India seeks to operate KKS Port for 30 years: Official

India which offered over US $ 62 million grant assistance for the development of the Kankesanthurai Port has sought to operate it for 30 years under an agreement, an official said.

Sri Lanka alarmed over potential global fuel price surge over tension in the Middle East

The global fuel prices are slated to increase to US $ 100 a barrel in case current tension in the Middle East continues further, and it has rung alarm bell for the government which is bound to adjust local prices according to spikes in the global market in conformity with the IMF programme, according to an informed source.

Nothing was impossible for late Venerable Chief Incumbent of Gangaramaya: President

Nothing was impossible for the Chief Incumbent of Gangaramaya Temple Venerable Galboda Gnanissara Thera as he was able to accomplish many things which was perceived to be impossible, President Ranil Wickremesinghe said yesterday whilst paying a glowing tribute to the late Prelate.

Dhammika Perera to be named SLPP presidential candidate this week

Business tycoon Dhammika Perera is slated to be named the presidential candidate of Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna ( SLPP ) by the middle of this week, a party source said.Earlier , SLPP has been promoting him as the candidate. The party decided to field its own candidate last week instead of backing President Ranil Wickremesinghe.

Police probe fatal shooting of woman, daughter and officer by fellow constable

Police are investigating the series of tragic incidents involving a 42-year-old police constable, who is suspected of killing a fellow officer, a woman and her 17-year-old daughter in Inginiyagala over a suspected land dispute before turning the gun on himself.

Sri Lankans including singers freed from Kuwait Police

A group of Sri Lankan artists including Indrachapa Liyanage and Samanalee Fonseka who were among 26 Sri Lankans arrested in Kuwait during a musical show, have been released.

Ruwan asks people not to rely on election promises

Deputy Leader of the UNP Ruwan Wijewardene said the people must not depend on election promises but think deeply about the country’s future at the upcoming Presidential Election and elect President Ranil Wickremesinghe to another term of office.

Bandula says he never accused RW of bond scam

Minister of Transport, Highways, and Mass Media Dr. Bandula Gunawardena reiterated that he had never accused President Ranil Wickremesinghe of the Central Bank bond scam, for which the individuals appointed by him were responsible.

HRCSL urges police to ensure impartiality during election period

The Human Rights Commission of Sri Lanka (HRCSL) stressed the importance of the responsibility of the Sri Lanka Police and the State officials to provide equal protection of the law devoid of any form of bias or discrimination as prescribed in Article 12 of the Constitution of Sri Lanka.

Namal Rajapaksa pooh-poohs speculations on his candidature

Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna (SLPP) Parliamentarian Namal Rajapaksa said in Anuradhapura on Saturday (03) that he will not be the SLPP Presidential candidate and that the SLPP candidate would be another parliamentarian engaged in active politics.

Bangladesh flares up in violence , nearly 100 dead

Nearly 100 people were killed and hundreds more injured Sunday as renewed anti-government protests swept across Bangladesh, with protesters calling for the prime minister to resign and the prime minister accusing them of “sabotage” and cutting off mobile internet in a bid to quell the unrest, foreign media reported.

Presidential candidates double down on efforts to woo minor, minority parties

In the wake of declaration of the Presidential Elections, the main candidates, particularly President Ranil Wickremesinghe and Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB) leader Sajith Premadasa have doubled down on their efforts to woo various parties and individuals, particularly those representing the minority communities to strengthen their bids for presidency.

Gangaramaya Chief Incumbent Ven. Galboda Gnanissara Thera passes away

Closing the curtain on the illustrious life of an eminent saffron-clad personality, Chief Incumbent of Gangaramaya Temple in Colombo Ven. Galboda Gnanissara Thera commonly known as ‘Podi Hamuduruwo’ passed away yesterday at the age of 81.

Five girls, below the age of consent, become victims of rape or statutory rape within two days in Anuradhapura

Five girls, below the age of consent, became victims of statutory rape, during the last two days in the Anuradhapura District, an official said.

