Samagi Jana Sandanaya Alliance unveiled

The Samagi Jana Sandanaya (SJS), a major political alliance led by Sajith Premadasa of the Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB), was officially launched today at the Sugathadasa Indoor Stadium in Colombo. The event featured Premadasa and the signing of agreements with several partner parties in preparation for the upcoming Presidential election. Pix by Nimalsiri Edirisinghe

Keheliya further remanded

Former Health Minister Keheliya Rambukwella who was arrested over the import of substandard Immunoglobulin injections, was further remanded until August 22 by the Maligakanda Magistrate’s Court.

Sanath thanks Sanga, Malinga for motivating the team

In the wake of the historic series win against India, Sri Lanka’s interim head coach Sanath Jayasuriya thanked Sri Lankan legends Kumar Sangakkara and Lasith Malinga for the support extended to the team and support staff.

USD 590,000 received by ‘Gaza Fund’ handed over to Palestinian government

An additional sum of USD 590,000 has been received by the ‘Children of Gaza Fund,’ which was established by President Ranil Wickremesinghe to provide basic needs for children displaced due to the current military situation in the Gaza Strip.

Seventh day alms giving ceremony

The seventh day alms giving was held today at the Gangaramaya Temple in Colombo to invoke blessings on the former Chief Incumbent of the Temple, late Ven. Galboda Gnanissara Thera. Pix by Kithsiri de Mel

Japan issues tsunami warning after strong earthquake hits Kyushu

A magnitude 7.1 earthquake registering a lower 6 on the Japanese seismic intensity scale struck southern Kyushu on Thursday afternoon, triggering a tsunami advisory for Kyushu’s east and southern coast and the southern coast of Shikoku, the Meteorological Agency said.

Sri Lanka spinner charged under ICC Anti-Corruption Code

The Sri Lanka player has been charged with three counts of breaching the ICC Anti-Corruption Code.

Pavithra to support Ranil at Presidential election

Irrigation, Wildlife and Forest Resources Conservation Minister Pavithra Wanniarachchi today said that she will support President Ranil Wickremesinge at the upcoming Presidential election.

Former Batticaloa MP P. Ariyanethran named common Tamil candidate

A collective of Tamil parties has nominated former Tamil National Alliance (TNA) MP for the Batticaloa district, P. Ariyanethran, as the common Tamil candidate to contest the presidential election, former MP M.K. Sivajilingam said.

Some 52 essential drugs still in short supply: Minister

Some 52 essential drugs are still in short supply in the country whereas there is no shortage of life saving drugs, Health Minister Ramesh Pathirana said today.

Taylor Swift concerts canceled after ISIS plot narrowly foiled by police

Taylor Swift’s Eras Tour shows in Vienna have been canceled because of what Austrian police say was a planned terrorist attack targeting the concerts.

Online Safety (Amendment) Bill presented in Parliament

The Online Safety (Amendment) Bill which aims to amend the recently enacted Online Safety Act was presented in Parliament today.

New alliance formed as ’Samagi Jana Sandanaya’

Several political parties signed an agreement today to form an alliance as the ’Samagi Jana Sandanaya’.

Medical equipment donated...

The Hospital Service Support Institute of Washington, California donated medical equipment to the Balapitiya Hospital through a donation programme under the patronage of Rajawelle Subhuthi Thera, Director of the Hospital Services Council and Medical Director S.W. Venura Kumara, specialist doctors, nurses and other staff. Pix by Pradeep Pathirana

Former Minister Arjuna Ranatunga joins Samagi Sandanaya

Former Minister Arjuna Ranatunga joined the SJB led Samagi Sandanaya alliance that is expected to back Opposition Leader Sajith Premadasa at this year’s Presidential election.

SC affirms death sentence for Vaas Gunawardena and five others

The Supreme Court five-judge bench today decided to dismiss the appeal petitions filed by former DIG Vaas Gunawardena, his son Ravindu Vaas Gunawardena, and four police officers who challenged the Colombo High Court’s judgment to impose the death sentence and convict them of committing the murder of millionaire businessman Mohamed Shyam.

Former Prisons Commissioner Lamahewa acquitted from prison riot case

The Supreme Court today order to acquit former Prisons Commissioner Emil Ranjan Lamahewa who was sentenced to death by Colombo High Court Trial-at-Bar over the killing of eight inmates on November 09, 2012.

Passenger dies, cop injured in Kotugoda checkpoint shooting

A 38-year-old passenger died and a police constable sustained serious injuries in a shooting incident during a checkpoint search in Kotugoda early this morning.

Pig,Dog out of election symbol list for independent candidates

The Election Commission has amended the list of symbols to be assigned to independent presidential candidates, leaving out ones that can cause embarrassment and offend religious sensitivities, an official said.

’’I am ready to work with Sajith, Anura and Namal if I win’’ - Ranil Wickremesinghe

President Ranil Wickremesinghe yesterday expressed his willingness to work with all parties if he wins the September 21 Presidential election and extended an open invitation to Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB) leader Sajith Premadasa, National People’s Power (NPP) leader Anura Kumara Dissanayake, and the newly elected Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna (SLPP) presidential candidate Namal Rajapaksa to form a national government.

3,694 Lankans depart for work in South Korea by August: SLBFE

As of August this year, a total of 3,694 Sri Lankans have left for work in South Korea, with another 100 individuals set to depart soon, the Sri Lanka Foreign Bureau of Employment (SLBFE) said.

SF to make a special statement tomorrow

Independent Presidential candidate Field Marshal Sarath Fonseka is to make a special statement tomorrow (Friday August 9).

Growing demand for SL travel accommodations: Google specialist

Sri Lanka is becoming a favoured destination among the international travellers, with a notable increase in Google searches for accommodation, according to a US-based Google specialist.

Entrepreneurial confidence grows as private company registrations expand in 2024

The number of new private company registrations in the country has shown a significant year-on-year (YoY) increase since the economic crisis in 2022, official data showed.

Justice Ministry brought under President’s purview

The Ministerial portfolios of Justice, Prison Affairs and Constitutional Reforms have been brought under the purview of the President through a Gazette Extraordinary issued by the President.

Protest by IUSF...

A group of students attached to the Inter University Student Federation (IUSF) staged a protest outside the University Grants Commission (UGC) demanding hostel facilities and arrears of the Mahapola Scholarship. Pix by Nimalsiri Edirisinghe

’Ice’ worth over Rs. 51 Mn seized in Katunayake

More than five kilograms of Methamphetamine (Ice) valued at more than Rs. 50 million were seized from a container yard in Katunayake today.

Sri Lanka seals first ODI series win against India since 1997

After enduring a 3-0 whitewash in the T20I series, Sri Lanka scripted a remarkable turnaround on Wednesday in the final ODI of the three-match series by defeating India by 110 runs, ending their 27-year drought for a bilateral series win against India.

Special seminar held...

The Sri Lanka Press Association (SLPA) organized a special seminar on the theme ‘Role of Media and Law in Sri Lanka’s Electoral Landscape’, which was conducted by former BASL President Saliya Pieris PC at the Bar Association of Sri Lanka auditorium at Colombo 12, on Tuesday (6). Pix by Samantha Perera

Presidential candidate count reaches 22

Four more candidates placed their cash deposits today (07) for the upcoming Presidential election, taking the total number of candidates to 22.