Cabinet nod to introduce hybrid parliamentary electoral system

The Cabinet endorsed a proposal to draft constitutional amendments for the introduction of a new parliamentary electoral system that will enable the election of 160 MPs under the previous First-Past-the –Post System and the remainder under proportional representation, Daily Mirror learns.

Another MP resigns from COPE

Opposition MP Wasantha Yapa Bandara, who was appointed to the Committee on Public Enterprises ( COPE) today, announced that he would resign as a member.

COPF recommends Central Bank to postpone salary hike

The Committee on Public Finance (COPF) today recommended in its report that the Central Bank postpones the salary increase of its employees.

Chicken prices reduced by Rs. 40

According to the Narahenpita Economic Centre, the retail price of a kilo of chicken has been reduced by Rs. 30, a senior official of the centre said.

Three underworld gang members arrested during special operation

Three members of underworld gangs were arrested during a special operation launched yesterday to crack down on organized criminal activities.

Country’s liquor consumption has drastically decreased: Excise Chief

Meeting a record annual tax revenue target of Rs.232 billion for the year 2024 is questionable, as Sri Lanka’s liquor consumption has drastically decreased in recent years owing to its ever increasing prices, as revealed by the Chief of Excise Department.

Spread of rabies due to intense heat

The Veterinary Medical Officers’ Association has warned on the imminent danger of rabies spreading due to the intense heat that severely affects dogs, cats and other animals.

Train delay on coastal line continues

Delay of train services on the coastal line continue due to the derailment of a train between Colombo Fort and Kompannaveediya railway stations last evening, the Railways Department said.

PAFFREL warns of election delay via new electoral system

While raising concerns over the Cabinet nod to amend the existing electoral system in respect of the parliamentary election, People’s Action for Free and Fair Elections (PAFFREL), alleged that the move could result in the postponement of the election.

20 Special teams mobilized targeting 20 underworld gangs

Following a concerning rise in organized criminal activities in the Western and Southern provinces, a special operation targeting 20 identified organized criminal gangs in the country under the ’Yukthiya’ initiative was launched yesterday.

Many hospitals in China stop newborn delivery services as birth rate drops

Many hospitals in China have stopped offering newborn delivery services this year, state-backed news outlet Daily Economic News reported, with industry experts warning of an ’’obstetric winter’’ due to declining demand amid a record drop in new births.

Opposition exodus holds no bar on COPE

The exodus of opposition MPs from the Committee on Public Enterprises (COPE), a watchdog committee, will have no bearing on the conduct of deliberations since the government’s representation is sufficient enough to maintain the quorum number, a top source said.

Elephant goes missing at Sinharaja Forest Reserve

The wildlife officers attached to the Sinharaja Forest Reserve observed that one of the two elephants living in the vicinity of the forest reserve had not been seen for the past one and a half years.

Lankadeepa clinches Most Popular Newspaper award again

Our sister papers Daily Lankadeepa and the Sunday Lankadeepa won the ’Most Popular Newspaper’ award for the 18th consecutive year at the ‘SLIM- KANTAR Peoples Award 2024’ being held at the Monarch Imperial, Sri Jayawardenapura Kotte.

Bangladesh’s Mushfiqur injured, out of Sri Lanka Tests

Veteran Bangladesh batsman Mushfiqur Rahim has been ruled out of the upcoming Test series against Sri Lanka due to a thumb injury, the cricket board said Tuesday.

Hasaranga's return to Test Cricket saves T20 World Cup participation

Sri Lanka all-rounder Wanindu Hasaranga has been suspended for Bangladesh’s two-Test series against Bangladesh, shortly after announcing his decision to return to Test cricket following his retirement from the format last year.

Lankadeepa wins 'Most Popular Newspaper' Award for 18th consecutive year

Our sister papers Daily Lankadeepa and the Sunday Lankadeepa won the most popular newspaper award for the 18th consecutive year at ‘SLIM- KANTAR Peoples Award 2024’ being held at Monarch Imperial, Sri Jayawardenapura Kotte.

Bangladesh mocks Sri Lanka after series defeat

Bangladesh clinched the third ODI against Sri Lanka by four wickets to secure a 2-1 series win on Monday (18) which was followed up by a celebration from their veteran wicket-keeper Mushfiqur Rahim who brought his helmet as they were lining up to pose for the post-match photograph adding more fuel to the fire.

Derailment causes disruption on coastal line

Train services along the Coastal Line faced a significant setback this evening following a derailment near the Secretariat Station.

Global ocean heat hit a new record every single day for the last year

The world’s oceans have now experienced an entire year of unprecedented heat, with a new temperature record broken every day, new data shows.

Fonseka’s lawsuit against SJB: Court rejects Sajith’s objections

The Colombo District Court today rejected the objections raised by Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB) leader Sajith Premadasa, against the enjoining order which prevented the SJB from removing Field Marshal Sarath Fonseka from his party membership and positions.

Plans afoot to issue licenses for 200 wine stores, 15 already issued: Sajith alleges

The government is planning to issue licenses to open 200 wine stores under the FL4 category and 15 of them have already been issued, Opposition Leader Sajith Premadasa alleged in Parliament today.

More Opposition members resign from COPE

A group of Opposition MPs including Dayasiri Jayasekara, Charitha Herath, Hesha Vithanage, Nalin Bandara, Shanakkiyam Rasaputhram and S.M. Marikkar have resinged from the Committee on Public Engterprises (COPE).

SL rupee drops below Rs 300 against USD

The buying rate of the US Dollar has dropped below the Rs. 300 rate for the first time since July 2023, according to the Central Bank of Sri Lanka (CBSL).

AI learning opportunity for Grade 8 and above from today

Students from Grades 8 and above will have the opportunity to study Artificial Intelligence (AI) with their information technology subjects, and this pilot project will be started in 20 schools from today, Education Minister Susil Premajayantha said.

Japanese Ambassador meets Anura Kumara, discusses upcoming Presidential election

Both sides discussed the current economic crisis and the political situation in Sri Lanka at length, and attention was also paid to the upcoming Presidential election.

Ministry to engage children in Olympiad competitions worldwide: Minister

The Education Ministry wants to involve children in competitions like Olympiads, implemented from schools level to the international level.

Cricket Australia postpones Afghan T20 series

Cricket Australia cites deteriorating human rights conditions for women and girls under Taliban rule

Central Bank has no powers to increase salaries without Parliament approval: Wijeyadasa

The Central Bank has no powers to increase the salaries of its employees without the approval of Parliament in terms of the Constitution and the move to increase their salaries is wrong, Justice Minister Wijeyadasa Rajapakshe said today.

Haven’t read Gota’s book, not even willing to: Basil

Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna (SLPP) founder Basil Rajapaksa said that he had not read the book published recently by former President Gotabaya Rajapaksa on an alleged conspiracy to oust him.