Pakistan announces plan to bear prisoner repatriation expenses from SL

Pakistani Federal Minister for Communication Abdul Aleem Khan has promised to bear the repatriation expenses of Pakistani prisoners in Sri Lankan jails, said an official statement on Friday, making it possible for them to return to their home country by removing a major obstacle.

EU scotches social media reports on election poll survey in Sri Lanka

European Union scotched rumours on social media that it conducted an election poll survey in Sri Lanka.

Multi-sector show at BMICH

The Ultimate Multi-Sector Show was launched at BMICH today (19) and will go on until Sunday (21). Featuring the 3rd edition of the Lanka Water Expo, the Renewable Energy Expo, the EV & Battery Expo, and the Food & Beverage Expo, the event showcases cutting-edge innovations and solutions across various industries. Pix by Kithsiri de Mel

SriLankan Airlines back to normal after global outage

SriLankan Airlines said its internet booking services have been fully restored as of 2 pm today following the mass IT outage faced around the world.

No hindrance to declaration of Presidential election: EC confirms

In the wake of the gazetting of the 22nd Amendment to the Constitution, the Elections Commission (EC) has announced that there are no obstacles to declaring the Presidential Election which is due to be declared by the end of this month.

Ranil misusing state resources to boost image ahead of polls: NPP alleges

The National People’s Power (NPP) today alleged that state funds, vehicles and resources are being used to boost the image of the President ahead of the Presidential election and urged the Elections Commission to look into the matter.

22nd Amendment Bill gazetted by President

The bill titled the ’Twenty-second Amendment to the Constitution’ was published in a gazette notification, as ordered by the President.

Hingurakgoda airport to be modernised for international flight operations

The construction work to modernise the Hingurakgoda domestic airport for international flight operations commenced today under the initiative of Minister of Ports, Shipping and Aviation Nimal Siripala de Silva.

Anura Kumara to leave for Japan

National People’s Power (NPP) leader Anura Kumara Dissanayake is scheduled to leave for Japan.

Mass IT outage affects airlines, media and banks

A raft of global institutions - including major banks, media outlets and airlines - have reported suffering a mass IT outage.

Plans afoot to position Sri Lanka as regional hub for human capital development: President

President Ranil Wickremesinghe said that efforts are underway to position Sri Lanka as the regional hub for human capital development.

New Vice Chancellor appointed to Peradeniya University

President Ranil Wickremesinghe has appointed Professor W. M. T. Madhujith to the post of Vice Chancellor of the University of Peradeniya with effect from August 01, 2024, Presidetial Media Division (PMD) said.

Sri Lanka scraps plan to sell off SriLankan Airlines

Sri Lanka has scrapped plans to sell off its indebted national airline despite shortlisting three potential buyers, the government’s privatisation agency said Friday.

Fallen trees disrupt train services on upcountry line

Train services on the upcountry line have been disrupted due to trees falling across the tracks between Pattipola and Ohiya railway stations.

Customs interdict four top officials over major fraud

Sri Lanka Customs yesterday interdicted four of its senior officials attached to the Central Cargo Examination Directorate for being involved in a major fraud of releasing an illicit goods container to its importer by preparing fraudulent documents, the Daily Mirror learns.

Presidential poll announcement next week: EC Chairman

Election Commission Chairman R.m.a.l.ratnayake said yesterday that the Presidential election would be declared next week.

Lawyers facilitated Kanjipani’s escape from country: Alles

Amidst speculation surrounding the escape of underworld figure Kanjipani Imran, who is implicated in the Athurugiriya shooting incident, Public Security Minister Tiran Alles stated that the lawyers who represented Kanjipani played a pivotal role in facilitating his departure from the country immediately following his release on bail.

Tiran Alles challenges Harsha on VFS deal

Public Security Minister Tiran Alles challenged MP Harsha de Silva who has recommended the conduct of a forensic audit of the visa process outsourcing deal which the Sri Lankan government has signed with VFS Global.

Bangladesh state TV set ablaze in deadly protests

Protesters have set fire to the headquarters of the state broadcaster in Bangladesh as violent clashes between students and police continue, the authorities say.

FR petitions against IGP’s appointment: Order fixed for July 24

The order in respect of nine Fundamental Rights petitions filed challenging the appointment of Deshabandu Tennakoon as the Inspector General of Police was fixed for July 24 by the Supreme Court a short while ago.

Suryakumar confirmed as India’s T20I captain for Sri Lanka tour

Suryakumar Yadav has been named India’s T20 captain, the country’s cricket board announced Thursday, after Rohit Sharma quit the shortest format following last month’s World Cup triumph.

Supreme Court night session still continues over IGP’s appointment

The hearing into nine Fundamental Rights petitions challenging the appointment of Deshabandu Tennakoon as the Inspector General of Police is still continuing before a Supreme Court three-judge bench.

Wijeyadasa delays gazette on 22nd amendment

Ahead of the Presidential election, Minister of Justice Wijeyadasa Rajapakshe has directed Secretary to the Ministry of Justice, Prison Affairs and Constitutional Reforms to withhold the publication of the Gazette notification concerning the 22nd Amendment to the Constitution.

Govt. proposes financial aid package for MSMEs

With the aim of revitalizing micro, small, and medium-scale enterprises (MSMEs), a comprehensive package of financial facilities was introduced today (18) under the patronage of President Ranil Wickremesinghe at the Presidential Secretariat.

Seifert, Liyanage steer Galle Marvels to LPL final

Half centuries by Tim Seifert and Janith Liyanage helped Galle Marvels secure their place in the final with a comfortable seven-wicket win over Jaffna Kings in the Qualifier 1 of the fifth Lanka Premier League (LPL) T20 Cricket Tournament played at the R. Premadasa Stadium in Colombo.

All set for Women’s Asia Cup 2024

Women’s T20 Asia Cup 2024, will commence on July 19 at the Rangiri Dambulla International Cricket Stadium.

Senior DIG Nilantha placed on compulsory leave

Senior DIG Nilantha Jayawardena has been placed on immediate compulsory leave by the National Police Commission today, amidst ongoing investigations into the Easter Sunday attacks.

Sri Lanka braces for continued unsettled weather patterns

The Meteorology Department has issued a weather advisory indicating that the prevailing windy conditions over the island nation are set to continue owing to an active South-west Monsoonal condition.

No punitive action against police officers over suspect’s confession video: Alles

Public Security Minister Tiran Alles said that no punitive action will be taken against the senior police officers, including Western Province (South) Deputy Inspector General of Police Gayantha Marapana, for their interrogation of a tattoo studio owner in front of the media.

Economic Transformation Bill to be debated in Parliament next week

The party leaders representing parliament have decided to take up for debate the Economic Transformation Bill and the Public Financial Management (PFM) Bill on July 25, the Communications Department of Parliament said.