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. 

Virus spreading among pigs detected in the Western Province

The Western Provincial Department of Animal Production and Health said the viral disease spreading among pigs has been detected in four farms in the Western Province. Provincial Director KK Sarath said taking pigs out of farms where the disease is present is prohibited. He said this viral disease has been reported in Sri Lanka before, and there is no risk of it spreading rapidly. He added that there is no risk of the virus spreading to humans.

India extends USD 1 Billion Credit Line for Sri Lanka

Sri Lanka signed an agreement with India to extend the USD 1 Billion credit line to import essentials for a period of one year.

Chennai Super Kings win fifth IPL title

The Chennai Super Kings claimed their fifth Indian Premier League (IPL) title with a five-wicket win on DLS (Duckworth/Lewis/Stern) over the Gujarat Titans, in a dramatic IPL final that spanned three days and ended at 1:35 a.m. this morning.

With ten runs needed off the last two balls, Ravindra Jadeja scored a six and four to take the Super Kings over the line to join the Mumbai Indians for the most IPL titles for a franchise.

Sri Lankans living abroad can apply for passport online

Officials of the Immigration and Emigration Department who participated at the Sectoral Oversight Committee on International Relations chaired by Member of Parliament Namal Rajapaksa stated that Sri Lankans living abroad will be able to apply for a new passport or renew their passport online with effect from June 1st.