News
Home » NewsColourful spirit of Vesak at Gangaramaya
After four years, the popular Colombo city temple, Gangaramaya, celebrated Vesak in a grand way with three days of colourful celebrations. The nearby Beira Lake was filled with the Vesak spirit with illumination while in a Navy boat sailors sang devotional songs (Bhakthi Gee).
Independent budget office for cost analysis
President’s bill seeks to assist Parliament in public finance responsibilities; wide powers to new body By S. Rubatheesan A new two-member independent “Parliamentary Budget Office” is to be set up with extensive powers, including the power to call for information from any state institutions or employees, and raise its own fund, along with full immunity [...]
Spectacular coronation: President has cordial talks with new King
Charles III was crowned monarch of the United Kingdom and 14 Commonwealth realms yesterday at Britain’s first coronation for 70 years, during a ceremony steeped in a millennium of ritual and spectacle. The day before yesterday’s coronation, King Charles III met Commonwealth leaders at the Commonwealth Secretariat at Marlborough House. During the event, President Ranil [...]
Wheat flour duty waiver withdrawn, price increase likely
The import duty waiver on wheat flour has been withdrawn with immediate effect and this would mean an increase in the price of this essential commodity. The duty waiver was introduced during the previous government when the custom import levy was brought down to Rs 3 a kilo from Rs 15-16 in January 2020. The [...]
Lanka’s poverty rate doubled, says World Bank
Sri Lanka’s ongoing economic crisis is estimated to have doubled the poverty rate from 13.1 percent to 25 percent and it is projected to remain above 25 percent for the next few years due to the multiple risks to households’ livelihoods, the World Bank said in its twice-a-year update on Sri Lanka this week. “The [...]
Four governors fired
The President’s Office has directed four provincial governors to step down following complaints received by parliamentarians representing the provinces. Accordingly, the decision has been conveyed to Eastern Province Governor Anuradha Yahampath, North Western Province Governor Admiral Wasantha Karannagoda, Uva Province Governor A.J.M. Muzammil and Sabaragamuwa Governor Tikiri Kobbekaduwa. New governors will be named soon after [...]
China continues to carry large trade surplus with Lanka
By Kapila Bandara China’s imports from Sri Lanka from January to March have dropped to US$ 93.74 million this year, and a substantial trade surplus remains in China’s favour for the three months. China imported goods worth US$ 93.74 million (Rs 29.94 billion, down by 3.9%), while exporting shipments valued at US$ 759.80m (Rs 242.55 [...]
Damning affidavit by former CAA Executive Director: Litro, Laugfs knew well the dangers consumers would face
By Namini Wijedasa When he flagged to the Consumer Affairs Authority (CAA) top leadership in May 2021 that standards should urgently be introduced to regulate cooking gas as disaster was looming, he was instructed to take no further action till the matter was resolved with the concerned parties, states an affidavit to the Court of [...]
65% of state schools with A/Level classes have no science stream, UGC tells COPE
Over 65 percent of schools with Advanced Level classes do not offer science subjects, the University Grants Commission (UGC) said. UGC Chairman Prof Sampath Amaratunga told the Committee on Public Enterprises (COPE) recently, that of the 2952 government schools that have Advanced Level classes only 1011 offer science subjects as an option. COPE chairman Prof. [...]
Lanka’s First Lady joins Commonwealth campaign to combat cervical cancer
First Lady Prof. Maithree Wickramasinghe was a discussant at a fireside chat on the subject of “Inspiring change: Together for the elimination of cervical cancer in the Commonwealth” at the Commonwealth Secretariat in London on Friday. The event was part of the Commonwealth Spouses and Partners Programme and saw Prof. Wickramasinghe in conversation with Jeanette [...]
