A large number of unregistered individuals — including some Western doctors — are posing as medical officers and providing treatment at the level of Medical Officer of Health (MOH) divisions across the country, Doctors’ Trade Union Alliance for Medical and Civil Rights Chairman Dr. Chamal Sanjeewa said.
The Sri Lankan Report
The Embilipitiya High Court today (Nov. 24) delivered its verdict in connection with a 2011 murder case involving the brutal killing of a person in the Mullagasyaya area of Embilipitiya. According to court reporters, ten individuals — including three women — were sentenced to death after being found guilty of the crime. (Newswire) The post 10 including 3 women sentenced to death in SL appeared first on Newswire.
One of India’s most celebrated actors, Dharmendra, passed away at the age of 89 on Monday (November 24), according to IANS. The news comes after a morning of heightened speculation, triggered by an ambulance, accompanied by tight security, arriving at his Mumbai home. This marks the actor’s second major health concern within a month. Dharmendra’s health in recent days Dharmendra had been admitted to Breach Candy Hospital last week as his condition worsened. Reports of him being placed on ventilator support intensified worry across the industry. His children—Bobby Deol, Sunny Deol, and Esha Deol—along with Hema Malini, were frequently spotted…
The National Building Research Organization (NBRO) has issued a warning that, amid the ongoing inclement weather, a planned chemical blast at the site in Kadugannawa, along the Colombo–Kandy Road, could further aggravate the already unstable land conditions, Transport Minister Bimal Rathnayake said. The Minister made these comments in Parliament, where he updated the House on the latest situation in Kadugannawa, where a landslide claimed six lives. “The advice for now is that at the 98th kilometre mark of the road, we have observed a depression in the road area. We hope to rebuild this section. Based on NBRO advice, we…
The Sri Lankan Rupee has appreciated slightly against the US Dollar today (24), compared to last Friday. According to the Central Bank of Sri Lanka, the buying rate of the US Dollar has reduced from Rs. 304.27 to Rs. 304.10. Meanwhile, the selling rate of the Sri Lankan Rupee has also reduced from Rs. 311.83 to Rs. 311.64. The Sri Lankan Rupee has also appreciated against a basket of foreign currencies, including the Gulf currencies. (Newswire) The post Today’s CBSL official exchange rates appeared first on Newswire.
Sri Lankan Customs officers at the Bandaranaike International Airport uncovered a major narcotics smuggling attempt after what appeared to be ordinary chocolate tins were found to be filled with cocaine, leading to the arrest of a foreign national. The suspect, a Malaysian citizen who arrived from Abu Dhabi, was intercepted during routine inspections at the Customs clearing area. Upon further examination, officers discovered approximately five kilograms of cocaine hidden inside tins designed and labelled as chocolate, carefully packed in the suspect’s hand luggage. Authorities estimate the street value of the seized narcotics at around Rs. 250 million, making it one…
The pilot project allowing passengers to pay bus fares using bank cards has been launched on several inter-provincial and provincial routes, as part of efforts to modernise Sri Lanka’s public transport system. The new payment method was inaugurated at the Makumbura Multimodal Transport Centre today (24) and is being jointly implemented by the Ministry of Transport and Highways and the Ministry of Digital Technology, with support from selected state and private banks. As of now, the card payment system has been introduced on the following routes: Routes operated under the Road Passenger Transport Authority Makumbura – Matara Makumbura – Badulla…
Sri Lanka’s Inland Revenue Department (IRD) has reached a historic milestone by surpassing Rs. 2 trillion in revenue, marking the highest collection in the department’s history, Commissioner General Rukdevi Fernando announced. Speaking at a special media briefing held today (24) at the Government Information Department, the Commissioner General said the achievement comes at a time when the national economy is gradually recovering from previous downturns. She noted that the IRD had been assigned a higher revenue target for this year compared to the previous year, reflecting improved economic activities and strengthened tax administration. According to the Commissioner General, the department…
Opposition MP Chamindranee Kiriella has alleged that a Deputy Minister had verbally harassed a female journalist in Parliament last week. Addressing the Parliament, MP Chamindranee Kiriella said she was present when the incident took place. “I was by the side of the journalist when this incident took place. At the time, she faced serious harassment. She was emotionally affected due to this incident. I express my regret over the matter. I draw the attention of the Prime Minister to this matter, as she constantly addresses these issues,” MP Chamindranee Kiriella. She added that it was essential to draw the attention…
An employee of a private security company has been arrested for accepting a bribe of Rs. 50,000, promising a job at the Ceylon Petroleum Corporation (CPC). According to the Bribery Commission, the suspect had solicited a bribe of Rs. 50,000, promising to provide employment as an assistant in a fuel bowser truck. The suspect had accepted the bribe on two occassions, receiving Rs. 40,000 from the complainant and Rs. 10,000 from the complainant’s friend. He was arrested in the Pethiyagoda area in Kelaniya on November 20 by Bribery Commission officials and produced before the Colombo Magistrate’s Court. (Newswire) The post…
Photo courtesy of Economic Times The recent Nugegoda protest has reignited national debate about Sri Lanka’s political trajectory, rising public discontent and the challenges faced by the government. Although the rally drew a significant crowd and boosted opposition visibility, its wider political implications are more complex and carry long term consequences. This moment became even more sensitive due to a parallel controversy unfolding in Trincomalee where the sudden installation and swift removal of a Buddha statue triggered emotional reactions across the country. When viewed together, these developments have reshaped public sentiment and created a volatile political atmosphere. The Nugegoda rally…
Minister of Transport Bimal Rathnayake says authorities are considering conducting a chemical blast to clear the debris from the landslide that occurred in Kaduganawa on Saturday. Speaking to the media, Minister Rathnayake said the measure is being taken as the Kandy main road cannot remain closed to traffic, adding that steps are underway to open at least one lane for traffic movement. “We plan on commencing the chemical blast process to clear the large boulders following the landslide. This will be conducted based on the advise of the Road Development Authority and the National Building Research Organization. We expect that…
The pilot project to introduce bank card payments for bus ticket purchases was launched at the Makumbura Multimodal Transport Centre today, under the aegis of Minister of Transport Bimal Rathnayake. The initiative is jointly implemented by the Ministry of Digital Technology and the Ministry of Transport, as part of the government’s measures to modernize the country’s public transport system. The new system allows passengers to purchase bus tickets using bank cards, reducing the need for cash transactions. (Newswire) The post Bus ticket bank card payments begin at Makumbura appeared first on Newswire.
