Withholding funds for LG polls will have far-reaching consequences: Church of Ceylon

The decision by the government to withhold funding for the Local Government Election is an unreasonable and arbitrary course of action that will have far-reaching consequences, the Church of Ceylon said.

SL to receive its first group of post-pandemic Chinese tourists on March 3

Sri Lanka is set to receive its first group of post-pandemic Chinese tourists after becoming one of the first 20 countries to resume the organization of outbound group tourists from China since COVID-19.

Over 7,000 Govt. Servants who contest LG polls in quandary: Rajitha

More than 7,000 Government Sector and Semi-Government Sector Servants who had submitted nominations to contest at the Local Government Election are in a quandary due to the uncertainty over the LG polls, SJB MP Rajitha Senaratne said in Parliament today.

Fowzie granted bail by High Court

The Colombo High today ordered to release Samagi Jana Balawegaya parliamentarian A.H.M. Fowzie on bail in connection with a corruption case filed by the Bribery Commission.

Lasantha Alagiyawanna appointed COPA Chairman

Government MP Lasantha Alagiyawanna has been appointed as the Chairman of the Committee on Public Accounts (COPA) with a majority vote today.

Sri Lanka again abstains from UN vote on Russian invasion

Sri Lanka has once again on Thursday abstained from voting on a resolution against Russia at the UN General Assembly, where the General Assembly voted overwhelmingly to call for a cessation of hostilities in Ukraine and for Russia to withdraw its forces immediately.

Heated arguments in Parliament after Mayantha appointed COPF chairman

Heated arguments flared up in Parliament after the committee of selections appointed SJB MP Mayantha Dissanayake as Public Finance Committee Chairman today.

Ranjith Bandara new COPE Chairman

SLPP MP Ranjith Bandara has been appointed as the new Chairman of the Committee on Public Enterprises (COPE).

Mayantha Dissanayake replaces Harsha as COPF Chairman

SJB MP Mayantha Dissanayake has been appointed as the Chairman of the Committee on Public Finance by the Committee of Selections.

The body of LG polls now at Wickremesinghe funeral parlour: Dullas

Parliamentarian Dullas Alahapperuma today questioned as to why United National Party (UNP) handed over nominations to the Local Government elections if the election was not legally declared as claimed by President Ranil Wickremesinghe.

Fly economy class for official travels: President directs

A new circular has been issued by the Secretary to the President making it compulsory for officials obtaining airline tickets for official overseas travel to purchase Economy Class tickets only from March 1, 2023, except for two categories of officials.

LG polls not legally declared: President

Local government election has not been declared legally and therefore, there is no question of a postponement, President Ranil Wickremesinghe stated today.

Ministers, MPs have made huge dedication by paying PAYE tax: Susil

Ministers and MPs have made a huge dedication by paying PAYE tax at this critical juncture where Rs. 241,000 has been deducted from the salary and fuel allowances of a Minister and Rs. 90,000 from an MP, Minister and leader of the House Susil Premajayantha said today.

Dinesh Schaffter’s mysterious death questioned in Parliament

Whilst questioning on the investigations carried out on the death of businessman Dinesh Schaffter, Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB) MP Eran Wickramaratne today said no foreign investor would come to Sri Lanka if justice is not meted out to the late businessman’s family.

SL won’t get international support if LG polls put off: Vijitha

Sri Lanka would not get any international support such as IMF bailout and GSP+ facility if the government attempts to postpone the Local Government elections, National People’s Power (NPP) MP Vijitha Herath said today.

New COPE, COPA members appointed

New members of Committee on Public Enterprises (COPE) and Committee on Public Accounts (COPA) were announced today in Parliament.

Postponement of LG polls a dangerous precedent: Cardinal

Postponement of local government elections could be a dangerous precedent as it would eventually push the nation into a dictatorial rule, Archbishop of Colombo Cardinal Malcolm Ranjith said today.

Parliament can be dissolved any time now

Sri Lanka can go for a general election anytime now as the present Parliament has completed two and a half years of its term as of midnight on Monday.

Local government polls should not be postponed: MR

Local government elections should not be postponed, Former President Mahinda Rajapaksa said today.

Plans to remove Kimbulawala street food stalls: Harsha alleges

SJB MP Harsha de Silva said plans are afoot to remove the street food stalls at Kimbulawala in Madiwela and urged the government not proceed with the proposal.

Opposition wants Harsha as COPF chairman again

The oppostion requested Speaker Mahinda Yapa Abeywardene to appoint SJB MP Harsha De Silva as the Chairman of the Committee on Public Finance (COPF) again.

House adjourned due to opposition protest

Parliament was adjourned by Speaker Mahinda Yapa Abeywardene till 9.30 am tomorrow due to a tense situation erupted in Parliament a short while ago.

Economic Commission to boost investment opportunities for local and foreign investors: Prez

President Ranil Wickremesinghe said that an Economic Commission will be formed as early as possible to approve investment opportunity in order to provide more opportunities to local and foreign investors.

Cabinet nod to President’s development project for Kandy city

President Ranil Wickremesinghe’s proposal to transform the historic city of Kandy into a well-planned, organized and developed city has received unanimous approval from the Cabinet of Ministers, President’s Media Division said.

Ex-MP Sarana Gunawardena released on strict bail in corruption case

Former Minister Sarana Gunawardena has been released on strict bail conditions by Colombo High Court Judge Damith Totawatte today.

Bad weather hampers SJB protest?

The protest which was to be held by the Samagi Jana Balawegaya ( SJB) has been hampered by bad weather, SJB General Secretary Ranjith Maduma Bandara said.

Delay in China’s positive response delays IMF bailout: Wijeyadasa

The delay in China’s positive response in restructuring Sri Lanka’s debt has been the only obstacle in securing the International Monetary Fund (IMF) bailout at the moment, Justice Minister Wijeyadasa Rajapakshe said.

Some restaurants, hotels serve food unfit for human consumption

A survey conducted by the Public Health Inspectors (PHI) found that 18 percent of restaurants and hotels in Sri Lanka served food unfit for human consumption, Chairman of the Public Health Inspectors Union of Sri Lanka Upul Rohana said.

SJB to proceed with protest despite court order

The Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB) said it will go ahead with today’s protest despite the stay order issued by the Fort Magistrate’s court.

After electricity charges, water tariffs bound to rise: Minister

As the electricity charges have been increased, the water charges will have to be increased in accordance, a Minister said.