Security detail for Mahinda Rajapaksa reduced to 60 personnel

The security personnel assigned to former President Mahinda Rajapaksa has been reduced to 60, official sources said.

Excellent progress on debt restructuring with China Development Bank: Finance Secretary

Finance Ministry Secretary Mahinda Siriwardana said that ‘excellent progress’ had been made on the debt treatment relating to China Development Bank (CDB, and Sri Lanka is now in the final stages of finalizing Comparability of Treatment (CoT) matters for CDB relating to the OCC (Official Creditor Committee).

RW challenges AKD’s anti-corruption claims

Referring to the remark made by President Anura Kumara Dissanayake that he would take steps to clean up Parliament by rooting out corruption, Former President Ranil Wickremesinghe yesterday questioned as to whether the former is trying to inflict threats on Parliament.

Failure to represent client as assigned counsel : Supreme Court suspends lawyer for five years

In a landmark disciplinary action, Supreme Court has suspended a lawyer from practising law for five years following findings that he failed to appear before the High Court in a criminal matter where he was appointed as the assigned Counsel by court.

Fuel prices revised; Octane 95, Super Diesel slashed

Ceypetco has revised its fuel prices, effective from midnight today (October 31).

RW to be summoned to provide evidence on bond scam: PM

Prime Minister Harini Amarasuriya announced that former President Ranil Wickremesinghe will be summoned to provide evidence pertaining to the Central Bank bond scam that took place in 2015. She expressed this during a public meeting yesterday (31).

16 politically appointed ambassadors, high commissioners to be recalled with immediate effect

The government has decided to recall 16 political appointees serving as ambassadors and high commissioners of Sri Lanka’s overseas missions with immediate effect, a Foreign Ministry source said yesterday.

Namal seeks clarity from RW, AKD on public sector salary promises

SLPP National List member Namal Rajapaksa called on both President Anura Kumara Dissanayake and former President Ranil Wickremesinghe, to clarify their stance over their promised salary increments.

Customs achieve over 80% by end October: Spokesman

Sri Lanka Customs, one of the three main revenue generating arms of the Treasury, had achieved more than 80% of the stipulated revenue target of Rs.1.53 trillion for the year 2024 by end of October, with positive hopes of surpassing the aim before 2025, the Daily Mirror learns.

Some politicians, media institutions spreading false news to create anarchy: President

Some politicians and media institutions are spreading false news to create anarchy in the country with an intention to create instability without giving the new government strong power, President Anura Kumara Dissanayake said yesterday.

Over half of drugs failing quality tests are Indian

More than half of the drugs that have failed quality tests so far in 2024 originated from India, according to the Medical Supplies Division of the Health Ministry.

Rice prices average above rate stipulated by Govt

Despite the government regulating prices for Nadu rice at Rs. 220, prices have averaged to Rs.235 a kilo in the market, according to recent reports.

Ex-President misled state employees on salary hike says Prime Minister

Prime Minister Harini Amarasuriya recently claimed that the former President deliberately misled state employees by promising them a salary hike.

Ranil slams Harini, asks her if she knows SL’s constitution

One wonders as to where Prime Minister Harini Amarasuriya has learnt the constitution, Former President Ranil Wickremesinghe said.

People in possession of pork to face legal action

In light of the rapid proliferation of African Swine Fever (ASF) among pigs, Sri Lank has temporarily banned slaughtering pigs, selling or distributing pork and pork products.

November 14 is a ‘Shramadhana’ to clean up Parliament: President

President Anura Kumara Dissanayake said over the week end that people must make it a point to fill Parliament with National People’s Power (NPP) members while calling the November 14 general election as a “Shramadhana” to clean up Parliament.

Adviser to current Prez was a member of salary hike committee: RW

Duminda Hulangamuwa was a member of Udaya Seneviratne committee which recommended a salary hike for the public servants during the previous regime, former President Ranil Wickremesinghe said yesterday.

PTA will not be repealed immediately: Government

Claiming that the government is not expecting to repeal the Prevention of terrorism Act (PTA) right now, Cabinet Spokesman Vijitha Herath said yesterday the matter related to repealing the PTA would be taken up in Parliament once it is formed.

Arugam Bay incident suspects held for 90 Days under Detention Order

Two suspects arrested in connection with security threats to foreign tourists in the Arugam Bay area are being detained for 90 days for further questioning, under the Prevention of Terrorism Act (PTA), investigators informed the court.

Govt. to review AG’s directive halting CID action in Mahara Prison Case

The government is expected to make a decision in the coming days regarding the Attorney General’s directive to the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) to cease further action on the deaths of 11 inmates during the 2020 Mahara Prison incident, Minister Vijitha Herath said.

Govt. rules out any influence behind recent US travel advisory

Ruling out any influence behind the recent US travel advisory, Cabinet Spokesman Minister Vijitha Herath said yesterday the US Ambassador to Sri Lanka had informed him and the security forces in advance before issuing the travel advisory.

Central Bank refutes money printing claims

The Central Bank of Sri Lanka (CBSL) said yesterday that claims on money printing are inaccurate and baseless. It clarified that the liquidity (money) injected through Open Market Operations (OMOs) is a routine central banking function and should not be grossly misinterpreted as “money printing.”

Security Council discusses bomb threats to passenger aircraft

The National Security Council, led by President Anura Kumara Dissanayake, yesterday discussed a series of bomb threats targeting Indian passenger aircraft and their potential impact on Sri Lanka’s tourism industry.

Three-wheeler driver arrested for transporting 11 students and a teacher

A three-wheeler driver transporting eleven children and a teacher to a school in Beruwala has been apprehended by the traffic department of the local police.

Strong opposition needed to prevent country from sliding towards Marxism under NPP Govt.: Ruwan

A strong opposition with experienced people is needed in Parliament to safeguard the nation as National People’s Power (NPP) might even try to introduce Marxism otherwise, UNP Deputy Leader and National Democratic Front (NDF) Gampaha District candidate Ruwan Wijewardene said yesterday.

Udaya Gammanpila vows to impeach President in next Parliament

Pivithuru Hela Urumaya (PHU) leader Udaya Gammanpila said an impeachment motion would be brought against President Anura Kumara Dissanayake in the next Parliament unless Public Security Ministry Secretary Ravi Seneviratne was not removed from office over his alleged negligence of duty during the time of Easter Sunday attack in 2019.

Rs. 10 million contract killing averted

An individual suspected of preparing to murder a woman on a contract of Rs. 10 million was taken into custody by the Organised Crime Investigation Unit of the CID during a raid in Habaraduwa area.

2016 court case against Wimal Weerawansa postponed due to health issues

The trial against National Freedom Front (NFF) leader Wimal Weerawansa, facing charges relating to causing disturbance to the people and the normal traffic movement during a protest held in 2016 was yesterday postponed as he failed to appear in court due to illness. According to his legal team, the former Parliamentarian Weerawansa is suffering from a viral flu, rendering him unable to attend the scheduled hearing.

Budget deficit to increase upto Rs 2.5 trillion : President should explain the fate of Sri Lanka’s economy: RW

Whilst highlighting that Sri Lanka’s economy is slated to stumble with a budget deficit of Rs 2.5 trillion if the new budget is introduced with new proposals of National People’s Power (NPP) government are implemented, former President Ranil Wickremesinghe yesterday said incumbent President Anura Kumara Dissanayake should inform the nation on the real situation.

Sharp rise in social media hacking since 2019: SL CERT

Sri Lanka Computer Emergency Response (CERT) Team in its recent statistics indicates an increase in social media hacking from 3,556 cases in 2019 to 20,628 cases last year.