Diesel cargo arrives; Minister

A consignment of diesel arrived early this morning at the Colombo ports and the quality sample checking process is underway, Power and Energy Minister Kanchana Wijesekera said.

Acting President has edge with SLPP support

The Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna (SLPP), Acting President Ranil Wickremesinghe appears to be having the edge in the secret ballot to be conducted on July 20 to be elected to serve presidency for the rest of the current term, Daily Mirror learns.

Possible recession in eurozone likely to worsen SL’s forex woes

Fitch Ratings this week warned that Sri Lanka’s export and tourism sectors are likely to take a hit from the possible recession in the eurozone and it could further exacerbate the country’s actuate foreign exchange shortage.

IMF hopes to soon resume Sri Lanka high-level discussions

The International Monetary Fund (IMF) is still in contact with the officials at technical levels within the Sri Lankan government and hopes to be able to resume discussions with higher-level officials, an IMF spokesman said on Thursday, after Sri Lanka’s president announced his resignation.

Postal services temporarily suspended for four countries

Acceptance of postal shipments for the USA, Netherlands, Israel and Russian countries has been temporarily suspended due to the suspension and restriction of flights to Sri Lanka due to fuel crisis, the Department of Posts said.

China to play positive role in supporting SL: Wang Wenbin

China is ready to work with relevant countries and international financial institutions to continue to play a positive role in supporting Sri Lanka in overcoming difficulties, easing its debt burden and realizing sustainable development, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Wang Wenbin said on Friday.

Sajith to contest for presidency

SJB Parliamentary group decided that Leader of Opposition Sajith Premadasa should contest for the presidency, MP Mujibur Rahman told Daily Mirror today.

India to support early solution in SL through democratic means: Indian HC

India will continue to stand with the people of Sri Lanka as they seek to realize their aspirations for prosperity and progress through democratic means and values as well as established institutions and a constitutional framework, Indian High Commission in Sri Lanka said.

China will agree to US$4 billion aid for Sri Lanka ’at some point’: Kohona

Sri Lanka is continuing negotiations with China for as much as US$4 billion in aid and is confident Beijing will agree ’’at some point,’’ Bloomberg News reported on Friday (Jul 15), citing Sri Lanka’s ambassador to China.

SLPP to support RW

The Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna (SLPP) has decided to extend support to Interim President Ranil Wickremesinghe in the Parliamentary vote on July 20, to elect a new President.

MR and Basil prevented from leaving SL until July 28

The Supreme Court today issued an interim order preventing former Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa and former Minister Basil Rajapaksa from leaving the country without court’s permission until July 28.

Will ensure all MPs exercise their free will to elect new President: RW

Acting President Ranil Wickremesinghe today said all steps will be taken to allow MPs to exercise their free will to elect a new President on July 20 and thereby work towards upholding the constitution.

Schools to remain closed till July 20: Ministry

The Education Ministry has decided to extend the school holidays until next Wednesday (20).

Intervene to end political, economic crisis immediately: Karu Jayasuriya

It is the prime responsibility of all the political forces and the civil society to intervene It is the prime responsibility of all the political forces and the civil society to intervene perceptively and immediately to end the political and economic crisis currently faced by the motherland,National Movement for Social Justice Chairman Karu Jayasuriya said.perceptively and immediately to end the political and economic crisis.

Firm solutions imperative to overcome present political instability: GMOA

Firm and permanent solutions should be in place to overcome the present political instability in the country and to restore every sector, including health, while ensuring the basic needs of the people, the Government Medical Officers’ Association (GMOA) said.

Ranil Wickremesinghe sworn in as Interim President

Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe was sworn in as the Interim President before Chief Justice Jayantha Jayasuriya at Valukarama temple in Kollupitiya a short while ago.

New President will be elected on July 20

The New President would be elected through Parliament on July 20 as decided by the party leaders on an earlier occasion, Speaker Mahinda Yapa Abeywardena said today.

Christian Council calls for urgent ‘United or All-Party Government’

The National Christian Council of Sri Lanka (NCCSL) called on the Parliamentarians to respect and heed to the ’voice of the general public’ and to form a ’United or All-Party Government’ urgently to address and lift the nation from its fallen state of bankruptcy.

Political instability and worsening economic crisis hit hotels sector hard

The hotel sector in the country has lost the bulk of its business in a matter of days due to the irrational decision-making of the authorities.

Oil prices drop ahead of potential large United States rate hike

Oil prices fell yesterday as investors focused on the prospect of a large U.S. rate hike that could stem inflation but at the same time hit oil demand.

Parliament to meet tomorrow; new Prez to be elected within seven days: Speaker

Parliament will meet tomorrow as the official resignation of President Gotabaya Rajapaksa was made today, Speaker Mahinda Yapa Abeywardena said.

GOTABAYA RAJAPAKSA RESIGNS

Gotabaya Rajapaksa has resigned as the President of Sri Lanka, Speaker of Parliament announced a short while ago.

Exclusive fuel supply arrangements for healthcare workers from today: Ministry

The Health Ministry has decided to provide an exclusive fuel supply arrangements for the Health care workers from today.

Election the only solution to fulfil people’s true aspirations: JVP reiterates

Claiming that the struggle was not solely to expel President Gotabaya Rajapaksa, the Janatha Vimukthi Peramuna (JVP) reiterated today that the country should be brought back to normalcy soon under an interim government and go for an election to fulfil people’s aspirations.

Speaker receives Prez’s resignation, official announcement to be made tomorrow

Speaker Mahinda Yapa Abeywardena said he had received a resignation letter from President Gotabaya Rajapaksa through the Singapore Embassy in Sri Lanka, a statement issued by the Speaker’s Office said.

Gotabaya Rajapaksa emails resignation letter to Speaker

President Gotabaya Rajapaksa has emailed his resignation letter to the Parliament Speaker but the official announcement is likely scheduled for tomorrow, the Daily Mirror learns.

Gazette amending duties, functions of Defence Ministry issued

An extraordinary gazette was issued, amending the duties and functions of the Defence Ministry by the powers vested by Ranil Wickremesinghe as the acting President.

Singapore confirms Prez arrives there

In response to media queries, the Singaporean Foreign Ministry confirmed that President Gotabaya Rajapaksa has been allowed entry into Singapore on a private visit.

Gotabaya Rajapaksa arrives in Singapore

President Gotabaya Rajapaksa who flew into Singapore from the Maldives on Thursday (July 14) evening, arrived on board a Saudia Airlines flight which touched down at Changi airport at 7.17pm, local time.

Waiting for resignation serves no purpose; elect new Prez through Parliament: JVP

Claiming that it was absurd waiting anymore for the President’s resignation, as he had fled the country disregarding his responsibility, the Janatha Vimukthi Peramuna said today Parliament had a right to elect a new President as per the Constitution.