ICTA directed by RTIC to disclose information on salaries, allowances paid to staff and consultants
By Ranjith Padmasiri The Right to Information Commission (RTIC) has directed the Information & Communication Technology Agency of Sri Lanka (ICTA) to disclose information on names, designations, basic salaries and allowances paid to ICTA’s staff in 2019, 2020 and 2021. It also called on ICTA to disclose the names, remunerations and allowances paid to consultants [...]
Coronation the Lankan connection
The British High Commission yesterday held a reception to celebrate the coronation of King Charles III. A giant screen was set up at the High Commission premises for the invitees to watch the live coverage of the ceremony. Pic by M. A. Pushpa Kumara In a departure from previous Coronation ceremonies, King Charles had requested [...]
65% of state schools with A/Level classes have no science stream, UGC tells COPE
Over 65 percent of schools with Advanced Level classes do not offer science subjects, the University Grants Commission (UGC) said. UGC Chairman Prof Sampath Amaratunga told the Committee on Public Enterprises (COPE) recently, that of the 2952 government schools that have Advanced Level classes only 1011 offer science subjects as an option. COPE chairman Prof. [...]
Large crowds attend funeral of veteran actor Ganananga
The final rites of veteran film and television actor Ganananga Gunawardena were held yesterday at the General Cemetery in Borella in the presence of a large crowd. Mr. Gunawardena was 78. He died while receiving treatment at the Colombo National Hospital. During a career spanning several decades, Mr. Gunawardena made a noteworthy contribution to the [...]
US fuel retailer to build pipeline
A US-based company has reached a principle agreement to lay a new fuel pipeline between Colombo Port and the Kolonnawa terminal ahead of the signing agreement to begin its retail fuel distribution in Sri Lanka. Under the agreement, RM Parks-Shell Company will make an initial investment of US$ 50 to 60 million for the project [...]
CID reports findings to court on fraudulent land sale in Kollupitiya
The Criminal Investigation Department (CID) has reported to court that nearly Rs 195 million had been defrauded during the purchase of a plot of land in Kollupitiya for a group of shareholders of a UK-based company. The CID’s Commercial Crime Division had been investigating the complaint relating to the purchase of 219.5 perches of land [...]
State sector employees contesting local polls to be transferred to nearby stations
A circular on transfer of public sector employees contesting local elections will be issued next week, Local Government State Minister Janaka Wakkumbura told the Sunday Times. According to the circular, the state- or semi-government sector employees who are contesting the elections will be granted permission to work in a nearby station outside their council area. [...]
Many clauses of CBSL Bill inconsistent with Constitution: Supreme Court
Referendum needed if they are to be passed in their current form By Ranjith Padmasiri A number of clauses in the Central Bank of Sri Lanka (CBSL) Bill are inconsistent with the Constitution and would require a referendum if they are to be passed in their current form, the Supreme Court has noted. The three-Judge [...]
Sri Lankans celebrate, showcase Buddhism’s values and heritage
By Senuka Jayakody Sri Lankans poured out in their thousands to places worship, bearing symbolic offerings to pay homage to the Buddha’s universal message of wisdom, compassion and humility, and participated in religious activities that honour the triple gem: the Buddha, dharma (teachings), and sangha disciples) on Vesak Day this week, when Buddhism’s cultural heritage [...]
UN says Buddha’s message embedded in UN charter
The United Nations has issued statements to mark Vesak recalling that the UN General Assembly adopted a resolution recognising an international Day for Vesak following a motion spearheaded by Sri Lanka’s former Foreign Minister, the late Lakshman Kadirgamar. The UN Resident Coordinator Christian Skoog issuing a message said Lord Buddha’s lessons of equality, compassion, empathy, [...]
Colombo Archbishop Diocese organises dansala
A Vesak dansala was organised by the Colombo Archbishop Diocese. Colombo Archbishop, Cardinal Malcolm Ranjith is seen distributing food packets at the Dansala. Pic by Sarath Chinthaka
Colourful Vesak Perahera adorns Kandy
By L.B.Sewnaratne Hundreds of devotees lined up the streets to watch the Sri Dalada Maligawa Veask Perahera wend its way on a short route around the Maligawa square.
