Apr 24 (EN) SJB will formally write to rival NPP this week inviting a representative for a discussion on a mutually agreeable date for an election debate. SJB legislator Nalin Bandara said the party will write to NPP’s Nalinda Jayatissa for a discussion on either Thursday April or Friday 26 on a time, date and venue for the proposed debate. This is despite the NPP having already written to the SJB inviting the latter’s leader Sajith Premadasa more..

Apr 24 (CT) Colombo Fort Magistrate Thilina Gamage issued an order yesterday (22) to the Commissioner General of the Dept of Motor Traffic, prohibiting the alienation or transfer of 112 luxury vehicles worth millions of rupees. These cars were found, by SL Customs to have registered with false information after being imported illegally, according to the CIABOC. 112 vehicles, including Mitsubishi Montero, Toyota Landcruiser and Nissan models, valued between Rs 40 and 60 million each more..

Apr 24 (AD) The court order preventing the Executive Committee of SLFP from ousting its members Mahinda Amaraweera, Duminda Dissanayake, and Lasantha Alagiyawanna from their respective party positions has been extended. Accordingly, the interim injunction will be in place until 08 May on the orders of the Colombo District Court. Colombo District Judge Sandun Withana delivered this extension when a plaint filed by the three MPs was taken up this morning (24). more..

Apr 24 (TM) In alignment with the public statements issued by representatives from both the NPP and SJB, both of the Parliamentary Opposition, President of the Law Students' Union Navod Rathnasekara has proposed to facilitate the debate between the two parties. This forum will be designed to delve into the challenges faced by SL and to scrutinise the economic policies proposed by each Party in response to these. The letters of invitation have been handed over, more..

Apr 24 (AD) Actress Damitha Abeyratne and her husband were granted bail on the orders of the Colombo Fort Magistrate’s Court on Wednesday (24). Accordingly, the couple was released on surety bonds of Rs. 5 million each. The actress and her spouse, who had been wanted by the CID, were arrested on 04 April after they appeared before the court and were kept in remand custody. The CID is investigating Abeyratne and her husband, in connection with their involvement in more..

Apr 24 (CT) Central Bank of SL (CBSL) announced that it has identified eight more institutions engaged in pyramid schemes, based on complaints received and has requested the AG’s advice to file criminal cases against them. CBSL stated that, based on complaints received, investigations were conducted under Section 83C of the Banking Act No. 30 of 1988, to determine whether the following entities/applicants more..

Apr 24 (DN) The new High Commissioner of Pakistan to SL, retired Major General Faheem Ul Aziz, called on the Speaker Mahinda Yapa Abeywardena in the Parliament today. Secretary General of Parliament Mrs. Kushani Rohanadeera and Deputy High Commissioner of Pakistan Wajid Hassan Hashmi were also present in this meeting. During the cordial discussion, attention was paid to matters of mutual importance and further strengthening of the enduring friendship more..

Apr 24 (DM) The Galle Karapitiya Teaching Hospital unveiled its latest addition of a cutting-edge CT Scanner valued at Rs 250 million. The installation ceremony, held today, was spearheaded by Minister Dr. Ramesh Pathirana. This state-of-the-art CT Scanner, manufactured in Japan, marks a substantial upgrade to the hospital's diagnostic facilities. Following its installation last Sunday, patients can now benefit from CT Scan tests, with the hospital poised to conduct more..

Apr 24 (TM) Following the arrest of several police and military officers for the possession of drugs and having links with individuals who engage in drug trafficking, Dept of Police said that strict action will be taken against such officers despite their rank or status if the respective allegations are proven. Recently, two police officers, including a Sub-Inspector and a Sergeant were arrested by the CID for allegedly maintaining dealings with more..

Apr 24 (AD) Colombo District Court today issued an injunction order preventing the appointment of Minister Wijeyadasa Rajapakshe as the Acting Chairman of SLFP. The court has also issued an injunction order preventing MP Dushmantha Mithrapala from functioning as the General Secretary of SLFP. Colombo District Judge Sandun Withana issued these orders after considering a plaint filed against the respective appointments. Meanwhile, the court issued another more..

Apr 24 (FT) Consular Affairs Division of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs will be relocated to the new premises at the 16th floor of Suhurupaya, Sri Subhuthipura Road, Battaramulla with effect from 2 May 2024. All consular services will be provided to the public at the new office premises during regular office hours from Monday to Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 4:15 p.m. Document authentication services provided by the Consular Affairs Division in Colombo will be temporarily suspended more..

