Protest against Online Safety Act...

Former Minister Mervyn Silva and a group entered the Borella cemetery and held a protest against the Online Safety Act.

Cardinal Malcolm Ranjith calls for new class of leadership in Sri Lanka

Archbishop of Colombo Cardinal Malcolm Ranjith today urged Sri Lankan people to be courageous enough to handover the nation to a new class of leadership.

Protest in Jaffna against Independence Day celebrations, five arrested

Police fired tear gas and water cannons to disperse a group of Jaffna University students and political leaders of the North, who staged a protest in Iranamadu, Kilinochchi calling the Independence Day a ’black day’.

Sri Lanka celebrates 76th Independence Day

The official ceremony to mark the 76th Independence Day of the Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka got off the ground at the Galle Face Green this morning Thai Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin as the guest of honour. The event saw the participation of President Ranil Wickremesinghe, Prime Minister Dinesh Gunawardena, visiting foreign dignitaries, diplomats, military personnel, religious leaders.

World leaders congratulate Sri Lanka on its 76th Independence Day

Several world leaders, including His Holiness Pope Francis, King Charles III of the UK, US President Joe Biden, Chinese President Xi Jinping and Indian President Droupadi Murmu congratulated Sri Lanka on its 76th Independence Day, the President’s Media Division (PMD) said.

Biden will win South Carolina Democratic primary, earning first delegates of 2024

South Carolina, the state that launched Joe Biden to the Democratic nomination four years ago, will deliver the president his first official primary victory of the 2024 campaign on Saturday, CNN projects.

Kandy Hospital team replants woman’s severed hand

A team led by Dr. Amila Sasanka Ratnayake, a specialist surgeon at the National Hospital, Kandy successfully replanted the right arm of a thirty-five-year-old woman from Anuradhapura. 

Open visit to prisons

On the occasion of the 76th Independence Day, an open visit to the inmates will be conducted in all prisons on the island today, following the prison rules and health and safety procedures. Pix by Nisal Baduge

Prisoners released

A total of 754 prisoners, including 25 female inmates, were released from prisons island-wide today under a Presidential amnesty to commemorate the 76th Independence Day. The release was executed in accordance with the powers vested in the President under Article 34 of the Constitution. Pix by Nisal Baduge

Debutant Chamika replaced after helmet blow

Kasun Rajitha has been approved as the ’concussion replacement’ for Chamika Gunasekera, who was hit on the helmet while batting during Sri Lanka’s 1st inning.

SJB to take disciplinary action against SF?

Taking an offensive stance against Field Marshal Sarath Fonseka, Leader of the Opposition and Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB) leader Sajith Premadasa said he will not hesitate to take displinary action against those who criticise decisions taken by him and his party.

Army promotes 211 officers, 1,239 other ranks on Independence Day

A total of 211 officers of the Sri Lanka Army (Regular and Volunteer Force) and 1,239 Other Ranks of the Army (Regular Force and Volunteer Force) have been promoted to their next respective ranks in view of the 76th Independence Day (04 February 2024).

Navy arrests 23 Indian fishermen in two poaching trawlers in Sri Lankan waters

The Sri Lanka Navy arrested 23 Indian fishermen in two Indian trawlers while poaching on the northern waters of Sri Lanka, off the Delft Island in Jaffna.

’Contribute utmost energy to noble mission of rebuilding our nation’: President

President Ranil Wickremesinghe in his Independence Day message invited all Sri Lankans, at home and abroad, to contribute their utmost energy to the noble mission of rebuilding the nation.

Google Doodle celebrates Sri Lanka’s Independence Day 2024

Google celebrated Sri Lanka’s 76th Independence Day today with a Google Doodle featuring the Sri Lankan flag with ‘Google’ below it.

Floral tributes offered to late Prime Minister D.S. Senanayake

Late Prime Minister D.S. Senanayake was honored with floral tributes at his statue in Independence Square, Colombo today to mark the 76th Independence Day. Minister Susil Premjayantha, Former Speaker Karu Jayasuriya, Senior Advisor to President Ranil Wickremesinghe on Climate Change Ruwan Wijewardene, Colombo Municipal Commissioner Bhadrani Jayawardena, and Former Minister Hemakumara Nanayakkara paid their respects at the late Premier’s statue.

Imran Khan and wife Bushra Bibi jailed for illegal marriage

A Pakistani court has jailed Imran Khan and his wife for seven years after voiding their marriage, in the latest sentence against the ex-prime minister.

Keheliya Rambukwella admitted to prison hospital

Former Health Minister Keheliya Rambukwella, who was remanded over importation of substandard Immunoglobulin injections, was admitted to Prison Hospital.

Diplomatic grandeur follows Non- Aligned Summit in Uganda

The recent Summit of the Heads of State and Government of the Non-Aligned Movement (NAM) and the Group of 77 (G77) and China Third South Summit, held in Kampala, Uganda from January 18 to 22, 2024, witnessed robust participation from countries worldwide, fostering collaborative dialogue on global issues.

Mathews, Chandimal centuries put Sri Lanka in control of Afghanistan Test

Centuries from Angelo Mathews and Dinesh Chandimal consolidated Sri Lanka’s strong position on day two of their one-off Test against Afghanistan at the Singhalese Sports Club today.

Withdraw Online Safety Act: Chandrika urges government

Former President Chandrika Bandaranaike Kumaratunge urged the government to withdraw the Online Safety Act and the Anti-Terrorism Bill, claiming that they were dangerous acts which could be used by the government at any time to violate people’s fundamental rights.

Keheliya remanded

Former Health Minister Keheliya Rambukwella who was arrested by the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) yesterday over the importation of substandard Immunoglobulin injections, has been remanded until February 15. Pix by Pradeep Dilrukshana

FTA signed between Thailand and Sri Lanka

A Free Trade Agreement (FTA) was signed between Thailand and Sri Lanka at the Presidential secretariat a short while ago,President’s Media Division (PMD) said.

Poonam Pandey says ’’Didn’t die of cervical cancer’’

Poonam Pandey, model and reality TV star, today announced that she hasn’t died of cervical cancer. Her announcement on Instagram came a day after the model’s manager announced that she had died of cervical cancer.

Thai PM in Sri Lanka

Prime Minister of Thailand Srettha Thavisin arrived in the island this afternoon, accompanied by a delegation. He is to participate in Sri Lanka’s 76th Independence Day ceremony tomorrow (04) as the guest of honour. Pix by Pradeep Pathirana

Over 700 prisoners to be released on Independence Day: Prisons spokesman

A total of 754 prisoners including 25 female inmates will be released from prisons island-wide tomorrow on Presidential amnesty to mark the 76th Independence Day, Prisons Commissioner and Prisons Spokesman Gamini B. Dissanayake said.

Keheliya Rambukwella remanded until February 15

Former Health Minister Keheliya Rambukwella who was arrested by the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) yesterday over the importation of substandard Immunoglobulin injections, has been remanded until February 15.

Thailand Prime Minister arrives in Sri Lanka

Prime Minister of Thailand Srettha Thavisin, arrived in the country a short while ago, the President’s Media Division said.

Indian submarine ’Karanj’ arrives in Colombo

INS ’Karanj’ – a submarine of the Indian Navy arrived at the port of Colombo today (03 February) on a formal visit. The visiting submarine was welcomed by the Sri Lanka Navy in precision of naval traditions.

Sri Lanka to take on Bangladesh in all-format tour next month

Sri Lanka will begin their all-format tour of Bangladesh next month with three T20Is, before the teams square off in ODI and Test series.