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Home » NewsTight security at BIA as suspects land
Security outside the Bandaranaike International Airport and the roads leading from it was tight yesterday as the five wanted underworld kingpins arrested in Indonesia this week were brought to Sri Lanka last night. Our picture shows the vehicles into which the suspects were bundled before they left the airport premises. Please see Page 10 for [...]
Ranil plans to turn UNP’s convention into unity show
Party to remove suspension of SJB members, all opposition party leaders, including Sajith, invited for Sept. 6 event By our Political Desk Former President and United National Party (UNP) leader Ranil Wickremesinghe said yesterday that opposition party leaders have been invited to attend the party’s September 6 (Saturday) annual convention, where they are to discuss [...]
Gotabaya and Saman summoned to CID
UK university writes to Ranil lawyers, confirming invitation Former President Gotabaya Rajapaksa and former President’s Secretary Saman Ekanayake are to be summoned to the Criminal Investigations Department to make statements in relation to two separate cases. Mr. Rajapaksa is to be summoned over a statement made by former Inspector General of Police Deshabandu Tennakoon over [...]
Trump tariffs ruled unconstitutional, but will remain until October 14
By Kapila Bandara The Trump administration’s unilateral tariffs have been ruled illegal by a United States appeals court and the ruling will take effect from October 14. It is a decision that underlines principles in the US Constitution. However, a White House statement said the “tariffs remain in effect’’. How the ruling on Friday by [...]
CEB restructuring: Employees offered VRS compensation up to Rs. 5 million
The Energy Ministry has announced terms and conditions of the voluntary retirement scheme for Ceylon Electricity Board employees who do not opt to be assigned to any of the four companies being formed under the restructuring of the CEB. These regulations, cited as the Sri Lanka Energy Electricity (Terms and Conditions of Voluntary Retirement Scheme) [...]
CEB split: No change in working locations, duties, remunerations
All Ceylon Electricity Board employees are to retain their initial working locations, duties, functions and remunerations despite the utility being divided into four separate entities under the recently passed Sri Lanka Electricity (Amendment) Act. The Power Sector Reforms Secretariat (PSRS) has issued a circular to the heads of CEB divisions and branches, stating that these [...]
Pro-Israeli protesters seek release of hostages
Members of the Israel-Sri Lanka Friendship Development Organisation staged a protest outside the UN office in Colombo, calling for the release of all remaiing Israeli hostages held by Hamas in the Gaza Strip. The group also handed over a letter addressed to the UN Secrecy General and the UN Human Rights Commissioner requesting that [...]
Before heading to Geneva, FM to brief Colombo-based diplomats
Colombo-based diplomats will be briefed by Foreign Minister Vijitha Herath on the progress made on addressing human right related issues in the past year before he leaves for Geneva to attend the 60th UN Human Rights Council sessions which start on September 8. The meeting has been called to give an overview of the progress [...]
AG unhappy with report by UN Human Rights Commissioner
Attorney General Parinda Ranasinghe who met with the United Nations Sri Lanka Resident Representative Marc-Andre Franche expressed his displeasure over references to the AG’s Department in the recently released report by the UN Human Rights Commissioner. Mr. Ranasinghe refuted the contents of the report at the meeting with the UN official this week and said [...]
Promise.lk not expanded due to “contradicting requirements” by eGP Secretariat, says developer
The developer of the government’s e-procurement website, promise.lk, has hit back at the Finance Ministry’s claims that it has delayed the expansion of the platform to accommodate large-scale international and national competitive (ICB and NCB) projects. Theekshana Research and Development states that the Ministry’s Electronic Government Procurement (eGP) Secretariat had given “contradicting requirements”. The eGP [...]
Bipartisan US congressional staff delegation wraps up talks on bilateral ties with key figures
A bipartisan US congressional staff delegation wrapped up its visit to Sri Lanka on Friday after holding talks with various political parties, parliamentarians, civil society members and trade outfits on further improving a wide bilateral ties between the two countries. During their week-long visit, the House Democracy Partnership (HDP) delegation led by Executive Director Derek [...]
The Godawaya shipwreck under the limelight in new exhibition
The U.S. Embassy in Sri Lanka and the Central Cultural Fund’s Maritime Archaeology Unit will host an exhibition and symposium from September 3–5 at BMICH Cinema Lounge, Colombo, highlighting the documentation and preservation of artifacts from the Godawaya Shipwreck — one of Sri Lanka’s most significant maritime heritage sites. The exhibition at BMICH will open [...]
