Health Minister soliciting bribes, DGHS focussing on foreign tours: Dr. Bellana alleges

President of the Government Medical Officers’ Forum Dr. Rukshan Bellana charged that Health Minister Keheliya Rambukwella was soliciting bribes, causing the downfall of the health sector of the country.

Dengue claims four more lives; June logs highest number of cases

Sri Lanka has reported four more dengue-related fatalities while the total cases have inched to cross 50,000, according to the Epidemiology Unit.

Ex-President released Jude Shramantha under due process of law: Counsel

Ex-President Maitripala Sirisena‘s counsel told the Supreme Court that Jude Shramantha Jayahama was released from prison following the due Constitutional process which the petitioner had suppressed to Court.

Parliament approves Domestic Debt Restructuring programme

The Domestic Debt Restructuring programme was approved by Parliament with a majority of 60 votes with 122 members voting for and 62 against.

Probe underway over ill-tempered consultant at LRH

The Health Ministry has initiated an investigation over an ill-tempered consultant pediatrician at the Lady Ridgeway Hospital for Children (LRH) following several complaints received against the consultant.

Several HCs, Ambassadors present credentials to President

Three High Commissioners and seven Ambassadors presented their credentials to President Ranil Wickremesinghe at the President’s House in Kandy a short while ago, the President’s Media Division (PMD) announced.

Cabinet gives go-ahead for DDR

Approval has been granted by the Cabinet of Ministers for the country’s Domestic Debt Restructuring (DDR) program.

’’If you do not know English, why don’t you speak in Tamil,’’ RW tells Tamil activist

President Ranil Wickremesinghe asked a Tamil activist in the UK to pose a question in Tamil when it seemed he was struggling to raise a question in English.

Specialist doctors’ retirement age increased to 63 years: Attorney General

The Attorney General informed the Court of Appeal today that the health authorities have taken a decision to raise the retirement age of Consultant Specialists Doctors to 63 years.

Exodus of medical specialists inevitable

Referring to the statement made by the Health Ministry Secretary that 700 doctors who are currently overseas will return within the next two years upon the completion of medical specialist training, a senior medical specialist said it is highly unlikely to witness such a phenomenon given the recent trend.

Bandula to run buses without conductors from July 1

The Ministry of Transport has decided to introduce a bus transport service without conductors from July 1st, on the instructions of Transport Minister Dr. Bandula Gunawardana.

NIA files chargesheet against 13 in India, Sri Lanka for attempting to revive LTTE

The National Investigation Agency (NIA) has filed a charge sheet against 13 people, including 10 Sri Lankan nationals and three Indians, in connection to its probe into the illegal drugs and arms trade case relating to attempts to revive the activities of Sri Lankan Tamil separatist group Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) in India and Sri Lanka, the agency said on Friday.

Air pollution triggered heart diseases visible in Sri Lanka : Expert

Air pollution has increased the risk of heart disease in Sri Lanka like elsewhere in the world, a top cardiologist said.

Pastor Jerome Fernando under probe for Money Laundering

The Attorney General today informed the Court of Appeal that the CID is conducting investigations against Pastor Jerome Fernando under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act apart from the charges levelled under ICCPR Act and Penal Code.

US$ rate reaches Rs.300; in-depth study on vehicle imports stressed: Siyambalapitiya

In a situation where the US dollar, which is overvalued by 78%, has been devalued by about 20%, Finance State Minister Ranjith Siyambalapitiya said that the proposal to give permission to import vehicles should be studied in depth.

SC gives landmark judgment on ownership and copyright

The Supreme Court recently gave a landmark judgment with regard to the ownership of the copyright of a work of renowned Chef Publis Silva, which is relevant to authors, publishers and all other connected parties in the respective field.

Monks, MPs, a catholic priest requested MS to free Shramantha Jude

Ven. Athuraliye Ratana Thera, former MPs Ven. Baddegama Samitha Thera, Sarath Kongahage, a Catholic priest and several others had met then President Maithripala Sirisena and pleaded to grant presidential pardon to Shramantha Jude Jayamaha, who was convicted for the killing of a young woman in Royal Park, it was revealed before the Supreme Court through a letter submitted by a then presidential assistant secretary, yesterday.

Cork teacher injured in cycling holiday accident in SL can sue in Ireland, High Court rules

A Cork woman who was injured in an accident on a cycling holiday in Sri Lanka can sue the UK-based organisers in the Irish courts, the High Court has ruled.

Seven Sri Lankan fugitives under INTERPOL red notice list

Seven Sri Lankan fugitives are among 6,872 fugitives listed under the INTERPOL’s red notice list, recent statistics have shown.    

UL returns Airbus A 330-200 after lease expiry

The first A 330-200 aircraft of the Sri Lankan Airline leased from France 23 years ago is to be returned to the company of origin on the expiry of the lease.

SL Rupee depreciates against USD

The Sri Lankan Rupee (LKR) has depreciated against the US Dollar (USD) today compared to last week, according to the Central Bank of Sri Lanka.

Keheliya admits Govt.’s failure in drug price reduction

Health Minister Keheliya Rambukwella said while expressing his protest and disappointment over the exorbitant price of medicinal drugs in the market despite sharp and steady depreciation of the dollar against the rupee admitted that the government or the health ministry were helpless to do anything about it.

Sri Lanka to fulfill IMF agreements by September

Sri Lanka will fulfill the agreements reached with the International Monetary Fund (IMF) by September, State Finance Minister Ranjith Siyamabalapitiya said.

Automated Border Control to be established at BIA

An agreement was signed to establish an Automated Border Control (ABC) system at the Bandaranaike International Airport (BIA) to provide an efficient service to passengers.

Nihal Jayawardene appointed as HNB Chairman; he takes over after Chairperson Aruni Goonetilleke resigns

Hatton National Bank PLC (HNB) yesterday announced the resignation of its Chairperson Aruni Goonetilleke and the subsequent appointment of Nihal Jayawardene PC as its new Chairman.

Parliamentary committee recommends not to privatise SLT

The Sectoral Oversight Committee on National Security has recommended not to privatise Sri Lanka Telecom as it could pose a threat to national security.

Value of a perch in Galle Fort increased to Rs. 22mn

More than one hundred buildings, located within the Galle Fort, have been purchased by foreigners, increasing the value of one perch to Rs 22 million, the Galle Heritage Foundation said.

GR gets new luxury state bungalow in Colombo 07

Former President Gotabaya Rajapaksa who was forced out of office in June last year has been allocated a new luxury bungalow sponsored by the State situated in Stanmore Crescent which is usually assigned to the Foreign Minister, Daily Mirror learns.

Gota given new residence at Stanmore Crescent: MP Rasamanickam alleges

Minister of Foreign Affairs Ali Sabri has provided a new official residence at Stanmore Crescent to former President Gotabaya Rajapaksa, MP Shanakiya Rasamanickam alleged today in Parliament.

Govt. to boost tax revenue by removing VAT exemptions

The government is planning to boost tax revenue by 1.2 percent of gross domestic product (GDP) by removing most of the Value-Added Tax (VAT) exemptions and abolishing the Simplified Value Added Tax (SVAT) methodology.