More than 20 children feared dead in Thailand bus crash

A bus carrying dozens of primary school children has crashed and caught fire just outside the Thai capital of Bangkok.

TNA MP S. Shritharan meets President

Former Tamil National Alliance (TNA) MP S. Shritharan met President Anura Kumara Dissanayake at the Presidential Secretariat today, the President’s Media Division (PMD) said.

Actor Govinda suffers bullet injury as revolver misfires, hospitalised

Actor Govinda on Tuesday was rushed to a hospital in Mumbai after sustaining an accidental bullet injury on his leg with his own revolver.

Superstar Rajinikanth admitted to Chennai Hospital; condition ’stable’

Superstar Rajinikanth was admitted to Chennai’s Apollo Hospital in the late hours on Monday, September 30. According to a hospital source, the 73-year-old actor’s condition is ’’stable’’ right now. The source, as quoted by News18, said the superstar was admitted to the hospital on Monday night after claiming to have “stomach problems.”

Bus fare revision to be announced tonight

The National Transport Commission (NTC) has decided to grant the benefit of recent fuel price revisions while reducing the bus fares.

Cabinet approves Rs. 11 Bn for general election

The Cabinet of Ministers has approved the release of Rs. 11 billion for the general election scheduled for November 14, 2024.

Children spotted at Colombo International Book Fair

More children were seen buying books at the Colombo International Book Fair, which was launched at the Bandaranaike Memorial International Conference Hall (BMICH). Pix by Nisal Baduge

Shigeru Ishiba elected Japanese Prime Minister

Japanese ruling party leader Shigeru Ishiba was elected prime minister in parliament on Tuesday, succeeding Fumio Kishida to take charge of the country at a time of low public confidence in politics, a shaky economy and mounting security threats.

Bus fare to be reduced by 4%, minimum fare will be Rs. 25: Anjana

The Inter Provincial Private Bus Association (IPPBA) has decided to reduce bus fares by four percent while bringing the minimum fare to Rs. 25.

Welgama’s death due to injuries caused by Aragalaya people: Former MP

Nawa Sri Lanka Nidahas Pakshaya leader Kumara Welgama’s death was caused by the injuries he sustained during the commotion on May 9, 2022, a former MP said.

Litro Gas Lanka gets new chairman

Channa Gunawardana was appointed today as the new chairman for Litro Gas Lanka Ltd. and Litro Gas Terminal Lanka Pvt. Ltd.

Preliminary probes into Easter attack, CB bond scam initiated

Preliminary investigations into the Easter Sunday bomb attacks and the Central Bank bond scam have been initiated, Cabinet Spokesman and Minister Vijitha Herath said.

Committee appointed to review entitlements for MPs, ex-Presidents

The Cabinet of Ministers has approved a proposal by the Prime Minister to form a committee tasked with reviewing the entitlements, allowances and privileges granted to Members of Parliament, Ministers and Ex-Presidents.

Govt. to recall Ambassadors, High Commissioners appointed on political allegiances

The government has taken steps to recall Ambassadors and High Commissioners who were appointed on political allegiances.

President instructs two-weeks suspension of scholarship exam answer script evaluation

The President directed the officials to suspend the evaluation of the Grade 5 Scholarship Examination answer scripts for two weeks.

Petition to reverse subsidy suspension

A group of farmers and several organizations filed a petition with the Election Commission (EC) to reconsider its decision to suspend fertilizer and fuel subsidies until the conclusion of the general election. Pix by Kithsiri de Mel

World Children's Day celebrated

Several activities and celebtarions were held for children at the the Viharamahadevi Park (formerly Victoria Park) to mark World Children’s Day. Pix by Kithsiri de Mel

New Acting Director General for Government Information Department

The Cabinet of Ministers has approved the proposal to appoint a new Director General for the Government Information Department with immediate effect on a full-time acting basis.

President appoints two senior economic advisors on honorary basis

President Anura Kumara Dissanayake has appointed the Chairman of the Ceylon Chamber of Commerce, Duminda Hulangamuwa and Prof. Anil Fernando of the Sri Jayawardenapura University as Senior Advisors for Economic Affairs and Finance on honorary basis.

New Acting Controller General for Immigration office

The Cabinet of Ministers has approved the appointment of Ms. B.M.D. Nilusha Balasooriya as the Acting Controller General of Immigration and Emigration with immediate effect.

New Govt. to review all connectivity-related projects with India

The new government led by President Anura Kumara Dissanayake has decided to review all the connectivity projects with India along with the Adani power projects in the north before taking a final decision on them after the next Parliament convenes following the conclusion of the General Election on November 14, a source familiar with the process said.

Ranjan wants new President to restore his civic rights

Actor-turned-politician Ranjan Ramanayake who was given a conditional pardon by former President Ranil Wickremesinghe for contempt of court in 2022 yesterday said he would make a fresh appeal to incumbent President Anura Kumara Dissanayake to grant him full pardon and to restore his civic rights.

SJB insists that Ranil should step down from UNP leadership

Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB) insists that United National Party (UNP) leader Ranil Wickremesinghe should step down as a condition for an electoral alliance with it in view of the General Election.

Three dead and 15 hurt in Shanghai Walmart stabbing

Three people died and 15 others were injured after a man went on a stabbing rampage inside a Walmart supermarket in Shanghai on Monday night.

Government aims to reclaim joyful, carefree childhood that every child deserves: President

Claiming that the government aims to reclaim the joyful, carefree childhood that every child deserves, President Anura Kumara Dissanayake said the government’s mission in this renaissance era is to free children from harmful prejudices and social effects, and the pressures of exam-focused education, which hinder their psychosocial development.

Former MPs cannot use diplomatic passport now: Secretary General of Parliament

Parliamentarians are not eligible to use their diplomatic passports after dissolution of Parliament and they need to obtain normal passports if they need to travel overseas, Secretary General of Parliament Kushani Rohanadeera said yesterday.

SJB files RTI on alleged requests for privileges by former President

Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB) Legal Secretary Farman Cassim has sent an application under the Right to Information Act (RTI) requesting details on the privileges which the Security Head of Ranil Wickremesinghe had allegedly asked for, on behalf of the former President.

Only one independent candidate declared expenses thus far, No major party stated yet: EC

Only a single independent candidate of the Presidential Poll 2024 has declared his campaign finances, whereas no major party had stated their election expenses by the end of September, having nine of 21 days of the grace period to declare expenses had lapsed by yesterday, the Daily Mirror learns.

Fuel prices slashed, no change in 95 Octane Petrol

The Ceylon Petroleum Corporation (CPC) announced that it will reduce the prices of fuel from midnight today.

No change in decision not to re-conduct Grade Five scholarship examination

There is no change in the decision not to re-conduct the Grade Five scholarship examination, Examination Commissioner General Amit Jayasundara said.