayakkara

Govt. rocked, Speaker steps down following allegation over academic credentials

Following heavy public outcry over false doctoral title, National People’s Power (NPP) MP Ashoka Sapumal Ranwala announced yesterday that he would step down from his post as the Speaker of Parliament. According to a media release issued by him, he said a public debate had been triggered in society over his academic qualifications. However, he said he had not falsified his academic qualifications.

Security for former Presidents to be periodically reviewed

In the wake of the decision to reduce the number of security personnel assigned to former Presidents, including Mahinda Rajapaksa, the police said that the committee appointed to review security will meet periodically and assess reports to determine whether the number of officers should be further reduced or increased.

Easter Sunday Cases Court decides preliminary legal issues by Pujith and Nilantha to be addressed at case conclusion

The Negombo District Court has issued an order in a case filed by a victim of the Easter Sunday attack, ruling that the Preliminary Issues of Law raised by former IGP Pujith Jayasundara and former State Intelligence Service Director Nilantha Jayawardena, based on Section 88 of the Police Ordinance, cannot be taken up as preliminary issues and must instead be considered at the conclusion of the case.

Rainfall reduced in North-East monsoon compared to 2023: Department of Meteorology

Misty conditions will persist in most districts until January

40% of Sri Lankan migrant workers are women: SLBFE

Of the total number of workers who went abroad for work, 40.7% were women, the Sri Lanka Bureau of Foreign Employment (SLBFE) reported yesterday.

Rice prices inflated at some places, CAA on alert

Some traders are selling rice at prices higher than the controlled price, the Consumer Affairs Authority (CAA) said yesterday. The CAA said while most shops are selling at the gazetted price, there have been reports of inflated prices. “Steps taken to import will stabilize rice prices in the market,” he said.

Yala National Park overcrowded again

A recent decision by the Department of Wildlife Conservation to increase the number of Safari jeeps to 550 into the Yala National Park has received backlash from animal rights activists who claim that the National Park is facing a threat of overcrowding and this is a violation of animal rights.

All MPs must publish their educational qualifications: SJB

While highlighting that the false claim by Speaker Ashoka Ranwala on his doctorate has degraded Parliament, Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB) MP Harshana Rajakaruna said today that all Members of Parliament should publish their educational qualifications.

US govt.-owned DFC seeks more projects in Sri Lanka for investment despite Adani Group withdrawal

Despite Adani Ports and Special Economic Zone (APSEZ) withdrawing its request for financing for the Colombo West International Terminal (CWIT),

Farmers allowed to act against monkeys: environmentalist

While pointing out that the toque monkey is one of five mammals in Sri Lanka not protected under the law, veteran environmentalist Dr. Jagath Gunawardane said farmers are allowed to take action against non-protected animals that trespass on their lands.

Unidentified fever in Jaffna leaves health fraternity scrambling after five deaths

The unidentified fever spreading in the Jaffna district has claimed five lives, but health authorities have assured that the situation is under control while maintaining high vigilance.

Security details of former Presidents reduced

Security details of former Presidents have been withdrawn after reviewing reports on the security threats they face, police said.

Govt ready to resume talks on exporting Toque Macaque monkeys: Minister

The government is ready to take up the discussion again on exporting Toque Macaque monkeys to China as one solution to the monkey menace, Minister of Agriculture, Livestock, Land and Irrigation Lal Kantha said yesterday.

Sri Lanka can still send toque monkeys to China: former Minister

Sri Lanka still has the opportunity of sending toque monkeys to Chinese zoological gardens, former Minister of Agriculture Mahinda Amaraweera said yesterday. Mr. Amaraweera told media that incumbent President Anura Kumara Dissanayake should make use of this available opportunity and should focus on it.

Sudden change in weather conditions

Weather conditions concerning Sri Lanka has taken a sudden change as the low pressure area over southeast Bay of Bengal is expected to weaken by the North East Monsoon conditions which has been established, Department of Meteorology said yesterday.

US sanctions on Udayanga, Kapila: Easier for Govt. to take legal action against them: Govt.

In the wake of United States imposing sanctions and visa restrictions on former CEO of SriLankan Airlines Kapila Chandrasena and former ambassador to Russia Udayanga Weeratunga, Cabinet spokesman Dr. Nalinda Jayatissa said yesterday this would make the matters easier for the government to take legal action against them on Airbus and MiG aircraft deals.

Jerome not a Catholic Bishop, don’t get deceived: Catholic Church

The Catholic Bishops Conference in Sri Lanka yesterday (10) clarified that Pastor Jerome Fernando was not a Bishop of the Catholic Church, and therefore the members of its church should not be deceived.