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...
News Room : Sri Lankan brand of cricket is back – 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 : Duckett’s breezy century flips momentum in England’s favour
by Reemus Fernando D. S. Senanayaka College paceman Daham Nirmal who was promoted up in the order to play the night watchman role created a piece of history when he went on to score an unbeaten double century against St. Joseph’s in their Under 19 Division I Tier ‘A’ tournament match at Darley Road on Friday(16). Nirmal who generally bats at...
News Room : SL risks expulsion from OGP over Online Safety Bill, etc
By Rathindra Kuruwita A National People’s Power (NPP) administration will not do anything that will undermine Indian security, but it will maintain economic and political relations with China, the NPP delegation to India told Indian officials, JVP/NPP Leader Anura Kumara Dissanayake said in an interview with Sirasa TV, on Thursday (15). In his first interview since his return to the country,...
News Room : Showers in Eastern, Western, Sabaragamuwa and Uva provinces and in Polonnaruwa, Matale, Nuwara-Eliya, Galle and Matara districts – 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...
News Room : Education, reforms and double whammy – The Island
Much is being spoken about educational reforms, these days. President Ranil Wickremesinghe has stressed the need to gear the education system to the much-needed economic transformation the country is seeking to achieve. A former Minister of Education, the President is au fait with global trends in the field of education, and one cannot but agree that the education sector...