Controversy over security detail CBK fears of assassination like her husband Vijaya

Former President Chandrika Bandaranaike Kumaratunga raised alarm over a significant reduction in her security detail to 30 personnel, warning of the potential for a targeted assassination, similar to the politically motivated killing of her husband, Vijaya Kumaratunga.

Customs launch online tracking system for CusDec and containers

Sri Lanka Customs announced the launch of its new tracking system for Customs Declarations (CusDec) and containers, which is available for the public online from November 6th. Customs Spokesperson Additional Director General Seevali Arukgoda said the initiative is part of Sri Lanka Customs’ ongoing commitment to streamline services and support the efficiency of the nation’s trading ecosystem.

Appeal Court upholds Four-Year Jail Term for Ex-Deputy Minister

The Court of Appeal yesterday upheld the four-year rigorous imprisonment sentence imposed by the Colombo High Court on former Deputy Minister Shantha Premaratne for soliciting and accepting a bribe in 2007.

Lighting of crackers at election meetings a disturbance?

A recent incident which took place during an election meeting suggested that lighting crackers has become a disturbance. This incident seemed to have made the candidates contesting this year’s General Election to think that it is a disturbance.

Confusion reigns over potential attack in Arugam Bay: Ruwan

There is confusion regarding the situation in Arugam Bay as there seemed to be two schools of thought as to who was planning to stage an attack, UNP Deputy Leader and National Democratic Front (NDF) Ruwan Wijewardene said yesterday.

Free media doesn’t mean freedom of the wild ass: Vijitha Herath

Public Security Minister Vijitha Herath said the government had not laid hands on media, and as a result, a lot of misinformation is in circulation using ‘the freedom of wild ass’.

Ranil ready to take charge of country at any given time: Wajira

United National Party (UNP) Chairman Wajira Abeywardena said his party leader, former President Ranil Wickremesinghe is ready to take charge of the country in case the need arises.

NPP never made allegations of hidden money in Uganda: Tilvin

NPP member Tilvin Silva refuted making any allegation of hidden money in Uganda, while saying that such claims were made by the SJBers. He told a news conference that it was the NPP which said the so-called containers of US Dollars were printed here and taken to Uganda.

Those who use GPS to find their constituency not qualified to be in P’ment :Ranil

Those candidate who use GPS to find their constituency are not eligible to be elected to Parliament, Former President Ranil Wickremesinghe said yesterday. “ How could those candidates who cannot find their constituencies without GPS go to Parliament?” Wickremesinghe questioned during a rally in Matara.

Recovered vehicle believed to have been used by Lohan for an extended period : Police

Latest Police investigations have revealed new details regarding the recovery of an illegally assembled luxury vehicle from the home of Shashi Prabha Ratwatte, the wife of former State Minister Lohan Ratwatte. The vehicle, which was found during a police raid on October 26, is believed to have been used by Lohan for an extended period.

Govt. abandons privatisation plan for CEB

The Ceylon Electricity Board (CEB) announced that it would carry out energy sector reforms without privatising the institution.

Supreme Court orders CID, Bribery Commission to investigate controversial Medical Supplies Import

The Supreme Court yesterday issued an interim order directing the CID to conduct a comprehensive investigation into whether there is any aspect of criminal liability in connection with the controversial import of medical supplies, including human immunoglobulin (Human-IG).

Court dismisses FR petition against November 14 General Election

A Fundamental Rights petition filed by a civil society activist challenging the Election Commission’s decision to hold the Parliamentary Election on November 14 was dismissed yesterday by the Supreme Court.

How to vote in 2024 General Election: EC clarifies

As the 2024 General Election approaches, the Election Commission has issued guidelines on how to vote and choose the preferred candidates.

Ven. Galboda Siri Gnanissara Memorial Scholarship Trust Fund launched

The Venerable Galboda Siri Gnanissara Memorial Scholarship Trust Fund ‘Nena Isura’ was launched yesterday. It was done to enliven the legacy of Ven. Gnanissara Thera’s social and educational services carried out when he was alive as the Chief Incumbent of Gangaramaya Temple in Colombo.

