Today is Bak Full Moon Poya Day. Several events important to Buddhists have occurred on Bak Full Moon Poya Day. The Buddha has made his second visit to Sri Lanka on a Bak Full Moon Poya Day. He was recorded to have the conflict solved between Chulodara and Mahodara Kings of Naaga Clan in Naagadeepa
The Inaugural Annual Summit of SAARC countries on non-communicable diseases commenced under the patronage of President Maithripala Sirisena. The summit will pay its attention on activities such as steps to be taken to minimize non communicable diseases, implementing policies and exchanging experiences of SAARC countries. People in the middle income countries are reported to be
Minister Ranjith Siyambalapitiya says that the wind power operations aimed at using sea wind to generate electricity will commence on the 6th of next month. The Minister mentioned this at the ceremony to vest in the public with the solar power system built at Anuradhapura Teaching Hospital under Soorya Balashakthi Balakaya. The Minister said that
Sri Lanka troops in UN Peacekeeping Force have defused a high powered Claymore mine in Mali. Sri Lanka troops were providing security to a UN motorcade which was transporting essential goods from Ikumor to Moksiya. They have found a high powered Claymore mine of 35 kilograms which had been setup to be exploded when they
Police have seized two suspicious vehicles which were driven along the protest Walk against the Government from Kandy to Colombo. Police said 99 cinnamon poles were found in one of the jeeps which was searched at Peradeniya, Iriyagama. Police have taken the Jeep to the Police Station with cinnamon poles and questioned the driver. Father
A special train with 9 compartments was added to the service after modernization today. It was done under the patronage of Minister Nimal Siripala de Silva. The project to modernize 200 rundown train compartments with all facilities was launched in 2017 with the aim of encouraging local industrialists. The special train with 9 modernized compartments
Constructions of Maawak Oya Bridge in Ingiriya Divisional Secretariat area have been abandoned halfway. Therefore people said that they have to undergo severe difficulties. The bridge is on a route linking three districts. By using the bridge, travelling to Colombo, Kalutara and Ratnapura districts takes only a short time. The bridge was destroyed due to
The Consumer Affairs Authority has warned of toys which generate electricity when those are operated. The Authority said that they have arrested an owner of a shop and a wholesale trader who sold such toys to school students. The suspects have been fined after being produced at Maligakanda Magistrate Courts. Officials of the Consumer Affairs
A workshop organized by Bio Security Project of the Ministry of Environment and Mahaweli Development was held at Waters Edge in Battaramulla. A large group of intellectuals including officials of the Ministry of Environment were present at the Workshop. A Trimonthly periodical on Bio Safety was launched on the occasion. The first copy of the
Entrepreneurship 2018 Trade and Educational Exhibition is taking place at the BMICH in Colombo. It was opened today under the patronage of Minister Sagala Ratnayake. Small Business Development Unit of the Ministry of National Policies and Economic Affairs has organized the exhibition. It has been organized for the 7th occasion this year with the aim
Belgium’s Yves Lampaert won Dwars door Vlaanderen for a second year in succession , launching a perfectly timed attack inside the final kilometre from a five-man lead group.Low temperatures coupled with persistent wind and rain increased the difficulty level of this year’s Dwars door Vlaanderen. The 173-strong field would also face 12 climbs – including
Students outside Colombo have secured all the first places in the GCE Ordinary Level Results. There are six first places in the results issued by the Department of Examinations. Five of them are students studying in Girls Schools. The Examinations Department said 16,607 students have qualified to pursue studies in the G.C.E. Advanced level classes
The UNP Working Committee has decided to support party leader Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe and defeat the No Confidence Motion tabled by the Joint Opposition. Decisions were also reached at the Working Committee meeting held this morning to initiate party reforms before the New Year. Speaking to the media after the meeting UNP Deputy General
Lanka Sathosa has taken initiatives to provide essential commodities to the people at relief rates during the New Year season. This has been mentioned by its Chief Executive Officer Mohammed Farooz. He said that the consumers could purchase these goods at relief rates from about the 400 outlets located islandwide as well as from mobile
The awarding of legal land entitlement deeds to 1053 farmers in the Polonnaruwa District will take place tomorrow. The land deeds are scheduled to be presented under the patronage of President Maithripala Sirisena. These lands are being presented to the farmer community of the Polonnaruwa District under the National Programme of providing one million lands.
