News Room : Govt. declares intention to review armed forces structures ahead of simultaneous retirement of three service chiefs and CDS
Defence Secretary Air Vice Marshal Sampath Thuyacontha (Retd) has said the NPP government will undertake a thorough review of armed forces structures to ensure the best utilisation of resources and enhance the operational efficiency. He said so at a Navy passing out parade at the ‘Naval and Maritime Academy’ (NMA) in Trincomalee on Saturday evening (28). Current commanders of the Army, the...
News Room : Sita Ratwatte passes away
Sita Rohini Ellawala Ratwatte, wife of the late Dr. Seevali Ratwatte, former Chairman of the Upali Group of Companies, passed away on Saturday (28) at the age of 94. She was the sister-in-law of the late Prime Minister Sirimavo Ratwatte Dias Bandaranaike. Mrs. Ratwatte was the mother of the Chairperson of Upali Newspapers Ltd., and Upali Group of Companies Lakmani Ratwatte...
News Room : Aitken Spence Travels clinches three top awards at 2024 SL Tourism Awards – The Island
Aitken Spence Travels walked away with the coveted title of Best Travel Agent Inbound – Large Category, Best Cruise Lines Operator and Best Professional MICE Organizer at the recently concluded Sri Lanka Tourism Awards 2024 organized by the Sri Lanka Tourism Development Authority. These accolades underline Aitken Spence Travels’ leadership and commitment to the continuous development of the tourism sector....
News Room : High tax on imported rice affecting consumers – MP
95 SJB MP Mujibur Rahuman stated that the Government is imposing a Rs.65 tax per kilogramme on imported rice to benefit mill owners, allowing them to set their desired controlled prices and earn profits at the expense of consumers. Speaking at a media briefing yesterday (29), he further stated, “The President and Government Ministers have repeatedly claimed they could eliminate the...
News Room : ITAK suspends two leading members
109 Following the recent Parliamentary elections, the Ilankai Tamil Arasu Kachchi (ITAK) has announced the immediate suspension of members who left the party to contest the elections with other parties or independent groups, including P.Ariyanethiran who contested the recent Presidential election, against party wishes, ITAK spokesperson M.A.Sumanthiran said. Accordingly, former Parliamentarian C. Sivamohan has also been suspended from the party. Speaking at...
News Room : Dozens killed in plane crash at South Korea airport
A plane carrying 181 passengers has crashed at an airport in South Korea, killing at least 85 people, the country’s fire service has said. The aircraft came off the runway and crashed into a wall at Muan International Airport in the south west of the country, the Yonhap news agency reported. The Jeju Air plane, which was carrying 175 passengers and...
News Room : Abbas, Shahzad give Pakistan hope of defending 147
The first Test match at Centurion is tantalisingly poised after Pakistan took three wickets in nine overs to leave South Africa wobbling at 27 for 3, still 121 runs away from the 147-run target that seals a win, as well as a place in the 2023-25 World Test Championship final. After South Africa had bowled Pakistan out for 237,...
News Room : Trimming the fat
The decision of the present administration to reduce the army of security personnel allotted to former presidents at enormous taxpayer expense came into effect last week. This will, no doubt, be widely welcomed countrywide. There are five living former presidents and the widow of one (Mrs. Hema Premadasa), enjoying the considerable benefits of the Presidential Entitlements Act which became...
News Room : Ervine, Bennett tons headline Zimbabwe’s day
Bulawayo was buzzing on the second day of the Boxing Day Test as the home fans celebrated one landmark after another, with Zimbabwe creating history against Afghanistan by getting to their highest Test score of all time. Overnight centurion Sean Williams posted his personal best in Tests, the captain Craig Ervine scored his third Test ton in a 13-year...
News Room : Pakistan lose their way after Bosch bash hands South Africa advantage
Corbin Bosch’s dream outing continued as he scored his maiden half-century off 46 balls and the highest score by a No 9 batter on debut in Tests as he built South Africa’s 90-run first-innings lead. Pakistan ate into most of that in their second innings but lost three wickets and remained two runs behind, leaving South Africa with their...