News Room : Mobile phone users can retain numbers after network switch
Fifty new signal towers in poor reception areas From June this year, mobile phone users in Sri Lanka will be able to retain their existing numbers even after switching mobile network operators, according to officials from the Ministry of Digital Economy. The announcement was made during a meeting of the Ministerial Consultative Committee on Digital Economic Affairs held on Thursday (20). In...
News Room : Parliament Heated Over Nalin Hewage’s Remark on Rohini Kaviratne
Parliament today (22 February) decided to expunge a remark made by Deputy Minister Nalin Hewage regarding SJB MP Rohini Kaviratne from the Hansard. The controversy arose when Hewage, during his speech, criticised the SJB MP and addressed her by a different surname. Following the remark, SJB MP Dr Harsha de Silva raised a Point of Order, demanding clarification. “Rohini Kaviratne is the...
News Room : Another Cop Arrested and Remanded in Connection with Ganemulla Sanjeewa Murder
Two more suspects connected to the assassination of underworld figure Sanjeewa Kumara Samararathne, alias “Ganemulla Sanjeewa,” have been arrested and remanded until 7 March by the Colombo Magistrate’s Court. The suspects were taken into custody by the Colombo Crime Division (CCD) and produced before Colombo Additional Magistrate Pavithra Sanjeevani today (22 February). Among them is the driver of the vehicle used...
News Room : IGP Reveals Security Threats Against Ganemulla Sanjeewa Before Fatal Court Shooting
Acting Inspector General of Police Priyantha Weerasuriya revealed today (22 February) that authorities had received reports of security threats against alleged drug kingpin ‘Ganemulla Sanjeewa,’ who was fatally shot at the Hulftsdorp Court Complex. Weerasuriya made this statement in response to a journalist’s question during a special media briefing at the Department of Government Information. “We received intelligence indicating threats, but...
News Room : Sri Lanka aims to pave a new path in digitalization by the year 2030 – President – The Island
President Anura Kumara Disanayake expressed confidence in the substantial opportunities for innovation in our country, stating that Sri Lanka aims to pave a new path in digitalization by the year 2030. He said that the government’s aspiration is to elevate Sri Lanka, currently not a competitor in the field of innovation, to a comparable status with other countries, emphasizing that...
News Room : Crime and politics – The Island
The Sri Lanka police are known for their swift post-crime response, which however is selective in most cases. On Wednesday (19), they failed to protect an underworld character brought to the Colombo Magistrate’s court. Ganemulle Sanjeewa was shot while in the dock despite a heavy police presence at the court complex. Subsequently, he succumbed to his injuries in hospital....
News Room : Man Shot Dead at Galpoththa Junction; Suspects Arrested with Firearm
A man was shot and killed by a gunman who arrived on a motorcycle with an accomplice at Galpoththa Junction in Kotahena this evening (21), police said. The suspects were apprehended by the Grandpass Police while attempting to flee and were found in possession of the T56 firearm used in the shooting. Kotahena Police are conducting further investigations into the incident.
News Room : Former Spanish soccer chief Luis Rubiales found guilty after kissing player Jenny Hermoso without consent
A Spanish high court on Thursday found him guilty of sexual assault over an unwelcome kiss by player Jenny Hermoso and fined him more than 10,000 euros ($10,434.00), but he was released on bail. Prosecutors had asked for a prison sentence for Rubiales in a case that has sparked a debate in Spain about women’s soccer and sexuality in wider...
News Room : Tea exports show moderate growth in January
Sri Lanka’s tea exports for January 2025 were 19.37 million kilograms, reflecting a growth of 0.61 million kilograms compared to the same period in 2024, when exports were 18.76 million kilograms. The increase was mainly due to strong performance of tea packets, tea bags and instant tea categories, while bulk and green tea exports declined. In value terms, the free...
News Room : Sri Lanka can meet revenue targets without tax hikes:Duminda Hulangamuwa
The government is optimistic about meeting its revenue targets under the tax reforms introduced in the 2024 budget if the economy expands beyond the projections set by the International Monetary Fund (IMF). He stressed that the government aims to meet fiscal parameters through overall economic growth and increasing revenue from vehicle imports, rather than adjusting tax rates. “We do not want...