Imran Khan ousted as Pakistan’s PM after key vote

Pakistan’s Prime Minister Imran Khan has been ousted from power after losing a no-confidence vote in his leadership.

Water level in major irrigation reservoirs rises to 66%: Irrigation Dept.

The water levels in the major reservoirs have risen by 66% as a result of the recent heavy rains, according to the Irrigation Department.

Red alert for 21 districts on severe lightning: Met Dept.

A Red alert on thundershowers accompanied by severe lightning has been issued today for most parts of the country, the Department of Meteorology said today.

Silverwood appointed as SL men’s cricket Head Coach

Englishman Chris Silverwood has been appointed as the new Head Coach of Sri Lanka’s national men’s cricket team.

Alert sounded along Andhra Pradesh coast to prevent entry of Sri Lankans

The Intelligence Bureau (IB) has cautioned the Coast Guard, Marine Police and the State police in maintaining vigil along the coast as there were incidents of Sri Lankans entering into Indian shores on boats to escape from the severe economic crisis in the island national

Protest launched in Galle Face Green

Heavy traffic was reported near Galle Face Green due to a protest being carried out by the youth, demanding President Gotabaya Rajapaksa to step down from the Presidency.

Prices of pharmaceutical drugs increased by 20%

Pharmaceutical drugs importers have been permitted to increase the prices of drugs by 20%, the National Medicines Regulatory Authority (NMRA) said.

’’I will not leave Sri Lanka and will answer all allegations’’ - Cabraal

Ajith Nivard Cabraal, former Central Bank Governor who resigned from his post earlier this week, said he will not leave Sri Lanka and will instead answer all allegations leveled at him by various parties.

SL Tamil couple lands in Tamil Nadu with two kids seeking refuge

RAMESWARAM: Hit by the punishing economic crisis, another Sri Lankan Tamil couple landed on Indian shores along with their two children in a fiberglass boat early on Friday.

UN experts condemn crackdown on protests in Sri Lanka

UN human rights experts urged the Sri Lankan Government to guarantee the fundamental rights of peaceful assembly and of expression during peaceful protests, amid the country’s severe economic crisis.

Actor Will Smith gets 10-year Oscars ban over slapping comedian Chris Rock

The motion picture academy on Friday banned Will Smith from attending the Oscars or any other academy event for 10 years following his slap of Chris Rock at the Academy Awards.

CB sends shockwaves with 700bps policy rate hike to arrest inflation

The Monetary Board of the Central Bank under the newly-appointed Governor Dr. Nanadalal Weerasinghe yesterday delivered a whopping 700 basis point policy rate hike, though many expected a milder hike in the range of 200 to 300 basis points.

Sri Lanka loses apparel and tea orders to India

The regional peers are starting to reap the benefits of the ongoing economic crisis in Sri Lanka, a development which threatens the island nation’s most established industries.

NPP ready to support impeachment, NCM: Vijitha

While asserting that it was absurd talking about any solution to the present economic crisis unless President Gotabaya Rajapaksa resigns, National People’s Power MP Vijitha Herath said today that an impeachment should be moved against the President, if he is not willing to quit.

Another protest at Liberty Roundabout

A group of people attached to the IT Industry are staging a protest against the government at the Liberty Roundabout.

Auto Diesel pumped to buses emit kerosene-like odour: Gemunu

The Lanka Private Bus Owners’ Association (LPBOA) yesterday said there is an issue with the quality of the auto diesel pumped to the private buses yesterday and the day before

Police use tear gas to disperse protesting Uni. students

Police used tear gas to disperse a group of university students who were staging a protest at Polduwa junction in Battaramulla this evening.

SLFP, SLPP and 11 affiliated parties write to President

The representatives of the Sri Lanka Freedom Party (SLFP), Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna (SLPP) and 11 affiliated parties of the Government have informed the President in writing about the measures that need to be taken to address the present crisis in Sri Lanka.

PUCSL’s petition requesting an order to supply uninterrupted electricity dismissed

The Fundamental Rights petition filed by the Public Utilities Commission of Sri Lanka (PUCSL) seeking an order directing the Minister of Energy to forthwith continue to supply fuel to the Ceylon Electricity Board (CEB) was today dismissed by Supreme Court.

’’We want Gota’’ protest underway in Colombo

Several supporters of President Gotabaya Rajapaksa are presently conducting a rally in Kollupitiya carrying slogans ’’We want Gota’’ against the ’’Go Home Gota’’ protests which are presently underway in several areas.

Magisterial inquiry into questionable last will of late Miss Ceylon: Police await AG’s advice

The Colombo Fraud Investigation Bureau (CFIB) has informed Court that it has sought the Attorney General’s advice regarding the investigations into the questionable last will of late Miss Ceylon Jennifer Ingleton and his advice over the matter is yet to be received.

I am still the Finance Minister: Ali Sabri

I was compelled to revoke my resignation as the Finance Minister as no one was willing to take over the ministry, Minister Ali Sabry told Parliament today.

Heavy rains to continue till Sunday

Due to the low-level atmospheric disturbance towards the east of the country, more than 100mm of showers are expected over most parts of the country until Sunday (10), the Meteorology Department said.

Special transport arrangements for New Year from today: Ministry

The Transport Ministry said that special transport arrangements have been made to facilitate the commuters who will be travelling during the New Year season conveniently from Colombo and suburbs to their distant home towns, the Transport Ministry said.

SJB to move no-confidence motion against govt.

Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB) has decided to bring in a No Confidence Motion against the government, two SJB MPs said today.

President did not offer me Finance portfolio, only ministers, interlocutors did - Harsha

In response to reports about the offer of the Finance Ministry portfolio , Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB) MP Dr. Harsha de Silva said no offer had come from President Gotabaya Rajapaksa but from a number of senior ministers and various interlocutors on his behalf.

AG’s Dept. denies withdrawing any indictment pertaining to politically exposed individuals

The Attorney General’s Department has categorically denied withdrawing any indictment pertaining to politically exposed persons during the tenure of the present Attorney General and rejects all reports to the contrary.

Acute drug scarcity could be life-threatening; more than Tsunami, COVID: Pharmacy Owners’ Assn.

There is more than a 25% shortage of essential medicinal drugs and equipment in the country due to the devaluation of the rupee against US dollar, and it will turn into a massive life threatening, even larger than the loss of lives die to Tsunami and the recent COVID-19 pandemic, All-Island Private Pharmacy Owners’ Association (ACPPOA) President Chandika Gankanda said.

Is Ali Sabry still the Finance Minister?

President Gotabaya Rajapaksa has not yet accepted the resignation of Ali Sabry as the Finance Minister which then makes him the Minister of Finance even to this day, sources in the government told Daily Mirror today.

TN tells Centre its ready to ship rice, drugs to Sri Lanka

Chief Minister MK Stalin on Thursday apprised the Centre that Tamil Nadu is ready to ship essential commodities like rice and life saving drugs to Sri Lanka, considering the welfare of Tamils and sought permission for its distribution there through the Indian High Commission, news agency PTI reported.