News

Cabinet nod to sign MoU with Pakistan to issue commemorative postage stamps

Published

2 months ago

February 25, 2025

editor

An agreement has been made between the two parties to issue 02 postal stamps commemorating the 75 years old long term relationship between Sri Lanka and Pakistan.

Accordingly, approval has been granted at the meeting of the Cabinet of Ministers held on 21.10.2024 to sign a memorandum of understanding between the postal institutions of the two countries to act accordingly.

According to the agreement Sri Lanka Department of Posts and the Postal Agency of Pakistan have agreed to design stamps based on historical Buddhist religious places in both countries and exchange 5,000 stamps along with 2,000 first day covers between the two parties.

The Cabinet of Ministers decided to grant approval to the resolution furnished by the Minister of Health and Mass Media to obtain the policy approval of the current Cabinet of Ministers since the memorandum of understanding has not so far been signed and to sign the proposed memorandum at the end of this month.

News

SLAF helicopter crashes into Maduru Oya during training session

Published

1 hour ago

May 9, 2025

editor

A Bell 212 helicopter belonging to the Sri Lanka Air Force (SLAF) has reportedly crashed today (May 09) into the Maduru Oya Reservoir.

The incident occurred during a training exercise held as part of the Sri Lanka Army Special Forces passing-out ceremony in Maduru Oya.

The aircraft was carrying ten Special Forces soldiers and two pilots at the time of the incident.

All personnel reportedly escaped without fatal injuries. Several have been hospitalised for treatment.

News

American Cardinal elected as new Pope: Pope Leo XIV

Published

1 hour ago

May 9, 2025

editor

Following a 02-day papal conclave, American Cardinal Robert Prevost has been elected as the new Pope yesterday (May 08) evening, Vatican time.

At 69, Cardinal Robert Prevost was elected as the 267th Pope, taking the name Pope Leo XIV.

He becomes the first American to ascend to the papacy in the 2,000-year history of the Catholic Church.

Pope Leo XIV now assumes spiritual leadership of the world’s 1.4 billion Catholics.

The election follows the death of His Holiness Pope Francis, who passed away on April 21 at the age of 88 at his residence in Casa Santa Marta, Vatican City, a day after participating in Easter Mass at St. Peter’s Basilica.

News

Heavy rains expected in the afternoon

Published

3 hours ago

May 9, 2025

editor

The Department of Meteorology says that showers or thundershowers will occur at most places of the island after 1.00 p.m. today (May 09).

Showers may occur in Western province and in Puttalam, Galle and Matara districts in the morning too.

Fairly heavy rains above 50 mm are likely at some places in Western, Sabaragamuwa, Central, Northern and North-central provinces.

The general public is kindly requested to take adequate precautions to minimize damages caused by temporary localized strong winds and lightning during thundershowers.

Misty conditions can be expected at some places in Sabaragamuwa, Central and Uva provinces and in Ampara and Polonnaruwa districts during the morning.