The Sri Lanka Ports Authority was awarded the Ports Authority of the Year 2018 Award by the Global Ports Forum at the fourth GPF awards ceremony held recently at the Grand Hyatt Hotel in Dubai in the United Arab Emirates. The awards ceremony, followed by the conference forum is organized annually by the GPF, in
Christian Dior paid homage to the youth movements of the 1960s with an explosion of colour on the catwalk, as models in baker boy caps and vibrant patchwork designs walked through a hall clad in slogans and ripped posters. The show, on the first full day of Paris Fashion Week, was the latest offering by
The defending champions Gremio came from behind to draw 1-1 at Defensor Sporting in their opening match of the Copa Libertadores. The group phase of the Copa Libertadores, South America’s Champions League, got underway. 32 teams are taking part, including 16 previous winners of the trophy, amongst them was Brazil’s Gremio who travelled to Uruguay’s
The Met Department announces that due to the wavy type disturbance in the vicinity of Sri Lanka, a showery condition is expected to continue over the island. Showers or thundershowers will occur at times in the Eastern,Uva and North central provinces and in Matale district. Showers or thundershowers will occur at several places in the
The National Policy on Reconciliation and Co-existence was launched under the patronage of President Maithripala Sirisena and Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe this afternoon. The National Policy has been formulated by the Office for National Unity and Reconciliation which is headed by former President Chandrika Bandaranaike Kumaratunga. The premiere of the movie which has been produced
Minister of Finance and Mass Media Mangala Samaraweera told the delegation of the G-24 Technical Group today that the IMF forecasts the gross financing needs for 2018 in emerging and middle-income economies, range from 4% to 43%of the GDP with an average of 10.4%. In many developing economies, a high proportion of this outstanding debt
Minister of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources Development and State Minister of Mahaweli Development Mahinda Amaraweera states that a wide range of programs to the tune of 1,000 billion rupees will be carried out under the Mahaweli development program by 2020. The Minister was speaking at the progress review meeting of the ministry. He added that
Lakshman Kiriella and Ravindra Samaraweera assumed duties in their respective Ministerial portfolios at auspicious times, today. Lakshman Kiriella assumed duties as the Minister of Public Enterprise and Kandy Development amidst of religious observances at his Ministry at World Trade Center, Colombo. Parliamentarian Mayantha Dissanayake and several other distinguished people were present at the event. Meanwhile,
The Assistant Superintendent of Police of Chilaw who allegedly solicited a bribe from an owner of a Spa has been remanded till the 7th of next month. ASP Saman Jayatilka Bandara has been arrested for soliciting a bribe and for letting the owner of the Spa carry out its activities without any meddling. A group
Ministry of Defence Cyber Operations Centre at Air Force Headquarters was declared open by the Secretary to the Ministry of Defence Mr. Kapila Waidyaratne today on the invitation of the Commander of the Air Force Air Marshal Kapila Jayampathy. The Web sites belonging to the Security forces are being subject to hackers around the clock.
President Maithripala Sirisena has given instructions to the relevant sectors to expedite the reconstruction of 2400 small tanks within the Dry Zone. The President emphasized that the reconstruction of these tanks should be accelerated so that it would support the people to engage in their day to day activities sans any inconveniences in the face
A special Committee comprising Ministers has been appointed to expedite action on fraud and corruption. Prime Minister Ranil Wickremasinghe has appointed this Ministerial Committee. The Committee includes Ministers Dr. Rajitha Senaratne, D.M Swaminathan and Ajith Perera. The Prime Minister’s office said that the secretary to the Ministry of Law and Order will sit as the
A concert organized to mark the completion of 70 years of diplomatic ties between Sri Lanka and the United States was held under the patronage of Prime Minister Ranil Wickremasinghe. The Jazz Concert was organized by the US Embassy in Sri Lanka. The concert was held by a group headed by Wycliffe Gordon. Making a
The Ports Authority of Sri Lanka has earned a record profit of 13.2 billion rupees during last year. Accordingly Minister of Ports and Shipping Mahinda Samarasinghe said that it had been possible to grant a salary increase of 10,000 rupees to workers in accordance to the new collective agreement. Speaking at a meeting of Trade
One person is reported missing while 3 others were rescued after a car toppled into the Viyana canal on Badulla-Mahiyangana road this morning. A car traveling from Badulla to Mahiyanganaya had veered off the road and toppled into the Viyana canal near the 17th Mile Post Junction at around 6.20am this morning. Three persons including
A high level Court of Inquiry comprising six Senior Army Officers and chaired by Commander of the Central Defence Forces Major General Rukmal Dias has been appointed to inquire and report into the explosion that occurred within a bus in the Kahagolla area in Diyathalawa. The Committee has been appointed by Army Commander Lt. Gen.