Indian food dansala in Kandy draws crowds
One of the most popular dansala’s in Kandy turned out to be the one organised by the Indian High Commission office in Kandy. The dansala that served Inidan cuisine was held close to the entrance of the Dalada Maligawa and many devotees were seen visiting it. The Assistant High Commissioner Dr. Akthar. S and other [...]
Delft life ticking along slowly
Story and pix by Rekha Tharangani Fonseka Life is slowly recovering on the oval-shaped Delft Island, where the tall palmyra palms and coconut trees dominate the land. Most who call it their home are engaged in fishery. Many families left the island during the conflict. Some have returned. About 4,500 people live on the 48.5 [...]
The Foreign Ministry Avurudu Ulela
Story and pix by Indika Handuwala The Foreign Ministry held their Sinhala Tamil New Year celebrations at Police Park grounds last Sunday. The event was organised by the Ministry’s Welfare Association. Foreign Affairs Minister Ali Sabry and Ministry Secretary Aruni Wijewardane took part in the celebrations. Ministry staff and their family members participated in the [...]
Rough weather warning: Met Dept
The Meteorology Department officials called the public to pay attention to warnings and advisory issued by them as a lower atmospheric disturbance is to occur over the Bay of Bengal during next few days. Duty forecaster at the Meteorology Department, Chathuska Premachandra told the Sunday Times that there is a possibility that the lower depression [...]
Stubborn retailing habits prompt debate on stronger regulator
By Senuka Jayakody Despite price reductions of some essential commodities and fuel, Sri Lanka’s traders, vendors, retailers and private transport services, are not passing the lower costs to consumers, mentioning instead, higher operating costs. This has now led to a debate on whether a new regulator is needed. From May 1, the price of 92 [...]
Covid: Don’t drop your guard, say experts despite WHO declaration
By Nadia Fazlulhaq lthough the World Health Organisation on Friday announced it was ending the COVID-19 global emergency it declared three years ago, there is no room for complacency yet. The virus, in one form or another, is still with us. And what’s worse? More cases are being detected while the country is gripped by [...]
Dengue danger on the rise
By Kumudini Hettiarachchi The dengue situation is “not good”, said many health officials, worried as the number of people affected by this viral disease spread by a tiny mosquito, increased in leaps and bounds. “We have recorded nearly 31,000 patients since January this year of which 49% (nearly half) are in the Western Province comprising [...]
Keep the menace of malaria at bay in SL
“Imported’ cases could result in disaster on the anti-malaria-front, warns expert Take the free preventive medicines offered when travelling to malaria-endemic countries; get your blood checked for the disease on your return; & disclose travel history if ill By Kumudini Hettiarachchi Fever and a travel history out of Sri Lanka – suspect malaria. This [...]
Multi-billion losses and colossal waste
By Kapila Bandara Sri Lanka’s dilapidated railway noted for financial waste and corruption, and which operates many types of locomotives and carriages imported from various countries, booked a loss of Rs 12.43 billion in 2022, compared with Rs 10.30 bn in 2021, on revenue of Rs 11.07bn. The Department of Sri Lanka Railway does not [...]
Railway rehab a challenging undertaking
By Nathara Abeywickrema Railway passengers will likely face continuing disruptions across the network for at least the next few months amid a worker shortage and rehabilitation of tracks, Sri Lanka Railway has warned. As of April 30 this year, a significant amount of train services have been cancelled and there have been 12 derailments, the [...]
Govt. intensifies diplomatic push to urge foreign nations to revise travel advisories
To increase tourist arrivals to Sri Lanka, the Government together with tourism authorities has launched several initiatives, including renewed measures to get foreign countries to revoke or revise adverse travel advisories on Sri Lanka. Germany, Canada, and New Zealand are among the countries that have issued travel advisories warning their citizens to exercise caution and [...]