In a landmark move, Google will provide its advanced AI platform, Gemini, along with a suite of premium student benefits, free of charge to students across Sri Lanka. The announcement was made on Monday (29) by Deputy Minister of Digital Economy, Eranga Weeraratne at the inaugural National AI Expo and Conference in Colombo. This initiative marks the culmination of months of collaboration between the Ministry of Digital Economy and Google, aimed at expanding access to cutting-edge digital tools and learning resources, the Deputy Minister said. Students across the country will soon gain free access to artificial intelligence technologies, cloud computing…
The Sri Lankan Report
Former minister Udaya Gammanpila and the Pivithuru Hela Urumaya today lodged a complaint with the Commission to Investigate Allegations of Bribery or Corruption, calling for legal action against the President and all National People’s Power (NPP) parliamentarians over alleged misuse of public funds. In the letter handed over to the Commission, Gammanpila alleged that all salaries and allowances received by NPP lawmakers, including the President, are being directed to the Janatha Vimukthi Peramuna (JVP) party fund, from which members then receive stipends. He argued that while MPs receive about Rs. 340,000 monthly in various allowances, only a portion can be…
The Sri Lankan Rupee has depreciated slightly against the US Dollar at commercial banks in Sri Lanka today (29 Sep), compared to last Friday. At Seylan Bank, the buying rate of the US Dollar has increased from Rs. 299.25 to Rs. 299.30, while the selling rate has also increased from Rs. 304.75 to 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. 299.02 to Rs. 299.07, while the selling rate…
The Secretary of Defence, Air Vice Marshal (Retired) Sampath Thuyacontha, says a Cabinet paper on the welfare of all retired service personnel, war veterans with disabilities and family members of veterans killed in the war, has been submitted for Cabinet recommendation. Sampath Thuyacontha said that the Cabinet paper on their welfare, including necessary facilities and securing their future, has been submitted after reviewing the issues and challenges presented by these groups during the recent public day programs. He further highlighted the current government’s commitment to fully discharge its responsibilities towards the welfare of all retired service personnel, war veterans with…
President Anura Kumara Dissanayake, currently on an official visit to Japan at the invitation of the Japanese government, is scheduled to meet with Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba today (29). The discussions at the Prime Minister’s Office in Japan will focus on key areas, including the economy, investment, development cooperation, and security between the two countries. Joining the talks will be Minister of Foreign Affairs Vijitha Herath, Chief Presidential Advisor on Digital Economy Hans Wijayasuriya, Senior Presidential Economic Advisor Duminda Hulugamuwa, and a delegation of senior officials from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. (Newswire) The post President AKD to meet…
A group of workers are reportedly buried under a mound of earth that had collapsed in the Manikkawa area in Mawanella today. According to reports, the mound of earth had collapsed when the workers were building a wall. Operations are underway to rescue the trapped workers. (Newswire/ Image- file pic) The post Workers trapped after mound of earth collapses in Mawanella appeared first on Newswire.
Northern India, in particular the Delhi metropolitan region, is experiencing a significant spike in infections with the H3N2 strain of influenza this autumn. There are about 46 million people in the conurbation around the Indian capital, which extends across many neighboring towns and districts in the states of Haryana, Uttar Pradesh and Rajasthan. According to a survey by the community-based social media platform LocalCircles, 69% of households in the area currently have at least one person with flu-like symptoms. Doctors say H3N2 is currently the predominant influenza variant in the region. “The increasing numbers make it clear that the virus…
Photo courtesy of MEI In 2007, a Vodafone Executive named Nick Hughes conceived a Corporate Social Responsibility project aimed at providing banking services to millions of people in Kenya who had never seen the inside of a bank. Kenya’s financial infrastructure was limited with most rural areas lacking bank branches, ATMs or even reliable electricity. Traditional banking required expensive brick and mortar infrastructure that would take decades to build and might never reach remote villages. Hughes’s solution was elegantly simple: turn every mobile phone into a bank. M-Pesa, launched that year, allowed users to deposit, transfer and withdraw money using…
A 24-year-old man was arrested with a stock of narcotics and a large haul of weapons in the Kottawa area on Sunday (28). According to the Police, the suspect was arrested during a raid conducted by the Police Special Task Force (STF), during which he was found to be in possession of 75.4 grams of heroin. The Police also found 458 live ammunition, a T-56 magazine, 30 fake vehicle number plates, 15 revenue licences, 15 insurance documents, and two mobile phones in the suspect’s possession. The suspect is a 24-year-old resident of Angulana, Moratuwa. He has been handed over to…
The family of the late Ruggerite Wasim Thajudeen has called on the Anura Kumara Dissanayake Government to conduct fresh investigations into the late Ruggerite’s death. Addressing the media, Thajudeen’s uncle said that under the Yahapalanaya Government, a court-appointed 7-member Judicial Medical Officers’ group had determined that Wasim Thajudeen was tortured and burnt to death. “In May 2012, I was informed that Thajudeen had met with an accident and had passed away. When I arrived at the location, he was in the passenger seat of the car, which had very minimal damage. It was surprising that anyone could have died in…
