Ranil’s election manifesto launched

President Ranil Wickremesinghe’s Presidential election manifesto titled ’’Five Years of Winning the Country with Ranil,’’ was officially launched at the Taj Samudra Hotel, Colombo a short while ago.

India transfers first payment for Jaffna Hybrid Power projects

The first payment towards the implementation of the Hybrid Power Projects on three islands off Jaffna was handed over to Secretary, Minister of Power and Energy Sulakshana Jayawardena and Chairman of Sri Lanka Sustainable Energy Authority (SLSEA) Ranjith Sepala by the High Commissioner of India to Sri Lanka Santosh Jha.

Ex-Provincial councillor arrested for allegedly aiding gunmen in ’Club Wasantha’ murder

A former Western Provincial Councillor has been arrested for allegedly aiding the second gunman and the car driver involved in the murder of two individuals, including businessman Surendra Wasantha Perera, also known as ’Club Wasantha’.

Pathum Nissanka and Lahiru Kumara in for Kusal Mendis and Vishwa Fernando for Lord’s clash

Sri Lanka faces a crucial challenge as they head into the second Test against England on Thursday at Lord’s, a venue that has often served as an unlikely home away from home for the visiting side.

NPP’s economic policies - the good, the bad, the ugly

Following the release of the NPP manifesto, I find many of the items in their manifesto to be aspirational, they resonate with me, but I would like to have more details about the specifics when it comes to implementation.

Sri Lanka look to bounce back at Lord’s

The Test Series between England and Sri Lanka continues today, with the second Test beginning at Lord’s.

Reform delays could suspend IMF programme, jeopardizing recovery

While the current International Monetary Fund (IMF)-backed debt sustainability path presents no silver bullet for the economy, possible attempts to stall the reforms in the aftermath of the upcoming presidential elections are likely to result in a suspension of the IMF programme and threaten the recovery, according to the latest report by Bloomberg Intelligence.

Port City Colombo onboards over 100 companies in landmark milestone

Port City Colombo has officially registered over 100 companies as Authorised Persons (APs) within its Special Economic Zone (SEZ) as of August 24, China Harbour Engineering Company (CHEC), the primary project company of the zone, announced yesterday.

’Will develop Trincomalee oil tank farm as joint venture with foreign company’: Anura Kumara

A future National People’s Power (NPP) government will develop the Trincomalee oil tank farm as a joint venture with Ceylon Petroleum Corporation (CPC) and a foreign investor, NPP leader Anura Kumara Dissanayake said today.

Govt in dicussion with IMF to revise PAYE tax:RW

The Government is in the process of initiating a discussion with IMF to revise Pay As You Earn (PAYE) tax, President Ranil Wickremesinghe said today.

SJB copying NPP manifesto: Handunnetti

The Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB) is copying the election manifesto which was launched by the National People’s Power (NPP) and it will be the second copy of the NPP’s manifesto, NPP politburo member Sunil Handunnetti said today.

Gazette issued appointing Karunarathna Paranawithana as MP

The Elections Commission has issued a gazette notification declaring the appointment of Karunarathna Paranawithana as a Member of Parliament to fill the vacancy created by the resignation of Thalatha Athukorala.

Five including two Chinese, one Indian nabbed with illegal cigerattes, whiskey

Five individuals including two Chinese nationals and an Indian national have been arrested by the airport Customs while attemtping to smuggle in a stock of foreign cigerattes, whiskey and satellite television transmission equipment, worth more than Rs. 15.8 million to the country.

Renegotiating IMF agreement could jeopardize next tranche due in December: Ali Sabry

Renegotiating with the International Monetary Fund (IMF) is a very serious and unsuccessful endeavour, Minister of Foreign Affairs Ali Sabry said today.

Namal vows to resume Yal Devi to North

SLPP presidential candidate Namal Rajapaksa today pledged to resume services on the Yarl Devi railway lines which have been halted for months due to inefficiency under the current administration.

Could Nissanka turn Sri Lanka’s fortunes at Lord’s?

Sri Lanka were comfortably defeated by England in the first of the two-match Test series in Manchester last week with the home team taking a 1-0 lead.

England batter announces retirement from international cricket

Dawid Malan, England’s former No.1-ranked T20I batter, has announced his retirement from international cricket at the age of 37.

PSC to investigate into Muslim cremation recommendations during Covid-19

President Ranil Wickremesinghe announced that he will establish a Parliamentary Select Committee (PSC), in consultation with other party leaders, to investigate into the accountability of those who recommended the cremation of Muslims and other religious groups during the Covid-19 outbreak.

Legal action against those who initiated forced cremations during Covid-19 pandemic: Sajith

Opposition Leader Sajith Premadasa pledged to take legal action against those who initiated forced cremations during the Covid-19 pandemic.

Petition challenging RW’s eligibility for Presidential poll rejected

The Supreme Court rejected a petition challenging President Ranil Wickremesinghe’s eligibility to run in the Presidential election, which was based on claims of failure to appoint the Acting IGP and judges to the Supreme Court and the Court of Appeal.

Multiple Palestinians killed as Israel launches major operation

Israel launched a major military operation in multiple areas of the northern occupied West Bank early Wednesday, with Palestinian health authorities saying at least nine people have been killed.

Suspect nabbed with 650 mobile phones in Puttalam

A combined search operation conducted by the Sri Lanka Navy and Sri Lanka Police resulted in the arrest of a suspect attempting to smuggle a stock of mobile phones into the country, police said.

Complaint against AKD lodged with Bribery Commission

A complaint has been lodged against the Presidential candidate of the National People’s Power (NPP), Anura Kumara Dissanayake, with the Commission to Investigate Allegations of Bribery or Corruption over the possession of a house.

Ukraine to present ’victory plan’ to US - Zelensky

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has said his troops’ incursion into Russia’s Kursk region is part of a ’’victory plan’’ that he will present to US President Joe Biden next month.

President declares open Sobadhanavi Combined Cycle Power Plant

President Ranil Wickremesinghe declared open the Open Cycle phase of the ’’Sobadhanavi’’ 350 MW Combined Cycle Power Plant at Kerawalapitiya a short while ago.

Arrest due to misunderstanding

The ambulance driver of Vavuniya General Hospital and a hospital employee had been arrested on misunderstanding that they attempted to abduct a lady doctor. Investigations revealed that the doctor, under the impression that they were taking her to a lonely spot had jumped out of the ambulance.

Notorious drug dealer’s son arrested at BIA over attempted murder

The Wellawatta Police arrested Nadeen Bhasik, the son of notorious drug dealer Shiran Bhasik, at the Bandaranaike International Airport (BIA), Katunayake while returning from Dubai, on charges of attempted murder and fleeing the scene after causing a car accident.

NPP manifesto will reduce state revenue by Rs 200 billion: President

Pledges made by National Peoples Power (NPP) if implemented will reduce annual state revenue by Rs 200 billion, President Ranil Wickremesinghe said yesterday.

MPs in process of securing repeater shotguns over security concerns after Aragalaya

In the wake of public unrest or Aragalaya, the Defence Ministry, upon request by the parliamentary authorities, have decided to issue repeater shotguns instead of pistols to all 225 MPs after they make payments, but made it conditional that such weapons cannot be sold or transferred to a third party, an official said yesterday.

Fake opinion polls galore, voters should discern fact from fiction- Mahinda Deshapriya

Former Chairman of the Election Commission, Mahinda Deshapriya said that the difference between genuine and fake opinion polls are difficult to distinguish and therefore voters should be cautious to discern fact from fiction.