President Maithripala Sirisena undertook an observation tour of the Ministry of National Integration and Reconciliation. The President paid a visit to the Ministry of National Integration and Reconciliation as the Minister in charge of the portfolio. Observing the work of the Ministry, the President made inquiries into the past activities and the future plans. The
The report compiled on the behaviour of the mass media at the recent Local Government polls was handed over to the Elections Commission today. The National Secretariat for the Restructure of the Mass Media had compiled this report. Special attention had been directed to the manner in which the Sinhala medium television channels and newspapers
The appointment of heads for Local Government Institutions as well as the swearing in of new members elected to local bodies took place today. S.A.R. Bandusena of the United Peoples Freedom Alliance has been elected as the Chairman of the Welimada Pradeshiya Sabha. He secured 20 votes in the poll taken today while Indika Sampath
The writ petition filed by former Sri Lanka’s Ambassador to the United States Jaliya Wickremasuriya has been dismissed without being taken up for hearing. The Appeals Court issued this order after accepting the preliminary objections submitted by the Attorney General. Jaliya Wickremasuriya in his petition has sought the revocation of an order issued by the
The Criminal Investigations Department has apprehended Welikada Prisons Commissioner Emil Ranjan Lamahewa and the Inspector of the Police Narcotics Bureau Neomal Rangajeewa and produced in Courts. The Colombo Additional Magistrate remanded them until the 10th of next month. They have been taken into custody over the massacre of 27 prison inmates at the Welikada Prisons
Another suspect has been taken into custody with respect to the recent incidents of violence in the Digana area in Kandy. The Police said that he is Samantha Perera who had been elected to the Kundasale Pradeshiya Sabha from the Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna. The suspect was remanded until the 02nd of next month after
A stock of cigarettes illegally imported to the country has been seized from the Kalutara area. The haul of cigarettes was recovered during a search carried out by the Kalutara Division Motorbike Unit near the Edirillagoda Bridge in Maggona. Two suspects have been nabbed along with the stock of cigarettes. Among them is a woman.
Prince Mired Ra’ad Al Hussein, special envoy of the convention on the prohibition on the use, stop piling, production and transfer of anti-personnel mines and on their destruction, says Sri Lanka’s accession to the convention will take place in history as an important step towards universalization on the convention in south Asia. Issuing a message,
The cabinet has granted its approval to hold Presidential awarding ceremony for journalists. The aim of the initiative is to recognize talents of the journalists. The project will assist to create more professional journalists in the country. The award ceremony will be held from this year. The cabinet has also granted its approval to amend
Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe says a proper mechanism has been put in place to uplift education in the war ravaged areas. The Prime Minister made the comment at a function held at Temple Trees. 324 voluntary teachers who used to work in the Northern Province for several years were given permanent teaching appointments under the
President Maithripala Sirisena says the government will shoulder the responsibility of protecting the young generation of the country from negative impacts of modern technology. The President was speaking at the Fathima Muslim Ladies College’s centenary celebrations. The celebration was held at the Nelum Pokuna theatre this morning. The President awarded best performing students at the
The government has taken measures to bring former Sri Lankan Ambassador to Russia Udayanga Weeratunga, who was arrested in Dubai through Interpol, to Sri Lanka. He is accused of cheating money at the MIG deal. Udayanga Weeratunga has been accused of laundering money to the tune of 7.8 million US dollars when purchasing aircrafts to
The head of the Tokyo 2020 Organising committee said that with the Pyeongchang Olympic and Paralympics over, preparations for the next Olympics, the Tokyo 2020 Summer games, were now in the final preparation phases as the spotlight has moved on to them. Toshiro Muto, who spoke at a news conference following the first board meeting
Steven Smith and David Warner have been banned for 12 months by Cricket Australia for their roles in the pre-meditated plan to tamper with the ball on the third day of the Cape Town Test against South Africa. They stepped down as captain and vice-captain when their actions were exposed. Cameron Bancroft, the player to
Legendary Australian surfer Mick, who famously fought off a shark attack, is preparing for his final ever competition as a pro surfer at the Rip Curl Pro which begins at Bells Beach, Victoria, Australia. The 36-year-old, who survived a shark attack at Jeffrey’s Bay, South Africa is looking to bow out in style at one
“Beirut” is a 2018 fictional political thriller film directed by Brad Anderson. It premiered at the 2018 Sundance Festival. In 1980s Beirut, Mason Skiles, a former U.S. diplomat returns to service to save a colleague from the group responsible for the death of his family. A U.S. diplomat flees Lebanon in 1972 after a tragic
Huawei’s latest smartphone boasts a three lens, AI-powered camera. The new P20 Pro device follows in the footsteps of competitors Apple and Samsung’s latest releases by focusing on the camera’s capabilities. Huawei’s new P20 Pro smartphone. The Chinese communications giant is hoping its upgraded camera will sway shoppers into choosing them over rivals Apple and
Minister of Agriculture Duminda Dissanayake says that a committee of intellectuals will be appointed to inquire about the use of glyphosate. The Minister said that the committee will comprise intellectuals representing different fields. Minister Duminda Dissanayake said that the opinion of farmers, farmer organizations, scientists, plantation experts etc. will be sought pertaining to the glyphosate
