Ranjan to be released during the weekend

Former MP Ranjan Ramanayake is expected to be released from prison during the weekend, Minister Harin Fernando said today.

President urges China to change tune on debt

Sri Lanka is urging China to dramatically change its stance on debt relief, President Ranil Wickremesinghe told Nikkei Asia in an exclusive interview, conceding that reaching a deal will be no simple task.

Probe reveals ‘Green Eco Lodge’ owned by MR’s son

Four suspects have been arrested by the Kolonna police over setting ablaze a luxury hotel owned by former President Mahinda Rajapaksa’s youngest son Rohitha Rajapaksa on May 10.

Govt. slaps import ban on wide range of goods

The Govt. yesterday issued new regulations via an extraordinary gazette suspending the import of a plethora of items, with effect from August 23, 2022, until further notice.

SL ranks 5th among 10 countries with highest food price inflation: World Bank

Sri Lanka ranked 5th among the 10 countries with the highest food price inflation in the latest World Bank assessment.

Defence Ministry signs detention orders to detain IUSF convenor and two others for 90 days

The Defence Ministry has issued Detention Orders on IUSF convenor Wasantha Mudalige and two others to be detained for 90 days and questioned, Police Spokesman SSP Nihal Thalduwa said.

President contacts Gotabaya about his return

President Ranil Wickremesinghe is reported to have contacted former President Gotabaya Rajapaksa to discuss arrangements for his return to the country, Daily Mirror learns.

204 Lankan flights stopped for refuelling at Thiruvananthapuram airport

Four more international flights from Sri Lanka had a stopover at Thiruvananthapuram airport for refuelling on Friday. Of them, three flights, operated by SriLankan Airlines, then proceeded to Melbourne, Sydney and Paris, while the fourth, an AirArabia flight, left for Sharjah.

Gotabaya should be tried for allegations of misusing funds: SJB

Former President Gotabaya Rajapaksa has the right to return to the nation but he should be tried for allegations of misuse of funds as he no longer enjoys legal immunity, Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB) said today.

CB optimistic of wrapping up IMF staff-level deal towards end of this month

The Central Bank (CB) is optimistic of wrapping up the much-anticipated staff-level agreement with the International Monetary Fund (IMF) for a bailout package during the upcoming staff team visit scheduled for end of this month.

Power consumption reduced by more than 20% during past two months: PUCSL

The country’s electricity consumption has dropped sharply by more than 20% in the last two months, according to Public Utilities Commission of Sri Lanka (PUCSL) Chairman Janaka Ratnayaka.

GR applies for US Green Card, looks to settle back in US

Former President Gotabaya Rajapaksa who fled the country last month amidst public protests calling for his resignation, is awaiting to obtain a US Green Card to return back to the United States and settle there with his wife and son, the Daily Mirror learns.

Gotabaya set to return on August 24: Udayanga hints

Former President Gotabaya Rajapaksa is set to return to the country on August 24, Former Sri Lankan ambassador to Russia Udayanga Weeratunga hinted today.

Chinese vessel ’Yuan Wang 5’ arrives

The chinese scientific research vessel ’Yuan Wang 5’ arrived at the Hambantota port this morning amid concerns raied by India.

Sri Lanka imposes ban on three new entities and 55 individuals

While de-listing six Tamil international organizations including the Global Tamil Forum (GTF) and 317 individuals, the government has added 55 new individuals and three more organizations to the banned list as part of this year’s review, informed sources said.

Arms, drug seizure from Lankan boat: Accused raised funds to revive LTTE, says NIA

In a major revelation in a case pertaining to the seizure of a huge quantity of narcotic drugs along with five AK-47 rifles and 9mm ammunition numbering 1,000 from Sri Lankan fishing boats, the NIA has stated that an accused had been involved in activities of proscribed terrorist organisation LTTE within India and abroad.

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.