Police deny removal of security of former President

Refuting reports that security personnel assigned to former President Ranil Wickremesinghe had been removed, police clarified that 163 officers remain assigned to his protection.

Govt. signs for US $200Mn from WB, part of series initiated under RW Govt.

The World Bank and the government signed the Second Resilience, Stability, and Economic Turnaround (RESET) Development Policy Operation (DPO) for $200 million, and this is the second operation in a two-part series that began in 2022. The first operation, totalling $500 million, was disbursed in June and December 2023. At that time, former President Ranil Wickremesinghe was in office.

Bribery Commission Director General gives undertaking to resign

The Director General (DG) of the Commission to Investigate Allegations of Bribery or Corruption (CIABOC) today gave an undertaking to resign from office by 3 p.m. yesterday after the Supreme Court granted leave to proceed with three Fundamental Rights applications filed challenging his appointment.

Piyumi Hansamali questioned

Model and actress Piyumi Hansamali has been questioned by the Illegal Assets division of police yesterday.

IP charged with assault

The personal assistant to Nuwara Eliya District DIG who is suspected to have entered a hotel in Nuwara Eliya town, and threatened and assaulted the owner is to be transferred to the Kandy Police Division and a formal investigation of the incident held.

Majority of presidential candidates yet to submit campaign expenditure reports: EC

Majority of presidential candidates are yet to submit their campaign expenditure reports to date, the Election Commission (EC) disclosed over the weekend.

President pledges transparent and impartial probe on Easter Sunday attacks

Whilst stressing that the probe on Easter Sunday attacks should not be aimed at confirming pre-conceived conclusions, President Anura Kumara Dissanayake yesterday pledged a fair and open probe on the Easter Sunday attacks.

Agencies seize Rs.11.1Mn worth counterfeit cigarettes during weekend

Law enforcement agencies running operations in and outside the airport made a couple of detections of counterfeit cigarettes worth over Rs.11.1 million during the weekend and arrested two females and one male.

Sri Lankan students shine in Global Challenge Robotics Competition

A team of students from Dharmapala College, St. Sebastian’s College and Elizabeth Moir School achieved international recognition by winning the Zhang Heng Award for Engineering Design at the 6th Global Challenge Robotics Competition 2024, held in Athens, Greece, from September 26 to 29.

Teledrama actor arrested with drugs

A teledrama actor Edirisinghe Arachchige Asanka who had in his possession a stock of the illegal intoxicant Methamphetamine (ICE) and attempted to escape arrest by offering a bribe of Rs.1 million to the police was taken into custody by Thanamalwila police.

Prez assures Sri Lankan territory will never be allowed to be used against India’s security interests

President Anura Kumara Dissanayake, in his meeting with Indian External Affairs Minister (EAM) Dr. S. Jaishankar, said that India’s economic support is critical to realise his vision of a prosperous Sri Lanka and meeting the aspirations of the people, according to a statement released by the Indian External Affairs Ministry after the visit.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Defence Ministry recalls weapons issued to civilians for life protection

Nearly 2,000 weapons issued for life protection of various individuals, including politicians, are to be recalled by the Defence Ministry.

Dinesh Gunawardena’s alliance initiates talks with SLPP for electoral pact

Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna (SLPP) initiated talks with the People’s United Freedom Alliance (PUFA) led by former Prime Minister Dinesh Gunawardena to explore the possibility of reaching an electoral understanding to contest the General Election, officials familiar with talks said.

43.7 per cent of currently employed persons have only knowledge up to grade 10: DCS

The Department of Census and Statistics in its recent report on the labour force survey for the quarter 1 of 2024 reveals only 25.9 per cent of jobs consider A level and above qualifications for employment. Whereas 43.7 per cent of jobs require knowledge up to grade 10 for employment according to currently employed statistics.

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.

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.

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.

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).