SLPP MPs barred from going public on their support for presidential candidates

11 Apr 2024

26

In the wake of SLPP (Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna) MPS airing contrasting views over the upcoming elections, the party hierarchy has barred all MPS from making comments on their support to any presidential candidate until a formal decision is taken, a party official said yesterday.

Exclusive

Xi calls for fair, transparent environment for investment in Sri Lanka

11 Apr 2024

27

Chinese President Xi Jinping , in his recent meeting with Prime Minister Dinesh Gunawardena, has reportedly stressed the need for ‘fair and transparent’ environment for Chinese companies to invest in Sri Lanka.

President restricts foreign travel for Govt. members as party gears up for presidential polls

10 Apr 2024

23

Ahead of the presidential election, President Ranil Wickremesinghe has instructed the government members to restrict foreign travel as much as possible because their presence is required to undertake political work, an informed source said.

Sri Lanka hard-pressed against time to conclude agreements for debt restructuring

09 Apr 2024

3

Sri Lanka is hard-pressed against time to reach agreements with creditors including bondholders before June, when the third tranche of the International Monetary Fund (IMF) extended fund facility is expected, Daily Mirror learns.

Uncertainty looms over 48 Sri Lankans trapped in Myanmar cyber crime saga

08 Apr 2024

0

The military government in Myanmar has reportedly cited that the rescue of 48 Sri Lankans held captive by cyber crime operators in the Myawaddy area has proven to be challenging since that is controlled by ethnic armed groups, an informed source said.

Maithri under fire, Parliament to demand full disclosure on Easter Sunday attacks

06 Apr 2024

30

Former President Maithripala Sirisena who is at the centre of controversy over his latest remarks that he is aware of the mastermind behind the Easter Sunday carnage will be forced to place all his cards on the table when Parliament takes up a fresh debate on the matter during the next sitting week.

Attempt to dissolve Parliament for snap General Election fails

04 Apr 2024

37

The attempt by some MPs to dissolve Parliament by passing a resolution has proven to be a futile exercise as the required number of 113 MPs cannot be mustered, a parliamentarian who wished to remain anonymous said.

Abolition of Special Commodity Levy can trigger corruption: Importers

03 Apr 2024

7

In the absence of a mechanism to curb corruption at Sri Lanka Customs, the abolition of the Special Commodity Levy on imported goods can result in price hikes, according to the Essential Commodities Importers’ and Traders’ Association.

Sri Lanka unaware of ship carrying toxic wastes from the US

02 Apr 2024

28

Sri Lanka is not yet aware of the nature of hazardous materials in the Singapore cargo ship Dali chartered by Maersk, which crashed into the Baltimore, US bridge on March 26, carrying 764 tons of hazardous materials as reported by the US media, an official said.

Katchatheevu Island a done deal, India has no intention to reverse agreement

02 Apr 2024

6

India has no intention to reverse the agreement that ceded the Katchatheevu Island to Sri Lanka despite the political debate in India that is primarily meant for domestic consumption in view of the upcoming Lok Sabha elections, Daily Mirror learns.

SL braces for AI powered election malpractices in future

01 Apr 2024

7

In the wake of AI (Artificial Intelligence) powered election malpractices mushrooming globally, Sri Lanka’s Election Commission is bracing for such possibilities in the future elections here, an official said yesterday.

Amaraweera, Lasantha, Duminda removed from SLFP positions

30 Mar 2024

25

Ministers Mahinda Amaraweera, Lasantha Alagiyawanna and Duminda Dissanayake were stripped of their positions in the Sri Lanka Freedom Party (SLFP) today.

Innocent Passage to enter Arabian Sea: India remains unresponsive to Sri Lanka’s request

30 Mar 2024

2

India remains unresponsive to the request by Sri Lanka to allow an innocent passage through the Indian Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) for its fishermen to enter the Arabian Sea, a top source said.

SLPP heading for split

29 Mar 2024

41

Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna (SLPP) is heading for a split with one section insisting on fielding its candidate at the presidential election and the other advocating support for the candidacy of President Ranil Wickremesinghe, Daily Mirror learns.

Govt. to enact law to safeguard IMF programme amid political uncertainty

25 Mar 2024

37

Amid fears that the current programme with the International Monetary Fund ( IMF) will be derailed in case of a regime change, the government is planning to enact an economic transformation law to ensure sustainability of the project despite political changes, a minister said yesterday.

Sri Lanka vigilant on Canada’s genocide allegation while having double-standard on Gaza

23 Mar 2024

9

Sri Lanka remains alert whether the Canadian government leaders will repeat what it calls ‘unsubstantiated genocide allegations’ against Sri Lanka this year too while taking an ambivalent position on the humanitarian crisis in Gaza, a top source said.

Basil says talks with Ranil positive,will General Election come first ?

22 Mar 2024

27

In the wake of calls for a snap general election , Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna (SLPP) stalwart Basil Rajapaksa who held a one on one meeting with President Ranil Wickremesinghe yesterday said talks ended on a positive note and they decided to consult their respective parties before reaching any finality .

Ban on chemical farming

Leader should take responsibility- Basil

21 Mar 2024

21

Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna (SLPP) stalwart Basil Rajapaksa, in response to a query about the former President’s decision to ban chemical farming, said a leader should take final responsibility for any decision taken by him.

No research activities, only replenishment for German research vessel in Sri Lanka

21 Mar 2024

2

Sri Lanka has barred research activities for German vessel ‘Sonne’ in keeping with the one-year moratorium on such activities involving foreign ships in its Exclusive Economic Zone, but it will be allowed for replenishment in the Colombo port, Daily Mirror learns.

“Absolute power corrupts” Receiving a huge mandate turned out to be a problem for us

21 Mar 2024

33

QPresident Ranil Wickremesinghe appeared to have declined to entertain your request for a snap General Election. Won’t this lead to a rift between your Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna (SLPP) and the President? I am yet to present this idea to the President formally. When I meet him today, I will do it. I have mooted this idea now. Otherwise everybody is of the opinion that the Presidential Election should be conducted first. However, we won’t leave