News Room : We only wish each other the best” – Hirunika’s post on her marriage
Former MP Hirunika Premachandra has written on Facebook that she and her husband Hiran have decided to separate from their marriage with mutual respect and understanding. She wrote: “After much thought and consideration, Hiran and I have decided to separate from our marriage, a decision that was taken with mutual respect and understanding.We have spent almost 10 years together. We have...
News Room : Digitalization can eliminate financial corruption: CSSL
With the country rapidly digitizing, all corruption related to financial management can be eliminated through digital procedures, said Computer Society of Sri Lanka (CSSL) Vice President Indika de Zoysa. He told the media that many public and private institutions have embraced digitalization. “Most financial transactions are now conducted through digital systems. Using digital platforms can reduce cash-related costs and make it...
News Room : Malaysia green-lights new MH370 search in Indian Ocean
The Malaysian cabinet has approved a fresh search for the wreckage of Malaysia Airlines flight MH370, more than a decade after the aircraft vanished. The search will cover a 15,000 sq km area in the southern Indian Ocean, under a “no find, no fee” agreement with the exploration firm Ocean Infinity. The company will receive $70m (£56m) if the wreckage is...
News Room : Health professionals’ strikes are unacceptable despite the largest salary increase given by a government as at date – President – The Island
Opposition MP Ravi Karunanayake raised concerns in Parliament on Tuesday (18) about the potential impact of US President Donald Trump’s trade policies on Sri Lanka’s key export sectors, such as textiles, apparel, rubber, coconut, and plastics. With the US set to implement new trade policies, Karunanayake questioned whether the government was prepared to step up its negotiation efforts, particularly...
News Room : Public Security Minister upbeat about mobile phones found in IGP’s house – The Island
By Shamindra Ferdinando The Mahajana Eksath Peramuna (MEP) that contested the last general election under the ‘Swan’ symbol of the New Democratic Front (NDF), together with friendly allies, has fielded independent groups in Colombo and several other areas at the forthcoming Local Government elections for 336 local bodies. Having unsuccessfully contested the presidential election as an independent candidate last September, former...
News Room : IGP Deshabandu Tennakoon remanded until tomorrow
<!-- --> Inspector General of Police (IGP) Deshabandu Tennakoon, who was presented before the Matara Magistrate’s Court this morning (March 19), has been remanded until tomorrow (March 20). IGP Tennakoon, who had an outstanding arrest warrant in connection with a fatal shooting outside the W15 Hotel in Pelena, Weligama, on December 31, 2023, which resulted in the death of a police officer,...
News Room : Hudson Samarasinghe sues Premakeerthi de Alwis’ wife for defamation
Ex-chairman of the Sri Lanka Broadcasting Corporation (SLBC), Hudson Samarasinghe, has filed a defamation lawsuit against the wife of late media personality Premakeerthi de Alwis, seeking Rs 500 million in damages. The case, heard before Colombo District Judge Sandun Vithana on Tuesday (18 March), alleges that Nirmala de Alwis’ public statements falsely implicated Samarasinghe in de Alwis’s death, causing reputational...
News Room : Supreme Court dismisses Mahinda Rajapaksa’s petition on security personnel reduction
Former Sri Lankan President Mahinda Rajapaksa’s fundamental rights petition, challenging the government’s decision to reduce the number of security personnel assigned to him to 60 without proper consideration, was dismissed by the Supreme Court today (March 19) without a hearing. After thoroughly reviewing the details of the petition presented by Former President Mahinda Rajapaksa, the Supreme Court issued this ruling.
News Room : Breaking: Supreme Court Dismisses Mahinda Rajapaksa’s Petition on Security Reduction
The Supreme Court has dismissed without hearing the fundamental rights (FR) petition filed by former President Mahinda Rajapaksa, challenging the reduction of his security detail. Rajapaksa had sought a court order to reinstate his security, which he claimed was reduced to 60 personnel without a proper security assessment. The petition named Prime Minister Dr. Harini Amarasuriya and other Cabinet ministers...
News Room : Sri Lanka’s Economy Grows by 5.0% in 2024, Rebounding from Crisis
Sri Lanka’s economy grew by 5.0% in 2024 despite concerns that elections could further strain the crisis-hit nation, official data showed on Tuesday. The Department of Census and Statistics announced that the country’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP) expanded by 5.0% for the year. Sri Lanka held two crucial elections in September and November 2024, which led to the country’s first...