NPP Govt. unresponsive over Easter Sunday allegations

Despite the seriousness of allegations made against a senior official handpicked by it, the government, led by the National People’s Power (NPP), remained unresponsive yesterday.

Govt. yet to decide as it awaits committee recommendations

The government is yet to take a decision on the curtailment of perks and benefits of former presidents and their widows since it awaits the recommendations of the committee that has been appointed to look into it, a top source said.

Lohan’s private secretary found dead with gunshot injuries

A private secretary of former State Minister Lohan Ratwatte was found dead with gunshot injuries in a house in Katugastota today.

No threats detected on Vistara flight: Operations resume at BIA

The management of the Bandaranaike International Airport (BIA) said that the emergency situation declared after the reported bomb scare on the Vistara flight which arrived at the BIA from Mumbai today, has been called off.

No decision against competitive procurement of diesel for electricity generation: CEB

Clarifying that the Ceylon Electricity Board (CEB) has never purchased diesel for electricity generation, through competitive bidding, including during the tenure of the previous management, the CEB said the new management has not taken any decision against competitive procurement of diesel for electricity generation.

New NPP govt. mirrors RW regime’s borrowing strategy: Economists

Sri Lanka’s new NPP government is following a similar borrowing strategy to the Ranil Wickremesinghe regime, raising significant funds from domestic markets to manage its debt, according to leading economists.

Has the govt. overborrowed in its first month in office?

Admitting the fact that the Central Bank has issued treasury bills of Rs. 465.1 billion during the period between September 27 and October 15,a top economist of the government said it was not an additional loan obtained by the new government as alleged by some but it is a routine practice of the Central Bank to issue treasury bills for debt servicing.

Health experts sound alarm over spike in waterborne diseases

As torrential rains result in flooding across Sri Lanka, health experts are raising alarm over a spike in waterborne diseases, which spread through contaminated water.

Personal accounts hit by online scams

Amidst the mounting cases of online scams in Sri Lanka, Police warned that online scammers hacked only personal accounts and that no incidents of hacking accounts of banking systems or financial institutions had been reported in Sri Lanka or anywhere in the world.

Govt. will take action to recover Aloysius’ defaulted tax money: Minister

The government will take action to recover the defaulted tax money by Director of W.M. Mendis and Company Ltd. Arjun Aloysius, who was sentenced to a six-month jail term for defaulting a VAT payment amounting to Rs. 3.5 billion, Cabinet Spokesman Vijitha Herath said today.

Misconduct results in suspension of seven MPs from Parliament in 2023

In a situation where public notion is created against the conduct of Parliamentarians, Parliamentary services of seven Members of Parliament in the ninth Parliament were suspended due to their misconduct within the year 2023.

Colombo welcomes Cinnamon Life

Cinnamon Life at City of Dreams Sri Lanka, the highly anticipated luxury development by John Keells Group (JKH), opens its doors today for a soft launch, marking a historic moment in Colombo’s evolving skyline.

Restructuring of all state enterprises on hold till election is over

The government has put on hold key policy decisions on restructuring state owned enterprises including SriLankan Airlines and the transfer of the Mattala international airport until the general election is over, a top source said.

Public Security Ministry orders Police to expedite investigations into seven key cases

The Ministry of Public Security has directed the Acting Inspector General of Police to expedite investigations into seven high-profile cases, including the controversial 2015 bond deal and the Easter Sunday bomb attacks.

Only 11 out of 31 houses assigned to former ministers handed over

Only 11 out of 31 politicians who held ministerial responsibilities in the previous government and lived in the government houses have vacated them, according to the Public Administration Ministry.

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.