Nov 25 (TM) The CEB Workers� Union (CEBWU) have requested the CEB to distribute annual bonuses equally among all 23,000 employees, based on the actual income/profit status rather than the previous systems. It was recently reported that the CEBWU had called on the CEB management to distribute bonuses among employees before 10 December. CEBWU General Secretary Ranjan Jayalal said that this year they did not request more..

Nov 25 (PP) Pakistan 'A' shine against Sri Lanka 'A' in the first 50-over match at the Islamabad Club. Haider Ali scored a century, while Abdul Samad contributed 56 runs, bringing the team to an impressive 306 for seven in their allotted 50 overs. Sharoon Siraj then claimed three wickets for 21 runs, claiming three wickets for the team. Haider Ali faced 94 balls, striking eight fours and six sixes. He reached his half-century off 59 deliveries with two boundaries and three sixes, more..

Nov 25 (Xinhua) Asian Development Bank (ADB) said it has approved a loan of US$ 200 million to upgrade SL's power sector infrastructure. By expanding and modernizing infrastructure and incorporating digitalization solutions, the ADB said the Power System Strengthening and Renewable Energy Integration Project will support SL's goal of increasing integration of renewable energy in the electricity mix, reducing power interruptions, and minimizing transmission & distribution losses. more..

Nov 25 (DM) Minister of Public Security Ananda Wijepala said that although the people in the North are allowed to observe Maaveerar Naal (Heroes Day) to honour their deceased relatives, they must refrain from displaying any logos, uniforms or images related to the LTTE, as it remains a proscribed organisation. The Minister said that the govt will not prevent individuals from remembering their loved ones who died more..

Nov 25 (DM) Jaffna District Independent MP Archuuna Ramanathan has sought personal security from the Parliament authorities, claiming that he is unable to move freely after the incident in Parliament recently. The MP requested for security during the first day of the orientation programme in the Parliament complex today. Deputy Secretary General of Parliament Chaminda Kularatne said the MP is required to make a written request from the Public Security Ministry to obtain security. more..

Nov 25 (AD) The Supreme Court has fixed for consideration on December 12, a Fundamental Rights (FR) petition filed seeking an interim injunction suspending the holding of 2024 GCE Advanced Level examination. This order was issued when the relevant petition filed by a candidate of the examination was taken up before the three-member Supreme Court judge bench comprising Chief Justice Murdu Fernando, Justices Jayantha Jayasuriya & Priyantha Fernando today. more..

Nov 25 (DM) Public Day of the Industries Ministry was re-launched this morning after four years by the Minister of Industry & Entrepreneurship Development, Sunil Handunnetti. Addressing the event, Minister mentioned that the last Public Day was held in 2020. Accordingly, the Public Day of the Ministry will now be held every Monday between 9 a.m. and 1 p.m. During this time, anyone can meet the Minister in charge, the Ministry Secretary and other officials to address their concerns. more..

Nov 25 (AD) Allegations of illegal financial gains connected to the contentious E8 visa scheme have been directed at former Minister of Labour and Foreign Employment, Manusha Nanayakkara. Kosala Wickramasinghe, Chairman of the SLBFE, levelled these accusations earlier today. Addressing the issue, Wickramasinghe claimed, �It is problematic why a recognized minister of the govt gets involved in a scheme that amounted to human trafficking. There is a lot of suspicion. more..

Nov 25 (Island) Former State Minister S. Chandrakanthan aka Pilleyan has refuted unsubstantiated claims made by his wartime Media Secretary Mohammed Milhilar Hanzeer alias Azad Maulana in a Channel 4 interview in early Sept. 2023 pertaining to the 2019 Easter Sunday carnage. Multiple blasts claimed the lives of about 270 people, including 40 foreigners, while nearly 500 sustained injuries. Chandrakanthan, one-time Chief Minister more..

Nov 25 (CT) Two new species of mushrooms were discovered in Maduru Oya National Park, said Kumarasiri Wijekoon, the Wildlife Warden at the Henanigala Entrance Office of Maduru Oya National Park. The mushrooms were discovered by a team of wildlife officers from the Henanigala Wildlife Entrance Office, including Wijekoon, Wildlife Warden A.M.S.P. Seneviratne, Field Assistant S.W.M. Ajith Kumara, and Volunteer Guide U.W. Gunawardena. He stated the discovery was made more..

