Supreme Court Rules Diana Gamage Ineligible for Parliamentary Seat

In a groundbreaking ruling today, the Supreme Court declared State Minister Diana Gamage ineligible to hold a parliamentary seat due to her non-citizenship status in Sri Lanka. Consequently, Gamage will lose her position as a Member of Parliament.

The three-judge-bench of the Supreme Court included Justices Gamini Amarasekara, Kumuduni Wickremasinghe, and Janak de Silva.

Funeral of Dr. Nalin De Silva in USA tomorrow

The funeral of Dr. Nalin De Silva will take place in the United States tomorrow at 1.00 pm, according to the wishes of his family.

Dr. De Silva was a distinguished figure in the realms of theoretical physics, philosophy, and political analysis. He died on May 1 while visiting his son in the US. He was 79. A number of organizations led

Tourism stakeholders ON Sri Lanka's Visa Cost Surge

Tourism Stakeholders Urge President to Address Surge in Sri Lanka's Visa Costs. Concerns Mount as Tourist Visa Process Becomes Costlier and Complex

In a bid to restore Sri Lanka's competitive edge in tourism, stakeholders have appealed to President Ranil Wickremesinghe to intervene amidst soaring visa costs, which now rank the highest in Asia. They underscored the significant barrier this poses for tourists compared to rival destinations like Thailand and Vietnam, which either offer free visas or charge substantially lower fees.

Chaos at BIA as Indian Company Takes Over On-Arrival Visa Process

Last night, chaos erupted at the Bandaranaike International Airport (BIA) following a contentious transition in the on-arrival visa issuance process to an Indian company. This move, fraught with controversy, saw the Indian firm imposing an additional $25 charge, contrasting with the smooth management of the process by the Immigration and Emigration Department over the years.

Victory for Plantation Workers: Minimum Daily Wage Hiked

A gazette notification has been released, officially raising the minimum daily wage of tea plantation laborers to Rs. 1,700. The announcement came from Labour Commissioner General H.K.K. Jayasundara, following a directive from the Labour Minister, as confirmed by the Commissioner General of Labour.

Furthermore, it was specified that any public or state objections to this decision must be submitted before noon on May 15.

Fuel Prices Slashed Starting Tonight

 The Ceylon Petroleum Corporation (CPC) has reduced its fuel prices with effect from tonight.

Accordingly, a litre of Lanka Petrol 92 Octane Euro 4 (Rs. 371) has been reduce by Rs. 3, and its new retail price will be Rs. 368.

A litre of Lanka Petrol 95 Octane Euro 4 (Rs. 440) has been reduce by Rs. 20, and its new retail price will be Rs. 420.

Dubai Embarks on Building the Globe's Largest Airport

Dubai's Ambitious Plan: Constructing the World's Largest Airport

In a bold move announced on X (formerly Twitter), Dubai's Sheikh Mohammed revealed the commencement of a monumental project: the development of a $35 billion terminal for Al Maktoum International Airport. This ambitious endeavor is poised to transform the aviation landscape, positioning the airport as the largest in the world upon completion.

AstraZeneca admits its COVID vaccine can cause rare side effect

 Pharmaceutical giant AstraZeneca has for the first time admitted that its Covid-19 vaccine could cause a rare side effect that could lead to blood clots and death, according to court documents.

The company is fighting a class action lawsuit alleging that its inoculation, which was developed in collaboration with the University of Oxford, can result in death and serious injury.

"CBK Acknowledges Historic Error: Supporting Maithri in 2015"

Former President Chandrika Bandaranaike Kumaratunga reflected on her past decision-making, acknowledging what she described as a "historical error" in nominating former President Maithripala Sirisena as a Presidential candidate in 2015.

Highlighting the current state of the Sri Lanka Freedom Party (SLFP), Kumaratunga pointed fingers at two individuals whom she believes bear responsibility for the party's plight, noting her own removal from the party alongside another figure. Yet, she emphasized her belief in the leadership of Acting President Minister Nimal Siripala De Silva, affirming his stewardship as emblematic of the genuine SLFP.

Aluthgamage Cleared of Money Laundering Allegations

Former Agriculture Minister Mahindananda Aluthgamage breathed a sigh of relief today as the Colombo High Court acquitted and released him from the long-standing case involving the alleged purchase of a house worth Rs.27 million at Kynsey Road.

