Government falls short on transparency for foreign-financed projects

Large infrastructure projects in Sri Lanka, often funded by foreign loans and grants, are legally required to disclose information online when the amount exceeds USD 100,000, Verité Research said in a statement.

Some powerful nations want a weak government in Sri Lanka: Rajitha

Some powerful nations including those from the region want a weak government in Sri Lanka, so that they can get what they want, MP Rajitha Senaratne said today.

No LP gas price revision this time: Litro Chairman

Price of Litro domestic LP gas will not be increased despite the LP gas price increase in the world market, Litro Gas Chairman Muditha Peiris said.

Election complaints surge to 1,500 in month ahead of Presidential poll

A total of 112 new complaints related to the upcoming Presidential election have been received, bringing the overall number of complaints to 1,592, according to the Election Commission.

Grammy-winning rapper dies after collapsing on stage during US show

Rapper Fatman Scoop, 53, has died after collapsing on stage in front of a crowd of horrified fans.

Police recover high explosives and grenade from underworld gang member

Police recovered a stock of high explosives and a live hand grenade following the interrogation of an underworld gang member recently brought to Sri Lanka.

Namal Rajapaksa pauses political activities in Jaffna

SLPP Presidential candidate Namal Rajapaksa said that he will temporarily halt all political activities in Jaffna until the conclusion of the Nallur Ther (chariot) festival.

Committee to probe Covid-19 cremations, compensation for affected families: President

President Ranil Wickremesinghe said that new legislation will be introduced to ensure that individuals can choose either burial or cremation based on their personal wishes.

UAE launches visa amnesty for illegal residents

The United Arab Emirates (UAE) has announced a visa amnesty program to allow people living illegally in the country to legalise their residency status or depart without facing any penalties.

Fuel prices slashed

The Ceylon Petroleum Corporation (CPC) announced that it will reduce the prices of fuel from midnight today.

MKDS Gunawardana's son Nalin Gunawardana pledges support to RW

Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB) Seruwawila organiser Nalin Gunawardena, son of late Minister M. K. D. S. Gunawardena and T. Bahardeen, a former Municipal councillor of the Sri Lanka Muslim Congress (SLMC) have expressed their support for President Ranil Wickremesinghe at the upcoming Presidential election.

Supporting Tamil candidate could disrupt reconciliation efforts: SLPP Politburo Member Cassilingham

Geethanath Cassilingham, a Politburo member of the Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna (SLPP) from the Northern Province has expressed serious concern over the idea of supporting a Tamil common candidature.

Brazil block on social media platform X comes into effect after Supreme Court order

A block on Elon Musk’s X social network in Brazil started to take effect early Saturday after a Supreme Court judge ordered its suspension, according to AFP.

Bar Council demands BASL President’s immediate resignation

The Bar Council of the Bar Association of Sri Lanka (BASL) has unanimously called for BASL President Kaushalya Navaratne to resign from office after a five-member committee appointed to investigate into the JAICA fund controversy, found that the BASL President had failed to act with transparency.

NPP complains to Elections Commission against Rajitha Senaratne

The National People’s Power (NPP) has complained to the Elections Commission against Parliamentarian Rajitha Senarathne over a statement made by him.

Rs. 150 fuel price cut if elected President: Janaka Ratnayake

Presidential candidate and former Chairman of the Public Utilities Commission of Sri Lanka (PUCSL), Janaka Ratnayake, pledged that his first priority upon being elected President will be to reduce fuel prices by Rs. 150.

‘One rank one pay’ system for police: Sajith

Highlighting his commitment to creating a respectable police service, Opposition Leader Sajith Premadasa announced yesterday that he would introduce a ‘One Rank One Pay’ system to address pay anomalies.

How to vote in 2024 Presidential Election

The Election Commission has released guidelines for voters on how they should cast their votes in the upcoming 2024 Presidential Election scheduled for September 21, 2024.

Wild elephant killed, burned and buried; suspect arrested

A 47-year-old person was arrested on suspicion of killing a wild elephant and burning it in a pit, according to the Nikaweratiya Wildlife Office.

President promises to reduce tax burden over next two years

President Ranil Wickremesinghe said that he intends to ease the tax burden on the public over the next two years while adhering to the agreements the country has reached with the International Monetary Fund (IMF) and the 18 countries that have provided loans.

Colombo inflation falls to 0.5% as food and non-food prices cool

Inflation in the Colombo district slowed sharply in August, as both food and non-food prices cooled after the government started cutting the tariffs of the utilities and fuel, ameliorating the price pressures through the supply chains.

Economists urge incoming president to protect Central Bank’s independence

Economists have called on Sri Lanka’s incoming president to safeguard the Central Bank’s independence and address the taxation issues, key areas critical to stabilising the nation’s economy.

India’s move to secure ties as presidential race heats up

Ahead of the presidential poll, in an apparent move to ensure that Indo-Lanka bilateral cooperation on national security is not compromised under a future government, visiting Indian National Security Advisor Ajit Doval met with four main presidential candidates - President Ranil Wickremesinghe, Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB) candidate Sajith Premadasa, National People’s Power (NPP) candidate Anura Kumara Dissanayake

EU Election observation mission vows independent review

The European Union Election Observation Mission to Sri Lanka’s Presidential Election today assured a complete independent picture of the Presidential Election 2024 and said it will come up with recommendations for future electoral reforms.

Colombo Security Conclave: Charter, MoU signed

National Security Adviser to the Prime Minister of India Ajit Doval visited Colombo from 29-30 August 2024, for the signing of the Founding Documents of the Colombo Security Conclave (CSC), a statement from the Indian High Commission said.

India’s National Security Advisor Ajit Doval meets Namal Rajapaksa

India’s National Security Advisor Ajit Doval met SLPP Presidential candidate Namal Rajapaksa in Colombo today where the duo discussed several areas of mutual concern.

Israel says Hamas leader killed in West Bank

Israeli forces killed a local commander of the Islamist movement Hamas in the flashpoint city of Jenin on Friday as they pressed a major operation in the occupied West Bank for a third day, the Israeli military said.

Not been informed of removal: Range Bandara

United National Party (UNP) General Secretary Palitha Range Bandara said today that he has not been informed of his removal by the party leadership.

Government clarifies misleading reports on Hilton hotel divestiture

The Ministry of Finance, Economic Stabilization and National Policies has issued a statement clarifying recent misleading media reports about the divestiture of Hotel Developers (Lanka) Ltd, which owns the Colombo Hilton.

Father arrested for stabbing son to death

A 24-year-old youth was found stabbed to death with a sharp weapon by his father over a personal dispute in the Dehiattakandiya area last morning.