Nov 25 (AD) Gampaha District SJB MP Harshana Rajakaruna says that the SJB is ready to join together with the UNP, if former Prez Ranil Wickremesinghe will allow Sajith Premadasa to take over the leadership. MP Rajakaruna expressed: �Mr. Ranil Wickremesinghe is not in the country right now. We expect to hold discussions when he is back in the country.� Furthermore, the MP called on all right-wing political forces to join with the SJB. �We believe that we, all the right-wing political more..

Nov 25 (AD) A group of individuals holding South Korean E-8 visas is engaged in a continuous protest in front of the SL Foreign Employment Bureau (SLFEB) in Battaramulla, demanding solutions to their issues. The E-8 visa, issued for short-term employment in South Korea�s agricultural sector, is valid for six months. Protesters claimed that their visas are set to expire tomorrow and insisted they would not abandon the agitation more..

Nov 25 (DM) TResponding to social media reports criticizing the presence of top NPP members at the ABBA Tribute Show, the Mount Lavinia Hotel clarified that the dignitaries were invited guests at the concert. The attendance of PM Harini Amarasuriya, Foreign Affairs Minister Vijitha Herath and Tilvin Silva made headlines as social media reports alleged that they had spent thousands of taxpayers' money to attend the concert. In a statement, the hotel emphasised, more..

Nov 25 (AD) The Commissioner General of Examinations, Amith Jayasundara has requested the public to refrain from engaging in activities that may disturb students during the GCE A/L examination period. Jayasundara emphasized that the A/L exam commenced at 8.30 a.m. today across 2,312 centers nationwide. He urged the public to act with consideration rather than solely following regulations. �We ask you to help resolve any issues students may encounter during this period. more..

Nov 25 (FT) I consider Prez Anura Kumara Dissanayake�s post-appointment address to the Cabinet, as an address to the nation, local political parties, diaspora, media, and political powerpacks abroad � near and far. It is because he has conveyed the conceptual crux of his approach to nation-building and SL�s potential revival, countering the economic, political, and social challenges. His wish for collective responsibility to achieve the goals that will uplift our nation, is an invitation to more..

Nov 25 (FT) Prez Anura Kumara Dissanayake, known as AKD, outlined the plans of his Govt to rescue the crisis-ridden and slow growing economy in delivering the President�s Address at the opening of the 10th Parliament last week1. In a short speech like this, one cannot give all the micro details of his plan. Hence, by outlining the main policy parameters, he treated his audience to the vision by which his Govt is guided in the next five years to deliver prosperity to Sri Lankans. more..

Nov 25 (BN) A US agency that agreed to lend more than $500 million to an Adani Group-backed port development in SL said it�s still conducting due diligence on the project, following bribery allegations against the conglomerate�s billionaire founder and other top executives. US International Development Finance Corp. hasn�t reached a final agreement on the loan, an official said. �We continue to conduct due diligence more..

Nov 25 (AD) An extraordinary Gazette notification has been issued appointing Senior Prof. R.M.U.S.K. Rathnayake to be the competent authority for the purpose of exercising, performing and discharging in lieu of Vice Chancellor of the Uni of Ruhuna. The Gazette notification, issued by PM Harini Amarasuriya by virtue of the powers vested in her as the Minister of Education, Higher Education and Vocational Education, mentioned that the appointment was made on being satisfied more..

Nov 25 (FT) Tourism Minister Vijitha Herath delivered a hopeful message on Saturday while attending the live performance of Arrival from Sweden: The Music of ABBA, an internationally renowned tribute band. The event, which drew around 2,500 vibrant enthusiasts, was filled with music, nostalgia and entertainment, as the Minister shared admiration for the iconic band and one of his favourite songs, I have a dream. Referring to the song�s lyrics, Minister Herath expressed more..

Nov 25 (DN) Officials unearthed only 20 metal rock blocks of various sizes, at a site in Wewagedara, where a treasure was rumoured to be buried by Saturday. The stone blocks were later broken into smaller pieces using a drilling machine but revealed no hidden items. Over the course of three days, excavations were conducted under a Court order and concluded without unearthing any foreign or valuable artefacts. more..

Nov 25 (TM) President Anura Kumara Dissanayake, the recently elected 9th Executive Prez, celebrated his 56th birthday yesterday. Born in 1968, President has made significant contributions to SL politics over a career spanning several decades. Dissanayake began his education at Thambuttegama Primary School and later entered Thambuttegama Central College. In 1992, he entered the Faculty of Science at the Uni of Kelaniya, earning a Bachelor of Science degree in 1995. more..

Nov 25 (DN) Archeology Director General Prof. Thusitha Mendis says that it is a complete myth that great precious ancient treasures are buried in the earth. He said that some who are deceived by illusions go into illegal treasure hunting and get into trouble. Mendis while commenting to the media regarding the excavation work carried out on the orders of the Court in Wandurawa area near the Expressway construction regarding an alleged buried treasure said some people are more..

