Cabinet nod to introduce hybrid parliamentary electoral system

20 Mar 2024

8

The Cabinet endorsed a proposal to draft constitutional amendments for the introduction of a new parliamentary electoral system that will enable the election of 160 MPs under the previous First-Past-the –Post System and the remainder under proportional representation, Daily Mirror learns.

Opposition exodus holds no bar on COPE

20 Mar 2024

6

The exodus of opposition MPs from the Committee on Public Enterprises (COPE), a watchdog committee, will have no bearing on the conduct of deliberations since the government’s representation is sufficient enough to maintain the quorum number, a top source said.

Cash-strapped Govt. to cough up additional Rs.11Bn if general election declared

19 Mar 2024

10

The cash-strapped government will have to cough up another Rs.11 billion in case a snap parliamentary election is declared ahead of the Presidential Election which is anyway due in terms of the Constitution during the last quarter of this year, Daily Mirror learns.

Basil’s call for early parliamentary election triggers rebuttal from UNP

18 Mar 2024

18

Despite Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna (SLPP) insisting on an early parliamentary election , the United National Party (UNP) asserted yesterday that the presidential election should be conducted first in accordance with the Constitution.

Industrialized nations should acknowledge contributions to climate change

14 Mar 2024

0

United Republican Front (URF) leader Patali Champika Ranawaka, addressing an international summit in India, said it is imperative for industrialized nations to acknowledge their historical contributions to climate change and take responsibility for mitigating its effects, including compensating affected countries for their losses.

Tragic murder of Sri Lankan family

Canada to strengthen mental health safeguards

14 Mar 2024

8

In the wake of a Sri Lankan family killed in Canada and a 19-year-old Sri Lankan national being charged for it, the Canadian authorities will put more attention to safeguards already in place on the mental health of students, according to a diplomatic source.

Government’s push for electoral change raises eyebrows

12 Mar 2024

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Ahead of the pending national elections, the government has made fresh attempts to bring about changes to the parliamentary election system by seeking to amend the Parliamentary Elections Act, a Minister said.

SLPP expresses concerns over President’s direct dealing with individual MPs

11 Mar 2024

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Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna (SLPP) is reported to have reiterated its concerns with President Ranil Wickremesinghe over his direct dealings with individuals of the party bypassing its hierarchy.

Prime Minister to head off to China later this month

11 Mar 2024

8

Prime Minister Dinesh Gunawardena will undertake an official tour of China later this month and hold talks with his counterpart Li Qiang, Daily Mirror learns.

President, MR, Basil to discuss possible alliance for polls

07 Mar 2024

48

Basil Rajapaksa who spearheads the Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna (SLPP), along with former President Mahinda Rajapaksa will meet President Ranil Wickremesinghe this evening to discuss the future political arrangements between the two sides ahead of the presidential and parliamentary elections.

UK calls for all political parties in SL to honour IMF programme

06 Mar 2024

14

British High Commissioner Andrew Patrick emphasized the need for the main three parties, if not all the major parties, to recognize the agreement with the International Monetary Fund (IMF).

Will not deviate from IMF programme, but will renegotiate terms and conditions: NPP

06 Mar 2024

38

The National People’s Power (NPP) said it would not derail the IMF programme if it won the presidency but would renegotiate its terms and conditions on implementations since the current austerity measures had burdened people and the attempts of the government to sell off public assets would bring severe economic consequences to the country.

All parties Sticking to IMF pact vital to see Lanka out of woods - British HC Andrew Patrick

06 Mar 2024

8

British High Commissioner Andrew Patrick, in an exclusive interview with Daily Mirror, shared his views on bilateral ties....

Import permit frauds threaten essential food supply chain

05 Mar 2024

4

The members of the Essential Food Commodities and Traders Association yesterday raised concerns with Trade Minister Nalin Fernando about alleged frauds in getting approval by the Agriculture Ministry authorities to import items such as green gram, black gram, Kurakkan, maize and cowpea, Daily Mirror learns.

Parliament, Central Bank set to discuss salary hike

02 Mar 2024

8

Parliament is in a dilemma whether it can undo the salary hike implemented by the Central Bank for its employees in large proportions amidst fiscal austerity, Daily Mirror learns.

SLPP MPs push for early General Election ahead of Presidential race

01 Mar 2024

1

In the midst of ongoing discussions surrounding potential electoral alliances among political parties, a notable contingent of MPs from both the government and opposition camps have reportedly expressed a strong inclination towards advocating for a General Election to precede the scheduled presidential ballot, Daily Mirror learns.

China expresses strong dissatisfaction to SL over bar on research vessels

29 Feb 2024

10

China is reported to have expressed its dissatisfaction to Sri Lanka over the decision to bar Chinese research vessels from carrying out any study in the country’s Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) for one year starting from January 3, 2024.

Circular on Long Staying Tourists

Russian Embassy awaits findings by Presidential Probe

27 Feb 2024

9

In the wake of reports that President Ranil Wickremesinghe ordering an immediate investigation into the circular asking overstaying Russian and Ukrainian tourists to leave within 14 days, the Russian Embassy in Colombo said it awaits the results of the probe directed by the President.

Speaker uses his decisive vote ending stalemate in appointing IGP

27 Feb 2024

18

Speaker Mahinda Yapa Abeywardena is reported to have used his decisive vote as the chairman of the Constitutional Council (CC) to affirm the appointment of Mr. Deshabandu Tennakoon as the Inspector General of Police (IGP) permanently.

Senior U.S Diplomat Elizabeth Horst tipped to be new Ambassador to SL

26 Feb 2024

7

Senior U. S. diplomat Elizabeth Kathryn Horst is designated to be appointed new American ambassador to Sri Lanka succeeding Ms. Julie Chung whose stint will end soon , Daily Mirror learns.