SL enacts law to recognize 1000 foreign medical colleges in global ranking

Medical Amendment Bill which provides provisions for the government to recognize over 1000 foreign medical colleges was unanimously approved by Parliament yesterday. Minister of Health Dr. Ramesh Pathirana who referred to the Bill said it will enable Sri Lanka to recognize foreign medical colleges which enjoy slots in the global rankings. We shall be recognizing first 1000 medical colleges in the global ranking,” he said.

Cannot give a time frame for debt restructuring: State Minister

It is not possible to give a time frame as to when Sri Lanka would end its engagements with M/S Lazards France and M/S Clifford Chance LLP because of the complex situation with regard to the restructuring of debt pertaining to international sovereign bonds(ISB) , State Minister of Finance Shehan Semasinghe told Parliament yesterday.

Liquor companies reject Excise Department’s request to lower prices

The Excise Department’s recent request for liquor companies to reduce prices has been rejected by the companies, drawing criticism from health professionals who view the move as promoting alcohol consumption.

Pig,Dog out of election symbol list for independent candidates

The Election Commission has amended the list of symbols to be assigned to independent presidential candidates, leaving out ones that can cause embarrassment and offend religious sensitivities, an official said .

Sri Lanka seals first ODI series win against India since 1997

After enduring a 3-0 whitewash in the T20I series, Sri Lanka scripted a remarkable turnaround on Wednesday in the final ODI of the three-match series by defeating India by 110 runs, ending their 27-year drought for a bilateral series win against India.

Justice Ministry brought under President’s purview

Colombo, August 7 (Daily Mirror)- The Ministerial portfolios of Justice, Prison Affairs and Constitutional Reforms have been brought under the purview of the President through a Gazette Extraordinary issued by the President.

Allegations galore in Parliament

Ruling party MP Mahindananda Aluthgamage and Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB) MP Ranjith Madduma Bandara had a showdown in Parliament yesterday over liquor licenses issued to parliamentarians.

MP proposes exporting elephants due to rising population

Parliamentarian Jagath Priyankara proposed that elephants should be exported, claiming that the elephant population has increased drastically in the country.

Medical students accused of circulating nude images of ‘Club Wasantha’s body

The Athurugiriya Police informed the Kaduwela Magistrate’s Court on Monday that individuals, purportedly medical students taking part in the post-mortem, were responsible for circulating images of businessman Surendra Wasantha Perera’s body, also known as Club Wasantha who was fatally shot at a tattoo centre in Athurugiriya.

Ganesan wants ‘Indian Origin’ label removed from upcountry Tamils

MP Mano Ganesan’s Tamil Progressive Alliance (TPA), which pledged support to opposition leader Sajith Premadasa in the upcoming presidential election yesterday says that they want to remove the ‘Indian Origin’ label from upcountry Tamils.

Housemaid flown back in semi-conscious state

A woman from Wewalawewa village in Dambulla who went abroad as a housemaid in Kuwait in search of greener pastures about three months ago has been flown back to Sri Lanka in critical condition without having informed her relatives or the Sri Lankan authorities.

No voter is allowed to cast vote outside electorate: EC

The Election Commission (EC) categorically refuted media reports suggesting that voters will be able to cast their votes at any polling station in the upcoming Presidential Election.

My visits to India, China were sponsored by those governments

Responding to allegations that some Rs. 70 million had been spent on foreign trips, National People’s Power (NPP) leader Anura Kumara Dissanayake said only Rs. 3.37 million had been spent on his overseas trips.

Sad adieu!

In a solemn display of respect, President Ranil Wickremesinghe holds the coffin of Chief Incumbent of Hunupitiya Gangaramaya Temple Ven

From defender to defendant: lawyer booked for forgery in Anuradhapura

A lawyer who had produced forged documents to enter Law College and to obtain a national identity card and a passport stands indicted in Anuradhapura High Court. The Attorney General has indicted him under five counts.

MP Rohitha rides unregistered motorcycles to support Ranil

MP Rohitha Abeygunawardena of the Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna (SLPP) was seen riding unregistered high-engine-capacity motorcycles in violation of the Department of Motor Traffic Act and the Road Traffic Act. This was done to show his support for President Ranil Wickremesinghe in the upcoming 2024 Presidential Election.

