Iranian charged in plot to kill Trump, also tasked with targeting Israelis in Sri Lanka, US

The Iranian national, charged by the US Department of Justice (DoJ) on Friday in a murder-for-hire plot to assassinate then-candidate Donald Trump and an American journalist critical of Tehran, was also tasked with targeting Israeli tourists in Sri Lanka, the DoJ said.

Special circular issued on use of social media tools in schools

The Ministry of Education has issued a special circular on the use of “social media tools” in school education and communication.

India- Russia joint venture bid to manage China-built Mattala airport goes awry

The move initiated by the previous government to hand over the management of the Mattala International Airport to an India-Russia joint venture is poised to be abandoned since Sri Lankan authorities are not ready to grant the licence for it over legal barriers, a top source said.

Govt. goes strict on Galle Face

The government has decided to be strict on the reservation of Galle Face Green not only for religious activities but also for all festivals, musical shows, and celebrations subject to the appropriate criteria.

SL rated ’medium risk’ for money laundering, terrorist financing

With Sri Lanka being identified as a country with medium risk for money laundering and terrorist financing even with the involvement of NGOs, the National NGO Secretariat signed a MoU with the Finance Intelligence Unit of Central Bank yesterday to step up national efforts in curbing such unlawful activities, an official said yesterday.

SC orders continuation of trial against Pujith, Hemasiri over Easter Sunday attacks

While setting aside the Colombo High Court Trial-at-Bar judgment which acquitted former IGP Pujith Jayasundara and former Defence Secretary Hemasiri Fernando of charges related to the Easter Sunday bomb attack case, the Supreme Court today ordered the Trial-at-Bar to proceed with the trial and to call upon the accused to present their defence

No coalition, national Govt. after General Election: Tilvin Silva

The Janatha Vimukthi Peramuna (JVP), the core ally of the ruling National People’s Power (NPP), ruled out any coalition, or national government after the General Election.

Government will take legal action if rice not sold at controlled prices: President

Claiming that the government had held discussions with rice millers on the prices of rice, President Anura Kumara Dissanayake said today that legal action will be taken against those who fail to sell rice at the controlled prices.

Spouse can claim damages from adulterer without filing for divorce: Supreme Court

In its recent judgement, the Supreme Court held that a party in a divorce case can pursue a claim against a co-defendant (the adulterer—a third party outside the marriage) for damages, without simultaneously seeking dissolution of the marriage in the same action.

Japanese assistance sought to complete Central Expressway: President

The government has taken steps to complete the construction of the Central Expressway where discussions were held with the Japanese Ambassador to seek their assistance to complete its constructions, President Anura Kumara Dissanayake said today.

’’Leave the media alone’’: Sajith slams AKD for comments on media

Leader of the Samagi Jana Balawegaya Sajith Premadasa slammed President Anura Kumara Dissanayake for his recent comments about the media, asking Dissanayake to back off trying to control media narratives.

‘Only available symbol will be the ball guard’: Mahela jokes about a future in politics

Former Sri Lanka cricket captain Mahela Jayawardena joked about a future in politics, saying that he and his friends would have to contest under the ball guard symbol.

Fuel prices revised; Octane 95, Super Diesel prices to be slashed

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

’’Why should I take advice from someone rejected by people 17 times?’’: Harini responds to Ranil

Prime Minister Harini Amarasuriya said she will never take advice from someone like former President Ranil Wickremesinghe, who was rejected by the people 17 times.

Govt will decide on PTA or new Anti-Terrorism Bill in its place after new Parliament convenes

Despite pressure being mounted from the opposition, the new government will consider any decision on the current Prevention of Terrorism Act (PTA) or the Anti-Terrorism Bill introduced by the previous government only after the next Parliament convenes, a top source said.

Probe launched into Sri Lankan HC in UK, his expenses: Minister

An investigation has been launched into the allegations of Sri Lankan High Commissioner to the United Kingdom Rohitha Bogollagama and the expenses born by him, Cabinet spokesman Minister Vijitha Herath said today.

Govt. to launch probe over X Press Pearl disaster

The government will study the X Press Pearl disaster which occurred in 2021 and will launch an investigation over it in the near future, Foreign Minister Vijitha Herath told Daily Mirror last evening.

Transgender candidate contesting an election in Sri Lanka for the first time

Chanu Nimesha, the Secretary of Women’s Affairs of the Sri Lanka Socialist party, has created history by becoming the first transgender individual to contest an election in Sri Lanka.

Sri Lanka’s third review will come up soon: IMF

Claiming that Sri Lanka has come a long way in terms of undertaking reforms which have led to some hard won gains, the International Monetary Fund (IMF)said they could move fast towards the third review which will come up soon.

AKD, Harini clashes over UGC Chairman appointment?

A clear difference in decision was reported between Prime Minister Harini Amarasuriya and President Anura Kumara Dissanayake over the appointment of the new University Grants Commission (UGC) Chairman.

Cardinal questions credibility of Ranil’s committee to probe SIS, CNI

Archbishop of Colombo Cardinal Malcolm Ranjith questioned the motive behind former President Ranil Wickremesinghe appointing a committee headed by Retired Judge A. N. J. Alwis earlier this year, to look into actions taken by the certain intelligence authorities in the lead up to the 2019 Easter Sunday bombing.

Statement on misinformation over circumstances in which the demise of Radhya Gunasekera occurred

We, the parents of the late Radhya Gunasekera, remain devastated by the tragic loss of our beloved teenage daughter on October 7, 2024, at the Lotus Tower building in Colombo.

NPP Govt. unresponsive over Easter Sunday allegations

Despite the seriousness of allegations made against a senior official handpicked by it, the government, led by the National People’s Power (NPP), remained unresponsive yesterday.

Govt. yet to decide as it awaits committee recommendations

The government is yet to take a decision on the curtailment of perks and benefits of former presidents and their widows since it awaits the recommendations of the committee that has been appointed to look into it, a top source said.

Lohan’s private secretary found dead with gunshot injuries

A private secretary of former State Minister Lohan Ratwatte was found dead with gunshot injuries in a house in Katugastota today.

No threats detected on Vistara flight: Operations resume at BIA

The management of the Bandaranaike International Airport (BIA) said that the emergency situation declared after the reported bomb scare on the Vistara flight which arrived at the BIA from Mumbai today, has been called off.

No decision against competitive procurement of diesel for electricity generation: CEB

Clarifying that the Ceylon Electricity Board (CEB) has never purchased diesel for electricity generation, through competitive bidding, including during the tenure of the previous management, the CEB said the new management has not taken any decision against competitive procurement of diesel for electricity generation.

New NPP govt. mirrors RW regime’s borrowing strategy: Economists

Sri Lanka’s new NPP government is following a similar borrowing strategy to the Ranil Wickremesinghe regime, raising significant funds from domestic markets to manage its debt, according to leading economists.

Has the govt. overborrowed in its first month in office?

Admitting the fact that the Central Bank has issued treasury bills of Rs. 465.1 billion during the period between September 27 and October 15,a top economist of the government said it was not an additional loan obtained by the new government as alleged by some but it is a routine practice of the Central Bank to issue treasury bills for debt servicing.

Health experts sound alarm over spike in waterborne diseases

As torrential rains result in flooding across Sri Lanka, health experts are raising alarm over a spike in waterborne diseases, which spread through contaminated water.