If daily fuel supply regularised, benefit of lowered fuel prices given to people: Gemunu

The Lanka Private Bus Owners’ Association (LPBOA) chairman Gemunu Wijerathne today said that they are ready to give the benefit of the recent fuel price reduction to the people, only if the fuel supply is regularised to operate at least 50% of the buses from their total fleet.

Freighted petrol undergoes quality sampling, unloading tomorrow: Minister

One shipment of Petrol reached the country is presently undergoing quality sampling and unloading will begin tomorrow, Power and Energy Minister Kanchana Wijesekera said.

BASL urges Acting President to revoke Emergency Regulation

The Bar Association of Sri Lanka (BASL) today requested the Acting President to forthwith revoke the proclamation declaring a State of Emergency. The BASL maintained that the State of Emergency must not be used to stifle peaceful protests and dissent or to make arbitrary arrests and detentions.

Negotiations with IMF nearing conclusion: Act. Prez

While highlighting the steps taken so far, the Acting President further explained that negotiations with the International Monetary Fund (IMF) were nearing conclusion, and discussions for assistance with foreign countries is also progressing.

Have Sajith and Dullas struck a deal?

Leader of Opposition Sajith Premadasa has managed to strike an agreement with MP Dullas Allahaperuma who has also announced his candidacy for the July 20 election which will elect a new President, a senior Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB) MP said today.

Corruption case against Wimal fixed for September 13

A corruption case filed against Minister Wimal Weerawansa was today fixed for September 13 by Colombo High Court Judge Nawaratne Marasinghe.

Hirunika says Ranjan’s release to attract certain political groups

The objective behind the expected release of former actor-turned parliamentarian Ranjan Ramanayake may be to attract certain political groups, former Samagi Jana Balawegaya MP (SJB) Hirunika Premachnadra said today.

RW to seek assistance of UK govt. & intelligence over Easter Sunday attacks

Acting President Ranil Wickremesinghe today stated that the absence of a proper Easter Sunday investigation has meant that this issue has still not been fully resolved and he is requesting the assistance of the UK Government and their intelligence services.

Petition challenging appointment of Ranil as MP: SC to deliver order tomorrow

The Supreme Court has fixed for tomorrow to announce whether it grants leave to proceed with a Fundamental Rights petition filed challenging the legality of the appointment of UNP leader Ranil Wickremasinghe as a Member of Parliament.

Pregnant mother, daughter die and 4 injured in train accident

An expectant mother and her 10-year old daughter had died and four others were seriously injured when a motorcar hit a moving train at Magalla Gangarama road railway level crossing in Galle in the the Southern coastal line this morning.

Parliament has constitutional obligation to elect Prez, capable of repairing collapsed economy: Church of Ceylon

Parliament has the constitutional obligation to elect a President who will commence the challenging task of restoring constitutionalism and accountability, repairing the collapsed economy and restoring a semblance of normalcy in the lives of the citizens of the country, the Church of Ceylon said.

CID launches probe into reports of Rs. 45mn being withdrawn by three leading Galle Face protestors

The Criminal Investigation Department (CID) has launched an investigations into reports that three leading activists of the Galle Face protest site ’GotaGoHome’, allegedly received large amounts of funds to three local bank accounts from overseas, Police said.

New Prez must provide satisfactory, practical solution to economic, political crisis: Karu Jayasuriya

National Movement for Social Justice Chairman Karu Jayasuriya said the new President must provide a satisfactory and practical solution to the severe economic and political crisis that the country is facing today.

MPs receive threats ahead of Presidential vote

Many Parliamentarians, including those from the ruling parties, have complained they have received threats from individuals, saying they would face consequences if they vote for Ranil Wickremesinghe in Wednesday’s Presidential vote, the Daily Mirror learns.

Kurundi vihara reconstruction suspended

The Mullaithivu magistrate court has ordered the removal of new constructions at the historic Kurundi Vihara Cheithiya. Chief Incumbent of the temple Ven. Galgamuwe Santhabodhi Thera said Magistrate R.Sarwanarajah made this order on Thursday (14) when the case came up for hearing.

Speaker decries unverified statements on electing a new Prez

Making statements on electing a new President without checking the facts and the legal background undermines the constitutional process, sows doubt in the minds of the public, and risks stability Speaker’s office said yesterday.

State of Emergency declared from today

An Extraordinary Gazette has been issued declaring a State of Emergency across the island with effect from today.

India eclipses China to become top lender to debt-laden Sri Lanka 

India has surpassed China to become the top lender to Sri Lanka, as the former came to the rescue when Sri Lanka started experiencing some acute shortage of foreign currency from the beginning of the year which reached a breaking point in March causing a complete collapse of the country’s economy.

CB asks what more could incentivise remittances than current Fx and interest rates

Responding to the recent media query as to whether the Central Bank intends to upend its policy towards worker remittances, which haven’t budged much after all the efforts, Governor Dr. Nandalal Weerasinghe asked what more than the current exchange rate and the exponentially high interest rate could incentivise such inflows.

Suspect arrested with 50 tear gas cannisters stolen from police during protest

A 31-year-old man had been arrested with 50 tear gas cannisters which were stolen from police during protest at Polduwa Junction near Parliament on Wednesday (13).

CID launches probe on social media posts threatening MPs

The Police Headquarters instructed the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) to launch investigation on those publishing certain posts on social media threatening parliamentarians.

LPL postponed to December

The third edition of the Lanka Premier League (LPL) has been postponed to December.

Catholic Bishops Conference urges MPs to elect honest, able Prez, PM

The Catholic Bishops Conference today urged all MPs to set aside their political differences and agendas and come to a consensus to appoint an interim President and Prime Minister who are honest and able to muster everyone’s confidence.

Pregnant woman, husband die in accident in Buttala

A 32-year old pregnant mother and her husband had died after a speeding van knocked them at Burutha Junction in Buttala on the ​​Buttala-Wellawaya Road this evening.

Ready to withdraw nomination if two MPs without future political agendas appointed as Prez, PM: AKD

National People’s Power (NPP) leader Anura Kumara Dissanayake said today he was ready to withdraw his nomination for presidency if two MPs, who had no future political agendas, would be appointed as the President and the Prime Minister.

CPC to low fuel prices from tonight

The Ceylon Petroleum Corporation (CPC) has decided to reduce the retail price of their fuel from 10.00 pm today.

Mobile fuel dispensers to fulfil fuel requirements soon

Power and Energy Minister Kanchana Wijesekera said mobile fuel dispensers will be introduced initially as a pilot project to supply fuel for three wheelers and generators.

One million successfully registered for ’National Fuel Pass’

The number of people who have successfully registered themselves to obtain National Fuel Passes has exceeded 1,000,000 by this evening, the Power and Energy Ministry said.

Much needs to be done to prevent falling down; Ranil

Whilst revealing that the G7 alliance on the global food crisis has offered Sri Lanka US$ 14 million to spend on food, Acting President Ranil Wickremesinghe said there is much to be done to avoid third-world countries such as Sri Lanka falling down on their knees in the face of the global situation.

3-hour power cut for next two days

The Public Utilities Commission of Sri Lanka (PUCSL) has approved 3-hour power cuts for July 18 and 19.