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Home » NewsGaza: Using food as a weapon of war
A day after more than 100 Palestinian civilians scrambling for food were killed in Gaza City by Israeli troops, Palestinian children stand amid the rubble of a mosque and makeshift shelters that were destroyed in Israeli strikes in central Gaza. According to human rights groups, more than 13,000 Palestinian children have been killed in nearly [...]
Central Bank, other SOEs can’t increase their staff salaries
Justice Minister will present bill to Parliament, transferring financial powers to Treasury and Parliament By Damith Wickremasekara Financial powers of state-owned enterprises (SOEs), including the Central Bank, will be curtailed in terms of a bill the Justice Minister will present to Parliament this month. The move would remove the power of the Central Bank to [...]
No more free visa extensions: Russian, Ukrainian tourists can apply for visa or go back
The government’s decision to cancel a free visa facility granted to Russians and Ukrainians who have remained in Sri Lanka since February 2022 has not been reversed, Public Security Minister Tiran Alles confirmed this week. “Either they apply for a visa or they go back,” he told the Sunday Times. “They will not receive free [...]
CEB makes thumping Rs. 61.2 billion profits last year
The Ceylon Electricity Board (CEB) has declared thumping profits for 2023, amounting to Rs. 61.2 billion for the Board and Rs. 75.7 billion for the group (which includes other investments), according to its unaudited interim financial statements for the year ended December 31. These numbers were largely driven by soaring profits from October to December [...]
Lanka accuses UNHRC of double standards and politicisation of human rights
Sri Lanka has told the UN Human Rights Council that double standards, which contribute to the politicisation of human rights, cannot be condoned. Himalee Arunatilaka, Ambassador and Permanent Representative of Sri Lanka to the United Nations in Geneva, addressing the 55th session of the Human Rights Council on Friday, drawing attention to the plight of [...]
Drug fraud: Additional Secretary seeks to make special statement in court
By Ranjith Padmasiri The Health Ministry’s Additional Secretary Saman Ratnayake, produced in court by the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) over substandard human intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIG) procurement, has sought permission to make a statement to the magistrate. Accordingly, Magistrate Lochani Abeywickrema ordered that Dr. Ratnayake be produced tomorrow in court to make the statement. The Additional [...]
Political leaders attend Ronnie’s funeral
The funeral of Sri Lanka’s longest-serving finance minister, Ronnie de Mel, took place at the Ruhunu University grounds on Friday. President Ranil Wickremesinghe, Prime Minister Dinesh Gunawardena, former President Mahinda Rajapaksa, and Opposition Leader Sajith Premadasa were among those who attended the funeral ceremony.
PSC to probe road deaths; Justice minister proposes tough new measures
A one-year suspension of the driving licence is to be considered for those found guilty of driving under the influence of liquor and causing an accident. The measure is one of the proposals to be made to a parliamentary select committee that Justice Minister Wijedasa Rajapakshe wants the Speaker to appoint. The minister said he [...]
Maligawa holds event to remember monk’s bravery before Kandyan Convention was read out
By L.B. Senaratne A ceremony was held at Maha Maluwa in Kandy on Friday morning with the participation of the two Maha Vihares to commemorate a brave Buddhist monk’s attempt to haul down the British Ensign before the Kandyan Convention was read out. The ceremony marked the 209th anniversary of the event and commemorated the [...]
Navy to deploy second ship to ensure Indian Ocean security; first ship returns
The Navy will be deploying a naval ship for the second time as part of the operation to maintain maritime security in international waters. The Navy Media Director, Captain Dayan Wickremesuriya, told the Sunday Times that the first Sri Lanka vessel deployed on maritime security patrol had completed its mission and returned to Sri Lanka [...]
Salary details of officials must be released in public interest under RTI Act: Court of Appeal
Commercial interests or trade secrets will not apply, says CA in Litro case judgment By Ranjith Padmasiri The Court of Appeal has affirmed a decision by the Right to Information Commission (RTIC) directing Litro Gas Lanka Limited and Litro Gas Terminal Lanka (Private) Limited to release details of the monthly salaries and allowances of top [...]
Veteran scribe Lucien Rajakarunanayake’s funeral today
Veteran journalist and columnist Lucien Rajakarunanayake passed away on February 29 at the age of 85. Late Mr Rajakarunanayake began his career in journalism as a reporter at the (former) Times of Ceylon and the Sunday Times from 1960 to 1971. He was a reporter, sub-editor, feature writer, and a lobby correspondent. He joined the [...]
Tourist visa holders doing business in Sri Lanka: SLTDA
By Namini Wijedasa The Sri Lanka Tourism Development Authority (SLTDA) this week admitted there was a problem with unauthorised foreigner-run businesses and that “all agencies have been rather complacent” during the last two years. Now that the discussion has opened up, however, the SLTDA will see “how best” it can work with the Department of [...]