The case filed against eight defendants including former Defence Secretary Gotabhaya Rajapaksa with respect to the Avant Garde lawsuit is due to be taken up for hearing on the 26th of next month. The ruling was given by the Colombo Chief Magistrate’s Court today. The case has been filed by the Bribery Commission against eight
The Colombo High Court has ordered to take up the case filed against former United National Party General Secretary Tissa Attanayake on the 24th of July. Attanayake has been charged with making public a forged document alleging a secret agreement between then Common Candidate Maithripala Sirisena, UNP leader Ranil Wickremesinghe and TNA leader R. Sampanthan
Two new buildings of Sujatha Vidyalaya in Matara and St. Thomas’s Girls High School were opened today. The new three storeyed building comprising classrooms of Matara Sujatha Vidyalaya was opened by Minister of Finance and Mass Media Mangala Samaraweera and State Minister for Enterprise Development Lakshman Yapa Abeywardena. The foundation was laid for the proposed
The SAITM Students Action Committee says that they wished to express their gratitude to the President and the Prime Minister for the solutions found by the Government to the Malambe SAITM University issue. The Committee said that they were optimistic about the future and will forget the past. Addressing a news conference convener of the
President Maithripala Sirisena has pointed out that liquor and drugs are major issues when talking about poverty within the country. The President called for the support of everyone in strengthening the Drug Abuse National programme. The President made these observations at Embilipitiya today at the launch of the first in a series of the ‘Gama
Prime Minister Ranil Wickremasinghe has referred to plans for the dawn of a prosperous future fulfilling the aspirations of the people. He mentioned that this would be done identifying the results of the Local Government polls and overcoming the shortcomings and weaknesses. The Prime Minister further said that measures would be taken to meet the
A five member Committee has been appointed to inquire into the incident concerning the explosion of a hand grenade in a bus in the Diyathalawa area. In the meantime further Police investigations are continuing. One of the injured in the explosion is receiving treatment at the Intensive Care Unit. Eight more are still hospitalized. Expressing
Former Defence Secretary Gotabhaya Rajapaksa has filed a revision petition calling for the suspension of activities concerning the Avant Garde transaction. He is also calling for the suspension of the ruling given on the rejection of the preliminary objections against the lawsuit that has been filed in the Colombo Chief Magistrate’s Court. Accusations have been
Army Commander Mahesh Senanayaka says that there is no threat to the National Security. He said this following a function at Vavuniya. Army Commander Lieutenant General Mahesh Senanayake declared open the new building of 56th Brigade at Vavuniya, Kokweliya. Wanni Brigade Commander Major General Kumudu Perera and High Ranking Army Officers were present on the
Police have arrested 2,564 suspects following a special operation conducted this morning covering the entire country. Police Headquarters said that they filed 4,735 traffic cases during the period. A special police operation was conducted from 2.00 to 6.00 a.m., today. 16,256 police officers have taken part in the operation. Police Spokesman Ruwan Gunasekera said that
The Annual Feast of St. Anthony’s Church in Kachchathivu Island was concluded successfully. The feast was held with the participation of Sri Lankan and Indian devotees. The preliminary activities of the feast was commenced with the erecting of Flag Posts yesterday. Devotees from Sri Lanka and India jointly celebrated the feast. More than 8,000 devotees
Minister Patalie Champika Ranawaka says that many future challenges could be overcome by properly managing water. Minister Patalie Champika Ranawaka said that the major challenge for the country in future will be the proper management of water as it will experience drought on one side and floods on the other side. He said that the
