Transport associations pledge support to President

Ten transport associations, including the Lanka Private Bus Owners’ Association (LPBOA), have pledged their support to President Ranil Wickremesinghe at the 2024 Presidential election.

Gunman linked to ’Club Wasantha’ murder arrested

A suspected gunman allegedly involved in the recent murder of two individuals including businessman Surendra Wasantha Perera alias ‘Club Wasantha’ in the Athurugiriya area, has been apprehended in Dehiwala by the Terrorism Investigation Division (TID).

Profood Propack & Agbiz 2024

The food industry exhibition, organized by the Sri Lanka Food Processors Association (SLFPA) and Lanka Exhibition and Conference Services (LECS), is taking place at the Sirimavo Bandaranaike Exhibition and Convention Centre, Colombo. Pix by Kithsiri de Mel

Over 800 polls-related complaints reported

A total of 836 complaints related to the upcoming Presidential election have been received by the Election Commission as of this evening.

Customs seize Rs. 212Mn worth Hashish sent from Italy

A large quantity of the cannabis variety Hashish worth over Rs. 212 million, which had been sent from Italy through a courier service, was seized by the Sri Lanka Customs today.

14 killed as Indian bus falls into river in Nepal

At least 14 people have died after a bus carrying passengers from India fell into a river in Nepal, officials have said.

'AERO BASH 2024' kicks off in Trincomalee

The ’’AERO BASH 2024’’ educational, technical, and trade exhibition commenced on Thursday, August 22, 2024, at the Sri Lanka Air Force Academy China Bay.

Bangladeshi cricket star Shakib Al Hasan named in murder case

Bangladeshi cricket star and ousted lawmaker Shakib Al Hasan has landed in big trouble as a murder case has been filed against him in Dhaka, according to local media reports.

Anura Kumara demands Rs.2 Bn as damages from Hakeem

National People’s Power Presidential candidate Anura Kumara Dissanayake has sent a letter of demand claiming Rs. 2 billion as damages from Sri Lanka Muslim Congress leader Parliamentarian Rauff Hakeem for allegedly making a defamatory statement in Kattankudi on August 19, 2024.

Anura must probe Ranil’s assets declaration as first task: Handunnetti

Claiming that President Ranil Wickremesinghe had declared his assets and liabilities in a decietful manner, NPP politburo member Sunil Handunnetti said today that Anura Kumara Dissanayake must investigate into Ranil Wickremesinghe’s assets and liabilities as the first task after assuming office as the President.

Ranil among lowest earning Presidential candidates: Assets declaration reveals

Assets and liabilities declared by Presidential candidates contesting the 2024 Presidential election revealed that President Ranil Wickremesinghe is earning a monthly earnings of Rs.177,316, which is the lowest among the leading candidates.

Caution urged on imported scales and measuring equipment in local market

The Measurement Units, Standards & Services Department yesterday warned consumers to be cautious when purchasing scales and measuring instrument from the open market.

Angajan Ramanathan, Sarathi Dushmantha join Ranil

Senior Vice President of the SLFP, Angajan Ramanathan and former acting General Secretary of the SLFP, Sarathi Dushmantha officially pledged their support to President Ranil Wickremesinghe in the upcoming Presidential election, former Minister Manusha Nanayakkara said.

Namal Rajapaksa calls for collective effort to build brighter future

While acknowledging past mistakes, SLPP Presidential candidate Namal Rajapaksa emphasised the need for a collective effort to build a better future for all.

Ruwan briefs visiting U.S. official

Senior advisor to President Ranil Wickremesinghe on climate change Ruwan Wijewardene, in his meeting with Acting Assistant Secretary of State for Oceans and International Environmental and Scientific Affairs Jennifer R. Littlejohn and U.S. Ambassador Julie Chung, briefed that Sri Lanka is grappling with issues such as medical wastes from neighbouring countries.

Water tariffs revision announced

A special gazette announcement was issued announcing the reduced water tariffs, effective from last night (August 21).

Sports Ministry allocates funds for Peru-bound athletes

Following the Daily Mirror’s exposure highlighting the risk of 12 Sri Lankan junior athletes missing the 2024 World Junior Athletic Championships in Lima, Peru, due to a last-minute withdrawal of financial support by the Sports Ministry, the Ministry has now confirmed that the necessary funds have been allocated for all athletes to participate.

Presidential candidate Illiyas passes away

Muhammad Illiyas, an independent candidate for the 2024 Presidential election, passed away at the Puttalam Hospital last night at the age of 78, following a sudden heart attack.

Govt’s pre-poll salary hike announcement sparks Election Commission’s scrutiny

The government’s proposed salary hike for public servants along with the increased cost of living allowance is to come under scrutiny by the Election Commission to determine whether it will influence voting, particularly postal voting at the presidential election, an official said yesterday.

Monkeypox fears mount as Govt. allows visa free access to 35 countries

The government’s recent decision to allow visa-free entry for citizens of 35 countries has sparked serious concerns amid an uptick in Monkeypox cases in several of these nations.

SriLankan Airlines delights Samanera monks

SriLankan Airlines with the support of the Airport and Aviation Services (Sri Lanka), marked a milestone event today (22) by delighting a large group of Buddhist child monks, or ’Samaneras,’ with a special guided tour of the airport and their first opportunity to board an aircraft. This event coincides with the airline’s 45th anniversary which falls on 1 September 2024. Pix by Pradeep Pathirana

New BCB president openly threatens Hathurusingha, says ’’We can find someone better’’

Hathurusingha recently expressed his readiness to resign if the Bangladesh Cricket Board opts for a different direction.

’We need strong mandate to make revolutionary change’: Anura Kumara

Claiming that a minority government will not help make the expected change, NPP leader Anura Kumara Dissanayake said today he was hoping for a strong mandate to make a revolutionary change.

Postponing LG polls: President says he doesn’t regret decision

While acknowledging that postponing the Local Government elections is a violation of the citizens’ basic rights, President Ranil Wickremesinghe said he does not regret this decision.

Australia’s United Petroleum in operation from August 28

Australia’s United Petroleum Pvt. Ltd. is scheduled to commence their operations in Sri Lanka from August 28 under United Petroleum Lanka.

Cabinet approves salary increase for government employees

The Cabinet has approved a salary increase for all public servants, effective from January 2025, as announced today by the Expert Committee on Public Service Salary Disparities, according to the President’s Media Division (PMD).

CBSL Governor receives A Grade in Global Finance report

Sri Lanka’s Central Bank Governor Dr. Nandalal Weerasinghe has been awarded an ’’A’’ grade in the Global Finance’s 2024 Central Banker Report Cards, an international recognition that honors central bank leaders whose exceptional strategy and leadership has outperformed their global peers.

Dinesh to remain as PM if Ranil wins Presidential poll?

United National Party (UNP) Chairman Vajira Abeywardena today hinted that incumbent Prime Minister Dinesh Gunawardena will continue to be the Premier if the incumbent President emerges victorious at the Presidential election this year.

Medical graduates in protest...

The medical graduates staged a protest in front of the Ministry of Health today (22), demanding that health graduates be immediately recruited into the public service. The protestors claim that the move to recruit individuals from private institutions while restricting health graduates from free education should be withdrawn immediately. Pix Nimalsiri Edirisinghe

Election watchdog concerned as polls-related complaints mount

The Election Commission and election monitors have flagged concerns over the rising polls-related complaints which have now surpassed the 700 mark.