President takes office as Defence Minister

President Anura Kumara Dissanayake assumed duties as the new Defence Minister today (22) at the at the Defence Headquarters.

Court orders digging up treasure

Excavations were carried out amid torrential rain on court order in a location in Expressway road reservation near Wandurawa Rajamaha Vihara in Veyangoda on information that a treasure had been buried there, but it was postponed for today after no evidence of a treasure was found.

Adani Group denies allegations against Gautam Adani

The Adani Group has denied the allegations made by the US Department of Justice and the US Securities and Exchange Commission, in its indictment against Gautam Adani and seven others, calling the charges “baseless”.

Kenya drops over $2.5 billion of Adani deals after US indictment

Kenyan President William Ruto said on Thursday he had ordered the cancellation of a procurement process that had been expected to award control of the country’s main airport to India’s Adani Group after its founder was indicted in the United States.

Tension erupts at UNP headquarters

A tense situation was reported at the UNP party headquarters in Sirikotha when a group of UNP supporters arrived to hand over a document on reviving the party.

Two fishermen injured in explosion of floating parcel off Mannar coast

Two fishermen were seriously injured and hospitalised after a parcel floating on the sea exploded while they were checking it off the coast of Mannar.

Romania to elect new President

Romanian voters are called to the polls to elect a new head of state this Sunday. Pollsters believe the right-wing populist AUR candidate George Simion could make it to a runoff vote on December 8 against the Social Democratic Prime Minister Marcel Ciolacu. Commentators zero in on Simion’s chances of winning.

’’Caught in NPP’s Shramadana, but not buried’’: Harin

Former Minister Harin Fernando said that although he was caught up in the NPP’s ’Shramadanaya’ during the election, he was not ’’buried’’ and is determined to rise again.

Prof. Udugamasooriya appointed Senior Advisor on Science and Technology

Prof. Gomika Udugamasooriya has been appointed as the President’s Senior Advisor on Science and Technology.

NPP MP assures Parliament canteen will not be closed: Harsha

Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB) MP Harsha de Silva said today that an NPP MP has told him that the Parliament canteen will not be closed but the government will see that no one will abuse the facility.

Joint programme launched to address disasters during 2024 A/L exams

The Disaster Management Centre (DMC) and the Examinations Department have initiated a joint programme to mitigate potential disasters during the 2024 Advanced Level examinations.

Sri Lanka elected to the UN Commission on International Trade Law

Sri Lanka was among thirty-one (31) members elected to the United Nations Commission on International Trade Law (UNCITRAL) by the UN General Assembly, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs said.

Netanyahu attacks ICC war crimes arrest warrants

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has condemned as ’’antisemitic’’ a decision by the International Criminal Court to issue arrest warrants for war crimes against him and ex-Defence Minister Yoav Gallant.

Fire breaks out in a flat at Wellampitiya

A fire broke out in a flat at the Salamulla housing scheme in Wellampitiya this morning, according to the Wellampitiya Police.

Ministers to be monitored: New mechanism in the offing

For the first time in Sri Lanka, the government is to establish a mechanism to supervise and advice ministries in the implementation of policies, a source said

Thundershowers forecast for Northern, North-Central, Eastern Provinces, Matale today

Due to a low pressure area over the southeast Bay of Bengal, thundershowers would occur in the Northern, North-Central and Eastern Provinces and in the Matale district and showers would occur at several places elsewhere in the island during the evening or night, the Meteorology Department said.

Thai vets consider trimming tusks of Muthu Raja to improve mobility

Veterinarians at the Thai Elephant Conservation Centre in Lampang are planning to trim the tusks of Plai Sak Surin (Muthu Raja), the 29-year-old elephant that was brought back to Thailand from Sri Lanka, to help improve his quality of life.

Jayasuriya confident ahead of Sri Lanka-South Africa Test series

Sri Lanka men’s cricket coach Sanath Jayasuriya yesterday that Sri Lankan players who preparing for the upcoming Test series against South Africa are well-prepared and fully committed to giving their best, despite lacking practice matches before the series which will commence on Wednesday (27) at Kingsmead Durban.

National consumer prices continue to decline by 0.7% in October on lower fuel prices

Consumer prices measured by the National Consumer Prices Index fell further into negative territory in October after the index tipped into deflation in September due to repeatedly cutenergy prices.

Sri Lanka to host first-ever marine summit ‘Voyage Sri Lanka 2024’ 

Sri Lanka is gearing up to host its first-ever Marine Summit, titled Voyage Sri Lanka 2024, scheduled to take place at the Kingsbury Hotel in Colombo on November 26. The event, organised by the Export Development Board (EDB) in collaboration with key stakeholders from the marine industry is aimed at emphasising Sri Lanka’s

Special unit to address crop damage by toque monkeys and other animals

The Ministry of Agriculture, Livestock, Lands and Irrigation has established a special unit to address the issue of harmful animal populations causing significant damage to crops. This initiative aims to implement multiple strategies for sustainable control.

Ravi K’s nomination on National List, NDF has violated original agreement: Wajira

The United National Party (UNP) today disputed claims by its member Ravi Karunanayake that there was an electoral agreement to offer a National List slot to a nominee by the New Democratic Front (NDF) whose gas cylinder symbol was used to contest the General Election this time in alliance with others.

SLMC appoints M.S. Naleem as national list MP

The Sri Lanka Muslim Congress (SLMC) has named M.S. Naleem, the former Chairman of the Eravur Urban Council, as its National List Member of Parliament (MP).

ICC issues arrest warrant for Benjamin Netanyahu for alleged Gaza war crimes

The international criminal court has issued arrest warrants for the Israeli prime minister, Benjamin Netanyahu, the country’s former defence minister Yoav Gallant and the Hamas leader Mohammed Deif for alleged war crimes relating to the Gaza war.

Olympic Athlete Sugath Thilakaratne among 29 Deputy Ministers

Olympic athlete Sugath Thilakaratne is one of the 29 deputy ministers appointed by President Anura Kumara Dissanayake.

Third school term holiday starts tomorrow

The first phase of the third term for all government-approved Sinhala and Tamil schools will end tomorrow, marking the beginning of school holidays, the Ministry of Education announced.

Independent MP refuses to vacate Opposition Leader’s seat

Jaffna District Independent MP Archuuna Ramanathan refused to move away after he sat on the Opposition Leader’s seat inside the chambers despite requests by Parliament staff to move.

Surgery removes 10 kg tumor from uterus in Kataragama

A surgery to remove a 10 kg tumor from the uterus of a woman has been reported from the Kataragama area.

President arrives at Parliament

President Anura Kumara Dissanayake arrived at Parliament a short while ago to deliver the government’s Policy Statement during the ceremonial sitting of the first session of the 10th Parliament. Pix by Pradeep Pathirana

Parliament adjourned until December 3

President Anura Kumara Dissanayake adjourned the Sri Lankan Parliament until 9:30 a.m. on December 3.