May 9 unrest: Over 1,000 suspects still in remand custody

Around 2,725 individuals have been arrested until this morning in connection with various charges following the violent incidents that have taken place across the country since May 9.

Basil fights back to save his political future as RW pushes for 21A today

In a move to push for the 21st amendment to be accepted by the party leaders today, Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe will lobby for it at the party leaders’ meeting at 3.30 pm today in order to reduce the powers of the President and also remove dual citizens from holding a parliamentary seat, which in turn will end Basil Rajapaksa’s political career in Sri Lanka.

21st Amendment presented to Cabinet

The draft of the 21st Amendment to the Constitution was presented to the Cabinet today for consideration as the first legislative business of the new government, Daily Mirror learns.

The next couple of months will be the most difficult of our lives, PM informs the nation

Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe, on Monday said the next couple of months will be the most difficult ones in the lives of all citizens and the country must prepare to make some sacrifices and face the challenges of this period.

More Ministers to be sworn in today

A few more Cabinet ministers of the new government are slated to be sworn in this evening , Daily Mirror learns . President Gotabaya Rajapaksa is planning for the appointment of 18 ministers in addition to himself and Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe who will retain some portfolios. Besides ,there will be 30 state ministers.

Leave aside party politics and lets join hands to resolve burning issues - RW writes to Sajith

Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe has invited the Samagi Jana Balawegaya(SJB) to join hands with the new government to resolve burning issues, leaving aside party politics.

RANIL TO TAKE OATHS AS PM TODAY

UNP Leader Ranil Wickremesinghe will take oaths as the Prime Minister at 6.30 pm today his party confirmed.

Dozen arrested for protesting near Parliament

At least 12 persons who were protesting near Parliament had been arrested by the police a short while ago.

PM and Cabinet should resign and form an all party govt- Dullas writes to Prez

Former Minister Dullas Alahapperuma in a letter to the President says the Prime Minister and cabinet should resign immediately and form a new All Party government soon.

Cardinal says recommendations made by PCoI delayed

Archbishop of Colombo Cardinal Malcolm Ranjith today questioned as to whether the recommendations made by the Presidential Commission which probed Easter Sunday attacks is delayed because the secrets behind the attack will come up as a result of such an exercise.

Protestors refuse to meet PM, put forward two demands

A group of protestors at the Galle Face area now re-named as the ’Gota Go Gama’ have written to Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa, declining his invitation for a meeting, but have put forward two demands saying the President must resign and all Rajapaksa members must leave the government.

Protest erupts outside GR’s son’s house in LA

A small group of protestors have gathered outside President Gotabaya Rakapaksa’s son’s house in Los Angeles, USA, with protestors calling on him to call his father back home.

MR visits GR’s residence in Mirihana after unrest

Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa and Sports Minister Namal Rajapaksa today visited President Gotabaya Rajapaksa’s private residence in Mirihana where a public protest was held last night.

Payment for already imported food containers under Indian credit line hampered

The use of US $ 1 billion Indian credit line for the release of around 1500 containers of essential food commodities already imported from India and stuck at the port has been hampered since some of the shippers are not ready to accept payment in Indian rupees, a spokesman said.

SL rupee hits Rs. 275 against US Dollar at several banks

The Sri Lankan rupee hits a record low of Rs. 275 against the US Dollar.

PM says Ranil a good friend, but no national government

Amidst rising reports that a national government was being discussed between the Rajapaksa brothers and UNP Leader Ranil Wickremesinghe which would see President Gotabaya Rajapaksa as head of state and Wickremesinghe as the new Prime Minister, Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa yesterday firmly denied these reports saying such a matter was not discussed with the UNP.

Bus fares to hike by 50% if CPC diesel prices increased

The Lanka Private Bus Owners’ Association (LPBOA)and the Inter Provincial Private Bus Owners’ Association (IPPBOA) today claimed that they will go for a bus fare increase if the Ceylon Petroleum Corporation (CPC) increases their diesel prices.

Sacked ministers call Basil ’Ugly American’

Sacked Minister Udaya Gammanpila called Finance Minister Basil Rajapaksa an ’Ugly American’ today and said he should take full responsibility for the economic debacle the country is facing.

Sri Lanka still welcoming Russian tourists

Despite the conflict between Russia and Ukraine, Sri Lanka is still welcoming tourists from Russia as Russia continues to be the leading market for Sri Lanka Tourism.

Cardinal meets Pope Francis

Archbishop of Colombo Cardinal Malcolm Ranjith has met His Holiness Pope Francis at Vatican today (28), the Archdiocese of Colombo said

Over 5-hour power cuts on Monday

The Public Utilities Commission of Sri Lanka (PUCSL) has approved the request made by the Ceylon Electricity Board (CEB) to have rotational power shedding for over five hours on Monday.

Possible devastating situation averted due to COVID vaccination rollout- President

A possible catastrophic situation that could be emerged in the country has been brought under control by implementing COVID-19 vaccination programme, President Gotabaya Rajapaksa said.

No scheduled power cuts for next three months: PUCSL

The new methodology adopted by the Public Utilities Commission of Sri Lanka (PUCSL) will not lead to scheduled power cuts for the next three months, PUCSL Chairman Janaka Rathnayake said.

EU strongly urges SL to lift forthwith import restrictions

The European Union (EU) strongly urged Sri Lanka to lift forthwith import restrictions preventing many European products from entering its market.

Power failures reported from several areas

Multiple areas in the country are currently experiencing power outages, our correspondents said.

No power cuts today, says Gamini Lokuge

Following discussions held with President Gotabaya Rajapaksa, it has been decided not to impose power cuts today, Minister of Power Gamini Lokuge confirmed to Daily Mirror a short while ago.

House in Mannar destroyed by ’gas explosion’

A house in the Kottai area in the Mannar Divisional Secretariat has been completely gutted by a fire reported to have been caused by an explosion of a gas stove this afternoon.

SL yet to finalize its offer for world’s largest blue sapphire; envisages over US$ 100 mn

Sri Lanka is still negotiating with the Dubai-based company which has offered US$ 100 million for the ‘Queen of Asia’, the world’s largest natural corundum blue sapphire found in Sri Lanka, whether to make final deal.

Priyantha didn’t know what he had torn and discarded: Malik Adnan

Pakistani national Malik Adnan, who received the highest bravery award from his Prime Minister Imran Khan for shielding Priyantha Kumara from the unruly mob in Sialkot last Friday, revealed yesterday that Priyantha was unaware of what was written in the posters pasted on the factory walls as it was in the Urdu language and discarded it unknowingly.

'Most-wanted’ suspect arrested over lynching of Priyantha Kumara

Police have arrested the most wanted accused Imtiaz alias Billi, who was involved in the gruesome murder of Priyantha Kumara and desecrating his body, the Punjab Police announced on its official Twitter handle.