UNP Dambulla office attacked

The United National Party (UNP) office in Dambulla was attacked in what seems to be the beginning of pre-election violence.

First death after falling from train reported amid strike

Due to the ongoing train strike, the first death was reported after two commuters fell from a train in the Batuwatta-Bemmulla area, the Railways Department said.

Rs. 300 mn circulated among MPs when issuing permits for wine stores: Dayasiri

Opposition MP Dayasiri Jayasekara revealed today that more than Rs.300 million had been circulated among some MPs in the process of issuing licenses for 1,028 wine stores throughout the country.

Piumi Hansamali files writ petition against CID investigations

Sri Lankan model Piumi Hansamali has filed a writ petition in the Court of Appeal challenging the legality of the investigations conducted by the CID’s Illegal Assets Investigations Division regarding the alleged suspicious acquisition of property.

Government revenue loss due to protests will lead to salary cuts: Bandula

If the government loses revenue due to protests, then the monthly salary payments will be cut automatically, announced Cabinet spokesman and Minister Bandula Gunawardana.

More than 60% of MPs are my friends: Club Wasantha

Suresh Wasantha Perera, alias ’Club Wasantha’, who was shot dead this week had revealed in an interview with Danu Innasithamby on the Lankadeepa YouTube channel on November 18, 2022 that more than 60 percent of those in Parliament are his friends. Here are some of the photos of ’Club Wasantha’ with politicians, being shared on social media.

Adjournment debate tomorrow on holding timely Presidential election

Party leaders representing Parliament agreed to take up an adjournment debate tomorrow on holding the Presidential election within the specified time period as per the Constitution, the Communications Department of Parliament said.

Station Masters’ strike continues indefinitely

The Sri Lanka Railways Station Masters’ Union (SLRSMU) has decided to continue their train strike indefinitely following the government’s decision to consider all Station Masters who had not reported for duty as having vacated their positions.

Strikes could be the beginning of another ‘Aragalaya’: Bandula

The strikes that are prevailing in the country could be the beginning of another ‘Aragalaya’ that might destabilize the nation, Minister of Transport Bandula Gunawardene told Parliament today.

Some governors spend millions of rupees sans any laws, circulars: Vijitha

Claiming that governors in some provinces were spending colossal amounts of money for various things such as vehicles, Vesak and Poson zones without adhering to any circulars or laws, NPP MP Vijitha Herath said such arbitrary actions must be stopped immediately.

Salary increase for teachers who did not join sick-leave campaign

Transport and Mass Media Minister Bandula Gunawardana announced that the Cabinet has approved a salary increase for the teachers who continued teaching and did not join the sick leave campaign.

Fire breaks out at National Library

A fire broke out earlier today at the assembly hall of the National Library in Colombo, affecting the Documentation Services Board of Sri Lanka.

Health Ministry under fire for failing to regulate cosmetics

In the wake of recent development in regards to the substandard quality of cosmetic products, the health authorities have come under huge criticism for not regulating cosmetic products for years.

Tattoo shop owner says criminal ‘Loku Patty’ forced him to invite ’Club Wasantha’

Security has been tightened near the Kaduwela Magistrate’s Court and surrounding areas as suspects arrested in connection with the Athurugiriya shooting incident are brought to court.

Sri Lanka moves to amend Constitution on presidential and parliamentary terms

The Cabinet of Ministers has greenlit a resolution aimed at amending specific articles of the Constitution concerning the terms of office for the President and Parliament.

Aluthgamage criticises Election Commission over appointment of Mujibur as MP

Government MP Mahindananda Aluthgamage today criticised the Election Commission for allowing the appointment of Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB) MP Mujibur Rahaman through the national list.

23 train services cancelled amid strike

A total of 23 train services have been cancelled due to the trade union action launched by the Sri Lanka Railways Station Masters’ Union (SLRSMU) and Train Controllers.

COPF urges Finance Ministry to probe irregularities in imports of vehicles by expatriate workers

Whilst highlighting that 66 percent of vehicles imported by Sri Lankan expatriates have been done through two vehicle importing companies, chairman of the Committee on Public Finance (COPF) Harsha de Silva said today that his committee has requested the Finance Ministry to probe these irregularities.

Station Masters, Controllers must report by noon or be considered as having vacated posts

The Railways Department issued a final announcement requesting all Station Masters and Controllers to report for duty by noon today.

Dullas Alahapperuma-led alliance aligns with SJB

Nidahasa Janatha Sabawa (NJS) led by MP Dullas Alahapperuma has announced its decision to form an alliance with the Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB).

Qatar Airways marks new milestone

Qatar Airways marked a new milestone by introducing its sixth daily flight from Doha to Colombo today.

Station Masters’ Union Executive Committee gathers to determine next course of action

Following the Railways Department’s announcement yesterday, the Executive Committee of the Sri Lanka Railways Station Masters’ Union (SLRSMU) has decided to convene shortly to determine their next course of action.

Dubai based gangsters orchestrated shooting; Kanjipani Imran suspected mastermind

Investigations with regard to the shooting in Athurugiriya where two persons including Club Wasantha were killed, revealed that two underworld criminals, ’Loku Patti’ and ’Gona Kovile Shantha,’ currently hiding in Dubai, directly orchestrated the operation to kill Club Wasantha.

Lankan with Malaysian passport worth Rs.9mn nabbed at BIA

A Sri Lankan national who tried to leave the country for Austria with a Malaysian passport, which he had obtained by paying Rs.9 million to a scammer, was nabbed by the Immigration and Emigration Department officials at the Bandaranaike International Airport (BIA).

Tourist arrivals pick up pace in July

Sri Lanka welcomed over 43,000 international visitors in the first week of July, a significant pickup in the tourist inflow rate from last month.

Post-crisis construction interest surpasses economic boom levels: Industry

Sri Lanka’s construction industry, crippled by poor policies and crisis events, is bouncing back with renewed vigor, industry leaders said, as they see a surge in interest surpassing even the boom times of economic growth.

New emergency waiting area unveiled at Mirihana Women’s Bureau

A new Emergency Waiting Area at the Mirihana Women and Children’s Bureau was officially inaugurated today, July 9, 2024, marking a crucial step in bolstering support for vulnerable populations affected by gender-based violence (GBV).

Gemunu threatens strike if President raises VAT for public servants’ salary hike

The Lanka Private Bus Owners’ Association (LPBOA) warned today that if the President decides to raise the current Value Added Tax (VAT) to meet the public servants’ salary increase demands, they will resort to trade union action with the participation of all private associations.

Absent station masters to be considered vacated

The Railways Department stated that all Station Masters who do not report for duty tomorrow will be considered as having vacated their positions.

No seniority requirement for next AG: Govt. to Bar Association

In response to queries from the Bar Association of Sri Lanka (BASL) regarding the appointment of the next Attorney General following the retirement of Sanjay Rajaratnam, President’s Secretary Saman Ekanayake clarified that there is no constitutional obligation to appoint the senior-most officer from the Attorney General’s Department based solely on seniority.