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18/11/2023

Sri Lanka Sharia Council President Wishes to Dr.Hassan Moulana

Sri Lanka Inter Religious Alliance for the National Unity Muslim Affairs Co-Chairman, Al-Haj Ash-Seyed Dr.Hassan Moulana Al-Quadiri appointed as a member of the United Nations Peace Ambassador Foundation recently. The Life President of the Sri Lanka Sharia Council and Bahjatul Ibrahimiya Arabic Coll...

18/11/2023

Israel gives Gaza’s al-Shifa Hospital one hour to evacuate – reports

Israeli forces have given doctors, patients and displaced people at al-Shifa Hospital in Gaza one hour to evacuate the compound, a medical source told Al Jazeera. The doctor said it was an “impossible” as the facility, which has been bombarded and besieged by Israeli troops for days, houses thou...

18/11/2023

Thousands of Australian students have walked out of class to attend School Strike 4 Climate rallies, backed by a “sick note” from “climate doctors”. Signed by three prominent scientists, it concludes: “It is my recommendation that they take a sick day to protest for a sick planet.” The s...

17/11/2023

Over 8,000 employees of LG bodies to be made permanent in 2024?

President Ranil Wickremesinghe has given orders to hire 8,400 contract workers from local government organisations for permanent positions, according to State Minister of Mass Media Shantha Bandara. During today’s parliamentary session, the State Minister made a comment in this regard, stating tha...

17/11/2023

INS Kora departs island after brief visit

The Indian Naval Ship (INS) Kora, which paid a port call in Colombo on Thursday (Nov.16) has departed the island today (Nov.17) following successful completion of her stay. Following long-standing naval customs, the Sri Lanka Navy bid the departing ship a fitting farewell at the port of Colombo. The...

17/11/2023

Terms of Sri Lanka’s debt deal with China shared with other creditors – report

Sri Lanka’s central bank chief said the government has shared the terms of a $4.2 billion China debt deal with other creditors — a key sticking point with countries like India — paving the way for more loans from the International Monetary Fund. Governor Nandalal Weerasinghe said he hopes the ...

17/11/2023

Body of Hamas captive found near Gaza hospital, Israel says

The body of Yehudit Weiss, one of about 240 people taken captive by Hamas during its October 7 attacks, has been recovered, Israel’s military has said. Weiss, a 65-year-old mother of five, was found by Israeli soldiers in a “structure” adjacent to the al-Shifa Hospital, military officials said...

17/11/2023

Five students score highest marks at 2023 Grade 5 Scholarship Exam

According to the Department of Examinations, five pupils received the highest possible score of 198 in the 2023 Grade 5 Scholarship Examination. The Examinations Department’s official website, www.doenets.lk / www.results.exams.gov.lk, hosted the results last night, November 16. An estimated 337,9...

17/11/2023

CID ordered not to arrest Pastor Jerome upon arrival at BIA

Pastor Jerome Fernando will not be arrested by the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) when he lands at the Bandaranaike International Airport (BIA) in Katunayake, per a ruling from the Court of Appeal. Pastor Fernando was also mandated to provide a statement to the CID within 48 hours of his ar...

17/11/2023

2023 Grade 5 Scholarship Exam: Cut-off marks released

The District Level Cut-Off Marks for the 2023 Grade 5 Scholarship Examination have been made public by the Department of Examinations. Thus, on Thursday, November 16, the Department announced the cut-off marks for all districts in both Sinhala and Tamil, shortly after the results of the 2023 Grade 5...

16/11/2023

Today’s CBSL official exchange rates

According to a report by the Central Bank of Sri Lanka, the value of the Sri Lankan Rupee decreased against the US Dollar today, November 16, in comparison to Wednesday. The US dollar has seen an increase in buying rate from Rs. 322.58 to Rs. 323.35, and a corresponding increase in selling rate from...

16/11/2023

Five directors of ‘OnmaxDT’ granted bail

The five directors of the business “OnmaxDT,” who were detained on suspicion of running a fraudulent pyramid scheme, are to be released on bond, according to a ruling from the Colombo Chief Magistrate’s Court. Prasanna Alwis, the Chief Magistrate of Colombo, made this directive during the case...

