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Home » NewsInternational cultural extravaganza in Colombo
Foreign Minister Vijitha Herath is seen with the Vietnamese delegation, including Buddhist monks and diplomats, at the International Bazaar and Cultural Extravaganza held yesterday at the Colombo Race Course. The charity event, co-organised by the Foreign Ministry, provides space for diplomatic missions to showcase the many different cultures through a bustling programme. Please see page 8 [...]
Rice prices rise by Rs. 10; MRP revised
Decision taken after talks between President and leading rice millers By Kasun Warakapitiya The government has given the green light to increase rice prices by revising the Maximum Retail Price (MRP) on selected varieties with immediate effect. The move came following talks between President Anura Kumara Dissanayake and leading paddy millers on the rice shortage [...]
CPC loan restructuring: Govt. to absorb losses of two state banks
The government is making provisions to absorb the losses of two state banks due to the restructuring of loans given to the Ceylon Petroleum Corporation. Accordingly, the government is seeking parliamentary approval for a supplementary estimate of Rs 219.4 billion, of which Rs 130 billion is to be financed as compensation for any loss that [...]
President’s India, China visits to focus on investments
By Damith Wickremasekara President Anura Kumara Dissanayake will be sharing the new government’s policies with India’s Prime Minister Narendra Modi during his forthcoming visit to India, and shortly after, early next month, an official visit to China, where attracting investments, continuing with projects suspended, and negotiations of restructuring of loans will be the focus. Foreign [...]
Campaign finance statements: candidates rush to meet the deadline
By Ishu Bandara The majority of the candidates who contested the November 14 parliamentary elections have handed over their financial statements in keeping with the campaign finance laws as the deadline ended on Friday. Of the 8,800 candidates who contested the elections, 7,846 had handed over their financial statements, with more statements due to come [...]
Galle port city project poses major threat to marine life
A 500-page Supplementary Environmental Impact Assessment (SEIA) report says the Sri Lanka Ports Authority’s proposed Galle Port Development Project will adversely affect the coral reefs in Rumassala Marine Sanctuary (RMS). The project aims to create “a fully fledged tourist port” with 44.97 hectares of reclaimed land for recreational and tourism real estate investments. The Colombo [...]
Ceremonial sitting to welcome new Chief Justice on Tuesday
The ceremonial sitting to welcome the new Chief Justice, Murdu Fernando will take place on Tuesday, December 10 at the Supreme Court complex at 9 a.m. Acting Attorney General Viraj Dayaratane, PC will represent the official Bar while the Chairman of the Bar Association of Sri Lanka Anura Meddegoda, PC will represent the unofficial Bar. [...]
CID on the trail of a missing case file By Ranjith Padmasiri
The Criminal Investigation Department has launched an investigation into a file related to a case pending at Nugegoda Magistrate Courts going missing. The missing case file was related to an incident of a woman being subjected to an acid attack. The CID has questioned many officials working at the courts regarding the missing file. The [...]
Lohan arrested over a road accident a day after being released on bail
Former State Minister Lohan Ratwatte, was remanded again yesterday over driving under the influence of liquor and causing an accident. The incident came a day after he was released on bail over allegations concerning an illegally assembled luxury vehicle. Mr. Ratwatte was taken into custody in Kollupitiya following a road accident. Police said that the [...]
Abolish executive presidency and repeal oppressive acts, Lawyers’ Collective demands
The Lawyers’ Collective has called on the government to focus on abolishing the Executive Presidency and repealing the Prevention of Terrorism and Online Safety Acts. The Collective issued a statement on December 5 urging Sri Lanka’s new Cabinet of Ministers and the members of the 10th Parliament to act on the legislative mandate granted by [...]
No electricity price reduction until June 2025 inspite of profits earned since the 75% tarrif hike
Profits used to settle debts with CPC, power producers and solar sector CEB says decision to maintain the prevailing tariff structure due to inherent uncertainties linked to hydropower generation predictions for 2025 By Namini Wijedasa The Ceylon Electricity Board (CEB) on Friday notified the Public Utilities Commission of Sri Lanka (PUCSL) that [...]
Met Dept, warns of another low pressure area building over southeast Bay of Bengal
A low pressure area that has formed over the southeast Bay of Bengal is to intensify further and move northwestwards during the next few days, the Meteorology Department said. Issuing an advisory for heavy rains, strong winds and rough seas, the department added that the low pressure is likely to reach the southwest Bay of [...]
NPP hitches its wagon to North star
South-based party accurately gauges northern sentiment and secures victory While north-based Tamil parties neglected the socio-economic issues of the people, especially the marginalised sections, the Sunday Times journalist S. Rubathesen analyses how the NPP made inroads into northern politics, first by sending its frontline soldiers—trade unionists—and then by establishing itself as a common people’s party. [...]
Hitting the ramp for a good cause
It was time for Colombo based diplomats to hit the ramp yesterday as part of the “International Bazaar and Cultural Extravaganza (IBCE) 2024” held at the Good market premises at the Colombo Racecourse. Pictured here are some who chose to showcase local attire. Funds generated from the event will be donated to the M.H. Omar [...]
