SL Parliament to debate Gaza conflict

The Sri Lankan Parliament will take up a debate on the Gaza conflict tomorrow as per a decision by the party leaders.

Northern train time table to be revised from Saturday

The timetable of the Northern railway line has been revised with immediate effect as of October 21, the Railways Department said.

Seetha taken home after three weeks

The female elephant ’Seetha’, who was injured following a shooting incident by a Wildlife officer, was taken to Maharagama to its residence in a lorry on Tuesday (18) afternoon, Peradeniya University Veterinary Medicine & Animal Science Faculty Prof. Ashoka Dangolla said.

Tamil parties deny writing to ’Thalapathy Vijay’

Tamil parties in Sri Lanka denied a fake letter purportedly sent by them to Tamil Nadu actor Vijay Chandrasekhar alias ’Vijay’ asking him to stop the screening of one of his films as otherwise they would not be able to bring people for a mass agitation planned for the same day.

Denied wheelchair after landing, disabled flyer seeks Rs 10cr payout

Vistara business class passenger with limited mobility has taken the airline to the consumer court seeking a compensation of Rs 10 crore for the difficulties she had to face on a recent Colombo-Mumbai flight over wheelchair-related issues, the Times of India reported.

Angelo, Chameera to join World Cup squad

Veteran all-rounder Angelo Mathews and seamer Dushmantha Chameera have been called up by the national selectors to join the World Cup squad in India as traveling reserves.

Alleged statement on LTTE resurgence: Vijayakala released from case

Jaffna District former Parliamentarian Vijayakala Maheshwaran was released by the Colombo Chief Magistrate’s court from a case relating to a controversial statement she had made in 2018.

US vetoes UN resolution calling for humanitarian pause in Israel-Hamas war

The United States has vetoed a United Nations Security Council resolution that would have condemned Hamas’ attack on Israel while calling for a pause in the fighting to allow humanitarian assistance into Gaza.

Population in urban areas increases to 44.57%

A survey conducted by the National Physical Planning Department revealed that the population in urban areas has increased to 44.57 percent, said Urban Development, Housing Minister and Chief Government Whip Prasanna Ranatunga.

Public servants nominated as candidates for local polls will be reinstated in their original state offices: PM

All public servants who were nominated as candidates for the local government elections will be reinstated at state office branches in which they originally were before they handed over their nominations, Prime Minister Dinesh Gunawardene informed Parliament today.

PUCSL must not become a killer of electricity consumers: Ananda Palitha

The Public Utilities Commission of Sri Lanka (PUCSL) must not become a slave of the polluters of the government and the International Monetary Fund (IMF) and become a killer of electricity consumers by putting people in pits unnecessarily, Samagi United Trade Union Force (SUTUF) convener and media spokesman Ananda Palitha said.

Ajith Mannapperuma suspended for four weeks

SJB MP Ajith Mannapperuma was suspended for four weeks as per Standing Order 77(3) for grabbing the mace in Parliament.

Indian Navy Ship ’Airavat’ in Colombo

Indian Navy Ship ‘Airavat’, a Shardul-class Landing Ship Tank (LST) arrived in Colombo yesterday, the Indian High Commission in Colombo said.

Parliament sessions suspended for ten minutes

Parliament sessions were suspended for ten minutes as a tense situation flared up during the debate.

Bribery Commission decides not to take further legal action

The Bribery Commission has informed the Colombo Fort Magistrate’s Court that it will not take further legal action into the sum of Rs. 17.85 million recovered from the President’s House on July 9, 2022.

Sri Lanka leave for Nations Cup in Singapore

The Sri Lanka Netball Team will leave for Singapore tomorrow (20) to participate in the 14th Nations Cup Invitation International Netball Tournament 2023.

Wickramaratne can function as acting IGP: Speaker

C.D. Wickramaratne can function as acting IGP continuously till the end of the month until a new IGP is appointed, Parliament was informed today.

Govt. calls for private sector participation in labour law reform for modernisation

While Sri Lanka is in the process of reevaluating its outdated labour laws, which do not align with the current global trends and developments, the Labour Ministry is urging the country’s private sector to actively engage in and support the forthcoming reforms.

Government to set up specialised fishing industry investment zone in Northern province

Sri Lanka is in the process of establishing a specialised investment zone in the Northern province, with a focus on catering to the unique needs of the fishing industry.

CC resolute against further extension for IGP

The Constitutional Council (CC) has firmed up its position against granting any more service extensions to Inspector General of Police (IGP) C.D. Wickramaratne, Daily Mirror learns.

Farmers urged to be vigilant over Leptospirosis

Farmers and those engaged in agriculture should be vigilant against the spread of the Leptospirosis flu with the upcoming paddy cultivation season, Epidemiology Unit Consultant Community Physician Dr. Thushani Dabrera said.

Parties fail to reach agreement on amending parliamentary electoral reforms

The meeting called by Prime Minister Dinesh Gunawardene ended without a final decision as opposition parties rejected the proposed amendment of the parliamentary electoral reforms though allies of the ruling party had reached a consensus.

UNP to effect major changes to its constitution on Saturday

The United National Party (UNP) will effect major changes to its constitution at its special convention scheduled for October 21 similar to the reforms introduced way back in 1978, party’s chairman MP Wajira Abeywardena said.

Public consultation on electricity tariff increase kicks off

The Bandaranaike Memorial International Conference Hall (BMICH) is currently hosting a public consultation over the proposed increase in electricity tariffs.

Judgment in citizenship case against Diana Gamage postponed yet again

The Court of Appeal today postponed for October 31 the delivering of its judgement over the writ petition filed seeking an order declaring State Minister of Tourism Diana Gamage as not qualified to be a Member of Parliament since she is a British citizen.

One in sextuplet dies: cause bleeding into lungs

One baby among the sextuplet birth at the Women’s Hospital in Castle Street, Colombo has died, the Lady Ridgeway Hospital for Children (LRH) director Dr. G. Wijesuriya said.

IMF program’s transparency hits all-time low in September, reveals verité research

Verité Research, the online platform behind the ’IMF Tracker,’ has released its latest update on Sri Lanka’s 17th program with the International Monetary Fund (IMF), raising concerns about the nation’s transparency and performance.

Sri Lanka Journalists for Global Justice protest Israeli atrocities in Palestine

On 17 October Israel carried out an air raid on -Ahli Arab Hospital in Gaza. Palestinian officials said at least 500 people were killed in the Israeli raid.

NPP meets Palestine Ambassador; express concern over death of women, children

A group of NPP representatives led by its leader Anura Kumara Dissanayake today visited Palestine embassy and met with Palastine Ambassador Dr. Zuhair M.H. Zaid where they expressed concern over the death of women and children due to the ongoing war.

Biden visits Israel and suggests Gaza hospital explosion ’done by the other team’

President Biden suggested on Wednesday that Hamas was responsible for the Gaza hospital explosion that killed hundreds of Palestinian civilians. Speaking in Tel Aviv alongside Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, Biden declared his “outrage” over the blast at al-Ahli Hospital and echoed Israeli claims that it was done by Palestinian militants.