India seeks to operate KKS Port for 30 years: Official

India which offered over US $ 62 million grant assistance for the development of the Kankesanthurai Port has sought to operate it for 30 years under an agreement, an official said.

Sri Lanka alarmed over potential global fuel price surge over tension in the Middle East

The global fuel prices are slated to increase to US $ 100 a barrel in case current tension in the Middle East continues further, and it has rung alarm bell for the government which is bound to adjust local prices according to spikes in the global market in conformity with the IMF programme, according to an informed source.

Nothing was impossible for late Venerable Chief Incumbent of Gangaramaya: President

Nothing was impossible for the Chief Incumbent of Gangaramaya Temple Venerable Galboda Gnanissara Thera as he was able to accomplish many things which was perceived to be impossible, President Ranil Wickremesinghe said yesterday whilst paying a glowing tribute to the late Prelate.

Dhammika Perera to be named SLPP presidential candidate this week

Business tycoon Dhammika Perera is slated to be named the presidential candidate of Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna ( SLPP ) by the middle of this week, a party source said.Earlier , SLPP has been promoting him as the candidate. The party decided to field its own candidate last week instead of backing President Ranil Wickremesinghe.

Police probe fatal shooting of woman, daughter and officer by fellow constable

Police are investigating the series of tragic incidents involving a 42-year-old police constable, who is suspected of killing a fellow officer, a woman and her 17-year-old daughter in Inginiyagala over a suspected land dispute before turning the gun on himself.

Sri Lankans including singers freed from Kuwait Police

A group of Sri Lankan artists including Indrachapa Liyanage and Samanalee Fonseka who were among 26 Sri Lankans arrested in Kuwait during a musical show, have been released.

Ruwan asks people not to rely on election promises

Deputy Leader of the UNP Ruwan Wijewardene said the people must not depend on election promises but think deeply about the country’s future at the upcoming Presidential Election and elect President Ranil Wickremesinghe to another term of office.

Bandula says he never accused RW of bond scam

Minister of Transport, Highways, and Mass Media Dr. Bandula Gunawardena reiterated that he had never accused President Ranil Wickremesinghe of the Central Bank bond scam, for which the individuals appointed by him were responsible.

HRCSL urges police to ensure impartiality during election period

The Human Rights Commission of Sri Lanka (HRCSL) stressed the importance of the responsibility of the Sri Lanka Police and the State officials to provide equal protection of the law devoid of any form of bias or discrimination as prescribed in Article 12 of the Constitution of Sri Lanka.

Namal Rajapaksa pooh-poohs speculations on his candidature

Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna (SLPP) Parliamentarian Namal Rajapaksa said in Anuradhapura on Saturday (03) that he will not be the SLPP Presidential candidate and that the SLPP candidate would be another parliamentarian engaged in active politics.

Bangladesh flares up in violence , nearly 100 dead

Nearly 100 people were killed and hundreds more injured Sunday as renewed anti-government protests swept across Bangladesh, with protesters calling for the prime minister to resign and the prime minister accusing them of “sabotage” and cutting off mobile internet in a bid to quell the unrest, foreign media reported.

Presidential candidates double down on efforts to woo minor, minority parties

In the wake of declaration of the Presidential Elections, the main candidates, particularly President Ranil Wickremesinghe and Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB) leader Sajith Premadasa have doubled down on their efforts to woo various parties and individuals, particularly those representing the minority communities to strengthen their bids for presidency.

Gangaramaya Chief Incumbent Ven. Galboda Gnanissara Thera passes away

Closing the curtain on the illustrious life of an eminent saffron-clad personality, Chief Incumbent of Gangaramaya Temple in Colombo Ven. Galboda Gnanissara Thera commonly known as ‘Podi Hamuduruwo’ passed away yesterday at the age of 81.

Five girls, below the age of consent, become victims of rape or statutory rape within two days in Anuradhapura

Five girls, below the age of consent, became victims of statutory rape, during the last two days in the Anuradhapura District, an official said.