The Sri Lankan Rupee remains steady against the US Dollar at commercial banks in Sri Lanka today (24), compared to last Friday. At Seylan Bank, the buying rate of the US Dollar has reduced from Rs. 305 to Rs. 304.65, while the selling rate has also reduced from Rs. 310.25 to Rs. 309.90. People’s Bank reports that the buying rate of the US Dollar remains unchanged at Rs. 304.46, while the selling rate is also unchanged at Rs. 311.17. At Commercial Bank, the buying rate of the US Dollar has reduced from Rs. 302.75 to Rs. 302.50, while the selling…
Hon.Minister professor Chrishantha Abeysana presenting the award to the Halal Assessment Council (HAC). From left to right: Ash Sheikh.Abdul-Basith (Manager Internal Compliance – HAC), Mr. Nafas (Head of Quality Assurance – HAC). Ms. Narangoda (Deputy Director General -SLSI), Prof. Theekshana (Chairman-SLSI), Mr. Aakif (Director -CEO- HAC), Hon.Minister, Mr. Pradeep (Secretary to the Prime Minister) ,Mr. Rushdi (Accountant–HAC),Mr. Zakir (Senior Executive – HAC) ,Dr.Siddhika (Director General-SLSI), Ms. Neelakanthi (Deputy Director General -SLSI) The Halal Assessment Council (Guarantee) Limited (HAC) has been recognized with a Merit Award at the Sri Lanka National Quality Awards 2023 (SLNQA) — the country’s most prestigious recognition…
The Productivity Master Plan for Sri Lanka by the Asian Productivity Organization was presented to Prime Minister Harini Amarasuriya at the Parliamentary Premises recently (20). The Productivity Master Plan was presented coinciding with the launching ceremony of the Productivity Master Plan and Accreditation Certificate for Sri Lanka by the Asian Productivity Organization, with the Korean Development Institute held in Colombo. The Productivity Master Plan recommendations are designed to address structural challenges and improve Sri Lanka’s national productivity concerning the major industries of agriculture, fishing, tourism, and apparel in Sri Lanka, along with proposing policy suggestions that will not only improve…
Cristiano Ronaldo gave another demonstration of his enduring quality by scoring from a bicycle kick for his Saudi Arabian club on Sunday. The 40-year-old Portugal superstar met a cross from the right wing with an acrobatic volley that was too fierce for the goalkeeper to keep out, with the goal crowning Al Nassr’s 4-1 win over Al Khaleej in the Saudi Pro League. Ronaldo has just returned from international duty with Portugal, during which he was sent off against Ireland, but celebrated his country qualifying for the World Cup. If he goes, it will be a record sixth appearance in…
Opposition Leader Sajith Premadasa has accused the government of attempting to stifle media freedom. Taking to ‘X’, he condemned the government over the summoning of the Editor-in-Chief of the Aruna newspaper, Mahinda Illeperuma, by the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) for questioning over a report on police clearance procedures. MP Premadasa stated that the Anura Kumara Dissanayake administration, which had championed unbridled media freedom while in opposition, has taken the step of referring newspaper editors to the CID. “I reiterate what I said in parliament. 2 specific examples of the requirement for the chairman of the civil security committees to give…
One person was reported dead in the tragic accident on the Rambukkana- Mawanella Road last night, where a tree had fallen onto a three-wheeler. The deceased has been identified as a 38-year-old resident of Mawanella, and the driver of the three-wheeler. A tree had fallen onto a three-wheeler last evening, trapping 02 men, a woman, and a young child. The Police, together with area residents, rescued the trapped individuals and admitted them to the Mawanella Hospital, after which the driver of the three-wheeler succumbed to injuries. According to the Police, the other injured individuals are continuing to receive treatment in…
DUBAI, UAE – Following a successful debut, Yasas Gunaratne, the acclaimed Mentalist and founder of the premium brand KNIGHT of ILLUSIONS, is set to perform his second major show, “Yasas the Mentalist”, in the Emirate on Saturday, December 13, 2025. The 75-minute performance will be held at the prestigious Pullman Dubai Creek City Centre, a five-star venue celebrated for its international appeal and cultural ties. The show cements Yasas’ position as the first professional Sri Lankan-born Mentalist to successfully win over the demanding Dubai audience and establish a strong presence in the Gulf Region. Now a resident in the UAE,…