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

Jeep driven by businessman’s teenage son kills child

A luxury jeep, reportedly driven by a 17-year-old boy, was involved in a tragic accident near the Gampola bus stand which resulted in the death of a three-and-a-half-year-old boy. The child, identified as Mohammad Siras Amde, had recently returned to Gampola from overseas.

Floods prompt couple to use canoes for homecoming instead of car

A newly married couple had to use canoes for their homecoming instead of a wedding car because of the floods in Kalutara, triggered by the overflowing of Kuda Oya. The roads in the area remain impassable because of the floodwaters and the couple had to use two canoes linked with wooden planks for their homecoming.

NPP must secure a massive majority to implement its programmes : Prez

The National People’s Power (NPP) government must secure a massive majority at the general election to implement its programmes successfully, swiftly and in a revolutionary manner, President and NPP leader Anura Kumara Dissanayake said yesterday.

Britain says it implements strategies to boost trade with SL

In an effort to bolster trade relations between the United Kingdom and Sri Lanka, Britain says it has initiated various programmes and mechanisms.

33,000 new cancer cases, 19,000 deaths last year

Health authorities in Sri Lanka have raised concerns over a significant increase in cancer cases, with over 33,000 new diagnoses and 19,000 deaths recorded last year.

candidates failing to submit expenditure reports: EC to get tough

The Election Commission has warned of stringent action against candidates who contested the recently concluded Presidential election, for failing to submit their election expenditure reports.

Inclement weather conditions to prevail but expected to improve

The inclement weather conditions will prevail for few more days but is expected to reduce gradually during the days to come, Department of Meteorology said yesterday.

22 women among 130 Chinese arrested for involvement in cyber crime

22 women were among the 130 Chinese racketeers arrested for their alleged involvement in online fraud by the Kandy District Crime Investigation Unit during a raid on a five star hotel in Kundasale over the weekend.

Environment Ministry thwarts attempt to release

The Environment Ministry has thwarted an attempt to release a stock of canned fish contaminated with arsenic, a harmful heavy metal, above permissible level to the market for composting or animal feed manufacturing,an official said.

High-intensity rain pounds Sri Lanka, flood threat looms

The complicated weather conditions which Sri Lanka is experiencing currently has led to a flood threat, according to the disaster management authorities.

Five DIGs including CID chief transferred: Ampavila to lead CID

The National Police Commission has transferred five Deputy Inspectors General (DIGs), including DIG Rohan Premaratne, who was overseeing the Criminal Investigation Department (CID).

Corrupt politicians quitting politics, a victory of Anura becoming President: Bimal

Claiming that corrupt and racist politicians have opted not to contest this year’s General Election to evade defeat, NPP member Bimal Ratnayake said yesterday it was a great victory secured by the NPP even before the General Election victory to make sure that such politicians have not even become candidates at this year’s elections. He told media after handing over the nomination list for the NPP’s national list that the NPP must be thankful t

Pensioners to get Rs. 3,000 monthly interim allowance from next week

President Anura Kumara Dissanayake has instructed officials of the Ministry of Finance to take necessary action to provide a monthly interim allowance of Rs. 3,000 to all pensioners from next week.

New online platform empowers voters with information on parliamentary candidates

Platform outlines eight key criteria candidates must meet to be considered qualified public representatives

Mental Health Matters: Students of CIS join hands at vigil for late schoolmates

Cambridge University study highlights that one in seven adolescents globally faces mental health issues

2024 General Election Over 600 parties, groups geared to contest

The Election Commission yesterday (11) confirmed that 690 nomination papers from political parties and independent groups were accepted for the 2024 General Elections.

EPDP, a Tamil party, fields two Buddhist monks to contest General Election

Eelam Peoples’ Democratic Party (EPDP), a Tamil party led by former Fisheries Minister Douglas Devananda, has created history by fielding two Buddhist monks and thus becoming the first Tamil party to field a Buddhist monk. Buddhist monks Venerable Kiriebbanare Vijitha Thera and Venerable Udawalawe Jinasiri Thera will represent EPDP from the Colombo District

Legal action unless ministerial houses not returned: PM

Prime Minister Dr. Harini Amarasuriya said that legal action would be instituted unless ministerial houses used by the politicians of the previous government are not handed over.

Only 11 out of 31 houses assigned to former ministers handed over

Only 11 out of 31 politicians who held ministerial responsibilities in the previous government and lived in the government houses have vacated them, according to the Public Administration Ministry. A top source said it never takes time to clear the process since a lot of formalities such as inventory taking needs to be completed.

Damitha Abeyratne tippexed out of SJB Ratnapura District list

Aragalaya- activist turned politician Damitha Abeyratne, who claimed that she would contest the General Elections from the Ratnapura District through Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB) was in for a shock when she found out that her name was omitted from the nomination list for the Ratnapura District.

HRCSL urges overhaul of controversial Prevention of Terrorism Act, citing human rights abuses

The Human Rights Commission of Sri Lanka (HRCSL) has called on the government to review laws and policies that have been misapplied to hinder legitimate activities of Human Rights Defenders (HRDs) according to a report issued recently.

My proposal for a common opposition front was not heeded: Mayantha

Lack of understanding among right-wing and centre parties made me decide to keep away from the General Election this year, former Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB) MP Mayantha Dissanayake said yesterday.

PAFFREL to deploy 3,000 observers to ensure transparency at upcoming General Election

Around 3,000 stationary observers are to be deployed on Election Day, and roughly 1,000 observers will be monitoring postal voting, PAFFREL said yesterday.

Shani appointed as Director Crimes of SL police

Former Director CID, SSP Shani Abeysekera has been appointed Director Crimes Sri Lanka Police.