News Room : Expert Committee Chief contradicts govt.’s claim – The Island
By Shamindra Ferdinando Chairman of the Expert Committee on Public Service Salary Disparities, Udaya R. Seneviratne yesterday (17) contradicted cabinet spokesperson Minister Vijitha Herath declaration that the substantial public sector salary increase announced by the then government in the run-up to Sept 21 presidential election had not received proper approval of the Finance Ministry. Retired SLAS officer Seneviratne who had held...
News Room : Showers or thundershowers will occur in several provinces today
Weather forecast issued at 05.30 a.m. on 17 October 2024 by the Department of Meteorology Showers or thundershowers will occur at times in Northern province and fairly heavy showers above 50mm are likely at some places. Several spells of showers will occur in Western, Sabaragamuwa and North-western provinces and in Galle, Matara, Kandy and Nuwara-eliya districts while showers or thundershowers...
News Room : Udaya alleges moves to arrest him under Official Secrets Act and PTA
Easter Sunday accusations: Pivithuru Hela Urumaya leader Udaya Gammanpila yesterday (16) alleged that the government had discussed the possibility of taking him into custody for having in his possession two reports on the 2019 Easter Sunday carnage. The former Minister said so while addressing the media at the PHU office at Pita Kotte. Attorney-at-Law Gammanpila said he had information that government leaders...
News Room : Christmas Cake Mixing Ceremony at Cinnamon Lakeside Colombo
Cinnamon Lakeside Colombo hosted a Christmas Cake Mixing ceremony marking the joyous beginning of the festive season. This cherished tradition brings together the warmth and spirit of the holidays. (Colombo Gazette photographer)
News Room : China deepening anti-fraud law enforcement cooperation with Sri Lanka – The Island
The Chinese embassy in Colombo Monday (14) said that China and Sri Lanka were cooperating closely to enhance cooperation on anti-fraud law enforcement operations. The embassy revealed that China recently sent a working group to jointly carry out a special operation with the local police. The following is the text of the Chinese embassy statement: “China is closely following the recent...
News Room : AKD adopts Ranil method – The Island
Tuesday 15th October, 2024 President Anura Kumara Dissanayake told the NPP candidates contesting the upcoming general election some home truths, at a meeting, over the weekend. Reminding them of the fate that had befallen the Rajapaksa regimes in 2015 and 2022, he said both President Mahinda Rajapaksa and President Gotabaya Rajapaksa had mustered two-thirds majorities in Parliament after winning general...
News Room : England, West Indies with little room for error as semi-finals race heats up – The Island
India’s hopes briefly arose. New Zealand could perhaps feel a sense of déjà vu. Pakistan themselves threatened to do the unthinkable. Only for all of it to come crashing at the end of it all. New Zealand crushed Pakistan in their final group game to qualify for the semi-final of the Women’s T20 World Cup for the first time since...
News Room : Google goes nuclear to power AI data centres – The Island
By Ifham Nizam Sri Lanka’s economy, hit by a series of crises, including a foreign currency shortage, fuel and food scarcities and a sharp decline in government revenues, is struggling to emerge from the turmoil. Besides, it has very limited policy tools to provide relief and boost output recovery, Institute of Policy Studies (IPS) Executive Director, Dr. Dushni Weerakoon said. Speaking...
News Room : Fairly heavy showers about 75mm are likely at some places in Western, Sabaragamuwa, North-western and Northern provinces and in Galle, Matara and Trincomalee districts – The Island
The Natural Hazards Early Warning Centre of the National Building Research Organization (NBRO) has extended the landslide early warnings issued to the districts of Colombo, Galle, Gampaha, Kalutara, Kegalle, Kurunegala, Nuwara Eliya and Ratnapura until 1600hrs tomorrow . Accordingly, Level II landslide early warnings have been issued to the Divisional Secretariat divisions and surrounding areas of Seethawaka and Padukka in the...
News Room : Unless it releases two Easter Sunday Carnage committee reports, he will publish them online next Monday – The Island
Foreign Minister Vijitha Herath yesterday (14) assured the Colombo-based diplomatic community that the new government was going ahead with the IMF-led debt restructuring programme. The assurance was given at an interaction with them at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Minister Herath said: “Earlier this month, we had productive discussions with the visiting IMF team who reiterated their support to Sri Lanka....