CBSL further eases monetary policy stance

The Monetary Policy Board of the Central Bank of Sri Lanka, at its meeting held on 26 November 2024, decided to further ease the monetary policy stance and set the newly introduced Overnight Policy Rate (OPR) at 8.00 per cent.

Arjuna Mahendran noticed to appear in court over bond scam

The Colombo Chief Magistrate’s Court today issued a notice directing former Central Bank Governor Arjuna Mahendran to appear before the court on February 25, 2025.

Presence of Harini, Vijitha, Tilvin at ABBA Tribute Show clarified

Responding to social media reports criticizing the presence of top NPP members at the ABBA Tribute Show, the Mount Lavinia Hotel clarified that the dignitaries were invited guests at the concert.

No way for Govt. to break guardrails of IMF programme

The government has committed to stay within the main guardrails of the IMF (International Monetary Fund) programme and flexibility on its priorities and objectives are only within them, a top official said.

Third review approved by IMF, SL to get next US$ 333 million tranche

The International Monetary Fund (IMF) reached a staff level agreement with Sri Lankan authorities, paving the way for the next tranche, for US$ 333 million, of the four-year Extended Fund Facility.

Tension erupts at UNP headquarters

A tense situation was reported at the UNP party headquarters in Sirikotha when a group of UNP supporters arrived to hand over a document on reviving the party.

Ministers to be monitored: New mechanism in the offing

For the first time in Sri Lanka, the government is to establish a mechanism to supervise and advice ministries in the implementation of policies, a source said

Olympic Athlete Sugath Thilakaratne among 29 Deputy Ministers

Olympic athlete Sugath Thilakaratne is one of the 29 deputy ministers appointed by President Anura Kumara Dissanayake.

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.