Will Diyawanna stink like Beira Lake in Colombo?

Fish kills and algal bloom are among the many water quality problems facing Diyawanna Oya, a government official said yesterday.

Preferential votes among NPP contenders NPP to formulate mechanism to avoid competition

Claiming that the National People’s Power (NPP) is finalising its nomination lists at district level for the upcoming General Election, NPP General Secretary Dr. Nihal Abeysinghe said yesterday the NPP is preparing a mechanism to avoid competition for preferential votes among the contenders.

UNP-led alliance to contest Nuwara Eliya under elephant symbol?

United National Party (UNP)- led alliance are in the process of finalising arrangements to contest the General Election under the gas cylinder while a final decision is also pending on contesting the Nuwara Eliya District under the elephant symbol as the alliance partner Ceylon Workers Congress (CWC) requested.

Woman in hot soup for smuggling Coconut Sambol laced with toxic drug for husband in remand

A 25-year-old woman from Sucharithagama, Anuradhapura, was arrested by prison authorities after attempting to smuggle a psychoactive drug into the Anuradhapura prison, concealed in a lunch parcel intended for her remanded husband.

President, IMF discuss measures to overcome delays pertaining to third review

President Anura Kumara Dissanayake and the visiting High-Level International Monetary Fund (IMF) delegation held talks for the second day yesterday where the two parties have discussed the way forward and measures to overcome delays pertaining to the third review.

bond scam case: RW denies seeking Presidential immunity - Spokesman

A spokesman for former President Ranil Wickremesinghe yesterday refuted claims made by Cabinet Spokesman Vijitha Herath, stating that Wickremesinghe never sought Presidential immunity in connection with the controversial bond scam legal proceedings.

Much-delayed LG polls after General Election: EC

The Election Commission yesterday (03) announced that it is geared to conduct the 2023 Local Government Election shortly after the upcoming General Election.

Dinesh ’s PUFA part ways from RW

The People’s United Freedom Alliance, (PUFA) the political movement led by former Prime Minister Dinesh Gunawardena ,decided to contest the general election under a common symbol,according to a letter signed by its General Secretary Dr.Ramesh Pathirane .

NPP govt. is out to make Sri Lanka a secular state: Sarath Weerasekera

The National People’s Power (NPP) government is out to turn Sri Lanka into a secular state by abolishing Article 19 of the constitution, former Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna (SLPP) MP Sarath Weerasekera alleged yesterday.

Crisis in lebanon: Few Sri Lankans stranded due to volatile situation in Lebanon – Embassy

A few Sri Lankans who have been stranded due to the volatile situation in Lebanon have been given shelter, the Sri Lanka Embassy in Beirut said yesterday.

due to alcohol-related health issues: Sri Lanka faces Rs. 237 billion annual burden

The Sri Lankan government incurs an annual cost of Rs. 237 billion to address health problems linked to alcohol consumption, highlighting the significant social, economic, and health challenges posed by alcohol, according to the Alcohol and Drug Information Centre (ADIC).

Future SJS government will cooperate with AKD

A future Samagi Jana Sandanaya (SJS) government will cooperate with incumbent President Anura Kumara Dissanayake in the event it secures a majority in Parliament at the General elections, its leaders said today.

Wildlife crisis deepens as 239 elephants killed in eight months

Sri Lanka has reported a staggering 239 elephant deaths within the last eight months owing to a plethora of reasons, Wildlife Department sources said.

Porsche given to me originally imported ten years ago: Rosy

The Porsche, which was given to her during her tenure as Presidential Advisor, was originally imported ten years ago, Rosy Senanayake, Adviser to former President Ranil Wickremesinghe said today.

IMF delegation, govt’s economic team review programme thus far

A high-level delegation from the International Monetary Fund (IMF) that arrived in Sri Lanka yesterday held discussions with the economic team of the government where they reviewed the IMF programme thus far and discussed the way forward for future collaboration, the President’s Media Division (PMD) said.