Watch out for rare Blood Moon on September 7
By Dilushi Wijesinghe Sri Lanka will witness a total lunar eclipse on the night of September 7, described by astronomers as a phenomenon visible to Sri Lanka since 2022. During the event, the earth will pass directly between the Sun and the Moon, casting its shadow across the lunar surface. At the peak of the [...]
UN welcomes asking families to help identify mass graves items
By Kapila Bandara Sri Lanka drew a renewed commitment from the United Nations for reviving the search for justice and closure for the forcefully disappeared during past domestic armed conflicts. UN Resident Coordinator in Sri Lanka, Marc André Franche, referenced the many mass graves including Chemmani that “expose the magnitude of past abuses’’ and noted [...]
Court grants Wickremesinghe bail amid CID investigation into university invitation
By Ranjith Padmasiri Making submissions on behalf of the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) at the Colombo Fort Magistrate’s Court on Tuesday (26), the Attorney General’s Department cast doubt on the authenticity of the invitation letter that former President Ranil Wickremesinghe claimed he had received to attend the graduation ceremony at the University of Wolverhampton where [...]
UNRWA’s former director and international legal icon Sena Wijewardane passes away
Mr, Dayendra Sena Wijewardane, a prominent figure in the United Nations system and one-time General Counsel, Legal Adviser cum Director at the UNRWA (United Nations Relief and Works Agency) for Palestine refugees in West Asia passed away in Vienna early this week. He was 90. Mr. Wijewardane had his early education at Royal College, Colombo [...]
Counsellors, therapists need professional body: Acting mental health director
The absence of a statutory professional body for counsellors and therapists is a major drawback in addressing mental-health issues, the Health Ministry’s Mental Health Directorate Acting Director Dr. Lakmini Magodaratna said. She told the Sunday Times that unlike psychiatrists and clinical psychologists, many counsellors and therapists practise without verified training or accountability due to the [...]
Justice Gamini Amarasekara new chairman of Sri Lanka Law Commission
By Ranjith Padmasiri Retired Supreme Court Justice Gamini Amarasekara has been appointed as the new chairman of the Law Commission of Sri Lanka. Eleven other eminent professionals in the legal field have been appointed as members of the commission. The appointments have been made by Justice Minister Harshana Nanayakkara. The newly appointed members of the [...]
Supreme Court to hear appeal against CEB, PUCSL, and cabinet decision
A special leave to appeal the application filed by the Electricity and Renewable Energy Consumers Association, Centre for Environmental Justice (Guarantee) Limited, and three other electricity consumers, against the Ceylon Electricity Board, Public Utilities Commission and the Cabinet of Ministers will be supported for leave in the Supreme Court on Monday September 1. The petitioners [...]
Transport Ministry to amend regulations barring women stationmasters
By Ranjith Padmasiri The Attorney General this week informed the Supreme Court that the Transport Ministry intends to present a Cabinet Paper to amend regulations that had barred female candidates from applying to become railway stationmasters. State Counsel Nayanathara Balapatabendi, appearing for the Attorney General, informed this to the Supreme Court when fundamental rights petitions [...]
Persons who surrendered Swarnaboomi, Jaya boomi titles for Urumaya deeds left without any deeds
By Shelton Hettiaarachchi Thousands of persons who surrendered their previous documents for their lands in order to receive title deeds keeping with a plan announced during the former government have been left without any official deeds now. Their official documents including Swarnaboomi and Jaya boomi titles were collected by the respective Grama Sevaka and [...]
Long arm of the law catching up with underworld
Public Security Minister says organised crime kingpins arrested in Indonesia will be detained under PTA; dragnet launched for 67 fugitives evading arrest overseas By Ishu Bandara Public Security Minister Ananda Wijepala yesterday said the five notorious criminals arrested in Indonesia will be detained under the Prevention of Terrorism Act (PTA), enabling the authorities to obtain [...]
Leasing companies still grabbing vehicles by intimidation
By Kasun Warakapitiya Despite a reminder issued by the police last year of the process of seizing leased vehicles, many leasing and finance companies fail to follow legal recovery procedures. Police issued a circular in February 2024 explaining the role of police officers in the process of vehicle acquisition. The circular was issued citing the [...]
Reckless heavy vehicle drivers causing crashes raise alarm
Traffic police officers share possible solutions to minimise road accidents Heavy vehicles and buses have been responsible for some of the biggest tragic accidents across the country in recent months. Reckless driving, fatigue and speeding have contributed to many of the accidents, including the one at Kuliyapitiya, where two children and a school van driver [...]
