MPs can be suspended for three months if found guilty of any offence

The Attorney General has informed Speaker Mahinda Yapa Abeywardena that Members of Parliament can be suspended for a maximum of three months if they are found guilty of any offence.

Harassment of Civilians in the guise of ‘Yukthiya’?

On January 3, a WhatsApp message written by one Gerald De Saram revealed another incident of alleged police brutality on two teens. The incident had occurred when two youths, a boy and a girl were.....

IMF team expected in Colombo next week

The International Monetary Fund (IMF) would evaluate Sri Lanka’s economic progress next week, with a team of officials expected to arrive in the country, the Finance Ministry said.

Lawyers’ Collective urges AG to prosecute Deshabandu for torture

The Lawyers’ Collective, a prominent legal advocacy group in Sri Lanka has urged the Attorney General to immediately prosecute three police officers including Acting IGP Deshabandu Tennakoon for committing the offence of torture in view of the recently delivered Supreme Court judgment.

SL Navy conducts feasibility study for Red Sea deployment amidst Houthi concerns

The Sri Lanka Navy is currently conducting a feasibility study regarding the deployment of a ship in the Red Sea, contributing to the security of the region against Houthi activities, the Sri Lanka Navy said.

Persons with no TIN could face penalty up-to Rs. 50,000

With effect from 1 January, persons who have not obtained a Taxpayer Identification Number (TIN) will be subjected to a penalty not exceeding Rs. 50,000, the Department of Inland Revenue cautioned.

Health Ministry receives 600 complaints regarding medical negligence

Approximately 600 complaints are lodged annually, involving health staff, including doctors, Health Minister Ramesh Pathirana revealed.

King’s Honours for Sri Lankan-origin pioneer in tracking technology

A Sri Lankan-origin pioneer of location-tracking technology has been appointed OBE in the King’s New Year Honours.

No government can deviate from current IMF path: CB Governor

Central Bank Governor Dr. Nandalal Weerasinghe said yesterday any government could renegotiate the programme with the International Monetary Fund (IMF) but it would be required to follow the path chosen currently to get international support.

Colombo residents should be vigilant on COVID and other diseases: CMC

While assuring that there is no outbreak of COVID or any other infectious diseases in Colombo city at the moment, an official from Colombo Municipal Council (CMC) said residents of the city should take precautions to prevent any outbreak.

’’Minister asked me to do, I did it’’: Supplier tells court

Counsel appearing for the first suspect, owner of the company Isolez Biotech Pharma AG (Pvt) Ltd, involved in the substandard human immunoglobulin deal, told the court that he followed the instructions of the then Health Minister saying that ’’The Minister asked me to do, I did it’’.

Risk of new COVID variant spreading in Sri Lanka minimal: Health Ministry

The Ministry of Health asserted that the risk of the JN-1 sub-variant spreading in Sri Lanka is currently deemed very low.

Expressway records highest revenue

The Road Development Authority (RDA) has recorded more than a 40 percent revenue increase from the users of the expressways since last Friday (22), RDA Director General L.V.S. Weerakoon said.

SriLankan Airlines issues apology for travel disruptions

SriLankan Airlines today extended apologies to customers affected by recent travel disruptions involving a series of cancellations and delays.

Surge in police raids creates overcrowding chaos in Prisons

Prisons across the country are facing a serious problem of too many people crammed into limited space. The situation has gotten worse due to increased police operations, with over 10,000 suspects nabbed in a recent crackdown on drugs and underworld activities.

Government issues conditions for state employees to claim bonuses

The Government has announced that payment of bonuses to the staff of state institutions should be made for the year 2023 only if the particular institution has earned profits during the financial year 2022 and has paid at least 30% of the profit after tax as dividends to the Consolidated Fund.

Newly found COVID sub variant in Sri Lanka?

With the uptick of cases of influenza-like illnesses in Sri Lanka, medical experts reckon that JN.1 — an Omicron sub-lineage may be seen in the community.

List of VAT exempted goods and services issued

The Inland Revenue Department has issued the list of goods and services that would be exempted from the Value Added Tax (VAT) with effect from January 1, 2024.

Sri Lanka declares pause on foreign research vessels for one year

Amid geopolitical strain, Sri Lanka has decided to have a one-year moratorium in allowing foreign vessels in conducting research in the country’s territorial waters, a minister said.

Former Health Secretary arrested

Former Health Ministry Secretary Janaka Sri Chandragupta was arrested by the CID a short while ago.

Minister Alles sets deadline against drugs and underworld

Public Security Minister Tiran Alles said that a special operation targeting drug-related activities and the underworld is set to commence tomorrow.

Incomplete power transmission line led to nation-wide blackout

The failure to complete the construction of the power transmission line linking Kotmale, Polpitiya, Padukka and Athurugiriya resulted in the inability to avoid an all island blackout, a top engineer said.

Indian Air Force arranges special jet transport for General Silva in Delhi

The circulating image on social media, featuring Chief of Defence Staff General Shavendra Silva and his spouse aboard a special jet, has been clarified.

Harin revokes SLC interim committee

Sports Minister Harin Fernando today rescinded the gazette issued by former minister Roshan Ranasinghe that appointed an interim committee, headed by Arjuna Ranatunga, and attempted to dissolve the incumbent administration of Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC).

Controversial drug strikes again, causes allergic reaction

Ceftriaxone, the antibiotic which caused the tragic and untimely death of a 21-year-old woman in July, has caused another allergic reaction in a patient at the National Hospital Colombo, Daily Mirror learns.

Security personnel deployed at Mihintale to be withdrawn

It has been decided to withdraw the security personnel deployed at the historical Minintale temple if the chief Incumbent thinks that the military presence is a threat to his life, State Minister of Defence Pramitha Bandara Tennekoon told Parliament today.

Islandwide blackout

An islandwide power failure has occured due to a systems failure in the main supply line, a senior Ceylon Electricity Board (CEB) official said.

Thennakoon’s first move: 19 key appointments and transfers in Police

A total of 19 police officers, including a Senior Deputy Inspector General of Police (SDIG), seven Deputy Inspector Generals (DIGs), nine SSPs, and two ASPs, have been either transferred or appointed to positions by the Acting IGP Deshabandu Thennakoon with immediate effect.

Govt. curb mercenary recruitment through local agents

In the wake of reports about three Sri Lankan ex-military personnel dying in Ukraine in the war with Russia, Foreign Minister Ali Sabry said Sri Lanka, as a country, had made every possible effort to prevent recruits through local agents.

Spine-chilling ragging continue to plague university system

With another inhuman case of ragging reported from Sri Jayewardenepura University, Higher Education Minister Suren Raghavan said many cases of harassment of juniors by their seniors within the universities go unreported but the government will leave no stone unturned in its attempt to eradicate the menace.