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.

Inland Revenue exceeds 70% of annual tax target

The Inland Revenue Department has collected Rs. 1,417 billion in taxes by September 30, 2024, surpassing 70% of its annual goal of Rs. 2,024 billion.

Over 120 independent groups place deposits for General Elections

A total of 122 independent groups have placed their cash deposits for the upcoming general elections scheduled for November 14, 2024, the Election Commission stated.

Numerous MPs to quit politics

Numerous MPs who were in the currently dissolved Parliament have decided to opt out of politics without contesting the upcoming general election.

Government recalls firearms issued to civilians

The government has announced the temporary recall of all firearms issued to civilians by the Ministry of Defence.

President AKD to visit New Delhi as his first overseas visit

President Anura Kumara Dissanayake will likely undertake his first official overseas visit to New Delhi for discussions with Prime Minister Narendra Modi after he accepts an invitation which will be extended today by visiting Indian External Affairs Minister, Dr. S. Jaishankar, the Daily Mirror learns.

16 new MPs appointed in 9th Parliament

The Ninth Parliament of Sri Lanka, which convened on August 20, 2020, and was dissolved at midnight on September 24, 2024, saw 19 parliamentary vacancies filled during its term.

UNP-SJB electoral pact now a non-event

An electoral alliance between the Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB) and the United National Party (UNP) is now going to be a non-event, with each of them planning for different strategies to contest the upcoming General Elections, Daily Mirror learns.

Future SJS government will cooperate with AKD

A future Samagi Jana Sandanaya (SJS) government will cooperate with incumbent President Anura Kmara Dissanayake in the event it secures a majority in Parliament at the General elections, its leaders said today.

Porsche vehicle given to me originally imported ten years ago: Rosy

The Porsche vehicle, which was given to her during her tenure as Presidential Advisor, was originally imported ten years ago, Rosy Senanayake, Adviser to former President Ranil Wickremesinghe said today.

President appoints two senior economic advisors on honorary basis

President Anura Kumara Dissanayake has appointed the Chairman of the Ceylon Chamber of Commerce, Duminda Hulangamuwa and Prof. Anil Fernando of the Sri Jayawardenapura University as Senior Advisors for Economic Affairs and Finance on honorary basis.

Only one independent candidate declared expenses thus far, No major party stated yet: EC

Only a single independent candidate of the Presidential Poll 2024 has declared his campaign finances, whereas no major party had stated their election expenses by the end of September, having nine of 21 days of the grace period to declare expenses had lapsed by yesterday, the Daily Mirror learns.

Planned cuts to former presidents’ perks face legal hurdles

The government has initiated action to review the benefits of former Presidents to be pruned according to a criterion since some curtailments require legal amendments to be enacted by the next Parliament, a top source said.

Police officers assigned to former MPs recalled

All police security personnel assigned to former Parliamentarians and Ministers have been recalled, police said.

Japan to resume 11 stalled projects in Sri Lanka

The Japanese government has pledged to resume the construction of 11 stalled projects in Sri Lanka and has promised full support for the new government’s development programme, the President Media Division (PMD) said.

World Bank pledges support to President Anura Dissanayake

The World Bank Group has expressed its commitment to supporting Sri Lanka’s economic recovery and development.

Confident ties with B’desh, Sri Lanka will endure: Jaishankar

India does not seek to control every political move of neighbours, and does not expect that the political dynamics within neighbouring countries will adhere to what India may think is desirable, but Delhi is confident that fundamental realities of interdependence will ensure that relationships with neighbours remains constructive and positive, external affairs minister S Jaishankar has said.

EC seeks Rs. 11 billion for general election

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

UNP, SJB Talks ongoing despite obstacles

Despite SJB leader Sajith Premadasa yesterday saying that his party will not enter into an alliance with the UNP to contest the General Election, Daily Mirror learns that the talks are still ongoing to make a final decision.

General election on November 14

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

Anura Kumara to take oaths as president tomorrow

After the Election Commission announces the NPP presidential candidate Anura Kumara Dissanayake as the winner of the 2024 presidential election later today, Daily Mirror learns that Dissanayake will take oaths as the new president at a simple ceremony held at the Presidential Secretariat tomorrow morning (23).

Anura Kumara likely to be sworn in as President later on Sunday: NPP

NPP leader Anura Kumara Dissanayake could be sworn in as the new President later today if the final announcement declaring him as the winner is made by the Elections Commission on time, a party source told Daily Mirror.

Sri Lanka decides today

Sri Lankans will go to the polls today to elect the ninth Executive President of Sri Lanka to run the country for a period of five years. The presidential poll holds significance this time since it is the first election to be conducted after the country went through its worst-ever economic crisis since 2022.

Agreement in principle on commercial debt restructuring is a game changer: Economist

In reference to Sri Lanka agreeing in principle on the restructuring of commercial debts (ISB), Chairman of Advocata Institute Murtaza Jafferjee said it was a game changer on the path to debt sustainability.