AKD, Harini clash over UGC Chairman appointment?

A clear difference in decision was reported between Prime Minister Harini Amarasuriya and President Anura Kumara Dissanayake over the appointment of the new University Grants Commission (UGC) Chairman.

Travel restriction US Embassy closely cooperates with SL authorities

In response to a question as to how it will help Sri Lanka in curbing the threat, a U. S. Embassy spokesperson said the mission is closely cooperating with the Sri Lankan authorities but refrained from making any additional comment.

Ranil refutes allegations made by Cardinal

Former President Ranil Wickremesinghe today dismissed allegations made by Archbishop of Colombo Cardinal Malcolm Ranjith that the motives behind the committees to probe the action of intelligence units in lead up to the Easter Sunday attacks was to politically victimize officers Ravi Seneviratne and Shani Abeysekera.

A probe on slaughtering another peacock

Wildlife officers are to launch an investigation into a new video showing a foreigner slaughtering, roasting and consuming a peacock inside Maduru-Oya National Park.

Warning of a terror attack: Govt springs into action on multiple fronts

In the wake of the United States (U.S.) Embassy’s travel restriction to Arugam Bay effective immediately and until further notice, the Sri Lankan authorities have sprung into action on multiple fronts to take additional security measures and to ensure that the country is safe for tourist arrivals.

Indian Intelligence alerts Sri Lanka to potential attack in Arugam Bay

Sri Lankan security forces have been alerted to a potential attack on Israelis in the Arugam Bay area by Indian intelligence agencies.

Tourism industry on edge as travel advisories mount

Sri Lanka’s tourism industry is bracing for challenges following a series of travel advisories issued by several key markets, including the United States, United Kingdom, Australia, New Zealand and Russia.

Israelis top tourist arrivals in Arugam Bay, but reduced now

Ruling out any special instructions regarding the US Travel Advisory, the Department of Immigration and Emigration yesterday said Israelis top the highest arrivals of tourists in Arugam Bay in all times, though it was seen much reduced this season.

Hans Wijayasuriya asked to lead digital economy, he is yet to respond

The government has reportedly invited Dr. Hans Wijayasuriya, former CEO of Dialog Axiata and a prominent figure in Sri Lanka’s telecom sector, to lead the government’s proposed digital economy.

RW to make special statement on committees he appointed to probe Easter Sunday attacks

Former President Ranil Wickremesinghe is to make a special statement today on the two committees he appointed to probe the Easter Sunday attacks.

What is needed is a strong govt, not an opposition, fill Parliament with NPPers - Prez

President Anura Kumara Dissanayake, in his recent electoral meeting in Katunayake, said the need of the hour is a strong, powerful government but not an opposition and therefore urged people to take steps to fill Parliament with his NPP (National People’s Power) representatives at the November 14 General Election.

Easter Sunday’s Commission Report: Govt. will not accept RW’s committee report in its entirety

Claiming that a committee appointed by a President does not have any jurisdiction just as in the case of Presidential Commission of Inquiry (PCoI), Cabinet Spokesman Minister Vijitha Herath said yesterday that the government would not accept the report of the Committee appointed by former President Ranil Wickremesinghe just before the Presidential election as it is politically motivated.

Free Trade Zones exploit our labour and pay for weaker sex – LGBTQIA+ community

The LGBTQIA+ community working in the Free Trade Zones (FTZ) complained yesterday that the garment factories that employ them through random manpower agencies would exploit their labour as men and pay wages designated for the weaker sex.

Easter attack: controversy swirls further high

Further controversy swirls around the Easter Sunday attack- the series of bomb blasts that rocked Sri Lanka on April 19, 2019, killing nearly 300 people including 46 foreign nationals - after Pivithuru Hela Urumaya (PHU) leader former MP Udaya Gammanpila put in public domain one report on the incident, which recommends prosecution of current secretary to the Public Security Ministry Ravi Seneviratne for his alleged negligence of duty as a senior

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.

