Bureau of Rehabilitation Bill passed in parliament

The second reading of the Bureau of Rehabilitation Bill has been passed in the parliament today (January 18) by a majority of 17 votes.



Close associate of ‘Kimbula Ele Guna’ injured in Kotahena

A close associate of underworld figure ‘Kimbula Ele Guna’ was injured in a shooting in Kotahena this afternoon (January 18), police said.



Election Commission gives assurance to hold the Local Government Election

The Election Commission today assured the Supreme Court that it has taken all steps to hold the Local Government Election in terms of Local Authorities Election Ordinance.



Sri Lankan throwdown specialist gave Indian batters world-class practice: Virat Kohli

India batter Virat Kohli credited throwdown specialists Dayanand Garani, former Sri Lankan first-class cricketer Nuwan Seneviratne better known as ‘Bawwa’ and D Raghavendra for making the batters look better with world-class practice through relentless deliveries.



Sri Lanka recorded over 47,000 tourist arrivals so far in 2023

47,353 tourists have arrived in Sri Lanka so far this year, Sri Lanka Tourism Development Authority (SLTDA) said.



Tea export earnings down 5% in dollar terms, but hit record-high in rupee terms amid sharp depreciation

Earnings from Sri Lanka’s tea exports contracted 5 percent Year-on-Year (YoY) or by US$ 65.7 million to US$ 1.259 billion in 2022 due to reduced quantities shipped to importing markets.



Contributory pension scheme for those joining state sector after 2016 – Prime Minister

The government is considering a contributory pension scheme for the government employees, who have been recruited after 2016, Prime Minister Dinesh Gunawardena told Parliament yesterday (January 17).



Sepal Amarasinghe further remanded until January 31

Sepal Amarasinghe who made statements defaming the Temple of the Sacred Tooth Relic (Sri Dalada Maligawa) further remanded until January 31, 2023.



Female student of Colombo University found murdered at Racecourse Ground

The body of a female with deep cut wounds around her neck was found at the Racecourse Ground in Colombo 7 a short while ago.



Wasantha Mudalige further remanded till January 31

Wasantha Mudalige further remanded till January 31 by Colombo Chief Magistrate’s Court today (January 17) for allegedly committing offences under Prevention of Terrorism Act (PTA).



India formally notifies support to restructure Sri Lanka’s debt – report

India formally notified that it would support Sri Lanka’s debt restructuring plan, clearing a major hurdle for the bankrupt nation to unlock a $2.9 billion bailout from the International Monetary Fund, Bloomberg reported citing a person with knowledge of the matter.



Sri Lanka Government to delay salaries of executive-grade staff

Sri Lanka Government to pay the salaries of non-executive state sector employees on time and to delay the salaries of executive-grade staff by a few days.



Man injured in shooting in Peliyagoda

A 32-year-old man sustained injuries and hospitalised after being shot at by two gunmen on a motorcycle near the Kalu Palama area in Peliyagoda this morning (January 17).



Jobless rate rises to troubling levels as economic crisis stings employment

Sri Lanka’s official unemployment rate climbed, raising serious concerns for the policymakers, as the economic crisis is taking a severe toll on jobs, with many small and medium-sized businesses are either closing down or pushed to the brink amid elevated input costs, interest rates and decline in demand.



SLFP decides on symbol to contest Local Government polls

The Sri Lanka Freedom Party (SLFP) has reached a decision as to which Local Government institutions it will contest under the party’s “Hand” symbol and those it will contest under the “Helicopter” symbol of the Freedom People’s Alliance.



Cabinet nod to provide rice to 2 million low-income families

The Cabinet paper presented by President Ranil Wickremesinghe for the provision of 10 kg of rice per month for two million low income families, including Samurdhi beneficiaries for a period of two months, has been approved.