Foreign envoys of seven countries meet President Extend support in debt restructuring, IMF programme

President Anura Kumara Dissanayake yesterday met with High Commissioners of India, Australia, United Kingdom, Canada and Ambassadors of China, Japan and Cuba where they extended support to the new President Anura Kumara Dissanayake in various sectors such as debt restructuring process and Sri Lanka’s efforts to attract Foreign Direct Investments (FDIs).

Easter Sunday’s attack commission report missing - Fr. Cyril Gamini

Fr. Cyril Gamini Fernando, Director of Communications for the Archdiocese of Colombo, said that the Presidential Commission report, which investigated the allegations made by the UK’s Channel 4 regarding the 2019 Easter Sunday’s attack, has gone missing.

Ranjan’s civic rights to be restored?

Civic rights of former MP Ranjan Ramanayake is expected to be restored soon as he was summoned by the President’s office yesterday with the relevant documents.

Colombo Port excavations uncover at least five human skeletons

At least five human skeletons have been recovered during further excavations conducted at the Colombo Port premises, police said.

Corruption in Sri Lanka harmful to investments, a source of distrust of leaders by people - Japanese Ambassador

Japanese Ambassador Mizukoshi Hideaki said yesterday that corruption had become of source of distrust of its leaders by people in Sri Lanka in addition to it becoming harmful to attracting foreign investments.

Iran fires ballistic missiles at Israel

Iran says it has fired dozens of ballistic missiles at important military and security targets in Israel, in response to the mass killing of the people of Gaza and Lebanon, as well as of Hamas, Hezbollah and IRGC leaders and commanders.

Sajith could be the PM candidate if he agrees to a grand opposition alliance: Pro Ranil group

The UNP and other opposition groups are willing to accept Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB) Leader Sajith Premadasa as the Prime Ministerial candidate if he agrees to a common opposition alliance under a common symbol ahead of the General Election 2024, a former MP said yesterday.

Japan emphasizes need for continuity with IMF programme

Japanese Ambassador Mizukoshi Hideaki who offered insights from Japan on economic recovery based on its experience emphasized the importance of pressing ahead with the programme with the International Monetary Fund (IMF) and hailed the new government’s reappointment of Mr. Mahinda Siriwardana as the Finance Secretary as a step for policy continuity.

Welgama’s death due to injuries caused by Aragalaya crowd: Former MPs

Nawa Sri Lanka Nidahas Pakshaya leader Kumara Welgama’s death was caused by the injuries he sustained during the commotion on May 9, 2022, former MPs said yesterday.

Preliminary probe into Easter Sunday’s attacks, CB Bond scam initiated: Govt.

The government has already initiated preliminary investigations into the Easter Sunday bomb attacks and the Central Bank Bond scam, Cabinet Spokesman and Minister Vijitha Herath said yesterday.

Wasp causes former MP Kumarasiri Ratnayake’s vehicle flip over

Former Monaragala District MP Kumarasiri Ratnayaka had a close call on Sunday when a rather unexpected passenger—a wasp—caused him to lose control of his vehicle.

Lack of funding, machinery leave Colombo vulnerable to falling trees, warns CMC

Colombo Municipal Council (CMC) lack equipment to detect trees at risk of falling, an official said yesterday.

Committee to review abolition of duty-free vehicle permits and MP pensions

The Cabinet has approved the establishment of a committee tasked with reviewing and making recommendations on the abolition of duty-free vehicle permits and the elimination of pensions for Members of Parliament (MPs).

Abandoned vehicles: Former president had given to his personal staff

The fleet of 107 vehicles that were returned to the Presidential Secretariat had not been given to permanent staff of the Presidential Secretariat but to the former president’s personal staff appointed under Article 41 (1) of the Constitution, President’s Media Division (PMD) said.

SJB insists that Ranil should step down from UNP leadership

Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB) insists that United National Party (UNP) leader Ranil Wickremesinghe should step down as a condition for an electoral alliance with it in view of the General Election.