LG polls not legally declared: President

Local government election has not been declared legally and therefore, there is no question of a postponement, President Ranil Wickremesinghe stated today.

Adani Group gets BOI nod to install two wind power plants in Mannar, Pooneryn

The Board of Investment of Sri Lanka (BOI) has issued a letter of approval to India’s Adani Green Energy Limited, for the two wind power plants to be set up in Mannar and Pooneryn at an investment of US$ 442 million.

Death of Onesh Subasinghe: If you don’t let me go, I will kill you - servant overhears Onesh’s wife

The CID informed Colombo Chief Magistrate Prasanna Alwis that the maid who worked at businessman Onesh Subasinghe’s house in a statement had said she heard Subasinghe’s wife saying to him “I can’t eat Sri Lankan food. I can’t stay here. I want to go back to my country. If you don’t let me go, I will kill you.”

Parliament can be dissolved any time now

Sri Lanka can go for a general election anytime now as the present Parliament has completed two and a half years of its term as of midnight on Monday.

Delay in China’s positive response delays IMF bailout: Wijeyadasa

The delay in China’s positive response in restructuring Sri Lanka’s debt has been the only obstacle in securing the International Monetary Fund (IMF) bailout at the moment, Justice Minister Wijeyadasa Rajapakshe said.

President assures to appoint competent authority to Pali University

President Ranil Wickremesinghe has assured the Sangha Committee of the Malwathu and Asgiri Chapters that he would appoint a competent authority to the Pali and Buddhist University, Presidential Media Division (PMD) said.

Controversial Deep Jungle Music Festival canceled, tickets to be refunded

The Deep Jungle music festival which caused controversy in recent weeks due to it being held in an elephant corridor in Habarana has been canceled following a court order.

German companies may withdraw from SL if import ban continues

German companies operating in Sri Lanka have raised the red flag with some warning they will be compelled to withdraw from the country if the import ban continues, Daily Mirror learns.

No music after 10 pm - Court tells Deep Jungle Music Festival organizers

The Hingurakgoda Magistrate’s Court issued an order that bars the organizers of the controversial Deep Jungle Music Festival from playing loud music after 10 pm.

Onesh’s Brazilian wife had threatened him on several occasions in SL

The Criminal Investigations Department (CID) who are investigating the death of billionaire businessman Onesh Subasinghe who was found dead in a serviced apartment in Jakarta recently revealed that the businessman had been threatened with death on several occasions in Sri Lanka allegedly by his Brazilian wife.

Deep Jungle Music Festival: ’Tourism Ministry and other big wigs had approved it despite harm to environment’ - Activist

Environmentalists have expressed concern about the ongoing environmental damage to the Karandagaswewa Forest Reserve, a highly sensitive environmental zone by the upcoming Deep Jungle Music and Cultural Festival which is scheduled to kick off in Habarana tomorrow.

Gota leaves for China

Former President Gotabaya Rajapaksa and his wife Ayoma Rajapaksa left the Bandaranaike International Airport for China this morning.

Electricity rates raised by 66%

The Ceylon Electricity Board (CEB) announced today that they had received approval from the Public Utilities Commission of Sri Lanka (PUCSL) to increase the electricity tariff from today.

US delegation in Sri Lanka for top level defence talks

A 20-member US delegation team comprising high-level defence officials arrived in the country in two special aircraft of the United States Air Force last night at the Bandaranaike International Airport (BIA), the Daily Mirror learns.

Postal voting for LG polls postponed indefinitely

The postal voting for the 2023 local government election has been postponed until further notice, Election Commissioner General Saman Sri Rathnayake announced today.

CID on standby to send team to Indonesia to probe billionaire Onesh Subasinghe’s murder

The Criminal Investigations Department (CID) will send a team to Indonesia to probe and assist in the investigation into the death of billionaire businessman Onesh Subasinghe who was found dead in a serviced apartment in Jakarta recently if required.

Moneragala tremors could be a worrying factor if it repeats

Recent tremors in Moneragala could be a worrying factor if it repeats and if the magnitude is increased, a leading Geologist in the country said today.

Tourism off to encouraging start as January income tops US$ 160mn

Earnings from tourism trade continued its months-long ascent in tandem with the encouraging arrival numbers, which topped over 100,000 in January, a feat which became possible after almost a year.

President vows to implement development programs to restore strong economy of North

President Ranil Wickremesinghe said that the economy could not be built through the reconciliation alone and the economic development rate of the country depends on the attitude and commitment of the people, President’s Media Division (PMD) said.

Japanese giant Mitsubishi Corp. to wind up Lankan operations next month

Japanese giant Mitsubishi Corporation has decided to wind up operations in Sri Lanka next month after being an integral part of bilateral ties and some of the country’s key infrastructure projects for nearly 60 years.

Death of businessman Dinesh Schaffter: Aggrieved party highlights contradictions in postmortem report

The aggrieved party of late businessman Dinesh Schaffter today informed court that they have noticed several contradictions and inconsistencies in the postmortem report compiled by the Colombo Judicial Medical Officer.

’’Islandwide trade Union action cost Sri Lanka over Rs.1 bn’’ - Economists

The country has lost an estimated revenue of Rs.1 billion due to several crucial sectors launching a protest today, inconveniencing millions of citizens and leading to roads being blocked in the business hub of Colombo, senior economists said today.

Non-cash benefits exempted from PAYE tax for employees

A circular has been issued by the Inland Revenue Department exempting employees from paying PAYE tax on non-cash benefits such as for vehicles, fuel allowances, housing and medical benefits which have been provided to employees at their places of employment.

Sri Lankan graduates scamming Westerners via dating apps

In another human trafficking scheme, nearly 100 young Sri Lankan graduates, mostly men have been lured to work in the Golden Triangle Special Economic Zone (SEZ) in Laos, known as the home of Southeast Asia’s transnational organised crime networks.

Paris Club members express commitment to negotiate debt restructuring with Sri Lanka

The Paris Club members have expressed their commitment to negotiate a debt restructuring with Sri Lanka in accordance with the comparability of treatment principle and with the goal of restoring debt sustainability, the President’s Media Division (PMD) said today.

Only Rs. 11 mn spent on Independence Day celebration: President’s Office

Disclosing the expenses of the Independence Day celebration, the President’s Office said the government spent only Rs. 11 million on the 75th National Independence Day celebrations this year.

Indonesia launches probe into SL billionaire’s death

Jakarta Police have begun investigations into the death of Managing Director of OPEX Holdings and billionaire businessman, 45 year old Onesh Subasinghe, whose body was found in a serviced apartment in Jakarta, Indonesia

Father Chandra Schaffter speaks his heart out about Dinesh’s death and Dinesh, the person

Senior and highly respected business leader Chandra Schaffter yesterday spoke his heart out about his youngest son Dinesh and his untimely death on 15 December. Here is the full text of Chandra’s statement first since the death of Dinesh, a young investor, entrepreneur and philanthropist, exclusively in the Daily FT

Body of a Sri Lankan billionaire businessman found in Jakarta

Managing Director of OPEX holdings and billionaire businessman, Onesh Subasinghe has been found dead in a serviced apartment in Jakarta, Indonesia, informed sources said.

Will continue new reforms despite obstacles created by anarchist political forces: Prez

President Ranil Wickremesinghe said regardless of the obstacles the anarchist political forces seek to create, he will continue the new reform program with the majority of people who love this country.