Youth who sat on President’s Chair arrested; no action against MPs who sat on Speaker’s Chair: Harsha

Claiming that the youth who entered President’s House and sat on the President’s chair have been arrested, Parliamentarian Dr. Harsha De Silva questioned as to what action has been taken against the MPs who sat on the Speaker’s Chair and damaged the microphones.

Amended appropriation Bill presented in Parliament

The amended appropriation Bill under which government expenditure has been revised, was presented to Parliament today.

Customs notify travellers to refrain from bringing prohibited, restricted commodities

The Sri Lanka Customs (SLC) today informed all travellers/passengers to avoid bringing in any prohibited and restricted commodities, temporarily suspended commodities or commodities in commercial quantities contained in the accompanied and unaccompanied baggage through the airport or through the unaccompanied passenger baggage (UPB) warehouses with immediate effect.

Cabinet nod to register electric trishaws

Cabinet approval was granted to amend the Department of Motor Traffic (DMT) Act to register electric three wheelers.

Electricity charges to go up by 75% from tomorrow: PUCSL

The Public Utilities Commission of Sri Lanka (PUCSL) today granted permission to increase the electricity tariff by 75 % from tomorrow, PUCSL Chairman Janaka Rathnayake said.

SLPP PS member’s shooting suspect dies after taken to show hidden weapons

A suspect who is a close associate of late underworld figure Angoda Lokka, died after he fell down a quarry when he went to show a cache of hidden weapons.

Vajira Kodithuwakku appointed as Presidential Electronic Media Director

Veteran journalist and artiste Vajira Kodithuwakku today assumed duties as Presidential Media Director (Electronic and Operations).

Lunch packet, plain tea price to go down from tonight: Canteen owners

All Island Canteen Owners’ Association (AICOA) has decided to reduce the price of a lunch packet and a cup of plain tea from tonight.

Cabinet approves price formula for domestic LP gas

The Cabinet has approved to impliment a cost-based price formula for domestic LP gas and revise it each month.

UNFPA appeals for US $ 10.7mn to meet urgent needs of Lankan women and girls affected by economic crisis

In an effort to deliver life-saving healthcare to more than two million women and girls in Sri Lanka over the next six months, the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) has launched an appeal for US $ 10.7 million to cater to the vulnerable groups.

Govt. expects labour migration to hit an all-time high this year

With the prevailing deep economic and political crisis in the country driving the demand for foreign employments to unprecedented levels, the government expects the official outward labour migration to reach a new all-time high of 330,000 this year.

President Wickremesinghe needs to end crackdown -HRW

Sri Lanka’s new president, Ranil Wickremesinghe, should ensure that his administration adopts measures to protect the basic rights of all Sri Lankans, Human Rights Watch said in a letter published today outlining key human rights concerns.

Domestic debt restructure could stoke fresh banking crisis, expert warns

Sri Lanka could stoke another crisis if the authorities chose to restructure the rupee-denominated domestic debt, as it could have severe implications on the country’s banking sector, thereby endangering the entire financial system, a top asset manager in the country said.

UN human rights experts condemn repeated use of emergency measures to crackdown on protests

GENEVA (8 August 2022) –​UN human rights experts* today condemned the extensive, prolonged and repeated use of state of emergency measures since 2 April 2022 by Sri Lankan authorities to crackdown on peaceful protesters and prevent them from voicing their grievances amidst an economic collapse in the country, Office of the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights said.

China asks India to ’’stop disturbing’’ its exchange with SL

Riled by Sri Lanka’s request to defer the planned docking of a high-tech Chinese research vessel at the strategic Hambantota Port, China on Monday took a dig at India, saying it was ’’senseless to pressure’’ Colombo by citing the issue of security concerns.

Colombo allows Pakistani frigate Taimur to dock, Dhaka says no

Sri Lanka has allowed permission to the Chinese built-Pakistani guided missile frigate PNS Taimur to make a port call at Colombo while on its way to join the Pakistan Navy in Karachi. Build by Hudong-Zhonghua shipyard in Shanghai, the warship is on its maiden voyage to Pakistan while exercising en-route with Cambodian and Malaysian navies.

AG gives undertaking not to construct new roads in Sinharaja forest

The Attorney General today gave an undertaking before Court of Appeal not to construct new roads and repair existing roads within the Sinharaja Forest Reserve.

12.5Kg LITRO gas cylinder lowered by Rs.246 from tonight

The prices of 12.5kg domestic LITRO gas cylinders will be reduced by Rs. 246 from midnight today, LITRO Lanka Chairman Muditha Peiris said.

Police seek public assistance to identify 32 suspects over forcibly entering President’s House

The Colombo Central Divisional Crime Detective Bureau (DCDB) released photographs of 32 persons seeking public assistance to identify them over forcibly entering the President’s Resident in Fort and causing damage to the property there on August 9.

Govt. permits to open 50 new LIOC filling stations

The government has permitted opening of 50 new Lanka IOC (LIOC) filling stations across the country, Lanka IOC Managing Director Manoj Gupta said.

Prabath Jayasuriya takes home 'Player of the Month' award

Sri Lankan spinner Prabath Jayasuriya’s sensational start to international cricket has been capped off by winning the ICC Men’s Player of the Month award for July 2022. the ICC announced.

JVP to take part at discussion with President: Handunnetti

The Janatha Vimukthi Peramuna (JVP) will participate at a discussion with President Ranil Wickremesinghe tomorrow to discuss forming an all-party government, JVP politburo member Sunil Handunnetti said today.

Joseph Stalin granted bail

General Secretary of Ceylon Teachers Union Joseph Stalin held in remand custody for allegedly violating a court order was yesterday ordered to be released on bail by Colombo Fort Magistrate’s Court.

Plans afoot to provide fuel for public transport, taxis by next week

Plans have been drawn to dispense fuel for vehicles engaged in public transportation and taxi services as per QR code, Transport Ministry said.

SJB will only support all-party national programme

Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB) said today they are only prepared for an all-party national programme and not for an all-party government.

Two human rights activists go before SC against police-military arbitrary action

Former Commissioner of the Human Rights Commission of Sri Lanka Ambika Satkunanathan and former Commissioner of the Office on Missing Persons Mirak Raheem have filed a Fundamental Rights petition in the Supreme Court challenging the arbitrary and irrational action of the Police and the military.

5.5mn vehicle registrations, over 4.3 million transactions

The Power and Energy Ministry said over 5.5 million vehicles have been registered so far and over 4.3 million transactions were completed in the past seven days by refueling with the use of the QR code under the National Fuel Pass system, the Power and Energy Ministry said.

Legal action against wildlife officers if proven responsible for death

Legal action will be taken against the Nallathanniya wildlife officials responsible for the death of the mountain leopard, Wildlife Minister Mahinda Amaraweera said.

National Fuel Pass QR system open for new registrations again

Obtaining the QR code under the National Fuel Pass, new registrations are now open for new registrations again, the Information and Communication Technology Agency of Sri Lanka (ICTA) said.

Nearly 7,000 buses added to transportation fleet today

The Lanka Private Bus Owners’ Association (LPBOA) today said that nearly 7,000 buses have been augmented to operations today.