Apr 24 (FT) Cinnamon Life, SL’s largest mixed development project, a mega 4.5 million sqft. complex with its architecturally stunning 30-storey tower, said yesterday it is offering prime office spaces and a prestigious new address, elevating businesses to new heights. To date, the office tower has already secured renowned anchor tenants such as HCL Technologies and Cinnamon Hotels and Resorts. Several leading local and international businesses will be able to more..

Apr 24 (AD) Iranian Prez Dr. Ebrahim Raisi has called on Prez Ranil Wickremesinghe at the Presidential Secretariat in Colombo, a short while ago. Prez of Iran was ceremonially welcomed by his Sri Lankan counterpart along with a guard of honour and other pageantry. Dr. Ebrahim Raisi, arrived in SL this morning, in response to a special invitation extended by Prez Wickremasinghe, marking the first visit of an Iranian Prez to SL since former Prez Dr. Mahmoud Ahmadinejad’s visit in April 2008. more..

Apr 24 (DN) Expert committee appointed by the Ministry of Plantation has recommended the lifting of the oil palm ban. Committee has recommended that the planting has to be done in accordance with Coconut Research Guidelines Removal of ban will be a progressive approach to sustainable agriculture and economic development, said Palm Oil Industry Association (POAS) in Sri Lanka. This committee was appointed by more..

Apr 24 (FT) SLFP Vice President Thilanga Sumathipala yesterday expressed his opposition to the appointment of Justice Minister Wijeyadasa Rajapakshe as the party’s Acting Chairman. Sumathipala, though aligned with the pro-Sirisena faction, was also seen raising objections to Rajapakshe’s appointment during the party’s Executive Council meeting on Sunday. However, his objections were met with interruption from other attendees. Sumathipala said more..

Apr 24 (DM) The incinerator built in Wanathavilluwa for the purpose of destroying narcotic drugs produced before courts will be opened next month, Justice Minister Wijeyadasa Rajapakshe said today. He told Parliament that some 300 kilograms of heroin produced before courts will be destroyed on the first day. Minister said this when the regulations under the Poisons, Opium and Dangerous Drugs Ordinance were taken up for approval in Parliament. He said under the new regulations, more..

Apr 24 (AD) President Ranil Wickremesinghe and Iranian Prez Dr. Ebrahim Raisi jointly inaugurated the Uma Oya Multipurpose Development Project (UOMDP) on Wednesday (24). Dr. Raisi arrived on the island nation on Wednesday morning via the Mattala International Airport, where he was accorded a warm welcome by PM Dinesh Gunawardena. His visit comes after a special invitation extended by his SL counterpart, more..

Apr 24 (TM) Following the cabinet nod for the establishment of the five new investment zones in Northern, Eastern, Northwestern and Southern Provinces, the Board of Investment (BOI) of Sri Lanka awaits to conduct a feasibility study on their economic prospects once the Govt provides the lands. BOI Director General Renuka M. Weerakoon said: “Though the identification of the land parcels and the transfers are being done to the BOI, the lands are yet to be identified by the Govt.” more..

Apr 24 (AD) The two drivers of the race cars involved in fatal crash during the Fox Hill Super Cross 2024 motorsport racing championship at Diyatalawa, have been granted bail by the Bandarawela Magistrate’s Court. The two drivers in question had been arrested while undergoing treatment in hospital on April 22 and were ordered remanded in custody by the Bandarawela Magistrate on the same day. As many as seven people including an 8-year-old girl lost their lives and more..

Apr 24 (FT) The Leader of the Opposition (LoO) having a public debate with Anura Kumara Dissanayaka (AKD) is simply a mismatch and an insult to the office of the LoO. It is a globally accepted practice that an argument, debate or a discourse on an important issue or subject has to be conducted between two equal individuals, groups or societies. Otherwise, it will become a joke or useless exercise that fails to meet the expected objectives. The office of the LoO is a statutorily more..

Apr 24 (FT) On the morning of 16 April, Dr. A.T. Ariyaratne’s family informed me that he was in critical condition. In the quiet of the evening, I was heartbroken to learn that Ari Aiya of Sarvodaya—as I affectionately called him for more than half a century—departed us peacefully. With a clear and sharp mind until his last breath, the 92-year-old soul lived for others with his quintessentially Buddhist way of life as a compassionate servant-leader. Undeniably, Ari Aiya drew equal inspiration more..

