Niluka Karunaratne announces retirement

Sri Lankan badminton player Niluka Karunaratne has officially announced his retirement today (October 01).



Sri Lanka begins system to issue e-bills for water

Sri Lanka will begin issuing e-bills for water across selected areas of the country today (October 01).



Person arrested over shooting of elephant “Sita” granted bail

The Civil Defence Department officer who was arrested in relation to the shooting of a female elephant named “Sita” that had participated in the annual Randoli Perahera of Mahiyangana Rajamaha Viharaya has been granted bail this evening (September 30).



International Commission of Jurists says Online Safety Bill is an assault on freedoms

Sri Lanka’s proposed Online Safety Bill would be an assault on freedom of expression, opinion, and information, the International Commission of Jurists (ICJ) said.



Sri Lanka’s acting finance minister says positive progress in securing second IMF tranche

Negotiations to secure the second tranche of funding from the International Monetary Fund (IMF) to Sri Lanka are progressing positively, Acting Finance Minister Shehan Semasinghe announced.



Sri Lanka Navy seizes Kerala cannabis worth over Rs. 33 million in Karainagar

A special search operation conducted by Sri Lanka Navy in the beach area of Pumattei on the Karainagar Island, Jaffna in the dark hours of Wednesday (September 27) has led to the seizure of a dinghy loaded with over 100 kg (wet weight) of Kerala cannabis.



Some Sri Lanka creditors seeking debt restructuring deal without China

Some members on the committee of Sri Lanka’s official creditors are pushing to reach a deal to restructure the nation’s debt without the participation of China, Bloomberg News reported on Wednesday citing people familiar with the matter.



SriLankan Airlines partners with Virgin Australia

SriLankan Airlines has entered into a first-ever interline partnership with Virgin Australia that will strengthen the airline’s network in Australia and offer customers extensive connections across the land down under and beyond.



Sri Lanka to launch campaigns to attract 1.5 million tourists – proposal to create non-sleeping cities

Sri Lanka’s Minister of State for Tourism Diana Gamage announced plans to launch promotional campaigns aimed at attracting 1.5 million foreign tourists to Sri Lanka by the year’s end.



Danushka Gunathilaka found not guilty of sexual intercourse without consent

Sri Lankan international cricketer Danushka Gunathilaka has been found not guilty of sexual assault by a Sydney judge who said the evidence established there was “no opportunity” for him to have removed a condom during sex, and that he was truthful in his police interview.



Sri Lanka’s Ministry of Defence announces updates to licensing conditions for private security agencies

In compliance with the provisions of the Private Security Agencies Regularization Act No. 45 of 1998, the Ministry of Defence has taken steps to update the licensing conditions for the regulation and registration of private security agencies currently registered under the Ministry of Defence.



Despite signs of stabilization, full economic recovery not yet assured – IMF Mission

The International Monetary Fund (IMF) mission team concluding its visit to Sri Lanka said that despite early signs of stabilization, full economic recovery is not yet assured.



Sri Lankan President leaves for Germany

Sri Lankan President Ranil Wickremesinghe left for Germany this morning (September 27) for a four-day state visit.



Trains delayed on coastal line due to derailment near Kollupitiya

A train derailed on the coastal line between Kollupitiya and Bambalapitiya this morning (September 27), causing a delay in operations on the coastal line, the Railways Department said.



Sri Lanka’s revenue shortfall concerns IMF team – sources

The International Monetary Fund is concerned about a shortfall in revenue collection by Sri Lanka’s government this year, though that is unlikely to derail a $2.9 billion loan programme for the crisis-hit country, two Sri Lankan sources told Reuters.



Airman killed, another injured in explosion at Kandakuliya Air Force Training Camp

An Airman has been killed and another injured following an explosion at the Sri Lanka Air Force (SLAF) Field Firing Range in Kandakuliya, Kalpitiya a short while ago (September 26), Sri Lanka Police said.