SJB insists that Ranil should step down from UNP leadership

Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB) insists that United National Party (UNP) leader Ranil Wickremesinghe should step down as a condition for an electoral alliance with it in view of the General Election.

Former MPs cannot use diplomatic passports now: Secretary General of Parliament

Parliamentarians are not eligible to use their diplomatic passports after dissolution of Parliament and they need to obtain normal passports if they need to travel overseas, Secretary General of Parliament Kushani Rohanadeera said yesterday.

Rain not so bountiful during upcoming inter monsoon, north- east monsoon periods

Sri Lanka is likely to experience less rainfall during the inter-monsoon and Northeast monsoon period, which starts from October to February, due to the event of La Niña which occurs every three to five years, an official said.

Secretary to Ministry of Public Administration resigns

Secretary to the Ministry of Public Administration Pradeep Yasarathne has retired, triggering speculation on social media that it happened due to influence by the NPP government.

Grade 5 Scholarship Exam muddle: Committee recommends full marks in view of three leaked questions

The committee, which consisted of educationists, educational psychologists, medical professionals, and statisticians has recommended awarding full marks for the three leaked questions to all students who sat for the 2024 grade five Scholarship examination as the most appropriate course of action.

Army Sergeant arrested for video recording a woman

An army sergeant who had filmed a young woman travelling by train was arrested by Meerigama police.Investigations revealed that the 24-year-old young woman was a university student travelling by train to Polgahawela. When the train had stopped at the Meerigama railway station some passengers had noticed an individual taking photos of a young woman dressed in a frock and sitting in a posture with one leg on the other.

SLPP to focus on youth when giving nominations for General Elections; Namal

Sri Lanka Podu Jana Peramuna (SLPP) is to focus on youth, members of provincial councils and local bodies when deciding on nominations for the General Elections 2024, National Organizer Namal Rajapaksa said yesterday.

Forming of joint opposition alliance stuck due to SJB conditions

The talks for the formation of a joint opposition alliance by bringing United National Party (UNP) and Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB) is in a stalemate because of the two conditions laid out by the Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB), a statement from UNP said over the weekend.

Rice millers divided on control price of Rs.220

Rice mill owners appear to be divided on selling rice at a controlled price with some agreeing to supply at a controlled price while others have refused saying it will result in them suffering losses.

Some Excise officers solicited Rs.20Mn to issue bar permits lately: Wasantha Samarasinghe

Some corrupt Excise officials have solicited up to Rs.20 million to issue certain bar permits recently, National People’s Power activist said yesterday.

GCE Ordinary Level exam: They studied and they conquered

Malsha Kumaratungage of Sanghamitta College Galle came first in the island at the GCE Ordinary level examination 2023, while Kulani Methsala of Musaeus College became second. Jayanande Rathnaweera of Maliyadeva College Kurunegala has claimed the third slot.

Former MPs ordered to return pistols issued to them immediately

Former parliamentarians have been ordered to return their pistols, which were issued to them for personal security, to the Ministry of Defence without delay, informed sources said yesterday.

General Election: Prez releases Rs. 11Bn

The General election is expected to be held on November 14 2024 while the final day of nominations will be October 4.2024

Planned cuts to former presidents’ perks face legal hurdles

The government has initiated action to review the benefits of former Presidents to be pruned according to a criterion since some curtailments require legal amendments to be enacted by the next Parliament, a top source said.

Stargazers in for once in a lifetime treat as rare, brighter comet visible

Sri Lankan stargazers will be in for a once-in-a-lifetime treat when a comet, as a recently identified comet is growing “brighter than expected” and could be the most impressive one of the year for them. In fact, two rare celestial events that may be visible in the night sky are expected during the coming days, scientists said yesterday.

Public access restored on roads near President’s House in Colombo after six years

Reopening expected to ease traffic congestion at NSA Roundabout

EC lacks teeth in tracking, analysing parties manipulating spending cap: ANFREL

Urges EC to investigate complaints related to misuse of state resources

Easter Sunday attacks Nilantha Jayawardena charged with contempt of court

The Supreme Court yesterday initiated contempt of court proceedings against former State Intelligence Service (SIS) Director Nilantha Jayawardena for failing to pay the full compensation owed to the victims of the Easter Sunday attacks.

African leaders pour in congratulatory messages to President

Heads of state from Kenya, Tanzania, Congo and Rwanda are among those who sent congratulatory messages

Govt. to conduct probe into e-visa fraud: Vijitha Herath

The government is to launch a probe into the controversial “e-visa” fraud, in outsourcing visa processing to a foreign company.

PC arrested for theft of agrochemicals from courtroom

A police constable who attempted to take away a stock of agrochemicals from the production room of Kalpitiya visiting Magistrate’s Court was arrested by the Kalpitiya Police.

Decrease in price of eggs and vegetables, due to reduced demand and government incentives: Dr. Samantha

Increased support for the egg industry by the government and lower demand for eggs causing higher market supply are among the main reasons for the drop in egg prices, Senior Research Officer at the Hector Kobbekaduwa Agrarian Research and Training Institute (HARTI), Dr. N.P.G. Samantha, told Daily Mirror yesterday.

Police security assigned for former MPs withdrawn

Police security personnel provided for the former Speaker, former Deputy Speaker and the Opposition Leader will remain

Will bring change, says new Western Province Governor

Business leader Hanif Yusoof who was recently appointed as the Governor of the Western Province, stated that he is determined to implement changes as pledged by President Anura Kumara Dissanayake.

Advisers to the former President deny using new vehicles

Former Senior Adviser to the President on Climate Change, Ruwan Wijewardene, and a number of others yesterday denied allegations that they have used government vehicles during his tenure in the advisory role to former President Ranil Wickremeinsghe.

No vehicle abandoned near Presidential Secretariat will be auctioned: PMD

Clarifying the abandoned luxury vehicles in front of the Presidential Secretariat, President’s private secretary Ananda Wijepala said yesterday 107 vehicles have been parked in three locations and that none of the vehicles will be auctioned.

Guidelines formulated to prevent ragging in state universities

The Attorney General has informed the Supreme Court that a set of guidelines had been formulated to prevent ragging incidents in state universities.

Court halts Cabinet approval for purchase of 750,000 N-Series Passports from two companies

The Court of Appeal yesterday issued an interim order suspending the operation of a Cabinet decision granting approval to purchase 750,000 N-Series Passports from two companies as part of the initial procurement for the supply of five million e-Passports.

SC dismisses FR Petition against Janaprith Fernando’s appointment as Chief Scout Commissioner: SC upholds preliminary objections

A Fundamental Rights application seeking an order to stay the appointment of Janaprith Fernando as Chief Commissioner of the Ceylon Scout Council was dismissed by the Supreme Court on Wednesday (25).

SLwill overcome challenges under new leadership with help from China, other countries - Chinese envoy

Chinese Ambassador Qi Zhenhong expressed optimism that Sri Lanka, under the leadership of President Anura Kumara Dissanayake and with help from China and other countries, would overcome all sorts of risks and challenges and fully recover from the current crisis, and revive the national economy to achieve prosperity.