Easter Sunday attack: Ravi Seneviratne’s name implicated

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.

SL unveils new ’P’ series passport with enhanced security features

Ending prolonged delays and hassle to the public the Department of Immigration and Emigration yesterday commenced issuing the newly imported ‘P’ series passport packed with novel security features and refined look.

Lohan Ratwatte’s secretary shoots himself

The 50-year-old secretary of former Minister Lohan Ratwatte is suspected to have shot himself, Police said yesterday.

Over 400 complaints related to General Election

A total of 58 fresh complaints related to the upcoming Parliamentary Election were received, taking the total number of complaints to over 400.

Call to withdraw FR cases against officers tackling underworld

Following a request from security chiefs for the removal of Fundamental Rights cases and arrest orders against officers tackling the rising underworld, President Anura Kumara Dissanayake has instructed the Attorney General to immediately intervene to address these allegations against such members of the law enforcement authorities.

Issue on privileges given to former Presidents: RW not aware of the facilities requested by his security unit

In response to a remark made by incumbent President Anura Kumara Dissanayake that his predecessor Ranil Wickremesinghe has asked for extensive privileges, Advisor to the former President Sagala Ratnayake yesterday said it is the security unit of Mr. Wickremesinghe which has asked for privileges.

Two luxury vehicles recovered from the house of Rohitha’s son-in-law

The Kandy Division Criminal Investigation Bureau has confiscated a BMW and a Prado jeep, valued at approximately Rs. 60 million, from the residence of former Minister Rohitha Abeygunawardena’s son-in-law in Aniwatta, Kandy.

Public sector salaries to increase in next budget: President

The government is expecting to increase salaries of public servants, provide an additional allowance for schoolchildren and increase allowance for low-income families in the budget for 2025 which is to be presented before March next year, President Anura Kumara Dissanayake said yesterday.

Easter Sunday attacks: Those who question probe reports out to hide perpetrators

Claiming that those who were in a state of coma for the last five years about the Easter Sunday attacks had now started to question the reports of the Presidential Commission, President Anura Kumara Dissanayake said yesterday those reports were not secret reports and that some people were perturbed after the government initiated a proper investigation into the Easter attacks.

Easter Sunday attacks: Udaya G vows to publicize reports today unless Prez...

Pivithuru Hela Urumaya (PHU) leader former MP Udaya Gammanpila vowed to publicize the two reports on the Easter Sunday bomb attacks today unless President Anura Kumara Dissanayake does it.

Govt. loses billions over misclassification of imports, importers urge President to take action

The government is reportedly losing billions of rupees in revenue due to the misclassification of high Customs duty items as low-duty items to evade proper payments, and this has prompted the Association of Essential Commodities Importers and Traders to seek intervention from President Anura Kumara Dissanayake for a resolution.

Fresh twist in Easter attack probe

The debate over the alleged concealment of the reports on the series of deadly blasts that rocked Sri Lanka on Easter Sunday, 2019 took a new turn yesterday with Pivithuru Hela Urumaya (PHU) leader Udaya Gammanpila seeking an appointment in writing with Public Security Minister Vijitha Herath to hand over what he said ‘all defence sensitive materials’ to him.

Wee-hour wildlife tragedy: two jumbos knocked down to death by fuel carriage train

In another wildlife tragedy, two wild elephants died after being knocked down by the Batticaloa-bound fuel carriage train between Gal Oya and Hingurakgoda Railway Stations during the wee hours of yesterday. In the accident, two other elephants were injured.

NPP govt. acting blind and deaf over releasing Easter Sunday report: Namal

Two more findings from the PCoI remain unpublished, raising questions about transparency

‘We never said NPP government will not take loans’: Lal Kantha

Claiming that none of the National People’s Power (NPP) leaders had claimed that the NPP government would not obtain loans, NPP member Lal Kantha said President Anura Kumara Dissanayake continuously said loans are not a ‘crime’.