Sri Lanka to enhance shipping connectivity with B’ desh

Foreign Minister Prof G.L. Peiris held discussions today (16/11) with Bangladeshi State Minister of Shipping holding Cabinet rank Khalid Mahmud Chowdhury, as a follow up to his meeting with the Foreign Minister of Bangladesh Dr. A.K. Abdul Momen, yesterday.

SJB demonstrates in Parliament

SJB takes to the streets against Govt

The main opposition Samagi Jana Balawegaya(SJB) staged protest march in Colombo in what termed the launch of public struggle’ against the government.

Colombo -bound SJB supporters turned back

Bus loads of SJB ( Samagi Jana Balawegata) supporters from Anuradhapura were turned back in Kalaoya on the Anuradhpura- Puttalam road without allowing them to proceed to Colombo to attend the protest march

Sinhala text of Quran presented to historic mosque in Delhi

The impressive Sinhala translation of the Holy Quran, published by the All Ceylon Jamiyyathul Ulama (ACJU) of Sri Lanka,

PTA review committee submits report

The report of the Committee of Officers appointed to review the Prevention of Terrorism (Temporary Provisions) Act No. 48 of 1979 was presented to President Gotabaya Rajapaksa at the Presidential Secretariat this afternoon (15).

Sapugaskanda refinery closed for 50 days

Energy Minister Udaya Gammanpila said the Sapugaskanda oil refinery was closed for at least 50 days since a decision was taken to suspend crude oil imports in a bid to manage meagre foreign exchange reserves available in the country. (

Soldiers rescue marooned person

A group of soldiers of Sri Lanka Army rescues a person marooned by the surging waters of Kotmale Oya while fishing in it.

Ranil questions LNG deal in Parliament

United National Party (UNP) Leader Ranil Wickremesinghe requested Speaker Mahinda Yapa Abeywardane in Parliament today lto summon the Secretary to the Treasury, the Directors of NFE (New Fortress Energy) Sri Lanka Power Holdings LLC and the Attorney General before Parliament to discuss about the framework agreement for LNG supply.

Customary tea party after budget

Watch: the legislators across the board have joined the customary tea party in the parliamentary cafeteria after Finance Minister Basil Rajapaksa presented made the budget speech.

Budget a damp squib-Sajith

Opposition Leader Sajith Premadasa who commented on the budget said it was a budget with characteristics of Somalia. He said the budgetary proposals had been formulated in a manner that would drive the country down the path of disaster instead of resurrecting it from the present mess.

President arrives in Parliament

President Gotabaya Rajapaksa arrived in Parliament this afternoon (to listen to the Budget speech for the upcoming financial year of 2022. (Tagline)

India’s fourth highest civilian award conferred on Sri Lankan

Eminent Sri Lankan Hindi scholar the late Prof. Indra Dassanayake was posthumously conferred the prestigious Padma Shri award by the President of India Shri Ram Nath Kovind on November 8, 2021 at the Rashtrapati Bhavan in New Delhi. It is the fourth highest civilian of India after the Bharat Ratna, the Padma Vibhushan and the Padma Bhushan.

A female police head for first time 24 years

For the first time in 24 years, a female police officer took charge of a police station today. Chief Inspector Kanchana Samarakoon was appointed the OIC (Officer-in-Charge) of the newly established Naalla Police Station of the Gampaha district.

Preparations underway for tomorrow’s budget

Preparations were underway in the parliamentary complex today for the presentation of the 2022 budget by Finance Minister Basil Rajapaksa. The Minister will start his budget speech at 2.00pm today. Sign language interpretation of the budget speech will be available simultaneously.

Opposition fuels Covid-19 spread-Prez

President Gotabaya Rajapaksa said did not expect the opposition to be oppositional to everything instead of supporting what was right for the country’s future.

Floods in Negambo

Heavy rain that lashed through the country has inundated the areas such as Kochchikade, Madampella, Bambukuliya and Udangawa of the Negombo division in the Gampaha district.

Rain wreaks havoc

Eleven people were dead in weather related disasters in the country at the moment, a spokesman said. This includes five people killed in an earth-slip in Rambukkana, Kegalle. Spokesman for the Disaster Management Centre (DMC)

Teachers, principals demonstrate again

Vehicle movements were disrupted in the Town Hall areas of Colombo today due to a demonstration by the teachers’ and principals’ trade unions urging the government to grant them pay hikes as promised.

Sri Lanka explores grid connectivity with India- Power Minister Gamini Lokuge

Sri Lanka explores grid connectivity with India- Power Minister Gamini Lokuge

Covid awareness ahead of festive season

Sri Lankan conducted a programme today to create awareness on the prevention of Covid-19 ahead of the festive season during which public mobility is expected to rise.

Chili cultivators ask for dryer machines

Chili cultivators in Mahaweli B zone of the Polonnaruwa district lament that the Agriculture Ministry has failed to provide them machines for drying their produce during the present rainy season.

Air France Airlines lands in Colombo

Air France, the flag carrier of France commenced operations to Colombo on Friday the 5th of November 2021. Air France will operate three weekly direct flights between Paris and Colombo every Tuesday, Friday, and Sunday.

Chinese envoy meets Education Minister.

Chinese Ambassador Qi Zhenhong had a friendly and fruitful discussion with Education Minister Dinesh Gunawardane today on a wide range of topics including IT, remote education, collaboration among the universities and Sri Lankan overseas students returning to China. (

Swiss International Airlines resumes flights to Colombo

’’Swiss International Airlines” resumes its winter flight schedule to Colombo.

People queue up for LP gas purchases

People queue up in Kompanna Veediya, Colombo to purchase domestic gas over concerns that there is a shortage. The gas companies say the shortage is a temporary issue caused by the delay in shipment. The government recently increased the prices of domestic gas due to spikes in the world market.

Deepavali celebrated

Sri Lankan Hindus joined their fellows in the world in the celebration of Deepavali which is also called ‘Diwali’. It is the festival of light that celebrates the victory of good over evil, and light over darkness.

Indian Air Force brings Nano Nitrogen Fertilizer

Another consignment of 100 tons of liquid Nano fertilizers was brought to the country yesterday in two cargo flights – CB 8008 and 8009- of the Indian Air Force. The Indian High Commission tweeted that the Indian Airforce brought a ray of hope for Sri Lanka on the day of Deepawali which is the festival of light

CCTV footage; fatal accident in Welisara

he CCTV footage of the accident involving a jeep driven by a 16-year-old boy and four other vehicles at the Mahabage Junction in Welisara, this morning. One person died and four others were critically injured in the accident when the jeep driven by the boy collided with the other vehicles. (

Youths line up to join STF

Plans are in place for the recruitment of 18,000 to the Police Special Task Force (STF) as constables,