SC suspends controversial visa deal

Authorities ordered to maintain the status quo as it existed before the implementation of the cabinet decision

IMF third review to be timed after Presidential Election

The timing of the third review of IMF’s (International Monetary Fund) Extended Fund Facility (EFF) arrangement will be discussed with the government after the recently announced Presidential Elections, an official said. Progress in meeting key commitments under the IMF-supported programme will be formally assessed in the context of the third review of the EFF.

Why did Sajith meet Namal?

Leader of the Opposition Sajith Premadasa had reportedly met SLPP MP Namal Rajapaksa a few days ago.

Number of presidential candidates rises to ten

The Election Commission (EC) has announced that ten candidates have so far placed cash deposits for the upcoming Presidential Election as of yesterday (01).

Female lawyer suspended for five years for professional misconduct

The Supreme Court has issued an order suspending a female lawyer from practicing for a period of five years for committing acts of misconduct while serving as defence counsel in a case before the Polonnaruwa High Court.

Dispute over infant of rape victim

A petition was filed by the grandparents of an infant child delivered by a 14 year girl, a victim of rape, challenging the decision to hand over the child to the suspect in the rape case who is a liquor and Ganja addict.

PM’s MEP to support Ranil in Presidential Election

Mahajana Eksath Peramuna ( MEP) led by Prime Minister Dinesh Gunawardena decided to support President Ranil Wickremesinghe at the presidential elections.

CIABOC publishes asset declarations of top officials including President

The Commission to Investigate Allegations of Bribery or Corruption (CIABOC) has said that the asset declarations of over 100 top officials, including President Ranil Wickremesinghe and the Prime Minister, are now publicly accessible.

Passport issuance likely to halt after October

Issuance of passports is likely to come to a standstill after October due to a failure to procure passports, as authorities are preparing to switch to the new e-passport system, which is reportedly facing delays, the Daily Mirror learns.

Passport issuance limited for two months ahead of e-passport launch: Minister

When asked about the issue, Public Security Minister Tiran Alles told the Daily Mirror that passport issuance has been limited for the next two months in preparation for the country’s first issuance of e-passports.

Election security measures in place despite IGP absence

All necessary security measures and deployments of police officers for handling election law violations are inw place despite the absence of an IGP, the Daily Mirror learns. A senior police officer confirmed that comprehensive security arrangements are being implemented and will continue to evolve based on daily requirements.

SLFP Central Committee expresses support for President: PMD

The Central Committee of the Sri Lanka Freedom Party (SLFP) met with President Ranil Wickremesinghe a short while ago and expressed their unwavering support for his victory in the forthcoming presidential election, the President Media Division said.

Inflation in Colombo Urban areas rises to 2.4 per cent in July

Inflation in Colombo’s urban areas increased to 2.4 per cent in July from 1.7 per cent in June, according to the data released by the Department of Census and Statistics yesterday.

Debt crisis management: Pakistan to learn from Sri Lankan experience

Pakistan which commended Sri Lanka in stabilising the debt crisis said it could learn from Sri Lanka’s experience, according to a statement from the Foreign Affairs Ministry.

SLPP decides not to support RANIL at presidential election

In what appeared to be a split decision , Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna ( SLPP) yesterday decided not to back President Ranil Wickremesinghe at the upcoming presidential election .

DM POLL: 76% say ‘No’ to Ranil joining Rajapaksas for Presidential poll

Nearly 76% of voters in Daily Mirror’s poll were of the opinion that President Ranil Wickremesinghe should not team up with the Rajapaksas in the upcoming Presidential elections.

What’s next?

Hours after the SLPP decided not to back President Ranil Wickremesinghe at the September 21 Presidential Election, SLPP Leader Mahinda Rajapaksa was seen in conversation with his brother Gotabaya Rajapaksa at an event hosted by the Chinese Embassy in Colombo last evening.

Police role after IGP suspension: Election Commission to weigh options today

In the wake of debate over the fiasco involving Inspector General of Police (IGP) Deshabandu Tennakoon who is now barred from functioning in his office, the Election Commission will deliberate on the matter at its meeting scheduled for today and decide on the next course of action to clear any hurdles.

Uniformed nurses at AKD’s meeting spark controversy

The National Election Commission (EC) has clarified that the participation of government nurses in uniform at the National All Ceylon Nurses’ Conference, held under the patronage of National People’s Power (NPP) leader Anura Kumara Dissanayake, does not constitute a violation of election regulations.

Conmen swipe Rs. 600,000 from Chief Monk in SIM card theft

A group of young men had swindled Rs. 600,000 from the bank account of a chief incumbent in a temple in Badulla by stealing the SIM card from the Ven. Thera’s mobile phone. Ven. Thera recounted to the police that he had received a call, ostensibly from the bank, asking for his bank account details under the pretense of a government directive to waive off recently imposed VAT.

Bandula’s Coordinating Secretary complains against SLPP meeting

A complaint has been made by Minister Bandula Gunawardane’s Coordinating Secretary Ranjith Mudannayake to Homagama Police against holding a public meeting in Homagama electorate, with Parliamentarian Namal Rajapaksa’s participation.

Election Commission takes up cudgels against Sajith Premadasa’s Sakwala, Husma programmes

The Election Commission (EC) has stopped Opposition Leader Sajith Premadasa from conducting the Sakwala and Husma programmes to distribute IT equipment to schools and medical equipment to hospitals. The stoppage comes two days after the presidential elections, 2024,was declared by the commission. Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB) General Secretary Ranjith Madduma Bandara protested the decision and asked the Commission to act impartially.

Israeli-Hezbollah tension: Sri Lanka alert on tension for safety of its nationals working in Israel and Lebanon

With the Israeli-Hezbollah conflict heating up in the region, Sri Lanka remains alert on developments for the safety and security of Sri Lankans working in both Israel and Lebanon

Lionesses roar against India

Sri Lankan women’s T20 team celebrate after winning the T20 Women’s Asia Cup 2024 beating defending champions India by eight wickets.

Police to set up election operation rooms island wide ahead of Presidential election

Election Operation Rooms will be established at all police stations and divisional police areas in preparation for the conduct of the presidential election, the Daily Mirror learns.

Mahinda, Ranil hold crucial talks on possible electoral understanding

President Ranil Wickremesinghe is reported to have held talks with Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna (SLPP) leader Mahinda Rajapaksa at his Wijerama residence in Colombo last evening to explore a possible electoral understanding.

Sri Lanka faces challenges in seeking extradition of criminals located through Interpol

Despite dozens of Sri Lankan wanted persons out of 164 on the Interpol red notice list being located, local authorities are facing legal and logistical challenges in extraditing suspects to Sri Lanka, the Daily Mirror learns.

Agreements with creditors cannot be amended no matter who becomes President in September; RW

Agreements which Sri Lanka has reached with the IMF and the creditors cannot be amended no matter who becomes President in September, incumbent President Ranil Wickremesinghe told a rally in Galle during the weekend.

July Dengue cases reach highest in four months

The number of dengue cases in Sri Lanka for the month of July has surged to the highest level seen in the past four months, according to the Epidemiology Unit. With 3,944 cases recorded, the figures show a significant increase compared to previous months.

Census on wild elephants in Sri Lanka after 12 years

The Department of Wildlife is planning to hold a census on wild elephants in Sri Lanka next month. Sources from the department said the census will be held on August 19 and 20 this year. It has been estimated that a total number of 4500 officers would be needed for the exercise.