UN Resident Coordinator and UNDP Representative in Sri Lanka Una McCauley, has passed away. In a statement, the UN said Ms. McCauley was on medical leave as she was undergoing treatment. She was 54 years old at the time of her demise. She was the first female UN Resident Coordinator in Sri Lanka. As the
A Walk in connection with National Stroke Day was held in Batticaloa. The Walk has been jointly organized by the Ministry of Health, Sri Lanka Stroke Association and Batticaloa District Secretariat. The Walk aimed to educate people on preventing strokes, identifying strokes and on treatment. The Walk was commenced near Kalladi Bridge and ended at
A series of clinics are being held in connection with the World Kidney Day which falls on Wednesday. The series of clinics are being conducted to educate people on preventing kidney diseases. One such clinic was conducted at Buttala, Maligawila, Ulugala, Public Health Office. People in the villages around Maligawila area attended the clinic. The
Conservation of North and East Coast is a major task. Troops are engaged in this task setting an examples to many others. Local and foreign tourists are coming to view the beauty of North and East Coast. It is a challenge to keep the coast clean and to maintain it in an environmental friendly manner.
The Government has constructed houses for 5,000 low income families in the Vavuniya District. The Government has spent 295 million rupees for the project. The Ministry of Resettlement has constructed 1,500 houses and the Ministry of Housing and Construction has built 3,500 houses. The Government hopes to build another 5,000 houses this year.
Funeral of the Anunayaka of Ramanna Maha Nikaya Venerable Girambe Ananda Thera was held this afternoon at Walisinghe Harischandra Grounds in Anuradhapura. A large number of people paid their last respects today as well to Late Venerable Girambe Ananda Thera. President Maithripala Sirisena paid his last respects to the Late Thera at Anuradhapura Sri Sarananda
The Government has decided to increase the Import Levy on potatoes with the prime purpose of protecting the local cultivator. The special trade levy of one rupee imposed on a kilogramme of imported potatoes has been increased up to 30 rupees with effect from midnight today. The local potato harvest is now reaching the market.
The Colombo High Court has fixed dates for the hearing of the lawsuit filed against Former Minister Basil Rajapaksa and former Director General of the Divi Neguma Development Department Kithsiri Ranawaka. Accordingly the case will be taken up for hearing on the 04th of June. The case was taken up before High Court Judge A.
The National Dengue Prevention Campaign says that less attention is being paid to the dengue disease as dry climatic conditions were prevailing in the island. It points out that special attention should be directed with respect to the prevention of dengue. A large number of dengue cases were reported in the past as less attention
People of all walks of life are descending on the Anuradhapura City to pay their final respects to the Anunayake of the Sri Lanka Ramanna Maha Nikaya the Ven. Girambe Ananda Thera. The final rites are scheduled to take place tomorrow afternoon. The remains of the Ven. Girambe Ananda Thera are now lying at the
The cabinet has granted its approval to National Health Promotion Program titled “Ape Suwaya Rate Saviya. The Project will be implemented as a pilot project in Polonnaruwa, Kalutura,Monaragala, Badulla,Batticaloa and Kilinochchi districts from the month of February this year for addressing the issue of Non Communicable Diseases. The cabinet has also granted its approval to
Police states that it has been revealed that a bomb that had been carried by an Army solider had exploded at Kahagolla area in Diyathalawa. The Army emphasizes that the incident is not a terror act at any grounds. The incident took place at around 5.45 a.m. today. The bus was plying from Jaffna to
President Maithripla Sirisena has advised the officials to devise a programme to transfer the buildings that belong to the Ministry of Mahaweli Development, which are not in use to the health and education fields under a proper procedure immediately. The Progress Review Meeting to examine the progress of the projects and of future development plans