Assetline Finance join hands with Global Impact Investment Manager BlueOrchard in empowering women entrepreneurs

In a groundbreaking development, Assetline Finance Limited, the flagship company in the financial services cluster of the David Pieris Holdings (Private Limited), one of Sri Lanka’s top conglomerates has secured a senior loan from the Japan ASEAN Women Empowerment Fund (JAWEF) managed by BlueOrchard Finance Ltd, a leading global impact investment manager. This loan marks several significant milestones, both for Assetline Finance (AFL) and for the

Spouse can claim damages from adulterer without filing for divorce: SC

In its recent judgement, the Supreme Court held that a party in a divorce case can pursue a claim against a co-defendant (the adulterer—a third party outside the marriage) for damages, without simultaneously seeking dissolution of the marriage in the same action.

Influx of tourists from seven visa-free countries: Immigration proposes to link up with hotels to track down tourist information

The Department of Immigration and Emigration has proposed to link up with the tourist hotels in future as a practical means to track down information on foreign tourists visiting from seven countries that do not require a visa to enter or remain in Sri Lanka, the Daily Mirror learns.

No decision made to remove armed forces assigned to temples or places of worship

The Ministry of Defence categorically denied news stories circulating on certain social media, claiming a move to remove all armed forces personnel presently stationed to provide security at temples and places of worship around the country.

Around 3000 rice mills face closure

Medium and Small Scale rice mill owners who expressed their concern over the selling of rice to beer manufactures by large scale rice mill owners yesterday said around 3000 small rice mills face closure as a result.

slashing of perks MPs will not be able to appoint family members as personal staff: PM

MPs will not be able to appoint their family members as their personal staff under the new government, Prime Minister Harini Amarasuriya said over the week end.

Dr. Hans Wijayasuriya appointed President’s chief advisor on digital economy

Dr. Hans Wijayasuriya has been appointed as the Chief Advisor to the President on Digital Economy, the Presidential Media Division (PMD) announced yesterday (1). Dr. Wijayasuriya, a veteran in telecommunications and digital solutions, is expected to drive initiatives that will strengthen digital frameworks across various sectors, enhance connectivity, and support economic modernization.

SPA owners say their rights have been violated

Spas misconstrued as brothels : operators seek redress from Human Rights Commission

‘‘Leave the media alone”: Sajith slams AKD for comments on media

Leader of the Samagi Jana Balawegaya Sajith Premadasa slammed President Anura Kumara Dissanayake for his recent comments about the media, asking Dissanayake to back off trying to control media narratives.

Another Jeep with forged number plates belonging to Lohan Ratwatte seized

Another suspicions Jeep bearing a forged number plate, allegedly used by former State Minister Lohan Ratwatte,was seized by the Theldeniya police yesterday. Police said the jeep had been parked in a garage of an unoccupied house in the ICC housing scheme in Theldeniya During investigations the police had identified another jeep bearing the same number belonging to a woman in Pilawala area.

Lightning strikes two siblings: one dead, other injured

The two children with their parents were clearing the garden to lay the foundation for a house when they met with accident

NPP rules out any discussion with ITAK to get their support for new government

While ruling out speculations that the members from the Illankai Tamil Arasu Kadchi (ITAK) would get ministerial portfolios under National People’s Power (NPP) government, a top NPP official said there has been no official discussion to that effect and ruled out any necessity for such an eventuality.

Two dead 39 injured in accident at Badulla

Three lecturers, two military officials, 15 female students and 19 male students had been injured

Bitter history of strikes will end under NPP government: Lakshman Nipuna Arachchi

Bitter history of strikes will end under NPP government: Lakshman Nipuna Arachchi

Measles raising its head again, special vaccination drive to be launched

Though the World Health Organization (WHO) declared Sri Lanka as a country free of measles, the country has been hit by cases once again since 2023, prompting the health authorities to declare a special vaccination week from November 4 to 9, according to a press release from the Health Promotion Bureau of the Health Ministry. The newly emerged cases are mostly reported in the 20-30 age group. The press release said the disease is then transmit