News Room : No recent HMPV cases detected – Minister
89 Some media misinterpreted Prof. Neelika Malavige:Epidemiological Unit will provide regular reports: Health Minister Dr. Nalinda Jayatissa assured Parliament yesterday (9) that no recent cases of Human Metapneumovirus (HMPV) have been detected in Sri Lanka, contrary to reports circulating in certain media outlets. Dr. Jayatissa emphasised that the Ministry of Health remains vigilant and has implemented comprehensive measures to monitor and address...
News Room : Substantial public sector salary increase in 2025 Budget – Deputy Minister
145 Labour Deputy Minister Mahinda Jayasinghe told Parliament yesterday that there will be a substantial increase in the salaries of public servants in the upcoming budget. He added that the International Monetary Fund (IMF) has not made any objections to the proposed public sector salary increment. The proposed increase in the salaries of public servants will be implemented in line with...
News Room : Budget Speech on February 17, final vote on March 21
113 Prime Minister Dr. Harini Amarasuriya yesterday presented the Appropriation Bill for 2025 to Parliament, outlining the Government’s proposed expenditure. The Second Reading of the Appropriation Bill, commonly referred to as the Budget Speech, is scheduled for February 17, with the debate on the Second Reading to follow from February 18 to February 25. A vote on the second reading will...
News Room : Govt yet to deliver on promises made – SJB MP
96 The Government, which came to power with a large two-thirds mandate, should now take steps to fulfill the promises it made, instead of criticising opponents, SJB MP Gayantha Karunathilake said. “Even though 100 days have passed since the last Presidential election, none of their promises have been fulfilled so far. You’ve spent a lot of time without doing anything,” he...
News Room : Caucus intends to bring Parliament closer to people – Co-Chairs
62 The inaugural meeting of the Parliamentary Caucus for Open Parliament Initiative which was reinstated for the Tenth Parliament took place on Wednesday (8) at Parliament premises and Minister Prof. Chrishantha Abeysena and Shanakiyan Rasamanickam were elected as Co-Chairs of this caucus. The name of Minister Prof. Chrishantha Abeysena as Co-Chair of the caucus was proposed by Dr. Janaka Senarathna and...
News Room : Dr. Nishantha Samaraweera elected COPE Chairman
85 National People’s Power (NPP) Parliamentarian Dr.Nishantha Samaraweera has been unanimously elected as the Chairman of the Committee on Public Enterprises (COPE). The Committee on Public Enterprises convened in Parliament yesterday (9) at 2 p.m. Dr.Samaraweera who was born in Beliatta received his primary and secondary education education at Wijaya Central College Getamanna. After completing his higher education, Dr.Samaraweera received his first...
News Room : Members of Parliament Prof. Chrishantha Abeysena and Shanakiyan Rasamanickam elected as Co-Chairs of the Parliamentary Caucus for Open Parliament Initiative – The Island
A fire official says a blaze that broke out in Hollywood Hills is “rapidly expanding” after a mandatory evacuation order was issued in the area following the spread of the wildfires in Los Angeles. California fire chief David Acuna told the BBC there had been “zero progress” in containing the fires because of high winds and dry conditions. “The wind...
News Room : Several spells of showers will occur in Northern, North-central, Eastern and Uva provinces and in Matale and Nuwara-Eliya districts – The Island
Weather forecast issued at 05.30 a.m. on 08 January 2025 by the Department of Meteorology Misty conditions can be expected at some places in Western, Sabaragamuwa, Central, Southern and Uva provinces and in Kurunegala district during the morning Several spells of showers will occur in Northern, North-central, Eastern and Uva provinces and in Matale district. A few showers may occur in...
News Room : Dialog becomes a signatory of UN Women’s Empowerment Principles – The Island
Dialog Axiata PLC, Sri Lanka’s #1 connectivity provider, has joined the United Nations Women’s Empowerment Principles (WEPs) as a signatory, reaffirming its dedication to advancing gender equality and fostering a diverse and inclusive workplace aligned with its Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) principles. This milestone builds on Dialog’s ongoing efforts to create opportunities for women across the workplace, marketplace, and...
News Room : Keir Starmer calls on ICC to ‘deliver own rules’ amid Afghanistan boycott row – The Island
Keir Starmer, the UK prime minister, has called on the ICC to “deliver on their own rules” when it comes to women’s rights in Afghanistan*, as he weighed into the row over England’s scheduled Champions Trophy clash with the country’s cricketers next month. England are due to face Afghanistan in Lahore on February 26 in their second match of the...