Showers enhance from today

The prevailing showery condition over the south-western parts of the country is expected to enhance to some extent during the next few days from today (9).

Joe Biden took 532 days off during his presidency, claims republican report

US President Joe Biden has reportedly spent approximately 40 percent of his presidency away from the White House, according to a report from RNC Research, a Republican platform on Sunday. The report alleges that Biden has taken 532 vacation days during his less than four years in office.

New virus discovered in China that can affect brain

A new virus, dubbed wetland virus (WELV), has been discovered in China that can spread to humans through tick bites, causing neurological disease in some cases, according to media reports.

Namal’s Economic policies - The good, the bad, the ugly

Namal Rajapakse’s (NR) English manifesto, spanning 11,809 words, appears to have been hastily prepared. It is poorly conceived, riddled with inconsistencies, lacking in specifics and heavily relies on invoking the legacy of his father, Mahinda Rajapakse (MR).

Visa issues jeopardise Sri Lanka’s tourism: Industry cautions

Sri Lanka’s tourism industry is at risk of a winter season collapse due to delays in reactivating the Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) system, stakeholders warned this week.

JAAF calls for urgent action on business visa issue

The Joint Apparel Association Forum (JAAF) joined the bandwagon in urging the government to immediately resolve the ongoing challenges related to the issuance of short term business visas, which have been halted since August 2.

Central Bank relaxes mandatory export conversion period

The Central Bank has relaxed the mandatory export conversion period in the latest exports proceeds conversion rule which came into effect from 4 November.

Tourism generates US$ 282mn in August

Earnings from tourism have climbed in August and so were the arrivals, although not quite up to the level targeted by authorities.

Will question AKD at all rallies till he answers my question: Ranil

He will question National Peoples Power (NPP) candidate Anura Kumara Dissanayake at all rallies till he responds, President Ranil Wickremesinghe said today.

Thalatha pledges support to Ranil

Former SJB MP Thalatha Athukorala was in attendance at President Ranil Wickremesinghe’s rally in Welimada, seemingly pleadging her support to him at the upcoming Presidential election.

RW acting as Anura’s general secretary: Sajith

President Ranil Wickremesinghe acts as if he is the General Secretary of the National People’s Power (NPP) and both seem to have got into a political deal.

Ranil must apologise to northern people for inciting racism: AKD responds to Ranil

President Ranil Wickremesinghe must apologise to the northern people for inciting racism during a rally in Jaffna, instead of challenging him to apologise to the northern people, NPP Presidential candidate Anura Kumara Dissanayake said today.

’I don’t think Anura Kumara made any racist statement’: Sumanthiran

TNA MP M.A. Sumanthiran, who defended NPP Presidential candidate Anura Kumara Dissanayake over a controversial statement he is said to have made in the north, said he never thinks that Dissanayake uttered those words with a view to expressing any racist feelings.

President calls for Anura Kumara to apologize to Tamil people of North

President Ranil Wickremesinghe has called on NPP Presidential candidate Anura Kumara Dissanayake, to apologize to the Tamil people of the North following controversial remarks made during his recent visit to Jaffna.

Cess on imported cement reduced by Rs. 1

The government has reduced the cess on imported cement, the Ministry of Finance said.

Ranil Wickremesinghe’s campaign office vandalised in Akuressa

An election office for Presidential candidate Ranil Wickremesinghe in Akuressa was damaged last night, UNP Working Committee Member and UNP Akuressa Organiser Dinouk Colombage said.

Indian businessman arrested at BIA with Rs. 30M in gold

A 29-year-old Indian national was arrested by the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) officials at the Katunayake Airport while attempting to smuggle gold biscuits worth approximately Rs. 30 million.

Postal Department aims to complete polling card delivery by mid-September

The Postal Department said that around three million official polling cards for the upcoming 2024 Presidential election have been distributed nationwide so far.

Thousands protest in France over Macron’s choice of PM

More than 100,000 people protested across France on Saturday against the appointment of the centre-right politician Michel Barnier as the new prime minister.

Wild elephants kill two in Kalmuna, Kebithigollewa

Two men, aged 61 and 68, were killed in separate wild elephant attacks in Kalmuna and Kebithigollewa, police said.

President Wickremesinghe meets ITAK leader in Jaffna

President Ranil Wickremesinghe met Ilankai Tamil Arasu Kachchi (ITAK) senior leader MP Mavai Senathirajah at his residence in Kankesanthurai, Jaffna, yesterday.

AKD exhausted, doctors advise him to rest

NPP Presidential candidate Anura Kumara Dissanayake has been advised to rest by his doctors after suffering from fever due to exhaustion.

Don’t change your voting pattern: RW tells people in North

President Ranil Wickremesinghe today told the people in the North not to change their voting pattern.

India has granted USD 65 Mn to expand KKS port: Minister

India has granted US dollars 65 million to expand the Kankesanthurai (KKS) port,’’ Minister of Aviation and Shipping Nimal Siripala de Silva told a rally in Jaffna a short while ago.

NPP will uphold judicial supremacy, equality: AKD tells lawyers

The National People’s Power (NPP) is committed to ensure judicial supremacy and the concept of equality before the law under its government, NPP leader Anura Kumara Dissanayake said today.

Sajith sees nexus between RW and AKD

Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB) presidential candidate said that there is a nexus between independent candidate Ranil Wickremesinghe and National People’s Power’s (NPP) candidate Anura Kumara Dissanayake.

Sri Lanka legend to join Kolkata Knight Riders ahead of IPL 2025 auction

A Sri Lankan legend is reportedly joining Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) ahead of IPL 2025 as a mentor, a position vacant in the group. He was previously with Rajasthan Royals (RR) but might part ways with the franchise this season.

Namal to begin door to door campaign today

Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna presidential candidate Namal Rajapaksa will begin a house-to-house campaign today, Party sources said yesterday.

Elon Musk’s Starlink launch withheld till Presidential Election is over

Sri Lanka’s plan to set up operations of Elon Musk’s Starlink, the satellite unit of SpaceX, has been withheld till the Presidential Election is over because of some clearance pending with the Telecommunications Regulatory Commission, a top source said.

Ranil pledges to promote Hela Wedakama (indigenous medicine) globally

President Ranil Wickremesinghe yesterday pledged to promote traditional Sri Lankan medicine across the world and bring in much-needed foreign currency to the country.