Cassilingam calls on diplomatic community to refrain from holding meetings with Speaker

Geethanath Cassilingam, the Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna (SLPP) Jaffna District Organizer, has called on the diplomatic community to temporarily halt all engagements with the Speaker of Parliament, Ashoka Sapumal Ranwala, amid growing allegations surrounding the authenticity of his academic qualifications.

Liberal Youth Movement urges government inquiry into Speaker’s academic qualifications

The Liberal Youth Movement has expressed deep concern over allegations questioning the authenticity of the academic qualifications presented by Speaker Ashoka Ranwala prior to the elections and during parliamentary proceedings.

PUCSL calls for public consultation on electricity tariff revision

The Public Utilities Commission of Sri Lanka (PUCSL) has announced the commencement of public consultations on the electricity tariff revision for the six-month period from January to June 2025, starting on December 17.

Niroshan Dickwella’s 3 year ban reduced to 3 months following appeal

Sri Lankan cricketer Niroshan Dickwella’s three-year ban for an alleged anti-doping violation has been reduced to three months following an appeal.

S Korea police raid president’s office over martial law attempt

Police in South Korea have raided the presidential office in Seoul, following President Yoon Suk Yeol’s abortive attempt to impose martial law last week.

Unidentified fever spreads in Jaffna, not confirmed as rat fever

The sudden fever currently spreading in the Jaffna district has not yet been identified, nor has it been confirmed as rat fever (leptospirosis), Acting Consultant Community Physician of the Health Ministry’s Epidemiology Unit Dr. Kumudu Weerakoon said.

ITJP submits over 60 sanction requests against Sri Lankan officials

The International Truth and Justice Project (ITJP) has submitted more than 60 sanctions and visa ban requests against Sri Lankan public and security officials to date for human rights and economic crimes in Sri Lanka and multiple universal jurisdiction cases.

South Korean ex-defense minister attempts suicide: official

Former South Korean Defence Minister Kim Yong-hyun, who is accused of playing a lead role in the failed imposition of martial law on Dec 3, has attempted suicide inside a detention centre, a justice ministry official told Parliament.

Adani Group opts out of US funding for Its Colombo Port project

Billionaire Gautam Adani-led conglomerate on Tuesday said it will use its own resources to fund a Sri Lankan port project and not seek US funding.

New Chief Justice pledges to uphold judiciary’s integrity and independence

Newly appointed Chief Justice Murdu Fernando, PC, yesterday pledged her unwavering commitment to upholding the integrity, independence, and dignity of the country’s judiciary as an independent and impartial arbiter of justice.

Speaker’s false Doctoral title is an insult to Parliament as the oldest in Asia: UNP

Asserting that it was verified with Waseda University in Japan that Speaker Ashoka Ranwala has never been a student of it, the UNP yesterday said the fake Doctoral title is an insult on Parliament as the oldest in Asia and nation as a whole.

Jaffna MP demands to be called ‘Sir’

A video has surfaced on social media allegedly showing controversial Jaffna MP Archchuna Ramanathan demanding a hospital official to address him as ‘sir’.

Easier for govt. to take legal action against Udayanga, Kapila: Dr. Jayatissa

In the wake of United States imposing sanctions and visa restrictions on former CEO of SriLankan Airlines Kapila Chandrasena and former ambassador to Russia Udayanga Weeratunga, Cabinet spokesman Dr. Nalinda Jayatissa said today this would make the matters easier for the government to take legal action against them on Airbus and MiG aircraft deals.

General Elections: Over 900 fail to submit expense reports

Over 900 candidates who contested the General Elections have failed to submit their income and expenditure reports to the Election Commission, with the deadline ended on December 6.

DS Senanayake College introduces first mobile app in digitalisation drive

As part of the schools’ digitalisation programme, a mobile app named ’MyDS’ has been introduced to connect schools, students and parents into a unified system.

Discussions begin for preparation of 2025 Budget

The government has initiated preliminary ministerial-level discussions for the preparation of the 2025 Budget under the leadership of President Anura Kumara Dissanayake.

Jerome not a Catholic Bishop, don’t get deceived: Catholic Church

The Catholic Bishops Conference in Sri Lanka today clarified that Pastor Jerome Fernando was not a Bishop of the Catholic Church, and therefore the members of its church should not be deceived.

CEA urges Sri Pada visitors to avoid dumping polythene, plastic waste

The Central Environmental Authority (CEA) urges devotees visiting Sri Pada to refrain from disposing of waste, including polythene and plastic, in the area.

Jayasuriya laments batting failures after Sri Lanka’s series defeat to Proteas

Sri Lanka’s dreams of reaching the ICC World Test Championship final have taken a severe hit following a 2-0 series defeat in South Africa.

NDF nominates Faizer Mustapha as National List MP

The New Democratic Front (NDF) has submitted the name of Faizer Mustapha as its national list MP, NDF General Secretary Sharmila Perera said.

8 suspects in remand custody over Club Wasantha shooting granted bail

Eight suspects, including the owner of the tattoo shop in Athurugiriya, who had been remanded over the double murder of businessman Surendra Wasantha Perera alias Club Wasantha and another in Aturugiriya on July 08, were ordered to be released on bail by Homagama High Court Judge Mohamed Ishardeen.

Over 1,000 Sri Lankan workers set to leave for Israel between Dec 2024-Jan 2025

A total of 1,802 Sri Lankan workers are set to leave for Israel between December 2024 and January 2025, according to the Sri Lanka Bureau of Foreign Employment.

Govt approves plan for use of Visumpaya, Presidential mansions

The government has granted approval to introduce an appropriate system for the utilisation of the bungalow Visumpaya and existing Presidential mansions in various areas under the control of the Ministry of Public Administration, Provincial Councils and Local Government.

Govt. approval granted to receive 22 diesel engines from India

The Indian Railways have agreed to provide 22 American Locomotive Company (ALCO) diesel engines to Sri Lanka Railways as a grant from the Indian Government.

Dr. Anil Jasinghe appointed as Health Ministry and Mass Media Secretary

President Anura Kumara Dissanayake has appointed Dr. Anil Jasinghe as the new Secretary to the Ministries of Health and Mass Media.

China to provide entire requirement of school uniform fabric for 2025 as grant

China is to provide the entire requirement of school uniform fabric for schoolchildren for the year 2025 as a grant, the Education Ministry said.

Ministries to launch sustainable solution to protect crops from wild animals

Measures are underway by the Environment Ministry and the Ministry of Technology and Research to launch a long-term, scientific and sustainable solution to protect crops from being destroyed by wild animals, Cabinet spokesman and Minister Nalinda Jayatissa announced.

President to visit India on Sunday; set to meet Indian President, PM

President Anura Kumara Dissanayake is set to visit India between December 15 and 17 as his maiden state visit, Cabinet spokesman Dr. Nalinda Jayatissa said today.

Speaker to make statement on his doctorate soon: Dr. Jayatissa

Speaker Dr. Ashoka Ranwala will make a statement in a few days regarding various reports on his doctorate, Cabinet spokesman Dr. Nalinda Jayatissa said today.

Parliament website removes ’Dr.’ title from Speaker’s profile

Amid allegations over the academic qualifications of Speaker Asoka Ranwala, the Sri Lanka Parliament website has removed the title ’Dr.’ from his profile.