Migratory bird of a rare species, presumably sick due to ingested debris, stranded

A migratory bird of a rare species, incapacitated and found on the Hikkaduwa beach, was rescued by a team of wildlife officers and transferred to the Attidiya Bird Sanctuary for treatment.

Sri Lanka reserves funds for airlifting of people from West Asia in case of an emergency

While warning that Sri Lanka would be plunged into another economic crisis if a regional war breaks out in West Asia, Minister of Labour and Foreign Employment Manusha Nanayakkara yesterday said the government will do its utmost to minimise the effect. Minister Nanayakkara told a briefing that the supply of essential goods such as fuel would be cut to Sri Lanka if a regional war broke out after the killing of Hamas leader in Lebanon.

Sri Lanka secures presence in regional human smuggling watch: Immigration Chief

Sri Lanka Immigration and Emigration Department securing a position to send an officer to function at the Regional Support Office (RSO) of the Bali Process to watch human smuggling and migrant trafficking is a great achievement for the country, said the Immigration Chief Harsha Illukpitiya.

SC fixes date to hear petitions against Adani Mannar wind power project

Five Fundamental Rights applications filed seeking an order preventing the authorities from issuing any permits to Adani Green Energy Sri Lanka Limited (AGESL), to carrying on the wind power plant in the Mannar Island were yesterday fixed for hearing on October 14 by the Supreme Court. These petitions are to be heard before Supreme Court fuller bench on the next hearing date.

Bear terrorises village in Sigiriya, two persons mauled

Residents of Ilukwala area in Sigiriya area living in constant fear of any possible danger from a bear that roams into the village.

SC suspends controversial visa deal

Authorities ordered to maintain the status quo as it existed before the implementation of the cabinet decision

IMF third review to be timed after Presidential Election

The timing of the third review of IMF’s (International Monetary Fund) Extended Fund Facility (EFF) arrangement will be discussed with the government after the recently announced Presidential Elections, an official said. Progress in meeting key commitments under the IMF-supported programme will be formally assessed in the context of the third review of the EFF.

Why did Sajith meet Namal?

Leader of the Opposition Sajith Premadasa had reportedly met SLPP MP Namal Rajapaksa a few days ago.

Number of presidential candidates rises to ten

The Election Commission (EC) has announced that ten candidates have so far placed cash deposits for the upcoming Presidential Election as of yesterday (01).

Female lawyer suspended for five years for professional misconduct

The Supreme Court has issued an order suspending a female lawyer from practicing for a period of five years for committing acts of misconduct while serving as defence counsel in a case before the Polonnaruwa High Court.

Dispute over infant of rape victim

A petition was filed by the grandparents of an infant child delivered by a 14 year girl, a victim of rape, challenging the decision to hand over the child to the suspect in the rape case who is a liquor and Ganja addict.

PM’s MEP to support Ranil in Presidential Election

Mahajana Eksath Peramuna ( MEP) led by Prime Minister Dinesh Gunawardena decided to support President Ranil Wickremesinghe at the presidential elections.

CIABOC publishes asset declarations of top officials including President

The Commission to Investigate Allegations of Bribery or Corruption (CIABOC) has said that the asset declarations of over 100 top officials, including President Ranil Wickremesinghe and the Prime Minister, are now publicly accessible.

Passport issuance likely to halt after October

Issuance of passports is likely to come to a standstill after October due to a failure to procure passports, as authorities are preparing to switch to the new e-passport system, which is reportedly facing delays, the Daily Mirror learns.

Passport issuance limited for two months ahead of e-passport launch: Minister

When asked about the issue, Public Security Minister Tiran Alles told the Daily Mirror that passport issuance has been limited for the next two months in preparation for the country’s first issuance of e-passports.

Election security measures in place despite IGP absence

All necessary security measures and deployments of police officers for handling election law violations are inw place despite the absence of an IGP, the Daily Mirror learns. A senior police officer confirmed that comprehensive security arrangements are being implemented and will continue to evolve based on daily requirements.