Environment Ministry thwarts attempt to release

The Environment Ministry has thwarted an attempt to release a stock of canned fish contaminated with arsenic, a harmful heavy metal, above permissible level to the market for composting or animal feed manufacturing,an official said.

High-intensity rain pounds Sri Lanka, flood threat looms

The complicated weather conditions which Sri Lanka is experiencing currently has led to a flood threat, according to the disaster management authorities.

Five DIGs including CID chief transferred: Ampavila to lead CID

The National Police Commission has transferred five Deputy Inspectors General (DIGs), including DIG Rohan Premaratne, who was overseeing the Criminal Investigation Department (CID).

Corrupt politicians quitting politics, a victory of Anura becoming President: Bimal

Claiming that corrupt and racist politicians have opted not to contest this year’s General Election to evade defeat, NPP member Bimal Ratnayake said yesterday it was a great victory secured by the NPP even before the General Election victory to make sure that such politicians have not even become candidates at this year’s elections. He told media after handing over the nomination list for the NPP’s national list that the NPP must be thankful t

Pensioners to get Rs. 3,000 monthly interim allowance from next week

President Anura Kumara Dissanayake has instructed officials of the Ministry of Finance to take necessary action to provide a monthly interim allowance of Rs. 3,000 to all pensioners from next week.

New online platform empowers voters with information on parliamentary candidates

Platform outlines eight key criteria candidates must meet to be considered qualified public representatives

Mental Health Matters: Students of CIS join hands at vigil for late schoolmates

Cambridge University study highlights that one in seven adolescents globally faces mental health issues

2024 General Election Over 600 parties, groups geared to contest

The Election Commission yesterday (11) confirmed that 690 nomination papers from political parties and independent groups were accepted for the 2024 General Elections.

EPDP, a Tamil party, fields two Buddhist monks to contest General Election

Eelam Peoples’ Democratic Party (EPDP), a Tamil party led by former Fisheries Minister Douglas Devananda, has created history by fielding two Buddhist monks and thus becoming the first Tamil party to field a Buddhist monk. Buddhist monks Venerable Kiriebbanare Vijitha Thera and Venerable Udawalawe Jinasiri Thera will represent EPDP from the Colombo District

Legal action unless ministerial houses not returned: PM

Prime Minister Dr. Harini Amarasuriya said that legal action would be instituted unless ministerial houses used by the politicians of the previous government are not handed over.

Only 11 out of 31 houses assigned to former ministers handed over

Only 11 out of 31 politicians who held ministerial responsibilities in the previous government and lived in the government houses have vacated them, according to the Public Administration Ministry. A top source said it never takes time to clear the process since a lot of formalities such as inventory taking needs to be completed.

Damitha Abeyratne tippexed out of SJB Ratnapura District list

Aragalaya- activist turned politician Damitha Abeyratne, who claimed that she would contest the General Elections from the Ratnapura District through Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB) was in for a shock when she found out that her name was omitted from the nomination list for the Ratnapura District.

HRCSL urges overhaul of controversial Prevention of Terrorism Act, citing human rights abuses

The Human Rights Commission of Sri Lanka (HRCSL) has called on the government to review laws and policies that have been misapplied to hinder legitimate activities of Human Rights Defenders (HRDs) according to a report issued recently.

My proposal for a common opposition front was not heeded: Mayantha

Lack of understanding among right-wing and centre parties made me decide to keep away from the General Election this year, former Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB) MP Mayantha Dissanayake said yesterday.

PAFFREL to deploy 3,000 observers to ensure transparency at upcoming General Election

Around 3,000 stationary observers are to be deployed on Election Day, and roughly 1,000 observers will be monitoring postal voting, PAFFREL said yesterday.

Shani appointed as Director Crimes of SL police

Former Director CID, SSP Shani Abeysekera has been appointed Director Crimes Sri Lanka Police.

Ruwan to contest Gampaha from New Democratic Front

United National Party (UNP) Deputy Leader and Gampaha District Leader Ruwan Wijewardene will contest the upcoming General Elections under the gas cylinder symbol of the New Democratic Front.

Travel ban imposed on Johnston

The Colombo Fort Magistrate yesterday imposed a travel ban on former Kurunegala MP Johnston Fernando preventing him from leaving the country.

No magic or silver bullet other than hard work, consistency for growth in Sri Lanka - WB official

Asserting that Sri Lanka’s economy stabilized at a rate faster than expected, a top World Bank official said yesterday that the country is not yet out of the woods and there is no magic or silver bullet other than hard work and consistency for future growth.

“SL govt. should investigate war crimes here and prosecute those responsible,” Senior Counsel Anura Meddegoda

One of the leading senior legal practitioners and newly appointed President of the Bar Association of Sri Lanka (BASL) insists that Sri Lanka should seriously investigate the allegations of war crimes by the Sri Lankan judiciary and those responsible must be brought to book to clear the international black mark created with the 26 year long war.

Parties run into trouble finalizing nominations

Some political parties have run into trouble finalizing nominations as the deadline to hand them over closes in.

United Democratic Voice party formed; I will watch my tongue: Ranjan

Popular actor turned politician Ranjan Ramanayake who announced the formation of United Democratic Voice (UDV) together with former Sri Lankan cricketer T. M. Dilshan yesterday, said he would continue to fight corruption while watching his tongue.

Nuwara Eliya post office not for sale: Govt

The government has decided to suspend the decision taken by the previous government to provide the colonial-era Nuwara Eliya post office for a hotel project, Minister Vijitha Herath said.

More artistes take up active politics

Sri Lanka is to see the common phenomenon of artistes entering politics at this year’s General Election as well with a number of artistes entering the fray for the first time.

SL opposes resolution passed by UNHRC

The United Nations Human Rights Council (UNHRC) adopted a resolution yesterday aimed at fostering reconciliation, accountability, and human rights in Sri Lanka, even though the new Sri Lankan government has dismissed it.

Parents urged to watch for signs of depression after Lotus Tower tragedy

In the wake of the tragic incident where a 16-year-old girl fell to her death from the Lotus Tower, mental health experts are urging parents to be more attentive to the emotional well-being of their children.

Disease spreading among pigs: No impact on humans: Experts

Health authorities have sounded alarm over a viral disease called ‘Porcine Reproductive and Respiratory Syndrome’ spreading among pigs, hogs or boars in Sri Lanka.

Ranjan to quit SJB?

Former MP Ranjan Ramanayake who was imprisoned for contempt of court and granted pardon is likely to shift sides and contest for the General Election from a new party if his civic rights are restored.

Govt. to oppose UNHRC resolution 51/1: Foreign Minister

Sri Lanka will continue to oppose the 51/1 resolution of the draft resolution of the United Nations Human Rights Council at the 57th session of the United Nations Human Rights Council to be held tomorrow, Cabinet Spokesman Vijitha Herath said yesterday.

Major political parties will face elimination

Almost every major political party will face elimination and pass into history if they do not field ideal candidates in their lists to contest the upcoming General Election, as the public is determined to vote against the corrupt political culture, the Civil Collective said.