Ruwan denies using govt. vehicle

Former Senior Adviser to the President on Climate Change, Ruwan Wijewardene, denied allegations yesterday that he had used a government vehicle during his tenure in the advisory role.

No vehicle abandoned near Presidential Secretariat will be auctioned: PMD

Clarifying the abandoned luxury vehicles in front of the Presidential Secretariat, President’s private secretary Ananda Wijepala said yesterday 107 vehicles have been parked in three locations and that none of the vehicles will be auctioned.

August consumer confidence down marginally in lead up to Presidential election

Sri Lanka’s Consumer confidence dropped marginally in August 2024 in lead-up to Presidential election, the Institute for Health Policy (IHP) survey showed.

Court suspends Cabinet approval of controversial passport deal

The Court of Appeal today issued an interim order suspending the operation of the Cabinet decision granting approval to purchase 750,000 N-Series passports from two companies as part of the initial procurement for the supply of five million e-Passports.

Stop inviting politicians to school events: Education Minister

Education Minister and Prime Minister Dr. Harini Amarasuriya today urged all schools to immediately stop inviting politicians to their school events.

29 vehicles missing from Presidential Secretariat; President orders probe

It has been revealed that 29 vehicles from the 833 currently owned by the Presidential Secretariat are unaccounted for, the President’s Media Division said.

Issuing of visa now available under previous system

The government has taken action to resume the issuing of visas under the previous system, beginning from 12.00 midnight today (26).

World Bank pledges support to President Anura Dissanayake

The World Bank Group has expressed its commitment to supporting Sri Lanka’s economic recovery and development.

Will bring change, says new Western Province Governor

Business leader Hanif Yusoof, recently appointed as the Governor of the Western Province, stated that he is determined to implement changes as pledged by President Anura Kumara Dissanayake.

Fertiliser subsidy for paddy farmers increased from October 1

President Anura Kumara Dissanayake has directed the Treasury to increase the fertiliser subsidy for paddy farmers from Rs. 15,000 to Rs. 25,000 per hectare for the 2024/25 Maha season, effective October 1.

SJB denies social media claim on Sajith’s offer to resign from party leadership

Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB) General Secretary Ranjith Madduma Bandara denied the claims made on social media that party leader Sajith Premadasa has offered to resign.

British national with largest-ever Kush stock worth over Rs. 430 mn nabbed at BIA

Sri Lanka Customs today seized the largest-ever stock of recreational cannabis, known as ’Kush’, worth over Rs. 430 million, smuggled by a 21-year-old British national.

SC dismisses FR petition against Janaprith Fernando’s appointment as Chief Scout Commissioner

A Fundamental Rights application seeking an order to stay the appointment of Janaprith Fernando as Chief Commissioner of the Ceylon Scout Council was dismissed by the Supreme Court on Wednesday (25).

Musk hits back after being shunned from UK summit

The world’s richest person, Elon Musk, has hit back after not being invited to the UK government’s International Investment Summit.

Sufficient fuel reserves available: Officials brief President

Officials of the Ministry of Power and Energy have informed President Anura Kumara Dissanayake that the country currently has sufficient fuel reserves to meet consumption needs.

Japan court acquits a former boxer, the longest-serving death row inmate

A Japanese court ruled Thursday that an 88-year-old former boxer was not guilty in a retrial for a 1966 quadruple murder, reversing an earlier decision that made him the world’s longest-serving death row inmate.

Breast cancer death rate in Sri Lanka rises compared to other countries

The percentage of breast cancer deaths in Sri Lanka has risen when compared to other countries, National Cancer Control Programme community health specialist Dr. Hasareli Fernando said.

Dilum Amunugama joins Mawbima Janatha Party

Former Parliamentarian and Minister Dilum Amunugama has joined the Mawbima Janatha Party (MJP).

Nawalapitiya SJB organiser arrested over assault on NPP supporter

Nawalapitiya Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB) organiser Sasanga Sampath Sanjeewa was arrested for allegedly assaulting a National People’s Power (NPP) supporter on September 21.

Bathiudeen requests President to cancel liquor permit issued in Mannar

All Ceylon Makkal Congress leader Rishad Bathiudeen has requested President Anura Kumara Dissanayake to cancel the permit for a liquor bar which was newly established on Main Road, Mannar.

US and allies call for 21-day ceasefire across Lebanon-Israel border

Allies including the US, UK and EU have called for a temporary ceasefire in Lebanon, following an escalation in fighting between Israel and Hezbollah.

Medical specialists assure support for new President

The Association of Medical Specialists (AMS) has expressed its support for the newly elected President Anura Kumara Dissanayake.

China fires ICBM into Pacific Ocean in first such public test in decades as regional tensions flare

China says it successfully fired an intercontinental ballistic missile into the Pacific Ocean on Wednesday, a rare public test that analysts said was meant to send a message to the United States and its allies amid heightened regional tensions.

Afternoon thundershowers likely from tomorrow

The weather conditions are becoming favourable for afternoon thundershowers across most parts of the island over the next few days, from tomorrow (27).

Confident ties with B’desh, Sri Lanka will endure: Jaishankar

India does not seek to control every political move of neighbours, and does not expect that the political dynamics within neighbouring countries will adhere to what India may think is desirable, but Delhi is confident that fundamental realities of interdependence will ensure that relationships with neighbours remains constructive and positive, external affairs minister S Jaishankar has said.

EC seeks Rs. 11 billion for general election

The sudden declaration of the general election has prompted the Election Commission to put off of the conduct of the local authorities’ election further.

New govt. seeks Saudi investments in Port City, Hambantota Port

Newly appointed Foreign Affairs Minister Vijitha Herath said, in his first public function on Tuesday, requested Saudi Arabia to be a strong partner in the development process of Sri Lanka by investing especially in the tourism sector and Dedicated Pharmaceutical Zone in Hambantota, IT Parks, Fabric Park in Batticaloa, Colombo Port City and Hambantota Port.

Overall employment in tourism sector up 11.24% YoY in 2023

The total employment in the tourism sector, including indirect employment, rose by 11.24 percent year-on-year (YoY) to 429,641 employees in 2023, according to the provisional data of the Sri Lanka Tourism Development Authority (SLTDA).

National consumer prices eased to 1.1% in August on food and low electricity tariffs

The prices measured nationally showed substantial deceleration, on the back of the easing food prices and downward revision to electricity tariffs, which managed to put some amount of money back in the pocketbooks of the people in August.

Dilum denies misuse of government vehicles, criticises NPP’s statement on Galle Face

While condemning the statement made by National People’s Power (NPP) member Wasantha Samarasinghe about vehicles abandoned at the Galle Face, former MP Dilum Amunugama clarified that these vehicles were used by coordinating committee chairmen.