SLPP’s presidential candidate to be announced next week: Namal

The final decision regarding the presidential candidate of the Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna (SLPP) will be made next week, SLPP’s national organiser MP Namal Rajapaksa said.

President appoints committees in response to global developments

In light of potential global and Middle Eastern developments, including the assassination of a Hamas political leader in Iran, President Ranil Wickremesinghe has decided to establish a national security committee, an economic committee and a high-level committee to oversee their activities.

53 foreign nationals nabbed over online scams

A group of 53 suspects wanted in connection with international monetary rackets were arrested during a raid on a hotel in Norochcholai today by Puttalam Division Crime Investigation Unit.

SLFP Central Committee expresses support for President: PMD

The Central Committee of the Sri Lanka Freedom Party (SLFP) met with President Ranil Wickremesinghe a short while ago and expressed their unwavering support for his victory in the forthcoming presidential election, the President Media Division said.

More SLPP MPs to join Ranil within next few days: Piyal Nishanatha

Claiming that more than 70 MPs of the Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna (SLPP) have pledged their support to President Ranil Wickremesinghe, State Minister Piyal Nishanatha said another group of SLPP MPs will join the President within the next few days.

Presidential elections 2024: Patali keeps all options open

The leader of the United Republic Front, MP Patali Champika Ranawaka, said he is keeping all options open with regard to the presidential election and is also ready to contest for the presidency if his party members want him to.

Donation to J’pura University

The Herath Foundation in Japan in collaboration with the Alumni Association of the University of Sri Jayewardenepura donated an ambulance and nebulizing machines to the Vice Chancellor of the University, Senior Professor Pathmalal Manage, yesterday.

Carpenter works...

A carpenter works in his workshop in Bloemendhal, Colombo. Carpentry shops have been a fixture in Bloemendhal for centuries, supporting many local craftsmen. Pix by Pradeep Pathirana.

Go for dialogue with MR once more, Deputy Speaker tells President

Deputy Speaker Ajith Rajapaksa has informed President Ranil Wickremesinghe to go for a dialogue with former President Mahinda Rajapaksa and try to obtain the full support of the Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna (SLPP).

Tharushi to run at Paris Games on Aug. 2

Hangzhou Asian Games Gold Medallist Tharushi Karunarathna will come out for the first time at the 33rd Paris Olympic Games when she competes in the Women’s 800m heats on August 2.

President condemns assassination of Hamas leader

President Ranil Wickremesinghe expressed his strong condemnation of the assassination of Hamas political leader Ismail Haniyeh.

EC summons Public Security Ministry secretary over IGP matter

The Election Commission (EC) has summoned Secretary to the Ministry of Public Security, and Senior Deputy Inspector of Police (SDIG) Asanga Karavita to discuss the issues surrounding the Inspector General of Police (IGP).

116 SLPP, UNP Provincial Council members vow support to President

A group of 116 former Provincial Council members from the Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna (SLPP) and the United National Party (UNP) pledged their commitment to support President Ranil Wickremesinghe at the upcoming Presidential election, according to the President’s Media Division.

38 Air Traffic Controllers left since 2020 due to latest currency crisis

Since 2020, a significant number of Air Traffic Controllers (ATCs) have left the country due to the latest currency crisis, Airport and Aviation Services (Sri Lanka) (Private) Limited (AASL) Chairman Eng. Athula Galketiya said.

TikTok HQ staff hit by mass food poisoning incident

Dozens of staff at the Singapore office of TikTok’s parent company, ByteDance, have been hospitalised in an apparent food poisoning outbreak.

Fuel price revision tonight

A fuel price revision will take place tonight, the Power and Energy Ministry said.

New Zealand to support growth of Sri Lanka’s dairy industry

The New Zealand government has agreed to support the growth of Sri Lanka’s dairy industry.

Visa deal challenged before Supreme Court

Transparency International Sri Lanka (TISL) has filed a fundamental rights petition before the Supreme Court, calling for action against procedural violations and abuse of public trust by officials in the procurement of private entities to handle the Electronic Travel Authorization (ETA) system for issuing visas to tourists visiting Sri Lanka.

Abeysinghe makes early exit from Olympics

Sri Lankan swimmer Kyle Abeysinghe finished last in the Men’s 100m freestyle heat four at the 33rd Paris Olympic Games in France.

Man arrested with two T-56 weapons

A 43-year-old person was arrested with two T-56 assault riffles during a search operation conducted by the Police Special Task Force in Aralaganwila.

Election Commission seeks report from health DG

The Election Commission has sought a report from the Director General of Health Services regarding the participation of government nurses in uniform at the National All Ceylon Nurses’ Conference, which was held under the patronage of National People’s Power (NPP) leader Anura Kumara Dissanayake.

John Keells Holdings 1Q25 profitability slips

Premier blue-chip company John Keells Holdings PLC reported a decline in group profitability for the first quarter of the financial year 2025 (1Q25) due to pre-opening expenses and non-cash exchange losses of its upcoming high-profile property, and a notable deferred tax credit at the ports and shipping business.

Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh killed in Iran, group says

Hamas’s top political leader Ismail Haniyeh has been killed in Iran, the group has confirmed.

Sajith places deposit to contest 2024 presidential election

Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB) General Secretary Ranjith Madduma Bandara placed the deposit on behalf of Opposition Leader Sajith Premadasa to contest the Presidential election 2024.

Customs earn Rs. 708 billion in 2024 without vehicle imports

Sri Lanka Customs has achieved an income of Rs. 708 billion from the Rs. 1,537 billion revenue target set for 2024, said Finance State Minister Ranjith Siyambalapitiya.

Tussle begins to garner Parliamentarians’ support for Ranil Wickremesinghe

​Days after President Ranil Wickremesinghe announced his candidacy in the September Presidential Election, 92 Parliamentarians, mostly from the Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna (SLPP) met Wickremesinghe last evening and pledged their support to him.

Absence of IGP: National Police Commission seeks AG’s advice

In the absence of both the Inspector General of Police and the Senior Deputy Inspector General in charge of Administration at Sri Lanka Police, the National Police Commission has sought the Attorney General’s advice regarding a crucial appointment.

Most MPs set to align with SJB rejected by NPP: Anura Kumara

Most of the Parliamentarians who are said to be forming an alliance with the Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB) on August 8 had sought to join the National People’s Power (NPP) but were rejected due to their bad political history, NPP leader Anura Kumara Dissanayake said today.

Pledging their support...

92 MPs pledge support to President: PMD

Ninety-two Members of Parliament met with President Ranil Wickremesinghe, pledging their support for him in the upcoming presidential election, the President Media Division said.