Govt. to conduct probe into e-visa fraud: Vijitha Herath

The government is to launch a probe into the controversial “e-visa” fraud, in outsourcing visa processing to a foreign company.

African leaders pour in congratulatory messages to President

Heads of state from Kenya, Tanzania, Congo and Rwanda are among those who sent congratulatory messages

Easter Sunday attacks Nilantha Jayawardena charged with contempt of court

The Supreme Court yesterday initiated contempt of court proceedings against former State Intelligence Service (SIS) Director Nilantha Jayawardena for failing to pay the full compensation owed to the victims of the Easter Sunday attacks.

EC lacks teeth in tracking, analysing parties manipulating spending cap: ANFREL

Urges EC to investigate complaints related to misuse of state resources

Public access restored on roads near President’s House in Colombo after six years

Reopening expected to ease traffic congestion at NSA Roundabout

Stargazers in for once in a lifetime treat as rare, brighter comet visible

Sri Lankan stargazers will be in for a once-in-a-lifetime treat when a comet, as a recently identified comet is growing “brighter than expected” and could be the most impressive one of the year for them. In fact, two rare celestial events that may be visible in the night sky are expected during the coming days, scientists said yesterday.

Will bring change, says new Western Province Governor

Business leader Hanif Yusoof who was recently appointed as the Governor of the Western Province, stated that he is determined to implement changes as pledged by President Anura Kumara Dissanayake.

Advisers to the former President deny using new vehicles

Former Senior Adviser to the President on Climate Change, Ruwan Wijewardene, and a number of others yesterday denied allegations that they have used government vehicles during his tenure in the advisory role to former President Ranil Wickremeinsghe.

No vehicle abandoned near Presidential Secretariat will be auctioned: PMD

Clarifying the abandoned luxury vehicles in front of the Presidential Secretariat, President’s private secretary Ananda Wijepala said yesterday 107 vehicles have been parked in three locations and that none of the vehicles will be auctioned.

Guidelines formulated to prevent ragging in state universities

The Attorney General has informed the Supreme Court that a set of guidelines had been formulated to prevent ragging incidents in state universities.

Court halts Cabinet approval for purchase of 750,000 N-Series Passports from two companies

The Court of Appeal yesterday issued an interim order suspending the operation of a Cabinet decision granting approval to purchase 750,000 N-Series Passports from two companies as part of the initial procurement for the supply of five million e-Passports.

SC dismisses FR Petition against Janaprith Fernando’s appointment as Chief Scout Commissioner: SC upholds preliminary objections

A Fundamental Rights application seeking an order to stay the appointment of Janaprith Fernando as Chief Commissioner of the Ceylon Scout Council was dismissed by the Supreme Court on Wednesday (25).

SLwill overcome challenges under new leadership with help from China, other countries - Chinese envoy

Chinese Ambassador Qi Zhenhong expressed optimism that Sri Lanka, under the leadership of President Anura Kumara Dissanayake and with help from China and other countries, would overcome all sorts of risks and challenges and fully recover from the current crisis, and revive the national economy to achieve prosperity.

Easter Sunday Attacks: I hope justice is meted out to me through NPP government: Ex-CID Director Shani

Claiming the Easter Sunday attacks was a well-orchestrated conspiracy rather than a mere isolated incident, ex-CID Director Shani Abeysekara said justice would be meted out to him in an NPP government.

Over one hundred vehicles used by former ministry secretaries abandoned at Galle Face

Hundreds of vehicles used by former secretaries of various ministries were found abandoned at Galle Face in Colombo soon after the dissolution of parliament last night.

Government will initiate negotiations with IMF immediately: President

Claiming that achieving stability and confidence in the current economy is crucial, President Anura Kumara Dissanayake said yesterday that the government will begin negotiations with the International Monetary Fund (IMF) immediately and proceed with activities related to the extended credit facility.

Wholesale food prices have halved since September 2022

Wholesale food Prices have halved since September 2022, according to a report published by the Hector Kobbekaduwa Agrarian Research and Training Institute Data Management Division.

New govt. seeks Saudi investments in Port City, Hambantota Port

Newly appointed Foreign Affairs Minister Vijitha Herath said, in his first public function on Tuesday, requested Saudi Arabia to be a strong partner in the development process of Sri Lanka by investing especially in the tourism sector and Dedicated Pharmaceutical Zone in Hambantota, IT Parks, Fabric Park in Batticaloa, Colombo Port City and Hambantota Port.

General Election blocks lG polls further

The sudden declaration of the general election has prompted the Election Commission to put off of the conduct of the local authorities’ election further.

Controversial Visa Deal Immigration Chief remanded on Contempt Charges

The Supreme Court yesterday ordered that the Controller General of Immigration and Emigration, Harsha Ilukpitiya, be remanded until the conclusion of the contempt of court proceedings, for his failing to implement the Supreme Court’s order over the controversial Visa Deal.

What happens in Sri Lanka is for their politics to work out: Jaishankar

In the wake of the government change in Sri Lanka, Indian External Affairs Minister Dr. S. Jaishankar said that what happened in Sri Lanka politically is for their politics to work out.

65 hour water cut in Kandy from Saturday

The water supply in several areas of Kandy will be suspended for 65 hours due to essential maintenance of the Polgolla diversion dam, starting from Saturday (28), the National Water Supply and Drainage Board (NWSDB) said.

New President urged for electoral reforms

Commissioner of General Elections Saman Sri Ratnayake said that a proposal to change certain Electoral Laws have been made to president Anura Kumara Dissanayake, of which the main focus being security deposits of candidates and parties, which stand right now at Rs. 50,000 for a political party and Rs.75,000 for independent candidates.

General Election on November 14

President Anura Kumara Dissanayake has issued a Gazette Extraordinary dissolving Parliament last night.

Harini Amarasuriya new PM; three-member Cabinet appointed

Parliamentarian Dr. Harini Amarasuriya was sworn in as the new Prime Minister while a three-member Cabinet was appointed yesterday.

AG opines against Lakshman Nipuna Arachchi becoming Minister before being sworn in Parliament

New National People’s Power (NPP) MP Lakshman Nipuna Arachchi could not be appointed a Cabinet minister yesterday because the Attorney General opined against it since he is yet to be sworn in Parliament, Daily Mirror learns.

You have elected this country’s last Executive President’: Handunnetti

National People’s Power member Sunil Handunnetti said that abolishing the Executive Presidency remains a priority for a government headed by newly elected President Anura Kumara Dissanayake.

Calls of post-election curfew “useless and unnecessary” - EU Chief Observer

While commending the Presidential Election 2024 for following “an excellent process” European Union Election Observation Mission Chief Observer Nacho Sanchez Amor slammed the decision to impose a sudden 14-hour curfew after polling was completed as “useless and unnecessary.”

President appoints Defence and Public Security Ministry secretaries

Newly elected President Anura Kumara Dissanayake appointed secretaries to the Ministry of Defence and Public Security Ministry yesterday.

Fresh initiatives mulled for SJB-UNP unity

In the wake of electoral defeat at the presidential election, fresh initiatives are now underway to patch up Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB) and the United National Party (UNP) under a new alliance in view of the General Election to be conducted within the next couple of months, a party official said.