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.

Fixed range for fuel price as Sinopec enters

The government will introduce a floor and ceiling price for fuel with the launch of business operations by Sinopec, a leading international petroleum company, in the country shortly, a top source said.

Several opposition parties decide to oppose proposed Broadcasting Authority Bill

Several political parties including the Samagi Jana Balawegaya and the group led by MP G.L. Peiris today decided to oppose the proposed new Broadcasting Authority Bill.

No single political party commands majority voter base, despite cross-party collaboration in Parliament: RW

President Ranil Wickremesinghe said although all political parties in Parliament are united, none of them currently possess a 50% voter base.

LRT Project: Japanese embassy says Project loans depend on debt restructuring

In response to a query about the restart of the Japan-financed Light Rail Transit (LRT) project, the Japanese embassy in Colombo said the resumption of loan projects and the launch of a new loan project will depend on the progress of the debt restructuring process.

MIT, Harvard show interest to collaborate with SL’s Climate Change University

President Ranil Wickremesinghe said that efforts are underway to establish a Climate Change University in Sri Lanka next year and prestigious institutions like Harvard and MIT have expressed interest to collaborate with it.

Indian company ordered to recall contaminated eye drops after SL raises complaint

India’s Pharmaceutical Export Promotion Council (Pharmexcil ) which is part of the Ministry of Commerce has asked Gujarat-based pharma company-- Indiana Ophthalmics to recall Methylprednisolone linked to causing eye infections in more than 30 people after Sri Lankan Ministry of Health raised a complaint to the Indian government.

It was not Dinesh who caused delay for Ajahn Brahm Thera at BIA but Nimal Siripala de Silva

Despite initial reports that Ven. Ajahn Brahm was held back at the BIA due to the presence of Prime Minister Dinesh Gunawardane at the airport, sources clarified that it was not due to the Prime Minister that caused the delay but it was instead because of Minister Nimal Siripala de Silva.

BIA bumps Ven. Ajahn Brahmawanso Thera from Bangkok flight to make way for Dinesh

Ven. Ajahn Brahmawanso Thera, who arrived at the Bandaranaike International Airport (BIA), to leave for Bangkok had been kept waiting at the airport for 12 hours as Prime Minister Dinesh Gunawardane was also set to leave for Thailand on the same flight.

Journalist Jamila Husain appointed as Editor In Chief of Daily Mirror

Senior Journalist Jamila Husain has been appointed as the new Editor in Chief of Daily Mirror from today (June 1).

When will this racism end?: Ven. Gnanasara asks

’’We have been talking about this racial and religious differences since the time we understood it. So when will this come to an end? Bodu Bala Sena (BBS) General Secretary Ven. Galagoda Aththe Gnanasara Thera questioned.

Sri Lanka welcomes US$ 350mn ADB loan to stabilise economy

State Minister of Finance Shehan Semasinghe welcomed Asian Development Bank’s approval of US$ 350 million loan to Sri Lanka for the stabilisation of the economy.

CCD hunts for night club manager over recent shooting in Borella

The Colombo Crime Division (CCD) released a photograph of a 33-year-old suspect, a manager of a night club, over a shooting incident near Leslie Ranagala Mawatha in Borella where a man was killed.

Govt. to get tough on those speaking against religions

In the wake of the recent derogatory and inflammatory statements made by certain individuals against Buddhism and other religions, the Government is mulling enacting stronger laws to ensure that religious harmony is properly safeguarded and upheld in the country.

Did you attend Natasha’s comedy show? Police will quiz you

The Criminal Investigations Department (CID) is conducting investigations to identify and record statements from those who were present at Nathasha Edirisooriya’s stand-up comedy show held in Colombo, where certain disrespectful remarks were made on Buddhism.

Nathasha Edirisooriya arrested at airport over remarks on Buddhism

Nathasha Edirisooriya, who made certain disrespectful remarks on Buddhism, has been arrested by the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) at the Bandaranaike International Airport (BIA) a short while ago while attempting to leave the country, Police said.

MP who smuggled gold leaves for Dubai

Puttalam District MP Ali Sabri Raheem who was fined for smuggling gold had left for Dubai on Thursday (25) night, informed sources said yesterday.

Pastor Jerome Fernando goes before SC to prevent his arrest

Pastor Jerome Fernando today filed a Fundamental Rights petition before the Supreme Court seeking an order preventing police from arresting him over his controversial Sunday sermon.

SL’s free health sector slammed over critical drug shortage

While sounding the alarm bell that the shortage of drugs in the country has reached a critical stage, Sri Lanka’s leading medical associations accused the Government of turning a blind eye to the matter.

HR Attorney threatened not to mess with the ‘Minister’

A renowned human rights lawyer has been threatened by a caller and it’s alleged that a minister is connected with the issue. Civil rights activist, writer and attorney-at-law Priyalal Sirisena received the threat by an unknown caller who demanded

Parliament votes out Janaka Rathnayake

The motion moved by the Government to remove the Chairman of the Public Utility Commission of Sri Lanka (PUCSL) Janaka Rathnayake was passed by a majority of 46 votes.

Why is GR’s staff still heading a unit at President’s Office?

Just over a year since former President Gotabaya Rajapaksa resigned from office following nationwide protests demanding him to step down, evidence has come to light that the former president’s staff who are mostly political appointees continue to be recruited in the President’s Office under a newly created unit called ’special projects’.

Jerome apologizes to Buddhists, Muslims, Hindus

While claiming that he would definitely return to Sri Lanka, Pastor Jerome Fernando via a live video stream apologized today if his comments caused any hurt to the Buddhist, Hindu, and Islamic faiths.

Brain drain is currently most pressing issue: Nimal Siripala de Silva

The most pressing issue our country currently confronts is the brain drain, Ports, Shipping and Aviation Minister Nimal Siripala de Silva said.

Sri Lanka registers strong protest with Canada over Justin Trudeau’s remarks

The Foreign Ministry summoned Canadian High Commissioner in Colombo Eric Walsh and registered Sri Lanka’s strong protest over Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau’s remarks on May 18 recognizing what he called a ‘Tamil genocide week.

Canada locks horns with Sri Lanka after Trudeau’s statement

Hot on the heels of the 14th anniversary of the war victory,Sri Lanka is heading for a diplomatic battle with Canada once again after Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau made a statement yesterday in recognition of what is called ‘Tamil Genocide Remembrance Day, the day when the war ended in Sri Lanka 14 years ago .

Religious Leaders go to court seeking stern action against Pastor Jerome

A group of religious leaders representing different religious faiths in the country today filed a Fundamental Rights petition in the Supreme Court seeking an order directing the IGP to immediately arrest Pastor Jerome Fernando over his hate comments against religious harmony in the country.

I have no connections with Uebert Angel or Jerome Fernando’’ - MR

Former President Mahinda Rajapaksa who is alleged to have links with controversial Pastor Jerome Fernando and Zimbabwean Pastor Uebert Angel yesterday said he had no connections with either and had met them only on one instance when Pastor Jerome’s office had sought a meeting when Rajapaksa was the Prime Minister.

Pastor Jerome says will return on Sunday

Pastor Jerome Fernando who is facing a CID probe following his derogatory remarks against Islam, Buddhism and Hinduism, said on a Instagram post this evening that he will return to Sri Lanka on Sunday.

Insulting the Buddha - RW asks CID to probe Pastor Jerome Fernando

President Ranil Wickremesinghe has informed the CID Director to commence an immediate investigation against Pastor Jerome Fernando’s controversial statements where he insulted the Buddha in front of a packed congregation recently and said even the Buddha needed Jesus.