Opposition to nominate member for Speaker’s post

The Opposition will nominate an MP for the Speaker’s post on Tuesday when Parliament meets to elect a successor to Ashoka Ranwala who resigned from his post last week.

Diplomatic gaffes embarrass Lanka’s friendly nations: Sunday Times

A huge diplomatic gaffe came to pass this week when Prime Minister Dr. Harini Amarasuriya thanked Taiwan, China’s arch-enemy, for an “incredibly generous donation” given—and said so in the presence of the Chinese Ambassador Qi Zhenhong to boot, the Sunday Times reported.

Is the government at risk of over-borrowing in 2024?

In the wake of Sri Lanka’s recent presidential election, there has been growing debate over the government’s borrowing strategy for 2024. While some critics warn of excessive borrowing, others argue that it is necessary for fiscal stability.

Pope appoints Gnanapragasam Anthonypillai as new Bishop of Mannar

Pope Francis has officially appointed Reverend Gnanapragasam Anthonypillai as the new Bishop of Mannar, following the resignation of Bishop Fidelis Lionel Emmanuel Fernando from the pastoral care of the diocese.

Trump gets $15m in ABC News defamation case

ABC News has agreed to pay $15m (£12m) to US President-elect Donald Trump to settle a defamation lawsuit after its star anchor falsely said he had been found ’’liable for rape’’.

32-year-old killed in shooting at Meegoda

A 32-year-old man was killed in a shooting incident at Nagahawatta, Meegoda, last night.

President accepts Speaker’s resignation; Parliament informed

The Secretary to the President has informed the Secretary General of Parliament, in writing that the President has accepted the resignation of the Speaker, Asoka Ranwala, Communications Department of Parliament said.

South Korea’s President Yoon impeached over martial law bid

South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol was impeached on Saturday in a second vote by the opposition-led parliament over his short-lived attempt last week to impose martial law, a move that had shocked the nation and split his party.

Deputy Speaker shares his qualifications on social media

In the wake of the controversy over the qualifications of certain politicians in the ruling party, Deputy Speaker Dr. Rizvie Salih has shared his qualifications on social media.

Explanations called from parliamentary employees

The process of re-checking and updating the information of all MPs on the parliamentary website is underway following the discovery that some titles were fake, an informed source said.

Colombo Shopping Festival...

The Colombo Shopping Festival offers the opportunity to find all kinds of textiles, footwear, home appliances, and gifts under one roof for this festive season. The festival will be open daily from 10 AM to 10 PM at BMICH, from yesterday (13) until December 24. Pix by Kithsiri De Mel.

Gazette issued on Sripada pilgrimage guidelines

A gazette notification was issued to inform the general public about the guidelines they must strictly follow during the Sripada pilgrimage season, which commences today.

Security for former Presidents to be periodically reviewed

In the wake of the decision to reduce the number of security personnel assigned to former Presidents, including Mahinda Rajapaksa, police said that the committee appointed to review security will meet periodically and assess reports to determine whether the number of personnel should be further reduced or increased.

Extreme heat worsens coconut shortage in Sri Lanka

The high temperatures experienced during the first three months of this year have worsened Sri Lanka’s ongoing coconut shortage, alongside the increasing population of toque macaques, Head of the Department of Crop Science at the Ruhuna University and Senior Lecturer Professor K.K.I.U. Arunakumara said.

Sri Lanka completes sovereign bond exchange

The government has announced the successful completion of its International Sovereign Bonds (ISBs) exchange offer, with 98% of bondholders participating.

Minor fire at Herali restaurant in Colombo 2

A fire broke out at Herali restaurant in Colombo 2 on Friday, the Fire Service Department said.

Ukraine facing ’massive’ Russian attack on energy sector

Russia launched a widespread attack on Ukraine’s energy infrastructure overnight, forcing the country to implement emergency power outages, Ukrainian authorities said on Friday.

Govt MPs failing to prove qualifications should resign: Namal

Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna (SLPP) MP Namal Rajapaksa urged government MPs to resign if they fail to provide evidence of their educational qualifications, echoing the recent resignation of Speaker Ashoka Ranwala.

Speaker resigns

Speaker Ashoka Ranwala has stepped down from his position amid controversies regarding his doctorate qualifications.

President to embark on first overseas visit to India

President Anura Kumara Dissanayake is set to make his inaugural state visit to India from December 15 to 17, 2024, at the invitation of Indian President Droupadi Murmu, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs announced today.

NDF to propose Select Committee to review educational qualifications of NPP MPs

The New Democratic Front (NDF) Parliamentary Group Leader, Jeewan Thondaman, is expected to propose the establishment of a select committee to review the educational qualifications of all Members of Parliament (MPs) of National People’s Power (NPP)

Chinese Commodity Exhibition 2024

Organized by the Lanka-China Economic and Cultural Council, the 16th Chinese Commodity Exhibition showcases an array of Chinese-made products for display and sale at the BMICH premises in Colombo. Pix by Kithsiri De Mel

Members appointed to Port City Economic Commission

President Anura Kumara Dissanayake officially appointed members to the Port City Economic Commission, the President’s Media Division (PMD) said.

Govt spends Rs. 214 bn annually on alcohol-related health issues

The government spends Rs. 214 billion annually to address health issues related to alcohol consumption, highlighting the significant social, economic and health challenges posed by alcohol.

South Indian actor Allu Arjun arrested over ’Pushpa 2: The Rule’ stampede

South Indian superstar Allu Arjun was arrested on December 13 in connection with a devastating stampede at the December 4 premiere of his film Pushpa 2: The Rule at Sandhya Theatre in Hyderabad, which claimed the life of a 39-year-old woman and critically injured her young son.

Former Sri Lankan diplomat in Australia fined more than $100,000 for ‘entrapping’ domestic worker

A diplomat who “entrapped” a domestic worker in her Canberra home, forcing her to work 14 hours, seven days a week, for less than a dollar an hour, has been fined more than $100,000 in the federal court.

’’Dr’’ title added mistakenly to Justice Minister’s profile: Parliament clarifies

Clarfying the removal of the title ’’Dr’’ for Justice Minister Harshana Nanayakkara from the Parliament website, the Parliament media unit said the title was mistakenly added before the name of the Justice Minister and that it has now been corrected.

Increased Customs tax prevents selling rice at controlled price: Importers

Even though the required stocks of rice have been imported into the country, releasing these stocks to the local market has been difficult due to an increase in Customs duty charged per kilogram, a rice importer said.

Latvia blocked fertiliser shipment to SL for over two years, claims Russian Ambassador

Russian Ambassador Levan S. Dzhagaryan alleged yesterday that Latvia, a European Union country, blocked a shipment of free fertiliser to Sri Lanka for over two years.

Anyone found guilty of wrongdoing will face consequences: President

Claiming that the government will not shield anyone who errs, for any reason, President Anura Kumara Dissanayake said today anyone found guilty of wrongdoing will face the consequences.