Nov 25 (DM) As a subject, vocational education directly contributes to the economy and should be considered a respectable choice. It provides a clear pathway from school education to higher education, leading to a promising future, PM Dr. Harini Amarasuriya said. She made this statement while attending the ceremony where Nalin Hewage, newly appointed as the Deputy Minister of Vocational Education in the new govt, officially assumed his duties at Nipunatha Piyasa in Narahenpita. more..

Nov 25 (DM) Asian Development Bank (ADB) asserted that Sri Lanka should start laying a strong foundation that assures its people a high quality of life, which would help reduce the brain drain of skilled workers leaving the country in search of better jobs and living standards in other countries. According to ADB, the migration of young, skilled professionals, especially in evolving industries such as technology and hospitality, creates serious challenges for both SL�s economy and more..

Nov 25 (FT) IMF on Saturday welcomed new Prez Anura Kumara Dissanayake�s and his Govt�s commitment to continue with the on-going program and identified the 2025 Budget as a litmus test. The IMF�s opinion follows its staff and the SL authorities on Friday reaching agreement on economic policies to conclude the third review of the economic reform program supported by the IMF�s EFF. Once the review is approved by IMF more..

Nov 25 (ST) Govt has directed Laugfs Gas, one of the major providers of cooking gas, to ensure a monthly supply of 3,000 metric tonnes to households on a priority basis compared to industrial customers, as a country-wide Laugfs gas shortage is being experienced. Issuing a gazette notification on Friday under Section 12 of the Finance Act Commercial Hub regulations No. 01 of 2019, Prez Anura Kumara Dissanayake directed that the cooking gas provider should maintain a minimum of 7,500 MT more..

Nov 25 (SLN) Following a successful intelligence-sharing operation between the SL Navy and the Maldivian Coast Guard, a SL fishing trawler carrying about 344 kg of crystal methamphetamine and about 124 kg of cocaine was seized by Maldivian Coast Guard on 23rd Nov. The operation also led to the apprehension of 5 suspects in connection to the incident. Maritime Rescue Coordination Centre (MRCC) Colombo, established at the Navy HQ, was alerted in the early hours of 23rd Nov by more..

Nov 25 (AD) Wanindu Hasaranga and Maheesh Theekshana have been sold to Rajasthan Royals (RR) in the 2025 Indian Premier League (IPL) mega auction. Hasaranga, the dashing leg-spinner, has fetched a sum of ₹5.25 crore at the event in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia. The wrist-spinner has emerged as a match-winner for the Lankans in limited-overs cricket. Meanwhile, Theekshana bagged a ₹4.40 crore deal. Hasaranga was ruled out of the 2024 IPL season. more..

Nov 25 (EN) Vietnam�s embassy in SL has met the Board of Investment, SL � Greater Mekong Business Council of the Ceylon Chamber of Commerce, to promote links between investors of the two countries. �In a bid to bolster economic diplomacy, the Embassy of Viet Nam in SL has been actively engaging with key SL agencies and business leaders,� a statement said. �The Embassy�s proactive efforts aim to unearth the vast potential in the Viet Nam market for SL investors more..

Nov 25 (NW) According to reports, the Public Utilities Commission of SL (PUCSL) has informed that a revision of electricity tariffs is unlikely to occur this year due to repeated delays by the CEB in submitting a revised tariff proposal. Initially, the PUCSL found the reduction percentages in the CEB�s initial tariff revision plan to be insufficient and suggested that greater reductions could be implemented under current conditions. more..

Nov 25 (Island) Jaffna District Independent MP Dr. Archuuna Ramanathan has drawn heavy flak for his unparliamentary conduct during the inaugural session of the 10th Parliament last week. He occupied the Opposition Leader�s seat improperly, and resisted a parliamentary worker�s efforts to persuade him to leave it; he declared that he was no respecter of parliamentary traditions. He went so far as to post a video of the incident on social media. The word, Eelam, he used to give his more..

Nov 25 (Island) Just 24 hours after wrapping up a bilateral series against NZ, several SL cricketers landed in Abu Dhabi to showcase their firepower in the T10 League. As the two-week tournament unfolds, hard-hitting stars Bhanuka Rajapaksa and Dasun Shanaka have delivered standout performances in the opening days, proving why they are among the most exciting players in this format. Bhanuka Rajapaksa, turning out for the Chennai Braves, set the stage ablaze with more..