Italy’s Elia Viviani won the sprint finish to take the second stage of the Abu Dhabi Tour. The win moved him into the overall race lead, on the same time as second-placed Alexander Kristoff. Early in the 148-kilometre stage from Yas Island to Yas Beach, a five-man breakaway formed but were eventually reeled in by
Miuccia Prada showed her latest collection against the backdrop of the Milan night through the windows of the Prada Foundation’s new high-rise. A chimp, an alien and a stegosaurus in neon lights hovered in the background through the pane glass windows. With Bill Murray in the audience, it was hard not to conjure images of
The Police Media Spokesman has said that statements have been recorded from 13 persons with respect to the explosion of a hand grenade in a bus in the Kahagolla area in Diyatalawa. He further said that a report in this respect was due to be presented to the Bandarawela Magistrate’s Court. A hand grenade exploded
The Central Bank has said that Sri Lanka’s external sector of the economy is continuing to record a growth. This is due to an increase in the receipts to the financial account of the balance of payments. The Central Bank’s communication department states that the export trade has also increased rapidly this month. However, the
President Maithripala Sirisena has said that Prof. Vishwa Warnapala said that he was a genuine humanist and a veteran politician who properly discharged his duties on behalf of the country as well as the people. The President made this observation joining in a debate on the vote of condolence of former General Secretary of the
Prime Minister Ranil Wickremasinghe has observed that the Late Anunayake of the Sri Lanka Ramanna Maha Nikaya and the Chief of the Anuradhapura Sri Sarananda Pirivena the Ven. Girambe Ananda Thera was a monk not only of the Ramanna Maha Nikaya but also a great prelate who earned respect of the Sangha of other Nikayas
The Colombo Fort Magistrate’s Court has again issued an open warrant for the arrest of Former Lt. Commander Chandana Prasad of the Navy, a suspect in the incident related to the disappearance of 11 individuals in the year 2008. Colombo Fort Magistrate Lanka Jayaratne issued an order to the Immigration and Emigration Controller to detain
A fundamental rights petition filed by Parliamentarian Kumara Welgama seeking the issue of an order preventing him from being taken into custody by the Police Financial Investigations Crime Division with regard to the commitment of a financial fraud in the import of spare parts for the Sri Lanka Transport Board during the previous regime, was
Parliamentarian Namal Rajapaksa was permitted to travel abroad. He was barred from travelling abroad with respect to an incident of money laundering to the tune of 15 million rupees earned illegally via the NR Consultation Company. He had sought permission to travel abroad to participate in several programmes being held for Commonwealth Parliamentarians.
The Consumer Affairs Authority has said that although various firms have made demands to increase the prices of their products it will not make any positive responses. This has been emphasized by Chairman of the Authority Hasitha Tilakaratne. The Chairman of the Consumer Authority pointed that it was a usual procedure to make requests on
Janaka Kanchana Mudannayake aspiring to become the world’s strongest person in the year 2020 claims another Guinness record. He has also succeeded in entering the final round of the ITN Youth With Talent Reality programme. Janaka, a resident of Kithulpe in Hanguranketha is a past pupil of the Poramadulla National School. He has already established
The Foreign Ministry has denied reports published in the media that the Secretary to the Ministry had reported that Sri Lanka’s High Commissioner to the United Kingdom Amari Wijewardena has resigned from her post. In a statement the Foreign Ministry said that High Commissioner Wijewardena will be concluding her contract on her own volition by
The Department of Examinations has said that tomorrow is the deadline for the acceptance of applications for the 2018 G.C.E. Advanced Level Examination. Accordingly applications of school candidates should be directed to the Examinations Department through the Principals while that of private candidates should be forwarded to the Department by tomorrow. Applications received thereafter will
