Russia cirticises western pressure on Sri Lanka over human rights

21 May 2024

6

The Russian embassy expressed concerns over the western pressure on Sri Lanka regarding human rights while the very same forces are having a separate stand on the unfolding humanitarian crisis in Gaza, Yugoslavia, Afghanistan etc.

Sri Lankan ambassador to China Majintha Jayesinghe assumes duties

21 May 2024

4

Ambassador-designate to China Majintha Jayesinghe assumed duties on May 20, 2024 at the Embassy in Beijing, according to the Foreign Affairs Ministry.

France optimistic about conclusion of Sri Lanka’s debt restructuring very fast

21 May 2024

3

French Ambassador Jean-François Pactet expressed optimism yesterday that Sri Lanka’s debt restructuring process could be concluded ‘very fast’ but declined to elaborate on more details

Starlink: Govt. initiates drafting new telecommunication regulations

21 May 2024

12

In the wake of plans by tech baron Elon Musk to visit Sri Lanka later this year, the government has initiated the process of evolving fresh regulations to facilitate the launch of Starlink satellite internet service, a Minister said yesterday.

Elon Musk to visit Sri Lanka this year to launch Starlink

20 May 2024

41

Elon Musk has accepted an invitation by President Ranil Wickremesinghe to visit Sri Lanka this year to launch his Starlink satellite internet service, the Daily Mirror learns.

Arrest of four persons over War Dead Commemoration: Sri Lankan authorities in Canada in dilemma

18 May 2024

41

The recent arrest of four Tamils in the Eastern Province over the commemoration of war dead has left Sri Lankan diplomatic authorities in Canada in a precarious position in countering allegations regarding human rights violations, a top source said.

MPs exploit liquor permit system, selling for up to Rs. 50 Million

17 May 2024

19

The MPs across the political divide are inclined to secure liquor permits under the names of their associates and relatives only to be sold for amounts as large as Rs.50 million at times, the Daily Mirror learns.

MPs seek one million rupee insurance coverage to be extended to include family members

16 May 2024

47

Following the approval of concessionary vehicle permits, the MPs across the political divide have asked for the extension of their one -million rupee insurance coverage to include their family members, a top source said yesterday.

US State Dept. gets involved in drafting local NGO law

15 May 2024

24

The U.S. State Department has sought to intervene in the drafting of Sri Lanka’s new piece of legislation that, if enacted, will provide for the registration of both local and international NGOs in the country, a top source said yesterday.

Concessionary vehicle permits: MPs have their way, ignoring economic crisis

13 May 2024

75

Despite the cost of living sizzling at red hot levels and the country being cash- strapped, the House Committee of Parliament has endorsed the proposal to offer concessionary vehicle permits for MPs as requested by them, a top source said.

Indo-Lanka land connectivity most ambitious move- Indian High Commissioner

13 May 2024

9

Indian High Commissioner Santos Jha, in an interview with a select group of journalists, discusses the current....

Some 2,000 Buddhist monks abandon robes annually: Champika Ranawaka

12 May 2024

6

As many as 2,000 Buddhist monks with higher ordination leave their robes annually and the economic crisis is one of the reasons for this, United Republican Front (URF) leader MP Patali Champika Ranawaka said.

Diana under immigration radar for overstaying visa since 2014

11 May 2024

53

In the wake of UK citizenship holding Diana Gamage losing her parliamentary seat following a ruling by the Supreme Court, the immigration authorities are planning to consult the Attorney General to inquire into how she lived in Sri Lanka without a valid visa since she last arrived in the country on a tourist visa since around 2014, an official said.

EC announces plan for presidential election

A move to preempt hush-hush project on snap general election before

10 May 2024

16

Speculation is rife in political circles that the Election Commission announced the plan for the conduct of the presidential election interpreting the Constitution in a bid to suppress any internal political discourse for a possible snap general election, Daily Mirror learns.

Kenyan President lauds Sri Lankan investors in his country

09 May 2024

18

Following the successful acquisition of Liptons East African Tea Plantations across Kenya, Rwanda and Tanzania, Browns has solidified its position as the world’s largest tea producer.

Marine heat waves: coral reefs in Sri Lankan waters risk die-offs

09 May 2024

3

Coral reefs in the sea around Sri Lanka risk die-offs if the current marine heat level persists for another one month or so, a top scientist said yesterday.

Govt’s pre-poll development drive met with stiff resistance from Election Commission

09 May 2024

22

The government’s development drive ahead of the presidential election met with stiff resistance from the Election Commission (EC) which barred the involvement of political representatives of the ruling side in any such activities, an official said.

Basil reasserts general election first, yet President braces for presidential race

08 May 2024

37

Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna (SLPP) founder Basil Rajapaksa reasserted yesterday that his party still believes the general election should precede the presidential elections but President Ranil Wickremesinghe has a contrasting stand, according to an informed source of the party.

LRT Project : Sri Lanka keen but Japan not

06 May 2024

38

Uncertainty looms over the relaunch of the Japan -financed light rail project (LRT) even after the country’s debt restructuring process is concluded since Japan has decided not to discuss it , according to an official of the Japanese government.

No tender calling required: Minister Tiran Alles

04 May 2024

58

Public Security Minister Tiran Alles, in response to allegations about the tender process, said there is no such requirement to call for tenders because these are the only companies involved in e-visa processing in different countries.