News

First investor of ‘Colombo Financial City’ arrives

Published

2 years ago

October 3, 2023

editor

After the Port City was renamed as Colombo Financial City and launched in Dubai, UAE, four investors from a Chinese company arrived in Sri Lanka yesterday as the first investor to invest in it.

The team of CZK Huarui International Culture and Art (Beijing), a semi-state company in China, is led by its General Manager Sophia Li.

This group of investors arrived in Sri Lanka based on the agreements and MoUs reached with the Sri Lanka Board of Investment (BOI) and the Sri Lanka Ministry of Investment Promotion following the recent visit of Investment Promotion State Minister Dilum Amunugama.

They have planned to establish a gem museum, an affiliated gem testing laboratory and a gem auction center in the financial city of Colombo at a cost of US$ 50 million.

In addition, they have planned to invest another 150 million US dollars to establish an electric vehicle assembly factory under the Sri Lanka Board of Investment.

State Minister Amunugama has prepared arrangements to give the necessary approval for all these investment projects within seven days.

This group of investors arrived from Kunming, China at 08.30 pm yesterday and they were welcomed by BOI Deputy Director Manoj Casseer, Board Director Ranjith Dharmasiri and a group of officials at the Katunayake Airport.

News

Legendary actress Malani Fonseka passes away

Published

15 hours ago

May 24, 2025

editor

Veteran Actress Malini Fonseka, widely revered as the “Queen of Sri Lankan Cinema,” passed away this morning (May 24) at the age of 78 while receiving treatment at a private hospital in Colombo.

Born on April 30, 1947, in Kelaniya as Wanni Arachchige Malani Senehelatha Fonseka, she later rose to fame in Sri Lankan cinema under the name Malani Fonseka.

Fonseka began her acting career on stage in 1963 and made her cinematic debut in 1968 with the film Punchi Baba.

She won the Most Popular Actress award in 1973 and has received numerous accolades, including the President’s Award, Sarasavi Award, OCIC Award, and Sumathi Award, with several honors for Best Actress.

Plays such as Nidhanaya, Bambaru Awitha, Wekande Walawwa, Aradhana, and Ammawarune are regarded as outstanding works that showcased the acting talents of Malani Fonseka.

Beyond her artistic achievements, she entered politics in 2010 and served as a National List Member of Parliament until 2015.

News

12-hr water cut in several areas of Colombo

Published

2 days ago

May 23, 2025

editor

The National Water Supply and Drainage Board (NWSDB) has announced a 12-hour water cut from 8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. on Sunday (May 25) in several areas, including Colombo, due to essential maintenance work at the Ambatale Water Treatment Plant.

Due to this, the public is urged to make prior arrangements and store an adequate supply of water to avoid inconvenience during the period of the suspension.

Accordingly, the water cut will affect the following areas:

Colombo 01 to Colombo 15
Sri Jayawardenepura Kotte
Kaduwela
Battaramulla
Kolonnawa
Kotikawatta
Mulleriyawa
IDH (Infectious Diseases Hospital) area
Maharagama
Dehiwala
Mount Lavinia
Ratmalana and Moratuwa

News

Investigations underway to arrest 20 criminals hiding overseas

Published

2 days ago

May 23, 2025

editor

The Ministry of Public Security states that investigations are underway to arrest 20 members of major organized crime gangs currently hiding overseas.

Minister Ananda Wijepala stated that Interpol has already issued red notices for their arrest and that the countries where these criminals are hiding have been identified.

He added that investigations into the group have been expanded in coordination with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

Since the new government came to power, 11 members of organized crime gangs hiding abroad have been brought back to the island and produced before courts.

Meanwhile, operations to arrest members of organized crime gangs involved in various criminal activities, including murder and drug trafficking, within the country are also ongoing.

The Minister added that the Police Special Task Force and the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) are jointly conducting investigations into the allegations against them.