16/11/2023

US and China agree to resume military communications after summit

16/11/2023

Sri Lanka elected to UNESCO Executive Board

During the 42nd General Conference of the intergovernmental organisation on Wednesday (15) in Paris, Sri Lanka was elected to the Executive Board of the United Nations Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO) for the term 2023–2027. With 144 votes out of 188 member states castin...

16/11/2023

Ukraine war: Locals forced to take Russian passports, report says

The Kremlin has launched a wide-ranging campaign to force Ukrainians in occupied territories to become Russian, an investigation has found. Ukrainians are being denied healthcare and free movement unless they take up Russian citizenship, evidence suggests. The European Broadcasting Union (EBU), an a...

16/11/2023

New judge bench to hear case against SLC Interim Committee

The Court of Appeal is scheduled to hear the matter related to the Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) Interim Committee on November 20. As a result, according to an Ada Derana reporter, the case will be heard by a fresh panel of Appellate Court judges on Monday. Judge D. N. Samarakoon and Judge Neil Iddawela o...

16/11/2023

Efforts under way to revive direct flights from Coimbatore to Sri Lanka – Deputy envoy

Deputy High Commissioner of Sri Lanka in Southern India D. Venkateshwaran, on Wednesday, said talks are on to revive direct flight connection from Coimbatore to Sri Lanka, as part of a slew of incentives the island nation is providing to Indian businesses to encourage bilateral trade and investments...

16/11/2023

SLPP will support 2024 Budget – Mahinda

Mahinda Rajapaksa, the former president, has pledged his support for the effective ex*****on of the 2024 budget. Rajapaksa reaffirmed that the Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna (SLPP) is a government-affiliated political party and promised not to take any actions that would jeopardise the 2024 Budget’s ...

16/11/2023

Showers expected in parts of the country

Showers or thundershowers will occur at times in Northern, North-central and Eastern provinces. Fairly heavy showers above 50mm are likely at some places in Northern province. Showers or thundershowers will occur at several places in Uva and Central provinces after 02.00 p.m. Several spells of showe...

16/11/2023

UN Security Council adopts resolution calling for urgent humanitarian pauses and corridors in Gaza

The U.N. Security Council on Wednesday adopted its first resolution since the outbreak of the Israel-Hamas war, calling for “urgent and extended humanitarian pauses” in Gaza to address the escalating crisis for Palestinian civilians during Israel’s aerial and ground attacks. The vote in the 15...

15/11/2023

UK’s top court rules govt’s plan to deport asylum seekers to Rwanda is unlawful

Britain’s Supreme Court ruled Wednesday that the government’s contentious plan to send some migrants on a one-way trip to Rwanda is illegal, striking a major blow to a key policy of Prime Minister Rishi Sunak’s government that has drawn international attention and criticism. Five justices on t...

15/11/2023

Advisory issued as low-pressure area over Bay of Bengal intensifies

Today, November 15, the Meteorological Department issued a warning for heavy winds and choppy seas over the Bay of Bengal. According to the advisory, around 8:30 a.m. today (Nov. 15), a depression was located over the West Central Bay of Bengal, close to latitude 14.5°N and longitude 86.8°E. The l...

15/11/2023

Mumbai semi final pitch issue : Clarification from ICC

When a British news agency reported that the BCCI had persuaded the ICC to permit the use of a previously used pitch for the India vs. New Zealand first semifinal of the ICC World Cup 2023 in Mumbai on November 15, a major dispute broke out. According to The Daily Mail UK, the BCCI changed […]

15/11/2023

PCoI on electoral reforms seek written proposals and opinions from interested parties

Public members, political parties, organisations, and interested parties are now invited to submit written submissions to the Presidential Commission of Inquiry (PCoI) to Make Recommendations on Election Law Reforms. The PCoI stated in a press release that it will take written suggestions or viewpoi...

15/11/2023

SLC chief Shammi Silva admits to taking friends and family for T20 WC in Australia

Shammi Silva, the president of Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC), has acknowledged that he had taken a number of people, including family members, to Australia to witness the 2022 T20 World Cup. In response to questions during the cricket board’s summons before the Committee on Public Enterprises (COPE) on ...