Sri Lanka unveils blueprint to transform outdated plantation sector to thriving agro-business

President Ranil Wickremesinghe yesterday unveiled a blueprint to transform the country’s outdated plantation sector towards a modern and thriving agro-business by rolling out a slew of major reforms with an inside-out approach.

Efforts underway to introduce climate change legislations to meet net zero carbon targets

The government is planning to introduce climate change legislation along with other new environment laws to meet net zero carbon targets before 2050.

CB cuts key rates by 25bps to prop up credit, economic growth

The Central Bank trimmed the policy rates by 0.25 percentage points. While the decision caught some sections of the economy off guard, others were not surprised.

PMD: Announcing President’s political campaign rallies abuse state resources – EC, PAFFREL

The President Media Division (PMD), the official portal to announce the President’s decisions, activities and news updates would violate the election law and abuse state resources if the former announces President Ranil Wickremesinghe’s public campaigns in the run-up to the poll, the Election Commission and polls monitoring bodies said.

Minister Harin sends letter to AKD regarding foreign trips

Minister Harin Fernando has responded to a statement made by leader of the National People’s Power (NPP), Anura Kumara Dissanayake, regarding the expenses for foreign trips undertaken by Fernando.

Police Clearance Division relocated from Police HQ

The Police Clearance Division, previously located at the Police Headquarters, has been relocated to the 17th floor of the Suhurupaya building in Battaramulla, police said.

Urgent request to relocate Sri Lankan asylum seekers from Diego Garcia amid crisis

Amidst mounting concerns over the well-being of Sri Lankan asylum seekers detained on Diego Garcia, British Foreign Secretary David Lammy has urgently requested their relocation to the UK.

Shooting in Grandpass leaves one dead

A shooting incident in the Grandpass area of Colombo has resulted in the death of one individual this evening, according to police.

Jordan’s king dissolves parliament ahead of new elections

King Abdullah of Jordan dissolved the country’s parliament on Thursday, a ceremonial step before parliamentary elections in September.

Keheliya Rambukwella further remanded

Former Health Minister Keheliya Rambukwella who was arrested over the import of substandard Immunoglobulin injections, was further remanded until August 08 by the Maligakanda Magistrate’s Court.

Parliament approves Economic Transformation Bill

Parliament unanimously approved the Public Financial Management Bill and the Economic Transformation Bill with amendments a short while ago.

Cabinet approves National Anti-Corruption Agenda

The Cabinet has approved the National Anti-Corruption Agenda submitted by President Ranil Wickremesinghe.

Sri Lanka gifts bougainvillea sapling to be planted in Saudi Holy City Medinah

Sri Lankan Ambassador to Saudi Arabia Ameer Ajwad who marked his first official visit to the’ Holy City of Madinah Al-Munawwarah from July 17 to 18 July presented Sri Lankan ‘bougainvillea’ plant sapling to its governor, to be planted there as a goodwill gesture in support of Saudi Arabia’s target to plant 10 billion trees across the country, according to a media statement from Foreign Ministry yesterday .

FAO warns of rising Avian Flu threat in the Asia Pacific

The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations is sounding the alarm about a surge in avian influenza cases across the Asia Pacific region.

Underworld delighted most after Supreme Court’s injunction on IGP: Prasanna

The underworld rejoiced the most after the Supreme Court issued an injunction order against IGP Deshabandu Tennakoon, Chief Government Whip Prasanna Ranatunga said today.

Presidential Election to be declared tomorrow

The Election Commission announced that an extraordinary gazette notification will be issued tomorrow (26) to announce the date of the Presidential Election.

Nuwan Thushara ruled out of Indian T20I series

Sri Lankan fast bowler Nuwan Thushara has been ruled out of the upcoming Indian T20I series due to a finger injury sustained during a fielding practice session in Pallekelle.

Wijeyadasa Rajapakshe announces Presidential candidacy

Minister of Justice Wijeyadasa Rajapakshe officially announced his candidacy for the upcoming Presidential Election.

Ireland name squads for home white-ball series against Sri Lanka

Ireland have named their squad for next month’s ICC Women’s Championship series at home against Sri Lanka.

Execute Supreme Court judgement and appoint Acting IGP: Opposition tells government

An Acting IGP must be appointed without killing time while upholding the Supreme Court verdict on the IGP, Opposition MPs argued in Parliament today.

India series will be a good challenge for us - Pathirana

Sri Lankan pacer Matheesha Pathirana hopes that a good result for his team in the upcoming three-match T20 and ODI series against India starting on Saturday could be a huge confidence booster for the island nation.

AirSial to start direct flights between Colombo, Islamabad

AirSial, a private airline in Pakistan, is slated to start direct flight operations between Colombo and Islamabad, Sri Lankan High Commissioner Admiral (Retired) Ravindra Chandrasiri Wijegunaratne said.

Special leave for employees who did not report for work in May, June

The government has decided to grant special leave to government employees who were unable to report for work last May and June due to floods, landslides and road blockages.

Tanker with 1,500 tonnes of oil sinks off Philippines

A tanker carrying close to 1.5 million litres of industrial fuel has capsized and sank off the Philippine capital on Thursday, causing an oil spill, officials say.

Wickramabahu Karunaratne passes away

New Sama Samaja Party leader Dr. Wickramabahu Karunaratne has passed away at the age of 81.

Sarath Fonseka announces Presidential candidacy

As the Daily Mirror predicted on May 22, 2024, Field Marshal Sarath Fonseka has formally declared his candidacy for the upcoming Presidential election today.

Election Commission in a dilemma in absence of IGP to conduct polls

Hot on the heels of the Supreme Court issuing an interim order restraining Deshabandu Tennakoon from functioning as the Inspector General of Police (IGP), the Election Commission is in a dilemma in the conduct of the presidential election after its declaration on Friday in the absence of a police chief.

Demerit points system for traffic offences will come into effect within three months

The demerit points system for traffic offenses will be implemented within the next three months, Commissioner General of the Department of Motor Traffic (DMT) Nishantha Anuruddha Weerasinghe said.

Police Department in dilemma as top two officers barred from services

Sri Lanka Police is facing a dilemma at present as its two top officers including IGP Deshabandu Tennakoon have been barred from serving in their posts owing to the Supreme Court ruling on the latter, whilst Senior DIG Lalith Pathinayake was tipped to be the acting police chief likely to be appointed by the President, the Daily Mirror learns.

Women’s Asia Cup 2024 semi-finals schedule confirmed

The final four teams for the ongoing Women’s Asia Cup 2024 have been determined and will compete in the semi-finals on July 26 in Dambulla, aiming to secure their spot in the final at the same venue on July 28.