Shigeru Ishiba elected Japanese Prime Minister

Japanese ruling party leader Shigeru Ishiba was elected prime minister in parliament on Tuesday, succeeding Fumio Kishida to take charge of the country at a time of low public confidence in politics, a shaky economy and mounting security threats.

Bus fare to be reduced by 4%, minimum fare will be Rs. 25: Anjana

The Inter Provincial Private Bus Association (IPPBA) has decided to reduce bus fares by four percent while bringing the minimum fare to Rs. 25.

Welgama’s death due to injuries caused by Aragalaya people: Former MP

Nawa Sri Lanka Nidahas Pakshaya leader Kumara Welgama’s death was caused by the injuries he sustained during the commotion on May 9, 2022, a former MP said.

Litro Gas Lanka gets new chairman

Channa Gunawardana was appointed today as the new chairman for Litro Gas Lanka Ltd. and Litro Gas Terminal Lanka Pvt. Ltd.

Preliminary probes into Easter attack, CB bond scam initiated

Preliminary investigations into the Easter Sunday bomb attacks and the Central Bank bond scam have been initiated, Cabinet Spokesman and Minister Vijitha Herath said.

Committee appointed to review entitlements for MPs, ex-Presidents

The Cabinet of Ministers has approved a proposal by the Prime Minister to form a committee tasked with reviewing the entitlements, allowances and privileges granted to Members of Parliament, Ministers and Ex-Presidents.

Govt. to recall Ambassadors, High Commissioners appointed on political allegiances

The government has taken steps to recall Ambassadors and High Commissioners who were appointed on political allegiances.

President instructs two-weeks suspension of scholarship exam answer script evaluation

The President directed the officials to suspend the evaluation of the Grade 5 Scholarship Examination answer scripts for two weeks.

New Acting Director General for Government Information Department

The Cabinet of Ministers has approved the proposal to appoint a new Director General for the Government Information Department with immediate effect on a full-time acting basis.

President appoints two senior economic advisors on honorary basis

President Anura Kumara Dissanayake has appointed the Chairman of the Ceylon Chamber of Commerce, Duminda Hulangamuwa and Prof. Anil Fernando of the Sri Jayawardenapura University as Senior Advisors for Economic Affairs and Finance on honorary basis.

New Acting Controller General for Immigration office

The Cabinet of Ministers has approved the appointment of Ms. B.M.D. Nilusha Balasooriya as the Acting Controller General of Immigration and Emigration with immediate effect.

New Govt. to review all connectivity-related projects with India

The new government led by President Anura Kumara Dissanayake has decided to review all the connectivity projects with India along with the Adani power projects in the north before taking a final decision on them after the next Parliament convenes following the conclusion of the General Election on November 14, a source familiar with the process said.

Ranjan wants new President to restore his civic rights

Actor-turned-politician Ranjan Ramanayake who was given a conditional pardon by former President Ranil Wickremesinghe for contempt of court in 2022 yesterday said he would make a fresh appeal to incumbent President Anura Kumara Dissanayake to grant him full pardon and to restore his civic rights.

SJB insists that Ranil should step down from UNP leadership

Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB) insists that United National Party (UNP) leader Ranil Wickremesinghe should step down as a condition for an electoral alliance with it in view of the General Election.

Three dead and 15 hurt in Shanghai Walmart stabbing

Three people died and 15 others were injured after a man went on a stabbing rampage inside a Walmart supermarket in Shanghai on Monday night.

Government aims to reclaim joyful, carefree childhood that every child deserves: President

Claiming that the government aims to reclaim the joyful, carefree childhood that every child deserves, President Anura Kumara Dissanayake said the government’s mission in this renaissance era is to free children from harmful prejudices and social effects, and the pressures of exam-focused education, which hinder their psychosocial development.

Former MPs cannot use diplomatic passport now: Secretary General of Parliament

Parliamentarians are not eligible to use their diplomatic passports after dissolution of Parliament and they need to obtain normal passports if they need to travel overseas, Secretary General of Parliament Kushani Rohanadeera said yesterday.

SJB files RTI on alleged requests for privileges by former President

Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB) Legal Secretary Farman Cassim has sent an application under the Right to Information Act (RTI) requesting details on the privileges which the Security Head of Ranil Wickremesinghe had allegedly asked for, on behalf of the former President.

Only one independent candidate declared expenses thus far, No major party stated yet: EC

Only a single independent candidate of the Presidential Poll 2024 has declared his campaign finances, whereas no major party had stated their election expenses by the end of September, having nine of 21 days of the grace period to declare expenses had lapsed by yesterday, the Daily Mirror learns.

Fuel prices slashed, no change in 95 Octane Petrol

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

No change in decision not to re-conduct Grade Five scholarship examination

There is no change in the decision not to re-conduct the Grade Five scholarship examination, Examination Commissioner General Amit Jayasundara said.

Travel advisory issued for Lebanon, Syria

Sri Lankan nationals are instructed not to travel to Lebanon and Syria until further notice due to the current volatile situation in the region, the Foreign Affairs Ministry said.

Traders yet to lower prices despite egg price drop

Following the drop in prices of eggs, despite requests from canteen and restaurant owners to lower the prices of food items that contain eggs as ingredients, several traders have reported that they have not taken any action yet to reduce prices.

Sajith calls for end to confontational politics

Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB) Leader Sajith Premadasa today stressed the need for ending confrontational politics.

JVP has come to power with face of NPP: Wimal

The Janatha Vimukthi Peramuna (JVP), now in power as the National People’s Power (NPP), has evolved, and the distinction between the JVP and the NPP is clear, former MP Wimal Weerawansa said.

Geethanath Cassilingham requests Prez to close down unnecessary liquor shops in North

Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna (SLPP) politburo member Geethanath Cassilingham requested President Anura Kumara Dissanayake in writing to review the licences issued for liquor shops in the Northern Province and potentially close down unnecessary liquor establishments to protect the well-being of our communities, especially the youth.

Gold prices to continue breaking records until mid-next year

Gold prices are expected to continue its record-breaking upward trajectory with forecasts projecting a new all-time high of US $ 2,750 per ounce by the end of 2024, according to a report by the Union Bank of Switzerland.

Abandoned vehicles: Former President had given them to his personal staff

The fleet of 107 vehicles that were returned to the Presidential Secretariat had not been given to the permanent staff of the Presidential Secretariat but to the former President’s personal staff appointed under Article 41 (1) of the Constitution, the President’s Media Division (PMD) said.

France’s Griezmann retires from internationals

The Atletico Madrid forward has 137 caps in national colours and has scored 44 goals for France. His biggest prize with the Les Blues came in 2018 when he lifted the World Cup in Russia.

At least 12 die, 10 missing as migrant boat sinks off Tunisia

At least 12 people died, including three infants, and 10 others were missing after their boat sank on Monday off the Tunisian coast at Djerba as they sought to cross the Mediterranean to Europe, an official and local rights group told Reuters.