News Room : Harin, Manusha say happy to leave after helping make Lanka stable – The Island
By Rathindra Kuruwita The Election Commission announced on Friday that it had received 158 complaints of election law violations, with 20 of these complaints filed within the 24 hours leading up to 9 am on Friday. According to People’s Action for Free and Fair Elections (PAFFREL), 99 percent of these complaints involve the misuse of state power and resources. Rohana Hettiarachchi,...
News Room : Parents beg US diplomat for apology over fatal crash
The family of an 11-year-old girl allegedly killed by a US diplomat in Zimbabwe in a road accident in June have told the BBC they want him to return to the country and apologise to them in person. Ruvarashe Takamhanya is believed to have been run over by a vehicle driven by the diplomat as she was on her way...
News Room : Queen of Good Times celebrates her 75th birthday
Prithi Fernando, popularly known as the Queen of Good Times, celebrated her 75th birthday at the Kingsbury hotel in Colombo. Friends, family and a host of others attended the lavish party. Pics by Nilantha Anuruddha Michael
News Room : Sri Lanka’s first IMAX cinema opens
Sri Lanka’s first IMAX cinema was declared open by Scope Cinemas at Havelock City Mall. Scope Cinemas said the opening has revolutionised cinema experiences in Sri Lanka. Guests at the launch included politicians, media and well known personalities. Pics by Nilantha Anuruddha Michael
News Room : South Korean doctors strike in protest of plans to add more physicians
South Korea’s government has ordered more than 1,000 junior doctors to return to work after many staged walk-outs in protest of plans to increase the number of doctors in the system. More than 6,000 interns and residents had resigned on Monday, said officials. South Korea has one of the lowest doctor-per-patient ratios among OECD countries so the government wants to add...
News Room : Africa’s ‘flying presidents’ under fire
Since Kenya’s William Ruto and Nigeria’s Bola Tinubu became presidents, they have faced similar criticism over their frequent trips abroad. The two men have been the subject of unflattering descriptions – the costs associated with their alleged penchant for air travel often contrasted with tough economic conditions at home. A Kenyan newspaper, the Standard, nicknamed Mr Ruto the “Flying President”. It...
News Room : More than 50 shot dead in Papua New Guinea ambush – The Island
In front of a sold out crowd in Dambulla, Sri Lanka edged a rollercoaster first T20I against Afghanistan, winning by four runs to take a 1-0 lead in the three-match series. Binura Fernando who had been taken for 38 runs in three overs up until then – came up trump in the end, defending 11 runs in the final over....
News Room : Increase in earnings from tourism – The Island
By Shamindra Ferdinando Dissident SLPP lawmaker Gevindu Cumaratunga yesterday (18) said that the Wickremesinghe-Rajapaksa government owed an explanation how the Governing Board of the Central Bank had approved a massive salary increase to CBSL employees at a time the country was experiencing developing political-economic-social crisis. The National List MP said the recent disclosure of over 70 percent salary increase to several...
News Room : Thousands take part in pro-Palestine protests across the world
Thousands of people have taken to the streets around the world to protest against the war in Gaza as Israel pledges to go forward with its offensive in Rafah in southern Gaza. Waving pro-Palestinian flags and banners, thousands marched through the streets of Madrid, Spain to demand an immediate ceasefire in Gaza. The crowd snaked through closed-off streets in the Spanish...
News Room : Evening showers in Western and Sabaragamuwa provinces while fair weather will prevail elsewhere – The Island
Weather forecast issued at 05.30 a.m. on 15 February 2024 by the Department of Meteorology Several spells of showers will occur in Eastern and Uva provinces and in Polonnaruwa, Matale, Nuwara-Eliya and Hambanthota districts. Showers or thundershowers may occur at a few places in Western, Sabaragamuwa and North-western provinces and in Galle and Matara districts after 2.00 p.m. Winds will be...