The Department of Meteorology has issued an advisory for rough seas and strong winds, requesting the Naval and fishing communities to be vigilant in this regard. According to the Met Department, showers will occur at several places in the sea areas off the coast extending from Chilaw to Matara via Colombo and Galle. Winds will be south-westerly and wind speed will be 30-40 kmph. Wind speed can increase up to 50-60 kmph at times in the sea areas off the coast extending from Matara to Pottuvil via Hambantota and from Chilaw to Kankasanthurai via Mannar. Wind speed can increase up…
Several spells of showers will occur in the Western and Sabaragamuwa provinces and in the Galle, Matara, Kandy and Nuwara Eliya districts today. According to the Department of Meteorology, a few showers may occur in the North Western Province. Showers or thundershowers are likely at a few places in the Uva province and in the Ampara district after 2.00 p.m. Fairly strong winds of about 35-45 kmph can be expected at times over the Western slopes of the central hills, in the Northern, North-central, North-western, and Central provinces and in the Trincomalee and Hambantota districts. (Newswire) The post Rain expected…
India clinched the Asia Cup title with a tense two-ball victory over Pakistan on Sunday, but the post-match celebration was overshadowed by a dramatic standoff at the presentation ceremony. The Indian team refused to accept the trophy or medals from Asian Cricket Council Chairman Mohsin Naqvi, who is also Pakistan’s interior minister. The team stood firm even after a delay of more than an hour, insisting the award be handed by another dignitary. Eventually, individual prizes such as Player of the Match and Player of the Tournament were handed out by other officials, but the championship trophy was removed from…
India beat Pakistan by 5 wickets to clinch their ninth Asia Cup title as both teams once again refused to shake hands before a tense final. Chasing 147 for victory, India depended on Tilak Varma’s unbeaten 69 to reach their target with two balls to spare after spin bowler Kuldeep Yadav starred with figures of 4-30 in Dubai. The post India win the Asia Cup 2025 appeared first on Newswire.
India captain Suryakumar Yadav wins toss, opts to bowl against Pakistan in Asia Cup 2025 final WATCH : https://live.sirasatv.lk/player?match=104 The post India vs Pakistan LIVE Streaming, Asia Cup 2025 Final LIVE appeared first on Newswire.
Sri Lanka has succeeded in safeguarding balance in diplomatic relations The past year will be recorded in Sri Lankan history as a year in which no ethnic conflict arose within the country. The Government expects no new taxes in the upcoming Budget President Anura Kumara Dissanayake stated that over the past year Sri Lanka had succeeded in safeguarding balance in its diplomatic relations. He further emphasised that in today’s world, where the economy and markets transcend national borders, no country can progress in isolation and that Sri Lanka is working to elevate its standing globally through sound diplomatic relations.…
Sri Lanka has entered the Guinness World Records after the New Vithanakande Tea Factory achieved recognition for producing the world’s most expensive tea. The factory secured the record with its premium Ceylon Black Tea (FFExSp), which was sold in Japan for Rs. 252,500 per kilogram (approximately ¥125,000). Industry officials said the achievement highlights the global demand for high-quality Ceylon tea and strengthens Sri Lanka’s position in the luxury tea market. New Vithanakande has a history of commanding top auction prices for its teas, particularly its OP1 grade, but this latest feat is considered a milestone in branding Ceylon tea at…
The Prime Minister Dr. Harini Amarasuriya stated that as a government of the National People’s Power, it is the national vision to build a sustainable environment that ensures the sustain of all living beings and one of the key objectives is to create eco-friendly schools and environmentally responsible children through educational reforms. The prime minister Dr. Harini Amarasuriya made these remarks while addressing the opening of the newly established Moon Memorial Museum at the Royal Botanic Gardens, Peradeniya, on 28th of September. The newly opened Moon Memorial Botanical Museum was established to commemorate the founder of the garde, Mr. Alexander…
An SLPP member of the Dehiwala-Mount Lavinia Municipal Council and former Western Provincial Councillor, Amal Silva, has been arrested by the Walana Central Anti-Corruption Strike Force. Police said Silva was taken into custody over the alleged possession of three SUVsvalued at more than Rs. 60 million. The vehicles are suspected to have been registered under forged documents. Investigations revealed that the vehicles had been illegally imported into the country and registered under false numbers at the Department of Motor Traffic using forged documents. Among the seized vehicles were three SUVs, including Land Rover and Mitsubishi models. Preliminary investigations further uncovered…
Lasith Malinga has urged Sri Lanka to resist the temptation of making wholesale changes ahead of the ICC T20 World Cup, stressing the need to persist with a settled squad. Speaking on the Podhub Podcast, Malinga said that moving from domestic cricket to the international stage takes time and rushing players into the setup could backfire. He noted that Sri Lanka has repeatedly erred by looking for quick fixes before major tournaments, leading to unsettled sides taking the field. Instead, he advised sticking with the current group, with only minor adjustments such as including more wicket-taking fast bowling options. Malinga…