The Meteorology Department says an enhancement of showery condition over most parts of the island is expected during next few days (after May 08th).

Underworld criminal gang leader Ramesh Priyajanaka, also known as Manna Ramesh , who was arrested in Dubai has been brought back to Sri Lanka this morning (07) by a team of CID officers, the Police Spokesman said.

Tuesday 7th May, 2024 The BIA (Bandaranaike International Airport) visa controversy has taken a dramatic turn with the Opposition accusing Public Security Minister Tiran Alles of having misled Parliament. The outsourcing of on-arrival visa processing to a foreign company has provoked a public outcry. The company reportedly charges about USD 20 or more as visa […]

Sri Lanka, Thailand and USA co-chaired the 15th Inter-Sessional Meeting (ISM) of the ASEAN Regional Forum (ARF) on Non –Proliferation and Disarmament (NPD), held from 29 April – 01 May 2024 in Hawaii, USA. The meeting followed Sri Lanka’s hosting of the 14th ARF Inter-Sessional Meeting on Non Proliferation and Disarmament in Colombo last year. […]

VFS Global, the company at the centre of continuing controversy over the issuance of on arrival visa at the Bandaranaike International Airport (BIA), yesterday (06) said that it had commenced operations in Sri Lanka in 2004. According to the company, it has been facilitating the visa application process for 23 governments, including the UK, Australia, […]

by Jehan Perera The visit of Japan’s foreign minister Yoko Kamikawa to Sri Lanka is an indication that the relationship between the two countries is on the mend.  The manner in which Japan was ousted from the special status it had once held by the previous government headed by President Gotabaya Rajapaksa would have caused […]

The 2023 GCE Ordinary Level examination commenced yesterday (06) at 3,527 centres, with 452,979 registered candidates. Among them are 65,331 private candidates. Commissioner General of Examinations Amith Jayasundara has requested candidates to arrive early at their respective examination centres, with their admission cards and identity cards.

Katunayaka police yesterday recorded a statement from Attorney-at-Law Sandaru Kumarasinghe, whose protest at the VFS Global counter at the BIA a few days ago went viral. Kumarasinghe walked out of the Katunayake police station after being there for about one and half hours. The lawyer said that he had been with his Russian girlfriend and […]

by Dr Upul Wijayawardhana “If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it.” This is very sound advice to be followed at this time of distress in Sri Lanka, as there are many things that are broken and need fixing urgently. Some may say our ruling politicians are not smart enough to grasp the validity of such […]

By Rathindra Kuruwita Chief Opposition whip and Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB) Kandy District MP Lakshman Kiriella has said the Minister of Public Security, Tiran Alles, misled Parliament in November 2023 about increasing visa fees. Kiriella told The Island that he would make a special statement today (07) on the issue. “I will make the statement […]

A special workshop for the youth representatives selected to represent the Sectoral Oversight Committees (SOCs) of the Parliament was successfully held recently at the Water’s Edge Hotel, Battaramulla. Organized by the Parliament with the support of the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), the main objectives of this workshop were to give the youth representatives a […]

Melwa Group makes magnanimous donation to Negombo hospital Health Secretary Dr. Maheepala Herath on Sunday (5) revealed that National Health Fund had Rs 1.5 bn. Dr. Herath said that the funds had been donated by various philanthropists. The disclosure was made at the Negombo hospital at an event held to mark the fifth anniversary of […]

Minister of Industries and Health, Dr. Ramesh Pathirana, announced that the forthcoming “Industry EXPO 2024” will be held at the Bandaranaike Memorial International Conference Hall (BMICH) from June 19th to 23rd, under the patronage of President Ranil Wickremesinghe. Additionally, the minister highlighted the debut of the inaugural international conference alongside the prestigious “Industry Green...

Harnanpreet Kaur and India’s spinners combined to hand the visitors a comfortable 56-run win against Bangladesh in the rain-hit fourth T20I. India’s dominance continued in Sylhet as they went 4-0 ahead in the five-match series. Harmanpreet, playing her 300th international game, top-scored with a brisk 39 to lift the visitors to a competitive 122 for […]

Heat index Advisory issued by the Natural Hazards Early Warning Centre at 4.00 p.m. 06 May 2024, valid for 07 May 2024 for Northern, North-central, Western, Sabaragamuwa, Eastern, Southern and North-western provinces and Monaragala and Matale districts. Heat index, the temperature felt on human body is expected to increase up to ‘Extreme Caution level’ at […]

Pivithuru Hela Urumaya (PHU) leader MP Udaya Gammanpila claims that the Central Bank of Sri Lanka (CBSL) had increased the salaries of its employees by the biggest margin in its history, despite having recorded losses of billions of rupees for two consecutive years.

Concluding a two-day visit, IFC s Vice President for Asia Pacific, Riccardo Puliti, signaled IFC s commitment to supporting Sri Lanka s ongoing reforms and growth agenda, while emphasizing the importance of private sector-led development for inclusive economic growth.

The main suspect in the disappearance of a youth residing in Kuliapitiya area has surrendered to the court today (06) through his attorneys.

The Cabinet of Ministers has decided to retain the existing USD 50 fee per person for a 30-day visa for foreign visitors entering Sri Lanka.