Mastermind of largest hedge fund insider trading rings in US, Raj Rajaratnam in Sri Lanka

Sri Lankan-born Galleon hedge fund founder Raj Rajaratnam, alleged of being the mastermind of the largest hedge-fund insider-trading rings in US history, is presently in Sri Lanka and will meet some Sri Lankan politicians in the coming days, the Daily Mirror learns.

Mother-daughter duo, who arrived in Madurai from China, test positive for Covid-19

A six-year-old girl and her mother who arrived at Madurai airport from China via Sri Lanka tested positive for COVID-19 on Tuesday. They were both isolated by authorities.

Businesses with dollar income sources will only survive this crisis: Central Bank Governor

Says dollar earning companies could navigate the import shortages and beat domestic inflationary forces much better Offering a stark....

If electricity bill not increased, people must bear with powercuts: Minister

If the electricity bill is not increased, people will have to adapt to power cuts running to several hours, Power and Energy Minister Kanchana Wijesekera said.

Dinesh Schaffter’s probe takes a new turn

The investigation into the death of businessman Dinesh Schaffter, who died mysteriously, has now taken a new turn following the recovery of several evidences with investigators now suspecting that he may have committed suicide.

GR and wife leave for USA

Former President Gotabaya Rajapaksa and four of his family members left for the United States this morning, airport sources said.

LG Polls: Nominations to be called next week

The District Returning Officers (DROs) will issue the Gazette notification calling nominations for the Local Government (LG) polls on January 2nd’ 3rd or 4th, Elections Commission (EC) Chairman Nimal G Punchihewa said yesterday.

Ashu says video on social media is doctored, complains to CID

Ashu Marasinghe, former advisor to President Ranil Wickremesinghe today lodged a complaint with the CID alleging that a doctored video regarding him had been released and was circulating on social media.

Government says ready to be flexible on tax policies

While stressing the tax policies are not written in stone, the government said it is ready to be flexible to amend such policies, given that there are pragmatic alternative proposals to collect tax revenue foregone.

President’s advisor caught in a storm for allegedly sexually abusing pet dog

A video recording of Prof. Ashu Marasinghe, former advisor to President Ranil Wickremesinghe, allegedly showing him sexually abusing a dog has gone viral after it was released by SJB member Hirunika Premachandra to the media today.

Dinesh Schaffter’s secretary had not informed police over meeting with Brian Thomas

The police said today that it was an executive officer of businessman Dinesh Schaffter and not his secretary, who had informed the police that Dinesh had scheduled a meeting with former cricket commentator Brian Thomas on the day Schaffter was killed.

State Minister slammed by Korean delegate for not being punctual

Social Empowerment State Minister Anupa Pasqual and its officials were taken to task by South Korea Disaster Relief Foundation (SKDRF) President Cho Sung Lea for getting late by 30 minutes for a scheduled meeting in Colombo.

Finance Minisry to hand over customs confiscated vehicles to police

Necessary arrangements have been made to hand over the vehicles confiscated by Sri Lanka Customs (SLC) to be used for raids by the Sri Lanka Police Department, including drug prevention, State Finance Minister Ranjith Siambalapitiya said.

Dinesh Schaffter’s killers still at large

The police who are yet to make an arrest over the murder of Dinesh Schaffter, the director of Janashakthi Company, has questioned more than 30 persons including Schaffter’s wife so far and police said they would be able to arrest the killers soon by solving the mystery of the murder.

Guna and Ladiya among 9 Lankans arrested from TN over smuggling to revive LTTE

The National Investigation Agency (NIA) has arrested nine Sri Lankans from the special camp for Sri Lankan Tamil refugees at Tamil Nadu’s (TN) Tiruchirappalli over their alleged involvement in drugs and arms smuggling to revive the LTTE.

Monks in universities are like Taliban

Mihintale Raja Maha Vihara Chief Prelate Valahagunawewa Dhammarathana likened monks in universities to the Taliban.

Argentina beat France on penalties to win FIFA World Cup

Argentina have won the 2022 World Cup after an extraordinary 3-3 thriller of a Final with France, as Kylian Mbappé scored a hat-trick to force Lionel Messi and Angel Di Maria into victory on a penalty shoot-out.

Cricketer Danushka allowed to move house in Australia

Sri Lankan cricketer Danushka Gunathilaka will settle into life in Sydney after being accused of sexually assaulting a woman multiple times, a court has heard, The Weekend Australian reported.

UPDATE - Businessman, Dinesh Schaffter dies after being found in critical state at Borella cemetery

Fifty two year old businessman, Dinesh Schaffter, a director of Janashakthi Group, who had been found tied inside a car at the Borella General Cemetery with serious injuries earlier this evening has died while receiving treatment at the National Hospital in Colombo.

Govt. MPs seek probe against Shavendra Silva, IGP and others

Filing a writ petition in Court of Appeal, 22 government Parliamentarians representing SLPP and several others have sought an order directing the authorities to conduct a comprehensive investigation in order to ascertain as to whether former Army Commander General Shavendra Silva...

Sri Lanka’s worst power cuts predicted in March and April 2023

Sri Lanka’s worst power cuts may come as early as March and April, as the country has failed to secure sufficient coal stocks required for thermal power generation, Nihal Weerarathne of the the Ceylon Electricity Board (CEB) Engineers Union said.

Committee probing SLC affairs quiz Pastor Jerome Fernando

The committee appointed to investigate incidents involving the Sri Lankan cricket team during the ICC T20 World Cup in Australia has recorded a statement from controversial Sri Lankan preacher and self proclaimed Prophet, Pastor Jerome Fernando for more than two hours.

Basil finally admits he did not pay for tea at BIA, a state minister pays it instead

Former Finance Minister Basil Rajapaksa who arrived in Sri Lanka last month from the United States has admitted that he had not paid for the refreshments served at the VIP Lounge of the BIA, but the bill was instead paid by a state minister on his behalf.

Merc driver involved in Kollupitiya fatal accident flees to Dubai hours after accident

The driver of the Mercedes car, a 24-year-old businessman Mohammad Ryzul Rizzaq, who was involved in a fatal accident in Kollupitiya on Saturday morning while returning from a night club, had left for Dubai hours after the accident, police said.

SLPP to initiate talks with UNP for electoral alliance

Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna (SLPP) intends to hold talks with the United National Party (UNP) led by President Ranil Wickremesinghe to explore the possibility to forming an electoral alliance in view of the elections pending , an official said .

Details of Merc driver emerge, police continue search to nab him

The Kollupitiya police are yet to arrest the driver of the Mercedes car which was involved in a fatal accident in Kollupitiya last morning while returning from a night club.

US imposes sanctions on another SL army officer

The US has imposed sanctions on Sri Lankan military officer Major Prabath Bulathwatte, who was arrested on suspicion he assisted in the abduction and torture of Sri Lankan editor Keith Noyahr in 2008, for human rights abuse.

China will work with G20 for equitable debt restructuring

Chinese Prime Minister Li Keqiang said China will implement the G20’s Debt Service Suspension Initiative in all respects and added that China will work with relevant G20 members to formulate and participate in a fair and equitable debt-restructuring plan, according to the Chinese Embassy in Colombo.

Alarm bells over SL covering smog

Sensitive people have been urged to remain indoors following the air pollution caused by the northeast Monsoon winds blowing from the Indian sub continent.

Sri Lanka’s air quality deteriorates

The fog or mist seen these days is not natural occurrence as the air quality has reached very unhealthy levels in the Northern part of Sri Lanka.