The President told us not to worry’’ - Harin

Moments after the Supreme Court judgement determined that the decision to expel Harin Fernando and Manusha Nanayakkara from the SJB was legally valid, President Ranil Wickremesinghe met Harin and Manusha last morning and thanked the two for their support and requested them ’not to worry’.

SL maintains tourist arrival momentum in August so far

The tourist arrivals to Sri Lanka maintained momentum in August, as within the first eight days of the month, over 53,000 international visitors entered the country.

Korean Buddhist Association delegation visits Sri Lanka

A 37-member delegation of the Korean Civil Service Buddhist Association arrived in Sri Lanka recently to promote Sri Lanka’s hospitality and cultural experience, creating awareness on Sri Lanka Tourism to the High End travellers in Korea.

Egypt wrestler arrested in Paris for sexual assault

Egyptian Olympic wrestler Mohamed ’Kesho’ Ibrahim has been arrested in Paris for an alleged sexual assault.

Visa issuance : Can’t revert to old system as IT system changed: Minister

Practical issues have arisen in reverting to the old visa system as the IT system has been changed as per the regulations passed by Parliament when introducing the new system, Public Security Minister Tiran Alles said today.

Third teenager arrested over foiled Taylor Swift concert attack

A third suspect has been arrested in connection with a foiled terror attack on Taylor Swift’s now-cancelled concerts in Vienna, the Austrian interior minister has said.

Rauff Hakeem flays officials for not taking action to streamline visa processing

Sri Lanka Muslim Congress (SLMC) leader MP Rauff Hakeem referred to Daily Mirror lead news story headlined ‘SL IMMIGRATION HANDICAPPED IN ON- ARRIVAL VISA PROCESSING’, criticised the Controller General of Immigration and Emigration and the Secretary to the Public Security Ministry for alleged sabotaging of visa processing.

5.3 magnitude earth quake hits eastern Japan; No Tsunami expected

A magnitude-5.3 earthquake hit Tokyo and eastern parts of Japan on Friday evening, the government said, a day after it issued the first-ever advisory about the risk of a huge earthquake in the west of the country.

Presidential candidate count rises 27

Three more candidates placed cash deposits for the upcoming Presidential election today (09) increasing the total number of candidates to 27.

Heavy showers above 50mm on the cards for multiple provinces

The Meteorological Department has issued a weather advisory for several regions, anticipating fairly heavy showers exceeding 50 mm in some areas of Northern and North-central provinces over the next 24 hours.

Will contest Presidential election as independent candidate: SF

Field Marshal Sarath Fonseka today announced that he will contest the Presidential election as an independent candidate.

Fleet of 438 SLTB buses assigned for Esala Perahera

The Transport Ministry has decided to assign 438 Sri Lanka Transport Board (SLTB) buses to operate day and night services during the Kandy Esala Perahera for the convenience of the public.

Apply for passports only for urgent needs: Minister

Public Security Minister Tiran Alles requested the people to apply for passports only if they are urgent and advised those who can wait to delay their applications till October, when new e-passports that meet international standards will be available.

’We engaged in suicide mission by supporting President’: Harin

Former Minister Harin Fernando, who lost his Parliamentray seat after the Supreme Court decision, said he and Manusha engaged in a sucide mission by supporting President Ranil Wickremsinghe.

Supreme Court quashes recommendations of Gotabaya’s Presidential Commission

The Supreme Court today issued an order quashing the findings and recommendations made by the Commission of Inquiry appointed by former President Gotabaya Rajapakse in respect of nine petitioners including former High Court Judge Padmini N. Ranawaka and President’s Counsel Upul Jayasuriya.

Bandulalal Bandarigoda to replace Manusha

Bandulalal Bandarigoda is to fill the vacancy created after Manusha Nanayakkara lost his seat following the Supreme Court decision that the latter’s expulsion from the SJB was legal.

Education Ministry clears Wesley ruggerite

The Ministry of Education has officially informed the Sri Lanka Schools Rugby Football Association (SLSRFA) that after further investigation, Wesley College rugby player was eligible to participate in the 2024 Inter-Schools Under-19 League Rugby Tournament.

Sheikh Hasina to return to Bangladesh for elections, says son

Former Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina will return to her country when its new caretaker government decides to hold elections, her son has said.

Fonseka resigns from SJB Chairmanship

Field Marshal Sarath Fonseka resigned from the post of SJB Chairmanship today.

12-hour water cut in Gampaha area on Sunday

Water supply will be interrupted for twelve hours from Sunday (11) at 9.00 a.m. in several areas in Gampaha due to repairs to the Biyagama water treatement plant, the National Water Supply and Drainage Board (NWSDB) said.

X-Press Pearl debris fully cleared: State Minister

The owners of the X-Press Pearl informed Sri Lanka that the debris had been fully cleared by now, State Minister of Justice Anurada Jayaratne said today.

Lyles’ bid for Olympic sprint double wrecked by Covid

Noah Lyles said he was ’’proud’’ to win 200m bronze after being hit by Covid-19 wrecked his bid to become the first man since Usain Bolt to complete an individual Olympic sprint double.

Eggs will be imported again within next 10 days: STC

The Sri Lanka State Trading (General) Corporation (STC) today announced that the import of eggs will resume within the next 10 days.

Harin, Manusha lose Parliamentary seats

The Supreme Court, in two landmark judgments today, determined that the Samagi Jana Balawegaya’s (SJB) decision to expel Ministers Harin Fernando and Manusha Nanayakkara from the party is legally valid.

25 percent of children below the age of one year experience sleep related problems: Medical Expert

Approximately 25 percent of children less than one year in Sri Lanka are having some form of sleep related problem that can lead to various physical and mental health issues due to not getting good sleep, Health Promotion Bureau (HPB) Consultant Community Physician Dr. Enoka Wickramasinghesaid.

SL National poverty line triples in just over a decade

The national poverty line, which determines the minimum income threshold to meet basic needs, has nearly tripled over slightly in the span of just over a decade according to a report released by the department of census and statistics.

Venezuela’s Maduro blocks X access in country for 10 days

Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro on Thursday took tensions with social media platform X and its owner Elon Musk to new heights, banning the platform in the South American country for 10 days amid furore over a disputed presidential election.

Liquor companies reject Excise Department’s request to lower prices

The Excise Department’s recent request for liquor companies to reduce prices has been rejected by the companies, drawing criticism from health professionals who view the move as promoting alcohol consumption.

SL immigration handicapped in on-arrival visa processing

The Department of Immigration and Emigration at the airport is facing a critical situation with visa checks for arriving passengers, mainly due to the lack of an active Electronic Travel Authorization (ETA) system.

Soliciting a bribe to perform one’s duty is like selling his own soul -– Senior Counsel tells Customs

It is high time the Customs officers practice integrity and to build up a work environment free of bribery and corruption as opined by President’s Counsel Sarath Jayamanne, who spoke at the launch of new Customs Internal Affairs Unit to receive public complaints.