Digital platform to receive people’s opinion on economic stabilization: Champika

A digital platform will be set up to receive people’s opinion for the National Council sub-committee on identifying short- and medium-term programs related to economic stabilization, the Committee chairman Parliamentarian Patali Champika Ranawaka said today.

Stop taking action against teachers: WP Zonal Edu. Director tells Ministry

The Western Provincial (WP) Education Department has informed the Education Ministry that there is no need to take any disciplinary action against the teachers who performed a dance during the World Children’s Day celebration at Kadirana Junior School in Negombo.

Namal to take first steps towards policy reforms

MP Namal Rajapaksa said the Sub-Committee on identifying the Priorities in Formulation of Short, Medium and Long-Term National Policies of the National Council will engage with stakeholders next week to discuss how to streamline citizen services and public administration as the first steps towards policy reform.

12-hour water cut in Colombo - Water Board

Water supply will be interrupted from Saturday (15) at 10.00 pm until 10.00 am on Sunday (16) in Colombo due to an essential renovation project of the Greater Colombo Water and Wastewater Management Improvement Investment Program, the National Water Supply and Drainage Board (NWSDB) said.

Sri Lanka very vulnerable to climate change -Erik Solheim

Former Norwegian Minister Erik Solheim who is the International advisor of climate change to President Ranil Wickremesinghe said Sri Lanka is ‘very vulnerable ‘ to climate change and dry areas in the north may be drier and the wet areas in the south wetter .

Sanath Nishantha surrenders to Court of Appeal

State Minister Sanath Nishantha surrendered to Court soon after an arrest warrant was issued against him by Court of Appeal.

Over sixty migrants, at Diego Garcia sent to Sri Lanka - UK

The British government has so far assisted the voluntary return of over sixty migrants, located in Diego Garcia -British Indian Ocean Territory by plane to Sri Lanka, Minister of State -Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office- Jesse Norman informed UK Parliament.

Court of Appeal issues arrest warrant against Sanath Nishantha

The Court of Appeal today issued warrant for the arrest of State Minister Sanath Nishantha for his failure to appear before Court over contempt of court charges. (Lakmal Sooriyagoda)

Opposition groups unite to fight for local polls

All opposition groups including the Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB), groups led by MP Dullas Alahapperuma and Wimal Weerawansa have decided to put in a joint effort to ensure that the local government election is held in March next year.

Central Bank declines to accept Russian Mir Payment System

The Central Bank has declined to allow the use of Russian Mir payment system to transact with Russia, Daily Mirror learns.

SL abstains from UN vote condemning Russia’s ’annexation’ of parts of Ukraine

Sri Lanka on Thursday abstained as the UN General Assembly voted to adopt a resolution condemning Russia’s ’’attempted illegal annexations’’ of the four Ukrainian regions following a “referendum”.

Govt. to release 1mn kg of rice from customs

The government is contemplating to release the containers with one million kilogrammes of rice that have been detained at Sri Lanka Customs for many years over numerous issues, Finance State Minister Ranjith Siyambalapitiya said.

Over 100mm rain forecast today: Met. Dept.

Heavy rains exceeding 100 mm could be expected today in Western, Central, North-Western, and Sabaragamuwa provinces and in Galle and Matara districts, the Meteorology Department said.

Fort Police OIC intimidated me before my lawyer – Journo complains to HRCSL

A representative of the Young Journalists Association (YJA), who went to lodge a complaint with the Fort Police over the misconduct of two senior police officials over the October 10th protest held in Galle Face, said he was intimidated by the Fort Police OIC in the presence of his lawyer.

Coastal line time table revision withheld: Railways Dept.

The decision on revising the train timetable on the coastal line will not be done today, the Railways Department said.

India finds serious violations at firm linked to Gambia deaths, suspends production

Indian health authorities said on Wednesday they had halted all production of New Delhi-based Maiden Pharmaceuticals after a WHO report that its cough and cold syrups exported to Gambia may be linked to the deaths of dozens of children there.

IMF downgrades growth projections for Sri Lanka

The International Monetary Fund (IMF) yesterday announced a downgrade in Sri Lanka’s growth projections for 2023, expecting gross domestic product (GDP) to contract, as opposed to the previous expectation of the economy witnessing positive growth.

Using children as shields in protests is a serious offence - President

President Ranil Wickremesinghe pointed out that using children as human shields during demonstrations is a serious offence according to the law of the country and advised the Sri Lanka Police to take immediate measures to prevent the perpetuation of such conduct.

Diagonosed COVID cases decline, not eliminated: Dr. Herath

The number of reported diagnosed COVID-19 cases has gone down, but the virus has not come to an elimination stage, Deputy Director of Health Services Dr. Hemantha Herath said.

Order on Maithripala’s writ petition fixed for Friday

The Court of Appeal today fixed for Friday (14) to announce whether it issues an order quashing the summons issued by Colombo Fort Magistrate on former President Maithripala Sirisena in connection with the Easter Sunday attack incidents.

MR lauds Solheim for being appointed as Prez’s Intl. Climate Adviser

Former President Mahinda Rajapaksa congratulated former Norwegian Minister Erik Solheim for being appointed as an International Climate Adviser to President Ranil Wickremesinghe and assured to support him in his new role.

CID brings Thilini Priyamali to WTC

The owner of Thico Group (Pvt) Ltd Thilini Priyamali, was brought to the World Trade Centre (WTC) by the Criminal Investigations Department (CID) for a site examination over her alleged links to mega financial fraud.

Complaints flowing in against Thilini Priyamali; 9 lodged so far

The Criminal Investigations Department (CID) has received at least nine complaints against Thilini Priyamali, the owner of Thico Group (Pvt) Ltd, over her alleged links to mega financial fraud.

Range Bandara hits back at claims that Ranil was rehabilitated

Responding to recent comments that President Ranil Wickremesinghe was rehabilitated, UNP General Secretary Palitha Range Bandara said it was Ranil Wickremesinghe, who rehabilitated all those politicians, who had even found it difficult going before the people.

UL likely to extend Nepal flights up to Lumbini

Discussions were held today to commence direct flights between Colombo and Lumbini, Nepal for the convenience of Sri Lankan pilgrims visiting the birthplace of Lord Buddha.

Ganiya Bannister in Swiss Embassy case raised objections against the charges

Swiss Embassy employee Ganiya Bannister Francis who is facing criminal charges before Colombo High Court for allegedly making a false claim that she has been abducted and sexually harassed today raised preliminary objections challenging the maintainability of the charges.

Myanmar court extends Aung San Suu Kyi’s prison sentence to 26 years

A court in military-run Myanmar has sentenced Aung San Suu Kyi, the country’s deposed former leader and Nobel Peace Prize winner, to three additional years in jail for corruption, a source familiar with the case told CNN, extending her total prison term to 26 years.

’Although not alive, I can still create art,’ robot Ai-Da tells UK lawmakers

A ’’robot artist’’ called Ai-Da told British lawmakers on Tuesday that although it was an artificial creation, it was still capable of producing art, as it spoke at a parliamentary inquiry into how new technologies will affect the creative industries.

Have patience; continue trying to apply for 2024 Diversity program; US Embassy

While issuing a consular notice, the US Embassy in Colombo today said people should be patient and continue trying to apply for the 2024 Diversity Immigrant Visa Lottery Program.

Erik Solheim appointed Presidents’ Intl. Climate Adviser

Former Norwegian Minister Erik Solheim, who is currently in Sri Lanka, was appointed as an International Climate Adviser to President Ranil Wickremesinghe, along with Former Maldives President Mohamed Nasheed.