Hand over President’s House, Secretariat & Temple Trees to authorities - BASL

The Bar Association of Sri Lanka (BASL) said it is extremely concerned of reports of acts of vandalism at Temple Trees and the President’s House and called upon those occupying these premises to ensure that the proper authorities are given custody of these buildings.

U.S. ‘rejects’ GR’s visa request after recent ousting by mass protests

The United States rejected Sri Lankan President Gotabaya Rajapaksa’s recent request for a visa, The Hindu learns from a top official, amid growing speculation over the besieged leader’s “attempts to flee” the country after promising to quit office.

Soldiers moved in to protect Rupavahanini, ITN

Hundreds of army and air force troops have been deployed at the Sri Lanka Rupavahanini Corporation and ITN, following information received that some groups from the Aragalaya were requesting for live coverage to deliver a statement to the nation tomorrow following Gotabaya Rajapaksa’s resignation.

Religious leaders ready to nominate civil activists for Presidency; if no consensus by political parties: Ven. Sobitha Thera

In his comments, Ven. Omalpe Sobitha Thera said that if the political parties were not able to reach a consensus on appointing a new President, the clergy are ready to nominate five civil society activists suitable for the position and requested the party leaders to allow them to be appointed through the national list to Parliament.

DMT will not function on Fridays until further notice

The Motor Traffic Department will be closed on Fridays until further notice, unless a public holiday falls on any other working day except Friday.

Archeology Dept officials visit President’s House to assess damage

A group of officials from the Archeology Department arrived at the President’s House this morning to ascertain whether there have been any damage caused to the properties which have archeological value.

SLAF denies reports that President staying at Air Chief’s private residence

The Sri Lanka Air Force (SLAF) today denied social media reports that President Gotabaya Rajapaksa is currently staying in a private house belonging to Air Force Chief Air Marshal Sudarshana Pathirana.

Bread up by Rs.20, others by Rs.10 from tonight: Bakery Owners’ Assn.

The price of a 450g loaf of bread will be increased by Rs. 20 from tonight, while other bakery items will go up by Rs.10, the All Ceylon Bakery Owners’ Association (ACBOA) said.

Items and equipment at Temple Trees stolen; Complaints lodged with Police

Several complaints had been lodged with the Kollupitiya Police claiming that various items and equipment were stolen from the Temple Trees.

NASA’s Webb delivers deepest infrared image of universe yet

NASA’s James Webb Space Telescope has produced the deepest and sharpest infrared image of the distant universe to date.

Mother, son nabbed with heroin worth Rs. 550 mn

A woman and her son have been arrested with more than 38 kg of heroin worth over Rs. 550 million in Embilipitiya.

SJB won’t welcome corrupt politicians to SJB led multi-party-govt: Tissa Attanyake

Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB) today said it will not welcome anyone who is facing allegations of corruption.

Motion filed in Supreme Court urging to impose travel ban on MR, Basil, Cabraal and Atygalle

A motion has been filed in Supreme seeking an interim order restraining former Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa, former Minister Basil Rajapaksa, former Central Bank Governors Ajith Nivard Cabraal, W.D. Lakshman and former Secretary to the Ministry of Finance S.R. Atygalle from leaving the country without the prior approval of the Supreme Court.

SLNSS members of SriLankan Airlines also to withdraw from service from noon

Sri Lankan Nidahas Sewaka Sangamaya (SLNSS) of the SriLankan airlines also decided to withdraw from services, in order to prevent responsible officials who are involved in the country’s present crisis from leaving.

GR signs resignation letter

President Gotabaya Rajapaksa yesterday signed his resignation letter, dated for July 13 and the Speaker of Parliament will publicly announce it to the nation tomorrow, the Daily Mirror learns.

Clash between two protesting factions at Temple Trees, 10 hospitalised

At least 10 people, including one woman, were hospitalised following a clash between two protesting factions at Temple Trees this morning, police said.

Basil’s exit from country foiled after protests by passengers

An attempt by former Minister Basil Rajapaksa to leave the country through the Silk Route Passenger Clearance Terminal was foiled due to airport immigration officials refusing to let him leave the country following the protests by passengers.

Immigration officers withdraw from Silk Route operations at BIA

The Sri Lanka Immigration and Emigration Officers’ Association (SLIEOA) has decided to withdraw from functioning at the Silk Route Passenger Clearance Terminal at the Bandaranaike International Airport (BIA) from this morning until further notice.

Some conspirators trying to taint struggle: SYU

Some conspirators were attempting to taint the genuine struggle by resorting to various activities within the President’s House, Presidential Secretariat and Temple Trees that were taken over by the protesters, Socialists Youth Union (SYU) said yesterday.

Sri Lanka beat Australia by an innings in second Test to draw series

Sri Lanka crushed Australia by an innings and 39 runs inside four days of the second Test to draw the series 1-1.

CB Governor signals he will stay in job, warns turmoil impedes IMF talks

Sri Lanka’s Central Bank Governor signalled yesterday he would stay in the job but warned that prolonged political instability in the country may delay progress on negotiations with the International Monetary Fund (IMF) for a bailout package.

UAE’s flydubai suspends operations to Sri Lanka

United Arab Emirates carrier flydubai has suspended operations to Colombo in Sri Lanka until further notice, a spokesperson for the budget airline said on Monday.

Parliament to elect new President on July 20: Speaker

Party leaders have decided to elect a new President on July 20 through a vote in Parliament in accordance with the provisions of the Constitution, Speaker Mahinda Yapa Abeywardhane said today.

UPDATE - GR still in the country, meets defence leaders

President Gotabaya Rajapaksa is still in the country and met the tri force commanders today morning, the Daily Mirror learns.

Govt. should work within constitution, no one can go beyond it: PM

The government should work within the constitutional framework and no one can go beyond it or dictate Parliament, Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe said today.

Suwa Seriya suspended in 14 districts

The 1990 Suwa Seriya Ambulance Service announced that they have suspended the emergency ambulance service in 14 districts due to the current fuel shortage.

Next Govt. should implement nothing but what Aragalaya campaigned for: Kumar Gunaratnam

Frontline Socialist Party (FSP) which is a key proponent of the struggle (Aragalaya) said today the next government should be formed only to realise what the July 9 public uprising campaigned for and the adoption of a new constitution along with electoral reforms with approval of people by referendum had to be prioritised.

Fuel cargo scheduled to arrive on July 9 delayed; Minister

Power and Energy Minister Kanchana Wijesekara said payments were made to IOC for a Diesel Cargo to arrive 15-17 and a Petrol Cargo for 22-24.

43rd Brigade’s Champika Ranawaka meets JVP leader

A group of the 43rd Brigade led by Patali Champika Ranawaka met JVP leader Anura Kumara Dissanayake at the JVP head quarters today.

Bowser carrying 30,000 litres of diesel topples in Haputale

A bowser transporting 30,000 litres of diesel from Trincomalee to Haputale petroleum storage had veered off the road and toppled at Panketiya this morning.