Undergrads told to use critical thinking with generative AI
By Minaza Hassan Many university students are increasingly using artificial intelligence tools, particularly for writing literature reviews in their theses and for preparing assignments and presentations. While plagiarism detection software is available to monitor AI use, some educators believe generative AI can be beneficial if applied responsibly. “AI tools are available for this generation to [...]
Tortoise hauled from ocean shelters at zoo
By Kasun Warakaptiya An Aldabra tortoise has found its forever home at the Dehiwala Zoo three months after being dumped in the ocean by suspected wildlife smugglers. The Director General of the National Zoological Gardens, Dr. Chandana Rajapaksa told the Sunday Times that the Department of Wildlife Conservation handed over the tortoise to the zoo [...]
Land, sea and air war against narcotics and organised crime: Armed forces join police ops
By Dilushi Wijesinghe Sri Lanka’s armed forces have been drawn into the fight against narcotics and organised crime in support of ongoing countrywide police operations. Naval patrols have been placed on heightened alert along the coast, Air Force drones and aircraft are tracking movements from the skies, and Army detachments are providing ground security during [...]
‘Radiotherapy, chemotherapy and surgery, three main pillars of quality cancer care’
SLCO President Dr. Sanath Wanigasooriya underscores the importance of radiotherapy as one of the most cost-effective modalities of treatment By Kumudini Hettiarachchi It is feared by all and sundry – cancer is a dreaded disease, with the incidence in Sri Lanka nearly doubling during the past decade. To achieve ‘quality’ cancer care, a strong framework has [...]
Nilwala woes: Saltwater intrusion leaves Matara thirsty
By Malaka Rodrigo For generations, the Nilwala River has been Matara’s lifeline, quenching the thirst of its people and nourishing its paddy fields. But this week, that lifeline faltered as saltwater surged upstream, crippling the main pumping stations and leaving residents scrambling for water. “This is the first time in years we’ve had to bring [...]
Kalpitiya fishermen allege illegal net use is hurting harvest
The use of illegal fishing nets by some fishermen in the Kalpitiya area is causing concern among fishermen in the as they say the harvest is less. These fishermen claim that the use of the nets known as ‘Lyla’ and ‘Surukku’ affects the harvest for a about a month and that affects their livelihood. Kandakuliya [...]
Python saved by act of compassion
By L. B. Senaratne A reptile that was brought in from Bokkawala in the Kandy District by a monk has recovered after an operation performed by Dr. Shasila Gamage of the University of Peradeniya Veterinary Hosptial. The operation was done to remove a cyst on the head of a Python that was in pain. The [...]
Forest fires on the rampage in the wet zone
By Dilushi Wijesinghe By late August, Sri Lanka had already counted 147 forest fires this year. That is an average of two a day, Director and Media Spokesman of the Disaster Management Centre Pradeep Kodippili told the Sunday Times. The DMC says the numbers are neither unusually high nor low when compared with the past [...]
Four UNFPA reports to inform gender-responsive reforms
By Tharushi Weerasinghe Four new research reports highlighting systemic gender inequalities, from discriminatory laws and barriers to political participation to technology-facilitated violence and climate vulnerabilities, were launched in Colombo on Wednesday (27), providing data and policy recommendations to inform gender-responsive reforms in Sri Lanka. The reports, launched by the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) Sri [...]
Colombo’s crumbling sewers causing road cave-ins
By Ishu Bandara Colombo’s ageing underground sewage system has been identified as the main factor behind the recent road collapses and sinkholes in the city. The two road failures leading into Colombo caused severe traffic jams between Model Farm Road Junction and D.S. Senanayake Junction in Borella on August 20 and 27. These busy roads [...]
Winning wild clicks on focus
By Malaka Rodrigo Sri Lanka’s wildlife photography community had much to celebrate this month, with achievements on both international and national stages. The Natural History Museum in London, organisers of the world-renowned Wildlife Photographer of the Year competition, announced its highly commended entries this week, and among them was a striking photograph captured by Sri [...]
Man killed in bus accident caused by driver falling asleep
Pic by Gnanasiri Hettiarachchige A 74-year-old man was killed and 56 others injured in a bus accident caused by the driver falling asleep while driving in Pottuvil yesterday. The bus toppled into a culvert near the Komari Hospital in Pottuvil yesterday afternoon, police said. The group had been returning to Arugam Bay after attending a [...]