Govt will decide on PTA or new Anti-Terrorism Bill in its place after new Parliament convenes

Despite pressure being mounted from the opposition, the new government will consider any decision on the current Prevention of Terrorism Act (PTA) or the Anti-Terrorism Bill introduced by the previous government only after the next Parliament convenes, a top source said.

Probe launched into Sri Lankan HC in UK, his expenses: Minister

An investigation has been launched into the allegations of Sri Lankan High Commissioner to the United Kingdom Rohitha Bogollagama and the expenses born by him, Cabinet spokesman Minister Vijitha Herath said today.

Govt. to launch probe over X Press Pearl disaster

The government will study the X Press Pearl disaster which occurred in 2021 and will launch an investigation over it in the near future, Foreign Minister Vijitha Herath told Daily Mirror last evening.

Transgender candidate contesting an election in Sri Lanka for the first time

Chanu Nimesha, the Secretary of Women’s Affairs of the Sri Lanka Socialist party, has created history by becoming the first transgender individual to contest an election in Sri Lanka.

Sri Lanka’s third review will come up soon: IMF

Claiming that Sri Lanka has come a long way in terms of undertaking reforms which have led to some hard won gains, the International Monetary Fund (IMF)said they could move fast towards the third review which will come up soon.

AKD, Harini clashes over UGC Chairman appointment?

A clear difference in decision was reported between Prime Minister Harini Amarasuriya and President Anura Kumara Dissanayake over the appointment of the new University Grants Commission (UGC) Chairman.

Cardinal questions credibility of Ranil’s committee to probe SIS, CNI

Archbishop of Colombo Cardinal Malcolm Ranjith questioned the motive behind former President Ranil Wickremesinghe appointing a committee headed by Retired Judge A. N. J. Alwis earlier this year, to look into actions taken by the certain intelligence authorities in the lead up to the 2019 Easter Sunday bombing.

Statement on misinformation over circumstances in which the demise of Radhya Gunasekera occurred

We, the parents of the late Radhya Gunasekera, remain devastated by the tragic loss of our beloved teenage daughter on October 7, 2024, at the Lotus Tower building in Colombo.

NPP Govt. unresponsive over Easter Sunday allegations

Despite the seriousness of allegations made against a senior official handpicked by it, the government, led by the National People’s Power (NPP), remained unresponsive yesterday.

Govt. yet to decide as it awaits committee recommendations

The government is yet to take a decision on the curtailment of perks and benefits of former presidents and their widows since it awaits the recommendations of the committee that has been appointed to look into it, a top source said.

Lohan’s private secretary found dead with gunshot injuries

A private secretary of former State Minister Lohan Ratwatte was found dead with gunshot injuries in a house in Katugastota today.

No threats detected on Vistara flight: Operations resume at BIA

The management of the Bandaranaike International Airport (BIA) said that the emergency situation declared after the reported bomb scare on the Vistara flight which arrived at the BIA from Mumbai today, has been called off.

No decision against competitive procurement of diesel for electricity generation: CEB

Clarifying that the Ceylon Electricity Board (CEB) has never purchased diesel for electricity generation, through competitive bidding, including during the tenure of the previous management, the CEB said the new management has not taken any decision against competitive procurement of diesel for electricity generation.

New NPP govt. mirrors RW regime’s borrowing strategy: Economists

Sri Lanka’s new NPP government is following a similar borrowing strategy to the Ranil Wickremesinghe regime, raising significant funds from domestic markets to manage its debt, according to leading economists.

Has the govt. overborrowed in its first month in office?

Admitting the fact that the Central Bank has issued treasury bills of Rs. 465.1 billion during the period between September 27 and October 15,a top economist of the government said it was not an additional loan obtained by the new government as alleged by some but it is a routine practice of the Central Bank to issue treasury bills for debt servicing.

Health experts sound alarm over spike in waterborne diseases

As torrential rains result in flooding across Sri Lanka, health experts are raising alarm over a spike in waterborne diseases, which spread through contaminated water.

Personal accounts hit by online scams

Amidst the mounting cases of online scams in Sri Lanka, Police warned that online scammers hacked only personal accounts and that no incidents of hacking accounts of banking systems or financial institutions had been reported in Sri Lanka or anywhere in the world.

Govt. will take action to recover Aloysius’ defaulted tax money: Minister

The government will take action to recover the defaulted tax money by Director of W.M. Mendis and Company Ltd. Arjun Aloysius, who was sentenced to a six-month jail term for defaulting a VAT payment amounting to Rs. 3.5 billion, Cabinet Spokesman Vijitha Herath said today.

Misconduct results in suspension of seven MPs from Parliament in 2023

In a situation where public notion is created against the conduct of Parliamentarians, Parliamentary services of seven Members of Parliament in the ninth Parliament were suspended due to their misconduct within the year 2023.

Colombo welcomes Cinnamon Life

Cinnamon Life at City of Dreams Sri Lanka, the highly anticipated luxury development by John Keells Group (JKH), opens its doors today for a soft launch, marking a historic moment in Colombo’s evolving skyline.

Restructuring of all state enterprises on hold till election is over

The government has put on hold key policy decisions on restructuring state owned enterprises including SriLankan Airlines and the transfer of the Mattala international airport until the general election is over, a top source said.

Public Security Ministry orders Police to expedite investigations into seven key cases

The Ministry of Public Security has directed the Acting Inspector General of Police to expedite investigations into seven high-profile cases, including the controversial 2015 bond deal and the Easter Sunday bomb attacks.

Only 11 out of 31 houses assigned to former ministers handed over

Only 11 out of 31 politicians who held ministerial responsibilities in the previous government and lived in the government houses have vacated them, according to the Public Administration Ministry.

Prompt return of Ministerial quarters a legal obligation, not political revenge

Do not consider handing over Ministerial quarters as political revenge. It is necessary to return the Ministerial quarters promptly after the abolition of a Ministry. Official residences should be handed back without delay. Reminders should be sent to those who have not yet vacated their apartments, and if there is no response, legal action should be enforced, Prime Minister Harini Amarasuriya said.

More key politicians back out from contesting General Election

More key political figures have backed out from contesting the November 14 General Election, marking an end to their parliamentary careers and paving way for the new Parliament to have new faces representing the political parties.

Sri Lanka’s economy stabilises with growth expected to reach 4.4 % in 2024: WB

The Sri Lankan economy has stabilised with growth expected to reach 4.4 percent in 2024, surpassing earlier forecasts, the World Bank (WB) said today.

Adani project: New Govt. slides from cancellation to review?

National People’s Power (NPP) leader Anura Kumara Dissanayake, in the run up to the September 21 presidential election vowed to cancel Indian conglomerate Adani’s 450 MW wind power project in Sri Lanka if elected.

Political risks to Sri Lanka’s debt restructuring agreement recede: Fitch

The Sri Lankan authorities’ confirmation that they endorse the targets set under the country’s IMF programme, and intend to implement debt restructuring based on the terms agreed with international sovereign bondholders in September, reduces risks to the debt treatment process associated with the outcome of the presidential election on 21 September, said Fitch Ratings.

Education Ministry seeks clarification from CIS

Following a 15-year-old girl jumping to death from the Lotus Tower, the Education Ministry has decided to seek a clarification from Colombo International School (CIS) where she studied, an official said yesterday.

Dozens of MPs to quit parliamentary politics

Dozens of MPs who were in the ninth Parliament which is now dissolved have decided to quit politics due to reasons ranging from old age, ill health to unfavourable political realities for them, Daily Mirror learns.