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.

Government allows ex-ministers to keep two firearms: Bandula

The government, citing potential future unrest in the country, announced yesterday that a new policy has been implemented allowing parliamentarians to keep two firearms after they retire from ministerial roles.

Medical experts warn of imminent rise in skin diseases

In light of the rising temperatures in the country, medical experts warn of an impending increase in skin diseases.

Ginger prices up

The price of ginger has shot up to Rs.3200 in the market that resulted in a declining demand. Traders pointed out that the farmers were selling seed ginger to make a fast buck, but the medicinal ginger or the local ginger was in short supply.

Vital to adhere to agreement with IMF: Wickremesinghe

As Sri Lanka will see some major changes in about three weeks time with the upcoming Presidential election, President Ranil Wickremesinghe asserted that to sustain economic growth, it’s vital to adhere to the agreement with the International Monetary Fund (IMF).

CB expects low inflation to persist until early 2025

The Central Bank of Sri Lanka (CBSL) said it expects inflation to remain well below its upper target of 5 percent until early next year, supporting the ongoing economic recovery by providing some relief to both livelihoods and business activities.

Sri Lanka to ink agreement with WB under development policy financing programme 

Sri Lanka will ink a financial agreement with the World Bank (WB) for the second stage development policy programme.

Presidential Poll well under control and smooth so far – EC Chairman

Election Commission Chairman R. M. A. L. Rathnayake said yesterday that the process of conducting the presidential poll is progressing smoothly and remains well under control, with fewer election law violations compared to previous presidential elections.

No one can prevent NPP victory; government servants, police, army support us: AKD

Claiming that some people entertain doubts that President Ranil Wickremesinghe will resort to a trick at the last moment to prevent a National People’s Power (NPP) victory, NPP leader Anura Kumara Dissanayake said today that no can prevent the NPP’s victory this time.

Indian national sentenced for match-fixing in 2024 Legends Cricket Trophy

The Kandy High Court today sentenced Indian national Akash Pachlodia to two 2-year terms of rigorous imprisonment, suspended for 10 years, over allegations of match-fixing during the 2024 Legends Cricket Trophy in Sri Lanka.

SL represented at unveiling of African Union Commission’s chairperson nominee

Sri Lankan High Commissioner in Nairobi, Kenya Kana Kananathan participated at the unveiling of the African Union (AU) Commission Chairperson nominee, Raila Odinga.

Jay Shah elected unopposed as Independent Chair of ICC

Jay Shah, the current honorary secretary of the BCCI, has been elected unopposed as the Independent Chair of the ICC, and will assume his position on 1 December, 2024.

President calls Armed forces to maintain public order

With the Presidential election scheduled for September 21, President Ranil Wickremesinghe has issued an Extraordinary Gazette notification calling upon the Armed Forces to maintain public order across the country with effect from August 27.

Teachers, principals to receive pay hike from 24% to 35% by January 2025

Government employees, including teachers and principals, will receive a salary increase of 24% to 35% by January 1, 2025, along with the rectification of salary anomalies, Education Minister Susil Premajayantha said.

Ranil’s manifesto to be launched on Thursday

The manifesto of independent Presidential candidate Ranil Wickremesinghe is to be launched on Thursday August 29 2024, National Secretary of the UNP Ravi Karunanayake said today.

SJB ready to talk with IMF any time: Harsha

The Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB) is ready for the challenge posed by President Ranil Wickremesinghe for a live dicussion with the IMF, MP Harsha De Silva said today.

Namal pledges to protect dignity of armed forces

A future Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna (SLPP) government will protect the dignity of the armed froces, SLPP Presidential candidate Namal Rajapaksa said today.

Stay hydrated as sun directly over Sri Lanka for 10 days

The sun will be directly over Sri Lanka from August 28 to September 06 because of its movement southward, the Meteorological Department said.

Diana indicted before High Court for unlawful dual citizenship

The Attorney General has filed an indictment before the Colombo High Court against former State Minister Diana Gamage in connection with the alleged unlawful dual citizenship incident.

SJB to implement special two-year programme to eliminate poverty: Sajith

A Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB) government will implement a special two-year programme to eliminate poverty in the country, SJB leader Sajith Premadasa said.

Government approves printing school textbooks for 2025

Government approval was granted to call for national competitive bids for printing the remaining 246 categories of school textbooks required for free distribution to schoolchildren during 2025.

Two Indian fishermen missing after boat accident near Kachchatheevu

Two Indian fishermen are reported missing after their boat was involved in an accident near Kachchatheevu, the Sri Lanka Navy said.

EC chairman invites EU representatives to observe 2024 election

The Chairman of the Elections Commission has invited the European Union (EU) to send a group of representatives for observation of the Presidential election in 2024, Cabinet spokesman and Minister Bandula Gunawardana announced.

The race for the mace: Remaining World Test Championship fixtures

We take a look at all the fixtures remaining in the lead-up to next year’s ICC World Test Championship final.

Ranil and Sajith should unite: Rajitha

While stating that former MP Thalatha Athukorala was correct in calling for unity between President Ranil Wickremesinghe and Sajith Premadasa, MP Rajitha Senaratne said today that this is the best course of action for the country.

Apparent cyberattack leaves Seattle airport facing major internet outages

An apparent cyberattack disrupted internet, phones, email and other systems at Seattle-Tacoma International Airport for a third day on Monday as Port of Seattle officials worked to investigate the outages and restore full service.

Bangladesh players rally behind accused teammate Shakib Al Hasan

Bangladesh players have rallied round teammate Shakib Al Hasan, the ousted lawmaker who faces a case of alleged murder connected to unrest that toppled the government earlier this month.

Fowzie gets two years suspended imprisonment

Former State Minister A.H.M. Fowzie, who pleaded guilty to a corruption case, was sentenced today by the Colombo High Court to a two-year suspended imprisonment.