Hambantota Mayor suspended from SLPP

Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna (SLPP) has suspended Mayor of Hambantota Gamini Sri Ananda from the party and informed the Hambantota Assistant Commissioner of Elections in order to sack him from the membership of the Hambantota Urban Council and thereby remove him from the post of Mayor.

Could provide concessions to the people by year end: Ruwan

Economic concessions including reduction of electricity tariff could be a possibility by the end of this year, UNP Deputy Leader Ruwan Wijewardene said yesterday.

TISL files FR against procurement of medical supplies from unregistered private suppliers

The Transparency International Sri Lanka (TISL) has filed a Fundamental Rights petition in Supreme Court challenging the moves by the Ministry of Health to procure medical supplies from unregistered private suppliers through direct contracting and unsolicited bids.

President assures to appoint competent authority to Pali University

President Ranil Wickremesinghe has assured the Sangha Committee of the Malwathu and Asgiri Chapters that he would appoint a competent authority to the Pali and Buddhist University, Presidential Media Division (PMD) said.

Get updated: AKD tells Sajith

Claiming that opposition politicians including Sajith Premadasa were bragging in political arena that a National People’s Power (NPP) government would take over private property, NPP leader Anura Kumara Dissanayake said today they were citing a part of JVP’s policy statement issued in 1980 and urged Sajith Premadasa to get updated.

Indian visa application center to resume operations tomorrow

The visa application center of the Indian High Commission in Colombo will resume its normal operations for visa and other services from tomorrow, the Indian High Commission announced.

Law and Order maintained to prevent anarchy: President

President Ranil Wickremesinghe pledged to prioritize the country’s economic recovery while ensuring that law and order is maintained to prevent anarchy, President’s Media Division (PMD) said.

Those behind disrupting LG polls will have to face same SC ruling as Easter Attacks: NPP lawyers

The political authority and relevant government officials would have to face legal actions by the Supreme Court just as in the case of Easter Sunday attacks, if they acted irresponsibly with regard to the Local Government elections, Lawyers for National People’s Power( NPP) said today.

All those responsible for interfering with electoral process must be dealt with in accordance with the law - BASL

While expressing its concern regarding the attempts by state authorities to disrupt the Local Authorities Elections, the Bar Association of Sri Lanka (BASL) reiterated that all those responsible for interfere with the electoral process must be dealt with in accordance with the law.

German companies may withdraw from SL if import ban continues

German companies operating in Sri Lanka have raised the red flag with some warning they will be compelled to withdraw from the country if the import ban continues, Daily Mirror learns.

Failure to allocate funds for LG polls Will resort to legal action against Finance Secretary: Opposition groups

While highlighting that Chairman of Election Commission Nimal Punchihewa had informed them that local government elections cannot be held on March 9, certain opposition groups have told Secretary to Ministry of Finance Mahinda Siriwardana that they will file legal action against him if he fails to allocate funds for the polls immediately.

Dudley Sirisena asks for Rs. 140 support price for paddy kilo from farmers

Leading rice mill owner Dudley Sirisena who has a greater control over the market urged the government to increase the support price of paddy for farmers from Rs. 100 to Rs. 140 a kilo.

Three teens drown in sea off Matara

Three students who were bathing in the sea off Wellamadama in Matara this afternoon, had gone missing, police said.

Writ petition against holding LG elections for Matara Municipal Council dismissed by SC

The writ petition filed by an Independent Group seeking an order preventing the Election Commission from holding the local government elections in respect of Matara Municipal Council was today dismissed by the Supreme Court.

Magistrate orders five-member panel of Doctors to conduct autopsy on Dinesh Schaffter’s death

A Colombo Magistrate today ordered police to provide court a list of names of doctors to select a five-member panel of doctors to be appointed to conduct the post-mortem inquiry of leading businessman Dinesh Schaffter.

Lankan’s heart melts for Turkish quake victims, shelters one family with baby and five adults

The heart of a Sri Lankan lady living in Ankara, Turkey has melted for the victims of the deadly earthquake which killed as many as 35,000 people (the number expected to rise further).

If excessive smoke emitting vehicles spotted, inform us: DMT

The Department of Motor Traffic (DMT) has requested the public to inform them of any vehicles which are emitting excessive smoke.

Postal voting for LG polls postponed indefinitely

The postal voting for the 2023 local government election was postponed until further notice, Election Commissioner General Saman Sri Rathnayake announced today.

Writ petition against electricity tariff revision dismissed by Court of Appeal

A public interest litigation filed seeking an order quashing Cabinet Decision approving the electricity tariff revision was today dismissed by the Court of Appeal.

IMF Extended Fund Facility expected in March: Prez

President Ranil Wickremesinghe said the IMF Extended Fund Facility is expected in March, President’s Media Division (PMD) said.

Protest near President’s House: Hirunika granted bail

National Organiser of the Samagi Jana Balawegaya Women’s Wing former MP Hirunika Premachandra and nine others were today granted bail by Colombo Fort Magistrate’s Court for allegedly committing offences during a protest held in July last year.

Theft of drugs from Maharagama Cancer Hospital: Hospital Staff member remanded

A hospital staff member attached to the Maharagama Cancer Hospital was today ordered to be remanded till February 28 by Colombo Chief Magistrate’s Court for allegedly stealing hospital medicines and selling them to cancer patients.

Sabaragamuwa Uni. closed due to clash

Sabaragamuwa University has been closed until further notice for all students except for the first-year students, the Vice Chancellor of Sabaragamuwa University has announced.

FitsAir to operate flights to Chennai from Feb. 20

FitsAir, Sri Lanka’s first privately owned international airline, is set to increase international flight offerings with the launch of service to Chennai, India.

LG polls can be held with an advance of Rs. 2 billion: Deshapriya

The Local Government election could be held with an advanced payment of about Rs. 2 billion whereas about Rs. 8 billion is required for the whole process, Chairman of the Delimitation Commission Mahinda Deshapriya said.

Mujibur’s petition urging to proceed with LG Election fixed for Feb.23

The Fundamental Rights petition filed by Samagi Jana Balawegaya’s (SJB) mayoral candidate of Colombo Municipal Council Mujibur Rahman was today fixed for support by Supreme Court.

Order in a private plaint filed against Cabraal reserved for April 6

The Colombo Chief Magistrate’s court today fixed for April 6 to deliver its order in connection with a private plaint filed against former Central Bank Governor Ajith Nivard Cabraal.

Lunch packets, kottu, and fried-rice to go up by 10%

The price of lunch packets, kottu and fried rice will be increased by 10% from tonight in the wake of the electricity tariff hike, head of the All Island Canteen Owners’ Association (AICOA) Asela Sampath said today.

Gota leaves for China

Former President Gotabaya Rajapaksa and his wife Ayoma Rajapaksa left the Bandaranaike International Airport for China this morning.

Provide uninterrupted power supply for electricity consumers: President directs officials

President Ranil Wickremesinghe has directed Power and Energy Minister and relevant officials to ensure uninterrupted power supply for electricity customers, the President’s Media Division said.