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.



Veteran film director Dr. Lester James Peiris passes away

Internationally acclaimed Sri Lankan film producer and film director Dr. Lester James Peiris has passed away at the age of 99.



Sri Lanka Prime Minister’s Vesak Day message

Dhamma or the teachings of Buddha is a purifying factor for the human mind propelled by lust, hate and violence. The pious festival of Vesak reminds us the virtues of practising four focuses of mindfulness in order to dwell with Dhamma as no other refuge.



Sri Lanka President’s Vesak Day message

Buddhists all over the world celebrate the Vesak Festival with much religious fervour and enthusiasm to commemorate the important events that took place in the life of Gauthama Buddha on this day, namely the birth of Siddhartha Gauthama, Siddharta Gauthama’s supreme attainment of Buddhahood and the Mahaparinibbana.



School is the best medium to carry forward the message of national reconciliation – President

President Maithripala Sirisena says the school is the best medium to carry forward the message of national reconciliation to the society.



Harsha says government won’t meddle with exchange rate

State Minister of National Policies and Economic Affairs Dr. Harsha de Silva yesterday ruled out the possibility of introducing measures to contain the devaluation of the rupee, in the wake of the local currency hitting record lows against the U.S. dollar.



CB for tightening noose on tax evaders

Improved monitoring of high-end transactions, including car and property sales, would reduce tax evasion, the Central Bank said in its latest Annual Report, recommending that such transactions be matched with income declarations.



Ravi, Wijeyadasa tipped to receive Cabinet posts

Speculation is rife in political circles that the government is planning to accommodate former finance/foreign and justice ministers, Ravi Karunanayake and Wijeyadasa Rajapakse, respectively, in the Cabinet.



Gas cylinder price increased

The price of Litro and Laugfs domestic gas cylinders (12.5kg) will be increased by Rs. 245 with effect from midnight today (27).



Private bank in Wattala, robbed

The Wattala branch of a bank has been robbed by an individual who arrived on a motorcycle at around 2.30 PM today (27).