Stamp to mark Sri Lanka Law College 150 year anniversary
To mark the Sri Lanka Law College’s 150 year anniversary, the Sri Lanka Philatelic Bureau launched a stamp on March 1 at the College Main Hall. Chief Justice Jayantha Jayasuriya graced the occasion as chief guest. Minister of Justice, Prison Affairs and Constitutional Reforms Wijeyadasa Rajapakshe, Minister of Mass Media, Transport and Highways Bandula Gunawardana [...]
Push-start, again, for stalled online vehicle registration system
The Department of Motor Traffic is gearing up to resume the much-awaited eMotoring project, Commissioner General Nishantha Anuruddha Weerasingha said. It involves developing, implementing and installing an ICT solution to improve services provided by the DMT and the provincial department of motor traffic. This project aims to update and replace the existing motor vehicle registration [...]
Armed forces assassins killing for an underworld payday not new
By Kasun Warakapitiya Organised crime gangs are recruiting ex-military men and even triforce service personnel as hitmen, as they can handle weapons and are combat-trained. The police said that gangs use many tactics to entice those who have a history of serving in the armed forces. Police spokesman, Deputy Inspector General (DIG) Nihal Thalduwa, who [...]
People disappointed with state officers; work won’t happen without influence or bribery
Peradeniya University survey paints pathetic picture of public service By Kasun Warakapitiya People are mostly dissatisfied with the conduct of state officers, as they either need to obtain support from influential officials or resort to bribery to get their work done, according to a Peradeniya University survey. Most people have described a visit to state [...]
A mission to save little brains & spines
Dr Nirukshan Jayaweera undertakes a gargantuan task amidst a lack of facilities and instruments By Kumudini Hettiarachchi There is a common healing thread, giving new life and hope, bonding Chathura Chamoth Hewawasm (8) from Uswetakeiyawa, Dilitha Hettiarachchi (13) from Baddegama and Arkam Mohamed (10) from Weligama. These are just three of more than 1,000 children from [...]
OSA amendments only benefit the internet intermediaries, not the citizenry
Last month, the Cabinet approved a list of suggested amendments to its Online Safety Act (OSA) that the Public Security Ministry (PSM) insists are sufficient to alleviate widespread concerns about the controversial law. But a majority of interest groups, including media organisations, argue that the proposed changes are wholly inadequate and almost exclusively benefit the [...]
Prison inmates bring in 253 million rupee revenue
The Department of Prisons has earned over Rs253 million revenue by facilitating prisoners to engage in agricultural activities and various industrial activities in 2023. Department of Prisons Commissioner General Thushara Upuldeniya said that over 90 million rupees had been earned during 2023 from getting inmates to engage in agriculture therapy. He explained that agriculture therapy [...]
Sri Lanka’s girls among world’s most underweight – 410,000 malnourished
Girls in Sri Lanka count among the world’s most underweight, a form of malnutrition, a life-endangering condition that has remained unchanged in the country for more than three decades. Findings published in the British medical journal, The Lancet, covering 33 years from 1990-2022, released February 29, reveal that Sri Lanka, ranks second below India globally, [...]
President emphasises SL Navy’s responsibility to protect country’s interests in Indian Ocean
President Ranil Wickremesinghe emphasised that the Sri Lanka Navy has been entrusted with the responsibility of safeguarding the country’s oceanic territories, including the Indian Ocean region. He also underscored that the nation’s economic initiatives will not be permitted to suffer any harm in the Indian Ocean. The President made these remarks while delivering a speech [...]
IGP visits Kandy
Inspector General of Police Deshabandu Tennakoon visited the Temple of the Sacred Tooth Relic yesterday, marking his first visit after he assumed duties as the 36th IGP on Thursday. IGP Tennakoon also visited both the Malwathu and Asgiri Viharas and obtained blessings from chief incumbents Thibbatuwe Sri Sumangala Thera and Warakagoda Sri Gnanarathana Thera respectively. [...]
Poaching dispute: Lankan fishermen to hold protests today and tomorrow
Northern fishermen will hold protests today and tomorrow against poaching by Indian fishermen in Sri Lanka’s waters and the government’s failure to stop it. One of the protests will be held today in the Madagal Sea area and the other in Mannar, opposite the Office of India’s Consular General. Fishermen have expressed concern that little [...]
El Niño charges up temperatures, causing illness
Experts recommend avoidance of outdoor activities and intake of more water and fluids By Nathara Abeywickrema Climate change is making heatwaves harsher and more unpredictable, with warnings that extreme heat can have adverse effects on both our physical and emotional health. Annual athletic events and school cricket matches, could be expose vulnerable groups, including children, [...]
Farmers pay heavy price in cash losses and low yields due to dodgy private seed imports
Low-quality vegetables and fluctuating prices are closely linked to seeds and fertiliser, farmers say By Dilushi Wijesinghe and K R Rajamanthree Decades ago, the Department of Agriculture played a key role in the production of seeds, but now it is in the hands of the private sector. “The private sector has been importing seeds since 1980. For [...]