Applications have been called for the appointment to the post of Member to the Office on Missing Persons (OMP). According to a Parliament statement, the applications have been called under the Office on Missing Persons (Establishment, Administration and Discharge of Functions) Act, No. 14 of 2016 (as amended). Persons with previous experience in fact-finding or investigation, human rights law, international humanitarian law, and humanitarian response or those who possess other qualifications relevant to the carrying out of the functions of the OMP, have been requested to apply. The applications are called to fill a vacancy which will arise in October…
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President Anura Kumara Dissanayake invited the Japanese business community to join in exploring the emerging economic opportunities in Sri Lanka, while further strengthening bilateral trade and investment relations between Japan and Sri Lanka and encouraging private sector participation. The President made these remarks yesterday (29) while addressing the Japan–Sri Lanka Business Forum held at the headquarters of the Japan External Trade Organization (JETRO). The event was attended by nearly 200 senior members of Japan’s business community and was jointly organised by JETRO, the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry of Japan (METI), the Embassy of Sri Lanka in Japan, the…
Minister of Transport Bimal Rathnayake says the renewal of driver’s licences is being carried out by the National Transport Medical Institute in Nugegoda within 08 minutes. Minister Rathnayake said light vehicle licences must be renewed every 08 years and heavy vehicle licences every 04 years. “People seeking to renew their licences had to visit the National Transport Medical Institute in Nugegoda, but the institution did not possess the fingerprint system, which was only available at the Department of Motor Traffic. However, now the public can obtain their medical certificate, record their fingerprint, make the necessary payment to renew their licence…
The Sri Lankan Rupee remains steady against the US Dollar today (30 Sept), compared to Monday. According to the Central Bank of Sri Lanka, the buying rate of the US Dollar has increased from Rs. 298.76 to Rs. 298.77, while the selling rate remains unchanged at Rs. 306.29. The Sri Lankan Rupee has appreciated against a basket of foreign currencies, including Gulf currencies. (Newswire) The post Today’s CBSL official exchange rates appeared first on Newswire.
Prisons Spokesman Jagath Weerasinghe says a total of 19 women are currently on death row in Sri Lanka. Jagath Weerasinghe said another 24 women are currently serving life sentences. He further said that 225 women are convicted prisoners and 1,304 women are under remand custody. Jagath Weerasinghe said they are among 1,529 women in 10 prisons across Sri Lanka. The Prison Spokesman revealed the details while addressing the media. (Newswire) The post 19 female death row prisoners in Sri Lanka appeared first on Newswire.
The Supreme Court of Sri Lanka has dismissed a fundamental rights petition filed by former Minister Rajitha Senaratne against MP Rohitha Abeygunawardena. In his petition, Rajitha Senaratane had sought to invalidate the election of Rohitha Abeygunawardena as a Member of Parliament for the Kalutara District at the last General Election. When the case was heard today (30), the Court issued its ruling rejecting the petition after a review of submissions from both parties. (Newswire) The post Rajitha’s parliament hope ends as SC rejects petition appeared first on Newswire.
A Chinese fugitive has been convicted for attempting to launder £5.5bn from a house in Hampstead after running what is believed to be the world’s biggest cryptocurrency scam. Zhimin Qian, 47, defrauded more than 128,000 victims in her home country in an investment scam between 2014 and 2017. The Treasury wants to use her seized funds to help plug the hole in Britain’s public finances, but Chinese investors say the money belongs to them. Qian was arrested by Scotland Yard in April last year after she fled China under the name of Yadi Zhang and used a fake St Kitts…
The bodies of two males found dead under suspicious circumstances were found in the Dehiwala and Grandpass areas on Monday, the Police said. According to the Police, a 23-year-old youth was found dead in a suspicious manner inside a house on Siriwardena Road in Dehiwala. The deceased is a resident of Dehiwala. The Dehiwala Police is conducting investigations into the death. Meanwhile, the body of a male was found near a canal close to Ingurukade Junction in Grandpass last evening. The identity of the deceased is yet to be ascertained, while he is assumed to be between the ages of…
Madagascar’s president, Andry Rajoelina, has dissolved his government in response to mass demonstrations over power and water shortages that turned deadly, with the United Nations reporting that at least 22 people have been killed and more than 100 others were injured. The protests, which began last week and continued into Monday, were led largely by young people, angry over deteriorating living conditions in the capital, Antananarivo. Experts say they represent the most serious challenge to Rajoelina’s authority since his re-election in 2023, and the largest wave of unrest the island nation has seen in years. Crowds gathered at Antananarivo’s main…
Minister of Industry and Entrepreneurship Development Sunil Handunneththi has extended his apologies for his recent statement, referring to a ‘Guinness World record’ as the ‘Nobel Prize’. In a video message, Minister Handunneththi acknowledged the mistake, stating that he had mistakenly referred to a ‘Guinness World record’ as the ‘Nobel Prize’ at the AI Expo held in Colombo yesterday. “At the AI Expo in Colombo, I mistakenly referred to Sri Lanka’s recognition for the most expensive tea ever sold, which was officially certified as a Guinness World Record, as a Nobel Prize. This was not intentional. I only intended to express…
