‘Spoken English’ in all National Schools from March 30

The ministry is also planning to teach the subject of artificial intelligence along with information technology

Central Bank sues pyramid schemers

Criminal cases will be filed against ‘Fast3cycle International Pvt. Ltd.,” ‘Sport Chain App, Sport Chain ZS Society Sri Lanka,” and ‘Onmax DT’

Semasinghe assures transparent IMF process

The agreement endorsed by the Executive Board of the International Monetary Fund (IMF) will be tabled in Parliament by the President this week, State Finance Minister Shehan Semasinghe said.

SC suspends digging of elephant trenches in National Parks

The petitioner states that the trenches in wildlife landscapes impede the movement of all wildlife

AG to raise objections against Harak Kata’s writ petition

The Attorney General yesterday informed the Court of Appeal that he is expecting to raise limited objections against the writ petition filed on behalf of Nadun Chinthaka Wickramaratne alias “Harak Kata. The father of Harak

Norochcholai Unit 3 breaks down: Minister assures no power cuts

Unit 3 of the Norochcholai Coal Power Plant has experienced a breakdown, Power and Energy Minister Kanchana Wijesekera said. He said the Ceylon Electricity Board (CEB) has informed him about the brea

Once the agreement with IMF reached Rupee will gradually come down to 200 or 185 – President expresses hope

SL will be led to the path of success similar to the Royal Cricket team

I wanted to be a pilot, but...

Says govt. was only making the economy smaller instead of strengthening it

Youth beaten to death during DJ party at Port City premises

A 17-year-old boy was arrested for allegedly beating a 24-year-old businessman to death during a DJ party at the Colombo Port City premises in the early hours of Saturday (18), police said.

Listeria prevention campaign

All employees in makeshift food stalls in Hatton, Palabathgala, and Erathna Sri Pada routes up to the Sri Padasthana were subject to medical examination under the ongoing Listeria prevention campaign launched by Health authorities in the Ratnapura District since last Friday (17) . A team of more than 40 public health inspectors had been deployed to check food stalls along the three Sri Pada routes up to the Sri Padasthana. Administrative PHI o

Govt. expects the first tranche of IMF funds this week

The first tranche of US$ 330 million out of the Extended Fund Facility (EFF) of US$ 2.9 billion for Sri Lanka from the International Monetary Fund (IMF) is expected this week once the Global lender approves th

Hugging on campus not prohibited: VC

Vice Chancellor of Peradeniya University Prof. D.M.Lamawansa stressed that having love affairs in the University was not a taboo but any excesses could not be allowed.

Rupee could fluctuate from time to time: State Minister

​ State Minister for Finance Ranjith Siyambalapitiya said that although certain parties have accused the Central Bank and the government of artificially strengthening the value of the rupee against the dollar, it has been confirmed that the value of the rupee is determined by the demand and supply of the dollar and that it may fluctuate from time to time.

SJB to sue Treasury Secretary for contempt of court

The main opposition, Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB) has sent a ‘Letter of Demand’ (LoD) to the Secretary of the Ministry of Finance, Mahinda Siriwardana to release funds to the Election Commission (EC) to conduct Local Government (LG) polls immediately as ordered by a three judge bench of the Supreme Court or face contempt of Court charges.

Air fares reduced by 20% after rupee appreciation : Minister

Claiming that airline agencies in Sri Lanka have reduced prices of air tickets by 20 percent in proportion to the decrease in the price of the US Dollar, Minister of Ports, Shipping and Aviation, Nimal Siripala de Silva said that they agreed to further reduce air ticket fares in the future. The Minister made these statements at a special discussion with the representatives of airline agencies operating from Sri Lanka.

Term of office of 344 local authorities end

The term of office of 344 local authorities ended at midnight on Sunday and Chairman of the National Delimitation Committee on Demarcation of Wards for Local Authorities, Mahinda Deshapriya said that it is not appropriate for local government polls to be delayed and that the possibility of holding local government polls on April 25 are grim.

UNP calls for suggestions for a new party constitution

United National Party ( UNP) which has decided to introduce a new party constitution is to call for suggestions from party members before the end of this month, party sources said.

Teachers warn of trade union action over transfers

Subsequent to President Ranil Wickremesinghe having ordered the dissolution of Education Ministry’s Teacher Transfer Board on Friday, several teacher trade unions warned yesterday to take trade union action, if the government fails to provide solutions for issues arising from the order.

2023’s first phase school holidays begin on April 5

School holidays for the first phase of the first school term for the year 2023 will start on April 5, the Education Ministry announced. According to the statement issued by the ministry, the holidays will continue until April 16.

Tea Industry suffering due to acts of racketeers - Factory owners

Former President of the Tea Factory Owner’s Association and Proprietor of Kurunduwatta Tea Factory in Nawalapitiya, Robert Harley said the tea industry in Sri Lanka had suffered a serious setback due to unscrupulous activities of racketeers.

From history’s highest revenue target of Rs.217Bn Expected Excise revenue drop by 35% in first two months of 2023

Having the highest annual revenue target of Rs.217 billion in history, the Department of Excise has experienced a tax revenue drop of 35 per cent in the first two months of this year thus far, the Excise sources said.

Residents complain to police over school teacher assaulting her mother-in-law

A teacher from a leading school in Kandy was taken to police custody yesterday for allegedly assaulting her mother-in-law following complaints by residents in the area, the police said.

Daughter raped by father and his friend

An individual and one of his friends who raped the former’s daughter since the age of ten were taken into custody by Karuwalagaswewa Police yesterday.

Half of Srilanka population suffering from oral diseases

At least 50% of the population are estimated to be suffering from some form of mouth disease, Deputy Director General Dental Services Dr. Ananda Jayalal said. Addressing the media,

12-year-old girl elopes with 32-year-old man Couple taken in for investigations by Saliyawewa Police

A 12-year-old girl and a 32-year-old man with whom she had eloped were taken in for investigations by Saliyawewa Police on Thursday evening (16).

First ever free-of-charge conference, banquet hall to open on Monday

The conference hall has a seating capacity of 500

SLPP wins Yatiyantota Cooperative elections

The Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna (SLPP) led group had emerged victorious at the Yatiyantota Cooperative elections after suff

Indian Railways kickstart Buddhist Circuit Tourist train

The Indian Railway Catering and Tourism Corporation (IRCTC) has organised a Buddhist tourist train covering 9 places across India and Nepal that impacted Buddha, helping tourists experience his self-disciplined and legendary life, Indian media reported.

Maithripala’s writ petition to be heard before a five-judge-bench on July 31

The writ petition filed by former President Maithripala Sirisena was yesterday fixed for July 31 by the Court of Appeal. This petition is to be heard before a fuller bench comprising five judges of Court of Appeal on next hearing date. In his

Is Govt. ready to hold LG polls if economic issue is resolved by some party: PAFFREL

People’s Action for Free & Fair Elections (PAFFREL) has questioned the government whether it was ready to conduct the Local Government election, if some party was ready to provide a solution to the financial constraint that the government was cla