SL grants permission for entry of Chinese tracking vessel

The Sri Lanka Government yesterday (August 12) granted permission for the Chinese tracking vessel Yuang Wang 5 to dock at the Hambantota Port after the Indian and US Governments failed to give ’’concrete reasons’’ for why they opposed its arrival, said the Sunday Times.

Gotabaya Rajapaksa advised to remain indoors for security reasons at Bangkok hotel

Former President Gotabaya Rajapaksa is staying at a hotel in Bangkok in the heart of Thailand’s capital, where police have advised the ousted Sri Lankan president to remain indoors for security reasons, according to a media report on Friday.

Govt. directly handles matter with Chinese Embassy

The government has reportedly taken over the handling of the diplomatic issue regarding the Yuan Wang 5 ship directly through the Chinese Embassy in Colombo instead of going through the Sri Lankan mission in Beijing, Daily Mirror learns.

Children infected with Dengue, COVID-19 on the rise at LRH: Paediatrician

The number of children who are currently receiving treatment for dengue virus and also for COVID-19 at the Lady Ridgeway Hospital (LRH) in Colombo is increasing, LRH Consultant Paediatrician Dr. Deepal Perera said.

GR to return to SL in 3 months as options run out

Former President Gotabaya Rajapaksa will return back to Sri Lanka in November after his 90 day Thai visa runs out, and as he runs out of options to receive temporary shelter in another country, the Daily Mirror learns.

Thailand says former Sri Lanka president Rajapaksa seeks visit, not seeking asylum

Thailand has received a request for former Sri Lanka president Gotabaya Rajapaksa to visit the country, but he has no intention of seeking political asylum, Thailand’s foreign ministry said on Wednesday (Aug 10).

Sri Lanka’s ousted president expected to go to Thailand - sources

Sri Lanka’s ousted president, Gotabaya Rajapaksa, is expected to arrive in Thailand on Thursday, seeking temporary shelter in a second Southeast Asian country after fleeing his island nation last month amid mass protests, two sources said.

Chinese social media platform bars a promotional campaign by SL

A Chinese social media platform has suspended a promotional campaign organized by the Sri Lankan embassy apparently in tit for tat for the government’s move to suspend the visit of the Chinese ship, a top source said.

China asks India to ’’stop disturbing’’ its exchange with SL

Riled by Sri Lanka’s request to defer the planned docking of a high-tech Chinese research vessel at the strategic Hambantota Port, China on Monday took a dig at India, saying it was ’’senseless to pressure’’ Colombo by citing the issue of security concerns.

Colombo allows Pakistani frigate Taimur to dock, Dhaka says no

Sri Lanka has allowed permission to the Chinese built-Pakistani guided missile frigate PNS Taimur to make a port call at Colombo while on its way to join the Pakistan Navy in Karachi. Build by Hudong-Zhonghua shipyard in Shanghai, the warship is on its maiden voyage to Pakistan while exercising en-route with Cambodian and Malaysian navies.

Govt. permits to open 50 new LIOC filling stations

The government has permitted opening of 50 new Lanka IOC (LIOC) filling stations across the country, Lanka IOC Managing Director Manoj Gupta said.

Activist Pathum Kerner arrested

The Colombo Crimes Division (CCD) has arrested social media activist Pathum Kerner in connection with the violent incidents during a protest at Polduwa Junction near Parliament on July 13

Dinesh Gunawardena sworn in as PM

Dinesh Gunawardena was sworn in as the Prime Minister of Sri Lanka before President Ranil Wickremesinghe a short while ago.

RW, AKD, Dullas to contest for presidency tomorrow

Acting President Ranil Wickremesinghe, Anura Kumara Dissanayaka and Dullas Allahapperuma will contest for the presidency tomorrow in Parliament.

Four fuel shipments to reach SL this month

Four fuel shipments including three diesel shipments are expected to arrive in Sri Lanka this month, Power and Energy Minister Kanchana Wijesekara said.

Japan will not help SL now

Japanese Ambassador in Colombo Mizukoshi Hideaki who met the TNA yesterday had reportedly said that there is a risk of financial assistance to Sri Lanka being mismanaged and hence Japan will not support the country at this point.

SL amends limit on foreign currency possession

With the intention of attracting foreign currency in the hands of the public into the formal banking system, the Minister of Finance has ordered to reduce the amount of foreign currency retained in possession by a person in, or resident in, Sri Lanka from USD 15,000 to USD 10,000 or its equivalent in other foreign currencies.

Food crisis likely to affect around four to five million people - PM

A committee headed by Parliamentarian Nimal Lansa to be appointed to look into mitigation efforts of food crisis

SL’s average household income makes shocking revelation about poverty level

Sri Lanka’s average monthly household income was estimated at Rs. 76,414 prior to the country’s economy fell deep into a recession and incomes deteriorated in the two years of the pandemic in 2020 and 2021, according to Department of Census and Statistics (DCS) data.

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.