Ravi Senaviratne or Shani Abeysekera will not be removed for any reason: Minister

Secretary to the Public Security Ministry former Senior Deputy Inspector General (DIG) Ravi Senaviratne and Director of Crimes of Sri Lanka Police Former Director CID SSP Shani Abeysekera will not be removed from their positions for any reason, Minister Vijitha Herath said today.

No special room reservations, extra facilities for ministers at holiday bungalows

Cabinet spokesman Minister Vijitha Herath said that decisions have been made not to allocate government-assisted wildlife holiday bungalows at concessionary rates to close relatives of Ministers and Ministry officials. Some bungalows had previously offered concessionary rates following instructions from Ministers.

Government not ready to accept Presidential Committee’s report in its entirety

The government will not accept the report of the Committee headed by retired Judge A.N.J. De Alwis that probed the Easter Sunday bomb attacks in its entirety as it is politically motivated, Minister Vijitha Herath said today.

IMF Chief commends Sri Lanka’s reform commitment

International Monetary Fund (IMF) Managing Director Kristalina Georgieva praised the country’s commitment to reform efforts during a meeting with the visiting Sri Lanka delegation, reaffirming its support for the nation’s progress under the ongoing IMF programme.

Jay Shah set to start ICC stint, board recommends change in chief’s tenure

The International Cricket Council has recommended changes in the chief’s tenure. The move comes right before Jay Shah is set to take over the cricket body.

President and Ministers will not attend CHOGM in Samoa

President Anura Kumara Dissanayake and other ministers will not attend the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM), which is scheduled to be held in Samoa from October 25 to 26, 2024.

Musk’s $1m-a-day to swing states voters ’deeply concerning’

Tech billionaire Elon Musk has said he will give away $1m (£766,000) a day to a registered voter in key swing states until the US presidential election on 5 November.

Police deny purchasing substandard breathalyzers

In response to reports that Sri Lanka Police had purchased substandard breathalyzers for testing drunk drivers, the Police have clarified that no payments have been made for the 14,803 breathalyzer boxes that failed quality tests.

Catholic Church rebuffs Gammanpila’s allegations

The Catholic Church is to officially reject the accusations that have been made against two government officials in the Presidential Commission report on Easter Sunday attacks, which was revealed by former Minister Udaya Gammanpila yesterday.

NPP Govt. unresponsive over Easter Sunday allegations

Despite the seriousness of allegations made against a senior official handpicked by it, the government, led by the National People’s Power (NPP), remained unresponsive yesterday.

National consumer prices fall 0.2%

The national consumer prices fell into deflation in September, after the food prices cooled, while the fuel prices took away much of the heat on the non-food price inflation during the last few months.

SL set to be removed from IMF’s surcharge list of countries from November

Sri Lanka is set to be removed from the International Monetary Fund’s (IMF) surcharge list of countries, once the multilateral lender’s latest lending reforms come into effect from November 1 of this year.

Economic recovery to boost finance and leasing companies in FY25: Fitch Ratings

Sri Lanka’s finance and leasing companies (FLCs) are set to benefit from the country’s economic recovery, moderating inflation and lower interest rates, Fitch Ratings said in a recent report, projecting improved performance for the financial year ending March 2025 (FY25).

Annual Vas ceremony at IIT

Buddhist monks walking with lanterns in hand as they make their way to the main hall for the Dhamma sermon during the Annual Vas ceremony held recently at the International Institute of Theravada (IIT) in Karuwalagaswewa, Anamaduwa. Pix by Nisal Baduge

Immigration Dept. commences issuing newly imported ‘P’ series passports today

The Department of Immigration and Emigration commenced issuing the newly imported ‘P’ series passports today packed with novel security features and refined look.

SL a signatory to Joint Letter supporting UN Secretary-General, Foreign Ministry says

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs quashed media reports that Sri Lanka had not signed a joint letter supporting the UN Secretary General, in response to the recent declaration by the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Israel desingating the UN Secretary General as ’’persona non grata’’.

Will withdraw from politics if vehicle allegations are proven: Rohitha Abeygunawardena

Former parliamentarian Rohitha Abeygunawardena said today that if the allegations regarding the vehicles seized by the Kandy Division Criminal Investigation Bureau are proven, he will withdraw from politics and resign from his candidacy at the upcoming general elections.

Low-pressure water supply in Western Province tomorrow

The water supply in several areas of the Western Province will be at low pressure tomorrow due to a sudden breakdown in the transmission pipeline to the Churchill Reservoir, the National Water Supply and Drainage Board (NWSDB) announced.

Post-mortem reveals cause of death in triple murder case

The post-mortem examinations of the three bodies found in a two-storied house in Sinhapura, Chilaw has revealed that it was a case of double murder followed by suicide.

Damitha leaves SJB, joins DNA

Actress turned political activist Damitha Abeyratne announced that she had resigned from the Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB), joining the Democratic National Alliance (DNA) which is contesting the upcoming general election under the post box symbol.

Madushka pushing for permanent ODI spot

Sri Lanka may have found their solution for long-term struggles at the top of the order with the rise of Nishan Madushka, who has been with the Test Squad for a long time.

FR petition filed challenging General Elections scheduled for November 14

A civil society activist has filed a Fundamental Rights petition before the Supreme Court, challenging the Election Commission’s decision to hold the Parliamentary Elections on November 14.

D.V. Chanaka claims President’s rally ruined Tangalle grounds

Former Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna (SLPP) MP D.V. Chanaka claimed that the Tangalle Municipal Ground has been ruined by the first election rally of President Anura Kumara Dissanayaka.

Sri Lankan racer Yevan David wins on Euroformula debut at damp Monza

Motopark’s Yevan David won on his Euroformula debut at a damp Monza.

Veterinary health certificate a must when transporting pigs

The Department of Animal Production and Health has decided to make the veterinary health certificate mandatory when transporting pigs.

12 school transport buses, vans deemed unfit removed from service

A total of 12 buses and vans used for transporting school children, which were deemed unfit for service, were removed from operation this morning. The decision was made by Nuwara Eliya District Chief Vehicle Inspector, Daminda Dissanayaka.

King Charles heckled by Australian senator shouting ‘you are not my king’

King Charles‘s landmark address to Australia’s Parliament House on Monday was disrupted by a protesting Indigenous senator shouting “you are not my king” and accusing him of “committ[ing] genocide against our people

Ravi Seneviratne should be removed, says Gammanpila

Pivithuru Hela Urumaya (PHU) leader, former MP Udaya Gammanpila has called for the immediate removal of Ravi Seneviratne from the post as the Public Security Ministry Secretary, as he has been named as a main accused in the Easter Sunday bomb attacks investigations by a Presidential Commission of Inquiry (PCoI) report.

Protect elephants' right to life, freedom

The All Animal and Transhumance Organization held a protest at the Technical Junction, urging the government to protect elephants’ right to life and freedom, as they are dying prematurely due to train accidents and human activities. Pix by Kithsiri De Mel

Technical malfunction causes delays between Fort, Maradana

Sri Lanka Railways reported delays affecting train services between Colombo-Fort and Maradana due to a technical malfunction at the Fort Railway Station.