Apr 24 (FT) In a significant boost to bilateral ties the Islamic Republic of Iran Prez Dr. Ebrahim Raisi, is due today in SL to further consolidate strong relations and enhance support. His visit is in response to a special invitation extended by Prez Ranil Wickremasinghe, marking the first visit of an Iranian Prez to SL since former Prez Dr. Mahmoud Ahmadinejad’s visit in April 2008. During his one-day official visit, Prez Raisi will participate more..

Apr 24 (DN) Railways General Manager H.M.K.W. Bandara passed away tragically yesterday morning while staying at the railway bungalow in Anuradhapura. Police reported that a group of railway engineers including the General Manager, were staying at a railway bungalow located near the East Nuwaragam Palatha DS on Anagarika Dharmapala Mawatha in Anuradhapura. On the day of the incident (23), this group of engineers, including the General Manager, more..

Apr 24 (AD) The 3-day adjournment debate on the 2019 Easter Sunday terror attacks will be taken up in parliament today in accordance with a motion brought forward by the Opposition. The decision was taken at the meeting of the Parliamentary Business Committee convened earlier this month. Soon after the commencement of the parliamentary proceedings today, Code of Criminal Procedure (Amendment) Bill (Second Reading) and Regulations under the Poisons, Opium more..

Apr 24 (TM) Co-Organisers of the ill-fated Fox Hill Supercross 2024, SL Automobile Sports (SLAS), has initiated an investigation into the 21 April tragedy that claimed the lives of seven persons and injured over 20. SLAS Council, which convened yesterday, has appointed a three-member independent inquiry panel, led by a retired High Court (HC) Judge, to conduct this investigation. In response to questions about security more..

Apr 24 (FT) Several representatives of the Chinese Communist Party including the Vice Minister of the International Department Sun Haiyan met with JVP led NPP party leader Anura Kumara Dissanayake at the JVP head office in Pelawatta yesterday. The delegation included the Deputy Director General of the Int'l Affairs Department Lin Tao, Counsellor of the Chinese Embassy in SL Chen Xiangyuan, Director of the int'l Affairs Dept Li Jiyan, Deputy Director Wen Jun, Secretary to the Deputy Minister more..

Apr 24 (DM) State Minister Ranjith Siyambalapitiya urged people to verify their vehicle documents with the Dept of Motor Traffic (DMT) to ensure whether their vehicle is among the 112 luxury vehicles that have been temporarily prohibited from sale or transfer. Additionally, he stressed the importance of confirming whether the vehicles imported into the country have followed legal procedures. He made these comments in response to the decision to temporarily halt the sale or transfer more..

Apr 24 (Island) Australia and SL’s commitment to countering maritime security threats has been on display with the launch of a new joint maritime security operation in Colombo recently. A joint media release between the Australian Border Force and the Dept of SL Coast Guard said: Aptly named Disi Rela, which means keeping a watchful eye over the maritime environment, the new joint activity will see the Australian Border Force (ABF) and Department of SL Coast Guard (SLCG) undertake more..

Apr 24 (AD) Special traffic plans will be set in place today around Colombo and Mattala in consideration of the arrival of Iranian Prez Dr. Ebrahim Raisi. Prez Ranil Wickremesinghe and his Iranian counterpart are scheduled to jointly declare open the Uma Oya Multipurpose Development Project (UOMDP) today. According to the police media division, the main road from Mattala to Uma Oya is planned to be temporarily closed from 9.45 a.m. to 11 a.m. and again from noon to 1 p.m. more..

Apr 24 (DM) The proposed Public Financial Management (PFM) Act remains crucial for the disbursement of the third tranche under the IMF US$ 3 billion bailout package, stressed Former CB Governor and economist, Dr. Indrajit Coomaraswamy. “It (PFM) is one of the prior actions to get approval of the IMF extended fund facility review. We already got the staff level agreement, but before getting executive board approval, more..

Apr 24 (DN) A seven member committee led by a Major General has been appointed by the SL Army to investigate the tragic accident that happened during the Fox Hill Super Cross 2024 racing event at Diyatalawa in which seven people were killed. The committee is headed by Major General Rohitha Aluvihare, Security Forces Headquarters (Central) Commander and includes two Brigadiers, two Colonels, one Lt Colonel and a Major. The other members of the committee are more..

Apr 24 (DM) Sri Lanka is in a dilemma to decide whether to adopt an open skies policy or not in the event of divestiture of shares of the national carrier SriLankan Airlines, a top official said. An Open Skies policy means liberalization and ease of access and rules of use of national airports for foreign airlines. It is joined in order to increase the tourist flow and to develop the potential as a regional air hub. Govt has now called for bids to privatize or restructure the national career. more..