BASL urges President to revoke State of Emergency

The Bar Association of Sri Lanka (BASL) has requested the President to revoke the proclamation declaring a state of emergency to ensure that the fundamental rights of the people such as the freedom of expression, freedom of speech, publication and the freedom of peaceful assembly are protected.

Protesters near parliament tear gassed again

Police used tear gas to disperse a group of protesters who were at the entrance of the Parliament on the Pelawatta road.

Duminda Silva to leave for Singapore

The Housing Development Authority Chairman, Duminda Silva has arrived at Katunayake Airport to depart for Singapore.

President declares state of emergency

A state of emergency will be declared by President Gotabaya Rajapaksa with effect from midnight today, the President Media Division (PMD) said.

Prof. G.H. Peiris appointed Chancellor of Pera. Uni.

Professor G.H. Peiris has been appointed as the Chancellor of the University of Peradeniya. He received his letter of appointment from President Gotabaya Rajapaksa at the President’s House today (May 6).

GR asks MR to resign, no official confirmation yet from MR

President Gotabaya Rajapaksa, in a special meeting with the Prime Minister and cabinet of ministers today evening, requested Mahinda Rajapaksa to step down from the premiership as a solution to solve the ongoing political crisis in the country.

Siyambalapitiya who replaced himself as Deputy Speaker, resigns again

SLFP MP Ranjith Siyambalapitiya who was elected as the Deputy Speaker in Parliament yesterday, replacing himself, has resigned from the post again, the Daily Mirror learns.

Get fresh date, time for A/L drama, theatre exam from nearest exam centre tomorrow

The 2021(2022) GCE Advanved Level (A/L) candidates who weren’t able to appear for the drama and theatre practical tests, have been requested visit the nearest examination centre tomorrow (May7) to reserve another date and a time, the examinations department said.

Police request to remove obstructions at GotaGoHome: Request to be heard on May 10

A request made by police to remove the obstructions caused to the access road of the Presidential Secretariat owing to GotaGoHome protest has been referred to the Colombo Chief Magistrate’s Court.

MPs stuck inside Parliament, many unable to leave due to protests outside

Parliamentarians are unable to leave the Parliament premises as hundreds of protestors remain gathered outside despite being hit with tear gas and water cannons.

Parliament sittings adjourned till May 17 as protestors tear gassed

Parliament has been adjourned till May 17, after a tense situation erupted outside with protestors being tear-gassed and water cannons being used by the police.

Tense situation inside Parliament, sittings suspended for 10 min.

A tense situation erupted inside Parliament a short while ago resulting in sittings being suspended for 10 minutes by the Speaker.

’Horu Go Gama’ protestors tear gassed

Police fired tear gas and water cannons on protestors who were gathered outside the Parliament, in the newly established ’Horu Go Gama’, a short while ago.

State Minister Gunapala Rathnasekara resigns

Cooperative Services, Marketing Development and Consumer Protection State Minister Gunapala Rathnasekara said today he rendered his resignation to the President yesterday.

Asian Games 2022 in China postponed

The Asian Games due to take place in Hangzhou in September have been postponed indefinitely, organisers said Friday, as China battles a resurgence of Covid cases.

Sri Lanka has a lot to learn from Fiji – A-G

Sri Lanka has a lot to learn from how Fiji managed the COVID-19 crisis by borrowing smartly to ensure that debt and balance of payments remain sustainable, says Fiji Attorney-General and Minister for Economy Aiyaz Sayed-Khaiyum.

Fourth dose approved, recommended as second booster for 60+: Minister

The Epidemiology Unit has decided to rollout the fourth dose against COVID-19 virus, Health Minister Channa Jayasumana said.

NPP MPs boycott parliament in support of Hartal

Parliament members of the National People’s Power (NPP) decided to boycott the parliament today in support of ongoing Hartal across the country, MP Dr. Harini Amarasuriya said.

PMD refutes issuing statement on protesting public servants' salary cut

President’s Media Division today refuted the notice circulating on Facebook that the May 2022 salaries of public servants participating in the Hartal campaign will be cut.

Beef up Ranil’s security: Govt.

Leader of the House Dinesh Gunawardena today requested Speaker Mahinda Yapa Abeygunawardhane to intervene to provide security to former Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe.

I am under threat, there are moves to surround my house at 5th Lane: Ranil

Former Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe today said he is under threat following the remarks made by TNA MP Shanikyan Rasamanikkam in Parliament that he sided with the government during the vote of the Deputy Speaker.

The underwear protest underway near Parliament

A group of protesters in loin cloths and some holding underwear were seen staging a protest near the Parliament entrance ’Hora Go Gama’ against the President and the government claiming that ’’this is all we are left with”.

Police issue warning over Hartal movement

Police said Intelligence has alerted them that certain groups have threatened those who did not want to join the Hartal and forced them not to open their business outlets.

Sri Lanka lost about 1mn taxpayers since 2019 tax cuts: Finance Minister

Sri Lanka lost about a million taxpayers in the two years through 2021 since the government slashed taxes in late 2019 in its failed attempt to spur economic growth.

20 trains operated this morning, 50 during evening: Railway Dept.

Despite the ongoing nationwide hartal, 20 trains were operated in the morning, Sri Lanka Railways media Spokesman A.D.G. Seneviratne said.

Lanka IOC delivers stunning 4Q performance as revenue and profits soar

Lanka IOC has delivered stunning financial performance for the three months to March 2022, concluding what could be referred to as a solid financial year, amid back-to-back steep increases in fuel retailing prices in response to global prices and the rupee float.

Country needs support of all sectors to overcome economic crisis: State Minister

It is the responsibility of all sectors to prevent the country from sinking further into the abyss in the face of the foreign exchange crisis as well as the country needs the support of all sectors to overcome the economic crisis it is facing, Trade State Minister Ashoka Priyantha said.

Latest protest site ’Horu Go Gama’ set up near Parliament

A group of students of the Inter-University Students Federation (IUSF), set up a protest camp ’Horu Go Gama’ along the road leading to the parliament.

All politicians should act as statesmen to avert economic crisis - BASL 

The Bar Association of Sri Lanka (BASL) today observed that all politicians should act as statesmen to avert the country’s current economic and political crisis.

IUSF protesters tear gassed near Parliament

The Police fired tear gas on students of the Inter University Students’ Federation (IUSF) who were protesting near Parliament entrance this evening.