 After a protracted trial, the Colombo High Court Judge delivered a verdict, stating that the prosecution had failed to substantiate the allegations against Aluthgamage beyond a reasonable doubt.

Four Injured in Sri Lanka Parachute Mishap

Four Sri Lankan military paratroopers have suffered minor injuries due to a mid-air accident during Independence Day rehearsals this morning (30)
According to Sri Lanka Air Force (SLAF) spokesman Group Captain Dushan Wijesinghe, two paratroopers belong to the SLAF, while the other two are attached to the Sri Lanka Army.

The four paratroopers reportedly suffered minor injuries after their parachutes had gotten entangled mid-air near the Galle Face Green, while landing, during the ongoing Independence Day rehearsals which commenced earlier today.

Final rites of late State Minister Sanath Nishantha at Rajakadalu

The remains of State Minister of Water Supply, Sanath Nishantha, who died in a car accident on the Colombo-Katunayake expressway, was cremated today (28) at the Roman Catholic Cemetery in Rajakadalu. Pix by Hiran Priyankara Jayasinghe

ICC lifts suspension on Sri Lanka Cricket

The International Cricket Council (ICC) has lifted the ban imposed on Sri Lanka Cricket with immediate effect, Sports Minister Harin Fernando revealed.

He said an official statement from the ICC will follow shortly.

On 10 November, the ICC suspended SLC’s membership, with immediate effect, on the grounds that the governing body is in serious breach of its obligations as a Member, in particular, the requirement to manage its affairs autonomously and ensure that there is no government interference in the governance, regulation and/or administration of cricket in Sri Lanka.

Online Safety Bill passed in Parliament

 Sri Lanka’s Online Safety Bill, which seeks to regulate online content, was passed in Parliament with amendments on Wednesday (24), amidst objectios from opposition politicians and activists who allege the new law will muzzle free speech.

Accordingly, the Speaker of Parliament Mahinda Yapa Abeywardena informed the House that the Online Safety Bill was passed in the Committee Stage with amendments.

Supreme Court Declares Duminda Silva Pardon Unlawful

 Sri Lanka's Supreme Court has unanimously ruled that the presidential pardon granted to former MP Duminda Silva by ex-President Gotabaya Rajapaksa was unlawful.

Silva, alongside four others, was convicted in 2016 by the High Court for the 2011 murder of politician Bharatha Lakshman Premachandra.

Protest against religious conspiracies

The New People’s Front held a peaceful protest today (07) near the Colombo Fort Magistrate’s Court demanding the implementation of the law against religious conspiracies and protesting over several recent incidents of statements made allegedly harming religious harmony.

Harsha de Silva appointed new COPF chairman

Sri Lanka main opposition Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB) MP Harsha de Silva has been appointed as chairman of the parliamentary Committee on Public Finance (COPF) following a proposal by President Ranil Wickremesinghe, de Silva’s office confirmed.

The development follows months of controversy around the ruling Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna (SLPP) allegedly blocking de Silva’s appointment to the post, despite the president having agreed to it.

Fixed range for fuel price as Sinopec enters

The government will introduce a floor and ceiling price for fuel with the launch of business operations by Sinopec, a leading international petroleum company, in the country shortly, a top source said.

Sinopec has already signed the agreement to distribute fuel in Sri Lanka. Sinopec will be allocated 150-dealer operated fuel stations in the country. Besides, two other foreign fuel companies will be allowed to operate in the country later. Currently, the state-owned Ceylon Petroleum Corporation and Lanka Indian Oil Company are the only fuel distributors in the country.

Man sentenced to 110 years in prison for sexual assault

The Balapitiya High Court has sentenced a man who was found guilty of serious sexual assault on his eleven-year-old daughter to 110 years in rigorous imprisonment. The verdict was delivered by Balapitiya High Court Judge Ranga Dissanayake yesterday (June 05). 

The defendant, a resident of the Korakeena area of Uragasmanhandiya, had been found guilty of sexually assaulting his own daughter on multiple occasions since 2008.

Freedom Pride Parade held in Colombo

Freedom Pride Parade The LGBTQ community of Sri Lanka paraded the streets of Colombo today and took part in a cultural ceremony to voice their rights and concerns, themed the ‘Freedom Pride Parade’. A group of participants clad in various colourful attires took part in the parade from Nelum Pokuna round-about and proceeded through Green Path to Kollupitiya.