Break down in digital forensic lab of the Govt. Analyst Dept. impeding X-Press pearl probe, court told
Data in the central storage server an important part of the evidence in the case of the deletion of emails related to the disaster By Ranjith Padmasiri and Roshan Thushara The delay in completing the investigations related to the deletion of emails related to the X-Press Pearl disaster was due to the central storage server [...]
Give us more recognition and visibility, disability organisations demand
In line with the International Day of Persons with Disabilities (PWDs) on December 3, the Disability Organizations Joint Front (DOJF) this week expressed their views on issues faced by their community. They addressed a press conference on the theme of Expanding the Leadership of Persons with Disabilities for an Inclusive Sustainable Future. A Panel comprising [...]
Dewata Beach, where waves of discontent are mounting
Proposed port city project in Galle The recent release of a new supplementary Environment Impact Assessment (EIA), reviving the on and off Galle Port Development Project, has raised concerns that the proposed reclamation of 40 hectares, would affect the fishing community and a thriving surfing business that brings tourism to the area.Tharushi Weerasinghe reports from Galle [...]
Dawson Tower given a facelift
Pix and text by L. B. Senaratne The Dawson Tower, built in memory of Captain William Francis Dawson, the architect of the Kandy-Colombo Road, is being given a facelift after a number of years. The Tower was erected by those of Dawson’s regiment after his death, as he could not see his own work completed, [...]
Festive shoppers seem less eager to deck the halls
By Dilushi Wijesinghe and Nathara Abeywickrema The annual buzz of the vibrant Christmas season at Pettah’s shops selling décor, seems to have quietened down this year. While some still wander through the narrow lanes eyeing Christmas trees, festive ornaments, and strings of colourful lights, the festive atmosphere feels notably subdued. The Sunday Times observed a [...]
Drainage problem prevents flood waters receding
Villagers claim businessman obstructed culvert Pix and story by Hiran Priyakara Jayasinghe A dispute between a businessman and a group of residents of Viruthodhi village in Puttalam had been brewing due to blocking of a culvert in the village main drainage system. The residents complained that their houses got inundated by water over a two-month [...]
Dark streets in Ella pose a security threat for tourists
By Palitha Ariyawansa Ella, one of the most sought-after destinations for travellers, is facing a challenge due to the lack of streetlights in the city and surrounding areas, causing inconvenience for both tourists and locals, particularly during the nighttime. Many hotels, guesthouses, and homestays are located on the outskirts of the town, and many residents [...]
Tourists warned against daredevil behaviour in trains
The number of accidents involving tourists engaging in unsafe behaviour when travelling in trains has been increasing, raising urgent calls for stricter safety measures and greater public awareness. Among many reported incidents, a female Iranian tourist recently sustained critical head injuries while attempting to take a selfie between the Ohiya and Idalgashinna Railway stations. Other [...]
Private cartel demands duty cut to import rice
By Kasun Warakapitiya The rice crisis continued this week with shortages and high prices as the government initiated several steps to overcome severe shortages. The government this week liberalised imports of rice for 12 more days while urging private small and medium rice millers to release rice stocks to Lanka Sathosa. In a bid to [...]
Flood devastation of farmland drives up prices of veggies
By Nathara Abeywickrema and Dilushi Wijesinghe The recent persistent heavy rains have led to a noticeable increase in prices of vegetables at wet markets. Vendors at Pettah market expressed frustration, attributing the price increase to flooded farmlands. “Many fields are waterlogged, and crops are either damaged or completely destroyed. This limits our supply and forces [...]
After the floods; the task of compensation begins
Focus on plight faced by farmers whose crops have been destroyed or damaged By Sandun Jayawardana While the disaster situation caused by the adverse weather conditions is now over, focus has shifted to damage assessment and providing compensation. In the aftermath of the disaster, the plight faced by farmers whose crops have been destroyed or [...]
Parties giving up on winning called to account for rejected votes
By Ishu Bandara The high number of rejected votes in the recently concluded parliamentary elections has drawn the attention of the Election Commission. “The community and political party members showed great interest in understanding why votes were rejected in the last parliamentary elections, so I requested that the sealed document containing the report be opened [...]
Recent detentions raise concerns over Govt. stance on repealing PTA
By Mimi Alphonsus Since the new government came to power, ten people have been arrested through the Prevention of Terrorism Act (PTA), a controversial law that the NPP promised to eliminate. According to the police media division, six individuals were arrested in connection with the Arugam Bay incident and President Anura Kumara Dissanayake signed their [...]
‘Unusual’ new trend spotted in some dengue patients
Expert warns of fluid leakage starting when platelet count is relatively high, early into the illness in some children By Kumudini Hettiarachchi An ‘early’ warning with regard to a different trend in the rapid deterioration of dengue patients to severe and dangerous disease comes from an expert this week. “The critical fluid leakage stage in Dengue [...]
Staff in key school roles demand permanent positions
By Nathara Abeywickrema School development officers across Sri Lanka have called for their inclusion in the Sri Lanka Teacher Service as permanent employees. These officers, who have been fulfilling teaching roles for years without official confirmation, emphasise the urgency of addressing their concerns to ensure a fair and efficient education system. Joint Teachers’ Services Union [...]