Government to initiate drive for stolen asset recovery

The government is to initiate action for the establishment of a mechanism for stolen asset recovery in keeping with the Stolen Asset Recovery Initiative (StAR Initiative) and fresh measures for probing into corruption and frauds as promised in the election manifesto, Public Security Minister Ananda Wijepala said yesterday.

Committee appointed to probe Ravi K’s National List appointment

A four-member committee has been appointed to conduct an independent inquiry into the appointment of Ravi Karunanayake as a Member of Parliament (MP) from the National List of the New Democratic Front (NDF).

Harin granted bail

Former Minister Harin Fernando who was arrested in connection with an election violation during the recent general elections was released on bail.

Perks announced for newly elected MPs

Parliamentary Secretary General Kushani Rohanadeera outlined the benefits newly elected Members of Parliament (MPs) will receive.

Ravi among three National List MPs gazetted by EC

The Election Commission has gazetted the name of former Finance Minister Ravi Karunanayake to one of the two National List seats that were allotted to the New Democratic Front (NDF) following the Parliamentary Elections last week.

Twenty four member cabinet to be sworn in today

The board of Cabinet ministers and their deputies of the new government is slated to be representative of women MPs and all three main ethnicities, a source said.

Names of MPs elected at 2024 General Elections gazetted

The names of all Members of Parliament (MPs) elected through the 2024 General Elections have been officially published.

NPP secures over two-thirds majority in Parliament

The NPP secured more than 2/3rds majority in Parliament, winning 159 seats.

NPP projected to get 2/3 majority in Parliament

The National People’s Power (NPP), led by President Anura Kumara Dissanayake, is projected to get a two-thirds majority in Parliament based on the number of seats won by the party.

NPP wins Jaffna polling division; ITAK comes second

The National People’s Power (NPP)won the Jaffna Poling Division with 9,066 votes.

Elections official dies at polling booth

An official attached to the Panama Muslim Maha Vidyalaya polling booth in Kobeigane has died inside a toilet and his body was recovered this morning.

Who are our lawmakers for next five years? People will decide today

Sri Lankans will vote for the election of MPs to the country’s tenth Parliament today, the first to be constituted after President Anura Kumara Dissanayake took office. The last parliamentary election was conducted in August, 2020 when the country was hit by the pandemic.

Election Commission announces vote counting schedule

The Election Commission today announced the vote counting schedule for the general elections to be held on 14th of November.

Sri Lanka requests U.S. to remove security alert on Arugam Bay

The Foreign Affairs Ministry has requested the U.S. Embassy to remove the security alert issued earlier asking its nationals to avoid the Arugam Bay area until further notice, a spokesperson said yesterday.

NPP ready for national unity govt. with MPs representing Tamil, Muslim communities

The National People’s Power (NPP) is confident of winning a majority seats in Thursday’s Parliamentary Election but will look at forming a national unity government with Parliamentarians representing the Tamil and Muslim communities, in order to achieve national unity, Minister Vijitha Herath told Daily Mirror last evening.

Iranian charged in plot to kill Trump, also tasked with targeting Israelis in Sri Lanka, US

The Iranian national, charged by the US Department of Justice (DoJ) on Friday in a murder-for-hire plot to assassinate then-candidate Donald Trump and an American journalist critical of Tehran, was also tasked with targeting Israeli tourists in Sri Lanka, the DoJ said.

Special circular issued on use of social media tools in schools

The Ministry of Education has issued a special circular on the use of “social media tools” in school education and communication.

India- Russia joint venture bid to manage China-built Mattala airport goes awry

The move initiated by the previous government to hand over the management of the Mattala International Airport to an India-Russia joint venture is poised to be abandoned since Sri Lankan authorities are not ready to grant the licence for it over legal barriers, a top source said.

Govt. goes strict on Galle Face

The government has decided to be strict on the reservation of Galle Face Green not only for religious activities but also for all festivals, musical shows, and celebrations subject to the appropriate criteria.

SL rated ’medium risk’ for money laundering, terrorist financing

With Sri Lanka being identified as a country with medium risk for money laundering and terrorist financing even with the involvement of NGOs, the National NGO Secretariat signed a MoU with the Finance Intelligence Unit of Central Bank yesterday to step up national efforts in curbing such unlawful activities, an official said yesterday.

SC orders continuation of trial against Pujith, Hemasiri over Easter Sunday attacks

While setting aside the Colombo High Court Trial-at-Bar judgment which acquitted former IGP Pujith Jayasundara and former Defence Secretary Hemasiri Fernando of charges related to the Easter Sunday bomb attack case, the Supreme Court today ordered the Trial-at-Bar to proceed with the trial and to call upon the accused to present their defence

No coalition, national Govt. after General Election: Tilvin Silva

The Janatha Vimukthi Peramuna (JVP), the core ally of the ruling National People’s Power (NPP), ruled out any coalition, or national government after the General Election.

Government will take legal action if rice not sold at controlled prices: President

Claiming that the government had held discussions with rice millers on the prices of rice, President Anura Kumara Dissanayake said today that legal action will be taken against those who fail to sell rice at the controlled prices.

Spouse can claim damages from adulterer without filing for divorce: Supreme Court

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.

Japanese assistance sought to complete Central Expressway: President

The government has taken steps to complete the construction of the Central Expressway where discussions were held with the Japanese Ambassador to seek their assistance to complete its constructions, President Anura Kumara Dissanayake said today.

’’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.

‘Only available symbol will be the ball guard’: Mahela jokes about a future in politics

Former Sri Lanka cricket captain Mahela Jayawardena joked about a future in politics, saying that he and his friends would have to contest under the ball guard symbol.

Fuel prices revised; Octane 95, Super Diesel prices to be slashed

Ceypetco has revised its fuel prices, effective from midnight today (October 31).

’’Why should I take advice from someone rejected by people 17 times?’’: Harini responds to Ranil

Prime Minister Harini Amarasuriya said she will never take advice from someone like former President Ranil Wickremesinghe, who was rejected by the people 17 times.

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.