17 ships sail into Colombo Port turned back due to recent protest by port TUs: Minister

Seventeen ships that arrived at Colombo Port turned back due to the recent protest by the port trade unions, Minister of Ports, Shipping and Aviation Minister Nimal Siripala de Silva said today.

PUCSL Chairman Janaka Rathnayake to be sworn in as National List MP: Kanchana

Chairman of Public Utilities Commission of Sri Lanka (PUCSL) Janaka Ratnayake is to be sworn in as a national list MP from a certain political party, Minister of Power and Energy Kanchana Wijesekera told Parliament today.

Moves to import under-weight eggs from India: SJB MP

The Ministry of Trade, Commerce and Food Security was planning to import under-weight eggs from India at a low price, SJB MP Thushara Indunil said today.

IMF bailout will only put country into further debt trap: Vijitha

Claiming that the country would not be developed by flourishing the production economy in the country even after obtaining the IMF bailout, NPP MP Vijitha Herath said today the country would further plunge down in the debt trap.

Opposition says govt. purposely prevented scheduled meeting with FM Secretary and EC

The Opposition today alleged that the government purposely prevented the meeting with the Finance Ministry Secretary and the Elections Commission scheduled for this morning to discuss the financial matters concerning the election.

Establishments Code to be amended to facilitate govt. employees contesting election: Minister

Steps would be taken to ensure that no injustice was caused to the government employees who were contesting the Local Government election in the event of a postponement of the election, a minister said today.

Heated arguments over appointment of Wajira Abeywardhane as acting Chairman of COPF

Heated arguments erupted in Parliament over the appointment of UNP MP Wajira Abeywardhane as the acting Chairman of the Committee on Public Finance.

Ball is in IMF’s Court now: President

Whilst highlighting that Sri Lanka has fulfilled all conditions laid down by the International Monetary Fund (IMF) to receive assistance, President Ranil Wickremeisnghe told Parliament that the ball is now in the IMF’s court.

President to make special statement in Parliament

President Ranil Wickremesinghe will deliver a special statement in parliament this morning to explain to the nation the current state of the economy and progress on the IMF negotiations, President’s Media Division (PMD) said.

Mayantha resigned as COPF Chair: Speaker announces

SJB MP Mayantha Dissanayake officially handed over his resignation as the Chairman of the Committee of Public Finance (COPF), Speaker Mahinda Yapa Abeywardhane said today.

NPP candidate responsible for Chinese fertilizer import: Amaraweera

The executive officer who is responsible for the controversial shipment of Chinese organic fertilizer in 2021 is a candidate for the National People’s Power (NPP) in Wattala, Agriculture Minister Mahinda Amaraweera charged.

Fix early date for LG polls without allowing govt. to conspire to postpone it further: NPP

The Elections Commission must fix an early date for the Local Government election so that the government could not use another ploy to postpone the election, JVP General Secretary Tilvin Silva said today.

SL’s 6th Periodic Review under the ICCPR to be held in Geneva

Sri Lanka’s 6th Periodic Review under the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR) will be held on March 8 and 9 in Geneva.

Mother jumps into well with two differently-abled children; one boy dies

A mother from Kebithigollewa had jumped into a well along with two of her differently-abled children claiming that she could not bear the medical expenses of the two boys and the cost of living.

Sri Lanka again rejects resolution 51/1, but says will remain open to discussion

Sri Lanka has once again rejected the resolution 51/1 against Sri Lanka adopted by the United Nations Human Rights Council (UNHRC) in October last year, but said Sri Lanka will remain open to discussion with the Council.

Conduct LG polls before March 20: Opposition parties write to EC

Claiming that there was no reason for the Elections Commission to consult the Treasury Secretary or anyone else as they are bound to comply with the interim order issued by the Supreme Court, the opposition political parties representing Parliament requested the Elections Commission to re-fix the date of the LG polls before March 20, 2023.

Act upon SC verdict on LG polls: NPP requests EC

The National People’s Power (NPP) has requested the Elections Commission to take necessary measures immediately with regard to the Local Government election based on the Supreme Court verdict and fix an early date for the election.

Conduct LG polls soon respecting SC verdict: Lawyers for NPP

Lawyers for National People’s Power (NPP) today urged the political authority and the relevant officials to make arrangements to conduct the Local Government Election by respecting the verdict of the Supreme Court with regard to the LG polls.

Will honour court decision and proceed accordingly: State Finance Minister

The government will honour the Supreme Court’s decision preventing withholding any funds allocated to conduct Local Government Polls 2023 and will proceed accordingly, State Minister of Finance Ranjith Siyambalapitiya said.

Supermodel Naomi Campbell features “Samahan” in interview

Renowned British supermodel Naomi Campbell features a pack of Sri Lankan made ’’Samahan,’’ as an essential product she keeps with her for a strong immune system.

SLPP decides to sack Prof. G. L. Peiris

The Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna (SLPP) has decided to remove Prof. G. L. Peiris from his post as the President of the party, the party said.

Execute plan to revive Trincomalee Oil Tank Farm swiftly: RW directs Kanchana

President Ranil Wickremesinghe directed the petroleum minister and officials to swiftly carry out a plan to revive the Trincomalee oil tank farm and incorporate it into the country’s economy, President’s Media Division said.

Alleged illegal arrest of a Lawyer: SC grants leave to proceed with FR petition

The Supreme Court has granted leave to proceed with a Fundamental Rights petition filed by a lawyer who sought a declaration that his arrest by CID was illegal and in violation of his fundamental rights.

Announcing new date for LG polls delayed to next week

The new date for the Local Government elections would be announced before March 9, the Elections Commission announced today.

Rajitha to become a minister?

Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB) MP Rajitha Senaratne said he will be able to play a great role in resolving the current crisis in the nation if he is given a ministry such as the Health Ministry.

US should intervene to ensure LG polls held - SJB

The USA should intervene to ensure that the local government elections are held in Sri Lanka, a Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB) member said today.

Timely support SL received from India should be appreciated: Semasinghe

State Minister Shehan Semasinghe said that the timely support Sri Lanka received from India should always be appreciated as the main focus of the government now is stabilizing the economy.

Harsha welcomes Central Bank action to stabilise the rupee

Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB) MP Harsha de Silva today welcomed the action of the Central Bank to ensure the stability of the Sri Lankan rupee.

White van press conference case: Key witness admits he made a false statement to Magistrate

One of the key prosecution witnesses in the controversial white van case against former Health Minister Rajitha Senaratne today admitted during the High Court trial that the confidential statement he made before Magistrate was a false one.

Cannot change govt. by taking to the streets: RW

President Ranil Wickremesinghe said today that a government can only be changed through a parliamentary election and taking to the streets was not an option for that, the President’s Media Division said.