Deposits placed for Ranil Wickremesinge’s candidacy

Ronald Perera PC, placed a cash deposit on behalf of President Ranil Wickremesinge as an independent candidate for the forthcoming Presidential election.

EC begins accepting deposits; Sarath Keerthirathna first to submit bond

Deposits from candidates for the upcoming Presidential election will be accepted from 8:30 am today till 12:00 noon on August 14, 2024.

Presidential Election on September 21, nomination on August 15

The Presidential Election would be conducted on Saturday, September 21, the Election Commission has officially proclaimed, putting an end to long speculations and debates.

Court orders capture and release of tusker Agbo into forest reserve

The Anuradhapura Chief Magistrate yesterday ordered the Anuradhapura Assistant Director of Wildlife Conservation to capture and release the wild elephant, popularly known as Agbo, which has been frequenting the Thirappane area for more than a year, into a forest reserve.

IGP post to remain vacant a while more?

No step had been initiated afresh for the appointment of the next Inspector General of Police (IGP) either in permanent or acting capacity triggering further uncertainty on how the Elections Commission will secure police protection for the conduct of the Presidential election to be declared tomorrow, a top source said.

Sri Lanka unveils blueprint to transform outdated plantation sector to thriving agro-business

President Ranil Wickremesinghe yesterday unveiled a blueprint to transform the country’s outdated plantation sector towards a modern and thriving agro-business by rolling out a slew of major reforms with an inside-out approach.

Efforts underway to introduce climate change legislations to meet net zero carbon targets

The government is planning to introduce climate change legislation along with other new environment laws to meet net zero carbon targets before 2050.

CB cuts key rates by 25bps to prop up credit, economic growth

The Central Bank trimmed the policy rates by 0.25 percentage points. While the decision caught some sections of the economy off guard, others were not surprised.

PMD: Announcing President’s political campaign rallies abuse state resources – EC, PAFFREL

The President Media Division (PMD), the official portal to announce the President’s decisions, activities and news updates would violate the election law and abuse state resources if the former announces President Ranil Wickremesinghe’s public campaigns in the run-up to the poll, the Election Commission and polls monitoring bodies said.

Minister Harin sends letter to AKD regarding foreign trips

Minister Harin Fernando has responded to a statement made by leader of the National People’s Power (NPP), Anura Kumara Dissanayake, regarding the expenses for foreign trips undertaken by Fernando.

Police Clearance Division relocated from Police HQ

The Police Clearance Division, previously located at the Police Headquarters, has been relocated to the 17th floor of the Suhurupaya building in Battaramulla, police said.

Smart Classrooms for Sirimavo

Every classroom from Grade 1 to Grade 5 at Colombo Sirimavo Bandaranaike College has been upgraded to a smart classroom. Education Minister Susil Premajayantha officially handed them over to the students, with Principal Dr. Sumedha Jayaweera also present at the event.

Urgent request to relocate Sri Lankan asylum seekers from Diego Garcia amid crisis

Amidst mounting concerns over the well-being of Sri Lankan asylum seekers detained on Diego Garcia, British Foreign Secretary David Lammy has urgently requested their relocation to the UK.

Shooting in Grandpass leaves one dead

A shooting incident in the Grandpass area of Colombo has resulted in the death of one individual this evening, according to police.

Jordan’s king dissolves parliament ahead of new elections

King Abdullah of Jordan dissolved the country’s parliament on Thursday, a ceremonial step before parliamentary elections in September.

Keheliya Rambukwella further remanded

Former Health Minister Keheliya Rambukwella who was arrested over the import of substandard Immunoglobulin injections, was further remanded until August 08 by the Maligakanda Magistrate’s Court.

Parliament approves Economic Transformation Bill

Parliament unanimously approved the Public Financial Management Bill and the Economic Transformation Bill with amendments a short while ago.

Cabinet approves National Anti-Corruption Agenda

The Cabinet has approved the National Anti-Corruption Agenda submitted by President Ranil Wickremesinghe.

Sri Lanka gifts bougainvillea sapling to be planted in Saudi Holy City Medinah

Sri Lankan Ambassador to Saudi Arabia Ameer Ajwad who marked his first official visit to the’ Holy City of Madinah Al-Munawwarah from July 17 to 18 July presented Sri Lankan ‘bougainvillea’ plant sapling to its governor, to be planted there as a goodwill gesture in support of Saudi Arabia’s target to plant 10 billion trees across the country, according to a media statement from Foreign Ministry yesterday .

FAO warns of rising Avian Flu threat in the Asia Pacific

The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations is sounding the alarm about a surge in avian influenza cases across the Asia Pacific region.

Underworld delighted most after Supreme Court’s injunction on IGP: Prasanna

The underworld rejoiced the most after the Supreme Court issued an injunction order against IGP Deshabandu Tennakoon, Chief Government Whip Prasanna Ranatunga said today.

Demand cancellation of principal’s transfer

A protest was held in front of Kingswood College, Kandy by teachers, parents and the school’s Old Boys’ Association against the immediate transfer of the principal. The protesters are demanding the government to cancel the transfer, as they believe the principal has significantly improved the school’s education and the talents of the students.

Presidential Election to be declared tomorrow

The Election Commission announced that an extraordinary gazette notification will be issued tomorrow (26) to announce the date of the Presidential Election.

Nuwan Thushara ruled out of Indian T20I series

Sri Lankan fast bowler Nuwan Thushara has been ruled out of the upcoming Indian T20I series due to a finger injury sustained during a fielding practice session in Pallekelle.

Wijeyadasa Rajapakshe announces Presidential candidacy

Minister of Justice Wijeyadasa Rajapakshe officially announced his candidacy for the upcoming Presidential Election.

Ireland name squads for home white-ball series against Sri Lanka

Ireland have named their squad for next month’s ICC Women’s Championship series at home against Sri Lanka.

Execute Supreme Court judgement and appoint Acting IGP: Opposition tells government

An Acting IGP must be appointed without killing time while upholding the Supreme Court verdict on the IGP, Opposition MPs argued in Parliament today.

India series will be a good challenge for us - Pathirana

Sri Lankan pacer Matheesha Pathirana hopes that a good result for his team in the upcoming three-match T20 and ODI series against India starting on Saturday could be a huge confidence booster for the island nation.

AirSial to start direct flights between Colombo, Islamabad

AirSial, a private airline in Pakistan, is slated to start direct flight operations between Colombo and Islamabad, Sri Lankan High Commissioner Admiral (Retired) Ravindra Chandrasiri Wijegunaratne said.

Minister officiates elevated highway bridge connection

The connection between two directions of the newly constructed elevated highway bridge, linking Harbour City End and the New Kelani Bridge, was officially completed today under the patronage of Highway Minister Bandula Gunawardene. The construction of the bridge was carried out by China Civil Engineering Construction Corporation. Pix by Pradeep Pathirana