Anura will overcome Sajith this year and become opposition leader: Ranil

The National People’s Power (NPP) Presidential candidate Anura Kumara Dissanayake will surpass Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB) candidate Sajith Premadasa at this year’s presidential polls and become the main opposition leader later this year, President Ranil Wickremesinghe believes.

North and East contribution towards development will increase under an SJB govt

The contribution of North and the East towards national development will increase under an SJB government, Opposition Leader Sajith Premadasa said.

750,000 printed passports within one month as immediate measure: Susil

Steps have been taken to bring down 750,000 passports within a month as an immediate measure until the issuance of E-passport is fully implemented, Leader of the House Susil Premajayantha said today.

NPP has options to run government until Parliament dissolved: Anura Kumara

Claiming that the National People’s Power (NPP) will not violate the Constitution if elected on September 21, NPP leader Anura Kumara Dissanayake said today the NPP will run the government as per the Constitution for one and half months until the Parliament is dissolved.

Some 75,000 vehicle permits issued to government employees pending: Wajira

Some 75,000 vehicle permits issued to government employees for the last five years are still pending and this was informed to the IMF, World Bank and the donor institutions, Parliamentarian Wajira Abeywardana said today.

Keheliya’s bail order delayed to October 3

The order on an application filed on behalf of former Health Minister Keheliya Rambukwella, requesting that he be released on bail, was once again postponed to October 3 by the Court of Appeal.

Indian fishermen fined

A group of 12 Indian poachers in Sri Lankan waters who pleaded guilty were fined Rs.185 million and and ten others remanded till September 10 by Puttalam magistrate Ayoma Wimalaratne.

Ranil in Mahiyanganaya...

President Ranil Wickremesinghe participated in a rally in Mahiyangana today where he said NPP would become the main opposition after the presidential election. Pix by Pradeep Pathirana

Princess Diana reincarnated? 8-year-old claims he was Diana in past life

Billy Campbell, an 8-year-old Australian boy, claims to be the reincarnation of Princess Diana, a belief that began when he was just two years old.

Kim Jong Un executes 30 officials over floods in North Korea that killed 4,000: Report

North Korean leader Kim Jong-Un ordered up to 30 officials to be executed over their alleged failure to prevent massive flooding and landslides in the summer that The resulted in the death of some 4,000 people, according to South Korean media.

Four three-wheeler associations pledge support to Ranil

Three-wheeler associations today announced their support for independent candidate Ranil Wickremesinghe at the upcoming Presidential election.

ICFS to host ’Education Yaalpanam’ for students seeking overseas opportunities

The International Centre for Foreign Studies (ICFS) will host the fourth session of ’Education Yaalpanam’ on September 7 at the Vavuniya Public Library and on September 8 at the Jaffna Public Library Auditorium.

Sri Lanka removed from referral visa list for entry into Tanzania

High Commissioner Kana Kananathan said Sri Lanka has been officially removed from the referral visa list for entry into Tanzania, a status in place for over two decades.

Three Sri Lankan fishermen missing after collision with ship

Three Sri Lankan fishermen are reported missing after a local fishing trawler collided with a passing ship approximately 270 nautical miles (501 kms) off the coast of Galle.

President urges citizens not to leave country amid digital progress

President Ranil Wickremesinghe urged citizens of Sri Lanka not to rush to leave the country and said that the situation is improving and the country is progressing towards digitalisation.

State Minister Arundika Fernando becomes independent

While calling for unity among President Ranil Wickremesinghe, Opposition Leader Sajith Premadasa and others, State Minister Arundika Fernando announced in Parliament that he will function as an independent MP from today.

One-third of Sri Lanka’s children suffering from malnutrition: Committee report

A report presented to Parliament today revealed that one-third of Sri Lanka’s children are suffering from malnutrition.

Pope Francis, in Muslim-majority Indonesia, warns against religious extremism

Pope Francis on Wednesday urged political leaders in Indonesia, the world’s most populous Muslim-majority country, to guard against religious extremism, which he said distorted people’s religious beliefs through ’’deception and violence’’.

New Zealand hikes tourist tax prompting warning

New Zealand will steeply increase an entry tax for foreign tourists in a move some fear could deter visitors.

Ranil’s Economic Policies - The Good, The Bad and The Ugly

Ranil Wickremesinghe’s (RW) manifesto in English spans 13,496 words. While it is primarily aspirational, like most manifestos, it also uniquely outlines his efforts over the past two years to stabilize the economy.

Postal voting for 2024 Presidential election kicks off

Postal voting for the 2024 Presidential election officially begins today, with over 700,000 eligible voters set to cast their ballots.

A/L 2023 (2024) re-scrutiny results released

The re-scrutiny of results for the 2023 (2024) GCE Advanced Level (A/L) examination was released last night, the Examinations Department announced.

SLSC demands action following driver’s death at Customs gate

The Sri Lanka Shippers’ Council (SLSC), together with 17 member associations, the Container Transport Owners Association, and the Association of Clearing & Forwarding Agents (ACFA), yesterday expressed deep concern over the tragic death of a container driver who was stranded in line at the Customs exit gate for three days.

Cabinet nod for tax convention with Austria

Cabinet nod was given this week for a new tax convention between Sri Lanka and Austria, aimed at preventing double taxation and mitigating tax evasion.

Strategic framework for local fisheries industry gets Cabinet approval

The Cabinet this week approved a strategic framework aimed at revitalising Sri Lanka’s fisheries sector. The proposal, presented by the President and Minister of Fisheries, outlined a plan to position the industry as a key economic driver. The strategic report,

Bill to appoint Truth and Reconciliation Commission presented to House

The proposed Truth and Reconciliation Commission will not have a mandate to penalize anyone, Minister of External Affairs Ali Sabry told Parliament today.

Decision to raise public service salaries faces heavy criticism

With postal voting for the Presidential election just round the corner, the government’s decision to increase public service salaries has come under heavy criticism, with election monitors suggesting it is an attempt to exert influence.

RW asks SJB, NPP to withdraw proposals on public sector salaries

The Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB) and the National People’s Power (NPP) should retract the proposals in their policy statements regarding increasing the public servants’ salaries, as this task has already been accomplished, President Ranil Wickremesinghe said.

Ranil making impractical promises: AKD

President Ranil Wickremesinghe, who senses his defeat, has started to give impractical pledges like increasing salaries of government servants and writing off crop loans, NPP leader Anura Kumara Dissanayake said today.

Brendon McCullum named as England white-ball coach

England Test coach Brendon McCullum will also take control of the white-ball teams, the England and Wales Cricket Board announced on Tuesday.