Category: Local News

Sri Lanka targets more tourist arrivals from Middle East

Sri Lanka plans to attract more tourists from the Middle East by conducting promotion campaigns, a minister said on Thursday.



President orders to interdict his Chief of Staff and STC chairman

President Maithripala Sirisena has ordered to interdict his Chief of Staff Dr I.H.K. Mahanama and the Chairman of the State Timber Corporation P. Dissanayake, who were arrested by the Bribery Commission, with immediate effect.



Investigations continue into stolen awards of late Dr. Lester

The Golden Peacock Award & the Lifetime Achievement Silver Medal of Late Dr. Lester James Peries was stolen yesterday. These prestigious awards of the Late filmmaker were stolen while on display next to his mortal remains during his funeral service.



JVP questions science behind reshuffle

The JVP yesterday demanded to know from the President and the government on what scientific basis the ministries had been allocated at Tuesday’s cabinet reshuffle.



Milk powder shortage in fortnight: Importers

Milk powder importers said yesterday they stopped importing milk powder from last week following its increase in the world market.



Over 32 kg gold smuggled from Sri Lanka seized in Chennai

In a span of less than 24 hours, officers of the Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (DRI), Chennai Zonal Unit, seized a total of 32.249 kg of gold valued at Indian rupees 102.15 million. It was smuggled into India by sea and being transported to Chennai for sale.



Sri Lanka’s China-backed Port City sees up to $4 billion investment interest

A Chinese-backed real estate project near Sri Lanka’s main port is in discussion with investors for up to $4 billion in investments in its first phase, the developer said on Wednesday.



New State Ministers and Deputy Ministers sworn in

Eight State Ministers and ten Deputy Ministers were sworn in by President Maithripala Sirisena at the Presidential Secretariat this morning.



Wild animals fleeing with the advent of new Minister: MR

Former President Mahinda Rajapaksa quipped yesterday that in the reshuffle of the Cabinet, the only Ministry that underwent a scientific transformation was the Wildlife Ministry.



Dr. Lester James Peries’ State funeral today

The funeral of world renowned film producer Dr. Lester James Peries will be held at 3 pm today at Independence Square with full State patronage.



Sri Lanka, citing violence and dengue, cuts 2018 tourist arrivals target

Anti-Muslim violence and an outbreak of dengue fever in Sri Lanka have led the government to slash its target for tourist arrivals this year after a record 2017.



New Cabinet sworn in

The new Cabinet of Ministers was sworn in before President Maithripala Sirisena at the Presidential Secretariat in Colombo today (1).



New Cabinet to be appointed today

President Maithripala Sirisena will appoint a new Cabinet of Ministers today (1), at the Presidential Secretariat in Colombo. The Government yesterday (30 April), announced that all current Cabinet Members had been summoned to participate in the ceremony.



Over 600,000 people affected by drought in northern Sri Lanka

The number of people affected by drought in Sri Lanka has increased to 613,326, the Sri Lankan Disaster Management Centre (DMC) said in its situation report on Monday.



SB: 10 more SLFP MPs to leave government today

Former Minister S. B. Dissanayake yesterday said that 16 SLFP MPs who quit the government would join the Opposition on May 8, when the new session of Parliament is scheduled to be inaugurated.



PM promises further UNP reforms

Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe yesterday promised further reforms to the United National Party (UNP) structure.