The Inland Revenue Department (IRD) has announced the abolition of the Simplified Value Added Tax (SVAT) and the introduction of the Risk-Based Refund Scheme (RBRS). Issuing a notice for registered persons for SVAT, the IRD states that the SVAT scheme will be abolished with effect from 01st October 2025 and will be replaced by the Risk-Based Refund Scheme. According to the IRD, the RBRS scheme aims to facilitate timely and efficient VAT refunds for eligible exporters and projects. While refunds will be issued within 45 days, subject to conditions. The IRD further states that refunds will be issued to eligible…
Photo courtesy of Factum Sri Lanka’s Online Safety Act (OSA) is now part of a series of laws that results in a chilling effect on civic space. Around the world, increasingly, authoritarian and illiberal regimes have resorted to weaponizing fear using the guise of regulating online content to stifle and trample upon free speech. Sri Lanka is one such country that passed a law in January 2024 titled the Online Safety Act, No. 09 of 2024, purportedly to address cybercrime. The UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, Volker Türk, in his recent report to the Human Rights Council after a…
The Sri Lankan Rupee remains steady against the US Dollar at commercial banks in Sri Lanka today (30 Sep), compared to Monday. At Seylan Bank, the buying rate of the US Dollar remains unchanged at Rs. 299.30, while the selling rate is also unchanged at Rs. 304.80. According to NDB Bank, the buying and selling rates of the US Dollar remain unchanged at Rs. 299.25 and Rs. 305.75, respectively. People’s Bank reports that the buying rate of the US Dollar has increased from Rs. 299.07 to Rs. 299.12, while the selling rate has increased from Rs. 305.66 to Rs. 305.71. …
The National Secretariat for Elders has officially recognized Bolland Hakuru Meniyel, a resident of Karandeniya in Galle District, as Sri Lanka’s oldest living male at the age of 110. According to his old national identity card, Meniyel was born on June 4, 1915, in the Angulugalla Grama Niladhari Division, Karandeniya Divisional Secretariat. Officials said he has lived his entire life in the area, dedicating himself to agriculture, cinnamon cultivation, and village community work. Despite his age, Meniyel remains in good health and can still read and write, having been educated up to Grade 5. His family attributes his longevity to…
Construction of the second rest area along the Southern Expressway has commenced in the Udukawa area of Matara, aimed at providing rest and amenities to drivers and passengers travelling between Kottawa and Mattala. The project was officially launched on Monday (29) under the aegis of Secretary to the Ministry of Transport and Highways, Professor Kapila C.K. Perera. Located near the 119th kilometre mark between Matara Godagama and Kokmaduwa, the rest area is being built with an initial allocation of Rs. 43 million. Phase one will accommodate approximately 30 vehicles at a time. Phase two will expand the facility into a…
Temporary driver’s licences will be issued through the National Transport Medical Institute in Nugegoda, effective today (30), as part of a pilot initiative. According to the Department of Motor Traffic (DMT), if no changes are required to the existing licence, applicants may obtain their temporary licence directly from the Institute without visiting the Werahera Motor Traffic Office. The Department further clarified that applicants for temporary licences are no longer required to appear in person at the Werahera office. (Newswire) The post NTMI Nugegoda to issue temporary driver’s licences appeared first on Newswire.
The office of Minister Sunil Handunnetti clarified that the Minister had mistakenly referred to the Nobel Prize instead of the Guinness World Record when speaking to the media on Sri Lanka Tea’s latest global achievement. Officials said the Minister was referring to Sri Lanka receiving recognition for the most expensive tea ever sold, which was officially certified as a Guinness Record. They noted that his mention of the Nobel Prize was an error during the speech. Sri Lanka Tea recently set the Guinness World Record with the sale of an exclusive tea variety at the highest recorded price. (Newswire) The…
The inaugural National AI Expo & Conference, a two-day event pioneered by the Ministry of Digital Economy and SLT-MOBITEL, was ceremoniously opened on Monday (29). Positioned as the nation’s most ambitious AI initiative, the National AI Expo and Conference aims to establish Sri Lanka as a regional hub by accelerating the adoption of artificial intelligence across the economy. The high-powered opening brought together local and global leaders, innovators, and policymakers committed to shaping the country’s AI future. Prime Minister Harini Amarasuriya, as Chief Guest, addressed the gathering, underscoring the government’s commitment to advancing AI innovation and positioning Sri Lanka at…
The Feminist Collective for Economic Justice has condemned the recent (26) attack by Police officers on peaceful protestors in Mannar. Issuing a statement, the Feminist Collective for Economic Justice said for years the people of Mannar have been fighting an inspiring battle against sand mining and the wind power project that threatens to destroy their fragile ecosystem. Stating that the project has been handed over to a local company under the new government, the Feminist Collective for Economic Justice said there are no assurances that the local company will do anything different from the previous Indian investor in terms of…
Three children have been injured after a van transporting school children collided with a Sri Lanka Transport Board (SLTB) bus today (30). According to reports, the accident occurred on Vauxhall Street in Colombo 02 this morning. The driver of the van and three schoolchildren are reported to be injured in the accident and have been hospitalised. (Newswire/ Image – Accident1st) The post 03 schoolchildren injured in van-bus collision appeared first on Newswire.