Travel ban imposed on hospital directors over alleged kidney racket

A broker arrested over alleged kidney racket which was exposed recently at Western Hospital in Borella Cotta Road was yesterday ordered to be remanded till December 13 by Colombo Chief Magistrate’s Court.

President says no plans for reforms; stresses need for new economic model

Sri Lanka has no plans whatsoever for reforms going forward, President Ranil Wickremesinghe told a room full of the country’s top private sector business leaders yesterday but instead would be thinking bigger and bolder in terms of its growth agenda.

SL origin family of Texas seeks answers after police kill man on his own porch

AUSTIN, Texas — The family of an Austin, Texas, man is seeking answers after he was fatally shot by police last month on his front porch following a late-night emergency call by a neighbor.

Ali Sabry had productive meeting with US State Secy.

Foreign Minister Ali Sabry had a productive meeting with United States Secretary of State Antony Blinken in Washington DC.

Sports Minister appoints ’’Fact Finding Committee’’ on players’ behaviour at T20 World Cup

Sports Minister Roshan Ranasinghe has appointed a six-member Fact Finding Committee to inquire not only about the players’ behaviour during the T20 World Cup in Australia but also to ascertain whether officials showed ’’real concerns’’ for the team members.

Staggering staff expenditure disclosed during Mahinda-Maithri periods

Former President Mahinda Rajapaksa had used 43 percent of the total expenditure of the Presidential allocation for his personal staff while former President Maithipala Sirisena has used 57 percent, according to accounts released by the office.

Sri Lankans falling prey to Pyramid racket called Onmaxdt

Many Sri Lankans have fallen prey to a surreptitiously carried out Ponzi Scam run by a purportedly Australian Company Onmaxdt, it is learned.

Final outcome of COP27 discouraging: Prez

President Ranil Wickremesinghe said that the agreements reached at Climate Change Conference (COP 27) failed to place the nations of the world on a complementary and progressive course of redress, Presidential Media Division (PMD) said.

Gota-MR overseas visits wipe out Rs.40mn from state in 2021

Just five official foreign visits undertaken by former President Gotabaya Rajapaksa and former Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa in 2021 alone had cost the state more than Rs. 40 million, according to details provided by the Presidential Secretariat and the Prime Minister’s Office on a directive issued by the Right to Information Commission.

Indian govt allows Lankans to hold $10,000 worth of rupee in cash

Sri Lankans can now hold $10,000 worth of the Indian rupee (INR) in a physical form, though the INR would not be legal tender in Sri Lanka, after India approved a Sri Lankan request to designate the INR as the foreign currency.

People in North, East leaving country due to dire economic situation: Ali Sabry

People in the North and East tend to leave the country due to the dire economic situation where some have gone to Tamil Nadu, Vietnam and Ukraine in the last six months.

Sri Lanka hopeful of unlocking IMF deal in January 2023

If Sri Lanka misses the December target, which now appears to be bit of a stretch, the country could still activate the International Monetary Fund (IMF) rescue package to unlock US$ 2.9 billion over a four-year span as very good progress is being made in the debt restructuring front, particularly with the country’s bilateral lenders.

LPL played without Sports Ministry approval: Minister

Sri Lanka Premier League (LPL) tournament has been played without the approval of the Sports Ministry, Sports Minister Roshan Ranasinghe said.

Curtailing inflation critical to avert Zimbabwe-like scenario

Although the prevailing high interest rate regime may discourage investments, Central Bank (CB) Governor Dr. Nandalal Weerasinghe asserted that curtailing inflation is more critical for the survival of businesses over low interest rates and to avert a Zimbabwe-like scenario.

Civil Aviation pays for food served during Basil’s arrival at BIA following Daily Mirror exposure

The Civil Aviation Authority has paid a bill of Rs.60,000 to Sri Lankan Airlines Catering Services for the refreshments served at the Gold Route Service during the arrival of former Finance Minister Basil Rajapaksa last Sunday, after the Daily Mirror exposed that Basil had not paid for the food or the VIP lounge service.

CB Governor gets candid about his salary, perks

The Central Bank Governor Dr.Nandalal Weerasinghe today rubbished the claims that he is receiving a salary of Rs.2.5 million along with a pension from the International Monetary Fund (IMF).

Will not allow another Aragalaya: President warns

President Ranil Wickremesinghe said today he would not allow another Aragalaya and that he would use security forces to prevent such a move.

Budget passed with a majority of 37

Second reading of the budget was approved by a majority of 37 votes in Parliament with 121 members voting in favour while 84 voted against.

Mrs. Grand International 2022 alleges she was asked for sexual bribes

Magen Ratata Organization President Sanjaya Mahawatte claimed that the Sri Lanka representative for Mrs. Grand International 2022, Chamika Withanawasam, had allegedly been asked for sexual bribes.

Police Commission Chairman greets Basil at BIA: SJB asks Speaker to oust him

The Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB) today questioned the presence of Police Commission Chairman Chandra Fernando and member M. P. Perera at the airport to welcome former Minister Basil Rajapaksa, and wanted them sent out of the commission.

Tax experts say revenue estimates in Budget 2023 overly optimistic

Accounting and tax experts expressed skepticism over the overly optimistic tax revenue estimates in Budget 2023 amid a shrinking....

Basil returns

Former Finance Minister Basil Rajapaksa returned to the country this morning to a grand welcome at the BIA.

FIFA tickets in Qatar most expensive in history: Keller Sports

As football fans across the world are heading towards Doha, Qatar, for 2022 FIFA World Cup this weekend, they will be paying the highest price ever for the tickets, a study reveals.

Reality TV stars involved in brawl at café; Star suffers head wounds

The Thalangama Police has initiated an investigation into a brawl involving several reality TV stars including artist Lawan Abhishek’s brother Shanaka Udeesha who is featuring in a weekday leading television drama ’Sangeethe’.

Wealthy Sri Lankans in Australia come to Danushka Gunathilaka’s rescue

Sri Lankan cricketer Danushka Gunathilaka who was granted bail under strict conditions by a Magistrate Court in Sydney yesterday will reside in a wealthy Sri Lankan citizen’s house as he will have to provide an immediate local address to the Australian Police, the Daily Mirror learns.

Danushka Gunathilaka granted bail on sexual assault charges

Sri Lankan international cricketer Danushka Gunathilaka has been granted bail on sexual assault charges after a court heard he had the support of the Sri Lankan cricket association and government and a surety of $150,000 was offered.

It’s too late for SL to seek IMF assistance: Champika

The National Council Sub Committee on Economic Stability has determined that Sri Lanka has been too late to seek IMF assistance.

Danushka returns to court as new details emerge

Sri Lankan cricketer Danushka Gunathilaka has returned to court a day before he asks it to review his bail conditions.

CB offers strongest defence against calls for lower tax rate on forex earnings

Staging strong defence against those who sought preferential tax treatment on foreign exchange earning companies, Central Bank Governor, Dr. Nandalal Weerasinghe yesterday questioned whether the decades-long practice of taxing the exporters and others who earn in foreign currency lower had delivered the country the desired objectives.

Proposed ganja cultivation may destroy the crippled nation: Ven. Sobitha Thera

Any attempt to legalize the cultivation of cannabis (ganja) by naming it as ’’Triloka Patra’’ is the beginning of the downfall which will completely pulverise the already-crippled nation, Ven. Omalpe Sobitha Thera said.