Australia’s Steve Smith has stepped down as captain of Indian Premier League side the Rajasthan Royals following the ball tampering scandal in South Africa. Smith was suspended for one test match by the International Cricket Council after admitting conspiring to tamper with the ball during the third test against South Africa in Cape Town. He
“Sweet Country” is an Australian film directed by Warwick Thornton. It is set in 1929 in the outback of the Northern Territory, Australia. It was screened in the main competition section of the 74th Venice International Film Festival and in the Platform section at the 2017 Toronto International Film Festival. Sam is a middle-aged Aboriginal
Loans are expected to be given at a very low two percentage to people who suffered property damage in the recent unrest that took place in the Kandy District. Additional Secretary to the Ministry of State Enterprises and Kandy Development J.M.A. Douglas said that these loan facilities will be given based on a Cabinet memorandum
The Customs have seized a haul of gemstones worth 20 million rupees. A Chinese national had attempted to smuggle in these gem stones. The Chinese national who had come from China last night was taken into custody along with the gem stones. He had in possession 12 gemstones and these had been shrewdly concealed in
Results of the G.C.E. Ordinary Level Examination are scheduled to be released on the day after tomorrow. Results of 969 candidates who sat the examination have been suspended. 688,563 candidates sat the G.C.E. Ordinary Level Examination held in 2017. 2804 complaints related to the examination had been received with respect to candidates. These complaints were
135 workers of the Magampura Harbour have been given permanent appointments of the Ports Authority. Awarding these appointments Minister of Ports and Shipping Mahinda Samarasinghe said that action was taken to grant a compensation of 1.3 million rupees each for the other workers. The Minister said that when he visited the workers, they claimed that
A schoolboy who was in remand custody for spreading false information in the Facebook, obstructing reconciliation among communities has been further remanded until the 09th of next month. The remand order was issued by Colombo Additional Magistrate Chanima Wijebandara. This particular schoolboy is accused of spreading false information through the Facebook social network obstructing reconciliation
The Colombo Fort Magistrate’s Court has issued an open warrant for the immediate arrest and production in Court of Former Secretary of the Irrigation Ministry Ivan Silva. He is accused of illegally misusing 4012 million rupees of Government funds. The suspect is charged with engaging in this irregularity by obtaining five percent as an advance
The Police Financial Crimes Investigation Division today handed over to Court a detailed report on establishments and suspects from whom statements should be obtained for future investigations with regard to the MiG transaction fraud. The Colombo Fort Magistrate ordered the Financial Crimes Investigation Division to provide a report on the investigations to Court on the
Dates have been fixed to take up for hearing the case filed against eight persons including former Defence Secretary Gotabhaya Rajapaksa accusing them of causing a loss of 11.4 billion rupees to the Government. The case will be heard on July 09th. The lawsuit filed by the Bribery Commission was taken up for consideration at
More newly elected members to Local Councils took their oaths at several locations. Five Pradeshiya Sabha members elected from the United National Party for the Benthota Pradeshiya Sabha took their oaths before Minister Gayantha Karunatilake. Among those present was a group including people’s representatives of the area. Representatives elected to the Kegalla Urban Council and
Several heads were selected for some of the Local Government Institutions today. The United National Party secured the Chairmanship of the Aranayake Pradeshiya Sabha. The Vice Chairmanship position was secured by the United Peoples Freedom Alliance. K. Antoney Nihal Seneviratne was appointed as the Chairman while the Vice Chairman is W. Jayaratne. The first meeting
Australia captain Steve Smith has been banned for one match and fined his entire match fee by cricket’s world governing body for his part in a ball-tampering incident in South Africa. Smith said the team’s “leadership group” had a plan, carried out by Cameron Bancroft, to tamper with the ball to “get an advantage”. Smith
Scientists have created a prototype brain scanner which is more sensitive than current MEG scanners and can be worn like a helmet and allows patients to move around whilst being scanned. They say they’ve tested the helmet, measuring brain activity while researchers nod their heads, stretch out, drink their tea and even play ping pong.
3D technology is unlocking the secrets of the Tasmanian Tiger an extinct marsupial with a surprisingly canine appearance. Scientists are hoping the scans will help explain why the creature evolved to look so much like a dog, even though the two species last shared a common ancestor some 160 million years ago. This is a
“Spinning Man” is an upcoming thriller film directed by Simon Kaijser based on a novel by George Harrar and adapted to screenplay by Matthew Aldrich. It stars Guy Pearce, Pierce Brosnan, Minnie Driver, Alexandra Shipp and Odeya Rush. Evan Birch is a family man and esteemed professor at a distinguished college, where his charm and
“The Humanity Bureau” is an upcoming 2018 Canadian dystopian action science fiction thriller film directed by Rob W. King. In the near future war, climate and political agendas have robbed America of its lush resources. Seeds rarely grow into vegetation, the water is mostly polluted, and people are obligated to work hard to earn their