Category: Local News

Renowned Sri Lankan music composer Dr. Shelton Premaratne passed away this morning (May 30) in Australia at the age of 94.

The Thai cabinet has implemented several visa measures to boost tourism, extending benefits to travelers from 36 additional countries, including Sri Lanka. These measures will accommodate visitors planning to stay in Thailand for over 30 days.

Dr. Punsara Amarasinghe, a lecturer at Kotelawala Defence University (KDU), was arrested by the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) and has now been released on bail by the Fort Magistrate’s Court.

Russia will now require clearance from Sri Lanka’s Defence Ministry for visit visas of ex-servicemen, says Sri Lanka’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, Ali Sabry.

Sri Lankan President Ranil Wickremesinghe confirmed that the presidential election will definitely take place in the future and that funds have already been allocated for it.

The Colombo District Court today further extended its enjoining order, which prevents former President Maithripala Sirisena from functioning as the chairman of the Sri Lanka Freedom Party (SLFP), until June 12.

Sri Lanka’s Minister of Labour and Foreign Employment, Manusha Nanayakkara, announced that the cabinet has approved a proposal to provide social security benefits to all workers aged 55 and above in various industries.

State Minister of Defence Premitha Bandara Tennakoon emphasized the importance of safeguarding school children’s safety, particularly during weather-related emergencies, at a media discussion held at the Disaster Management Centre in Colombo on Tuesday (May 28).

The United National Party (UNP), led by President Ranil Wickremesinghe, has proposed a referendum to extend the terms of both the Sri Lankan President and Parliament by two years.

The Monetary Policy Board of the Central Bank of Sri Lanka (CBSL) has decided to maintain the Standing Deposit Facility Rate (SDFR) at 8.50 percent and the Standing Lending Facility Rate (SLFR) at 9.50 percent.

Authorities reported that seven wild elephants were found dead in the Handapanwila area of the Polonnaruwa Wildlife Reserve in Sri Lanka due to drowning.

Viranjith Thambugala, the Chairman of Aura Lanka, who was arrested and remanded over allegations of financial fraud, has been granted bail.

Several political parties, including the National Freedom Front (NFF) led by MP Wimal Weerawansa and Pivithuru Hela Urumaya (PHU) led by MP Udaya Gammanpila, along with several civil organizations, formed a new political movement named ‘Sarvajana Balaya’ this morning (May 27).

Tourist arrivals to Sri Lanka are expected to surpass 100,000 in May 2024, though they will fall short of the target range of 120,934 to 131,112.

Sri Lanka’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs has extended its condolences on the passing of Ambassador Jean-François Pactet, who served as the Ambassador of France to Sri Lanka and the Maldives.

Applications for the Grade Five Scholarship Examination for 2024 are now being accepted, announced Examinations Commissioner General H.J.M.C. Amith Jayasundara.