Oct 4 (PMD) The Resident Representative of the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) in SL Azusa Kubota, met with the Secretary to the Prez, Dr. Nandika Kumanayake, for discussions on UNDP’s ongoing projects in the country and future collaboration between the UNDP and the SL govt, yesterday at the Presidential Secretariat. During the meeting, Kubota expressed the organization’s eagerness to continue the UNDP projects in SL and supporting SL’s development initiatives. more..

Oct 4 (TM) Ministry of Transport and Highways has announced that the construction of the port access elevated highway is scheduled to be completed by December. Approximately 90% of the construction work has already been completed. This project, which began in Sept 2019 with financial assistance from the ADB, has an estimated total cost of $300 million. The 5.3 km long, four-lane elevated highway will connect the Ingurukade Junction to the New Kelani Bridge and extend more..

Oct 4 (DM) A special meeting was held at the Police Headquarters to review the progress of several high-profile investigations concerning crimes, fraud and other controversial cases in Sri Lanka. The meeting, chaired by newly appointed Secretary to the Ministry of Public Security, Ravi Seneviratne focused on examining ongoing and stalled investigations. Acting IGP Priyantha Weerasooriya, senior police officials and officers from CID attended the meeting. more..

Oct 4 (EN) Sri Lanka will go ahead with a restructure of international sovereign bonds, with final confirmation having come from both the International Monetary Fund and the Official Creditor Committee. Sri Lanka said the IMF had earlier gave informal confirmation that the sovereign bond agreement in principle (AIP) with the local option was in line with the debt sustainability parameters. “Following the Prez Elections held in SL on 21st Sept and the appointment of the new govt more..

Oct 4 (AD) The IMF team visiting the island says it will continue its close engagement with SL’s economic team to set a date for the third review of the IMF-supported program. “We are encouraged by the authorities’ commitment to continue the reform efforts,” the global lender’s Director for the Asia Pacific Department, said in a statement at the end of the visit to SL. He further stated that the IMF remains a steadfast partner in supporting Sri Lanka and its people and more..

Oct 4 (TM) Electricity Consumers' Association (ECA) charged that the CEB adds an extra financial burden of approximately Rs. 50 billion onto electricity consumers by purchasing fuel for electricity generation at retail prices. ECA General Secretary Sanjeewa Dhammika said that fuel was supplied to the CEB at wholesale prices based on cost before 2022, but that a system where the CEB purchases fuel at retail prices was more..

Oct 4 (Island) There are between 15,000 and 30,000 street children in the country, according to the last study on the subject, Dr. Chamal Sanjeewa, Chairman of the Professional Forum of Physicians on Medical and Civil Rights, has said. The majority of those children tended to gather near places of worship and large business areas. Dr. Sanjeewa expressed concern over the vulnerability of the street children, noting that they were often subjected to abuse and easily drawn into more..

Oct 4 (AD) Indian Foreign Affairs Minister Dr. Subramaniam Jaishankar, who arrived in SL on an official visit this morning, has met with Prime Minister Dr. Harini Amarasuriya, former Prez Ranil Wickremesinghe and former Opposition Leader Sajith Premadasa in separate meetings today. Earlier today, Jaishankar had called on SL’s new Prez Anura Kumara Dissanayake at the Presidential Secretariat in Colombo and also met with his SL counterpart, Vijitha Herath at Foreign Ministry. more..

Oct 4 (NF) In an official statement issued this evening, the Ministry explained that this measure is intended to allow for a review process, and subsequent return of the items. All license holders have been instructed to surrender their firearms and ammunition to the Sri Lanka Navy Base in Welisara by November 7. Upon surrender, a copy of the receipt must be submitted to the reception of the Civil Security Department, near the main gate of the Ministry of Defense. more..

Oct 4 (CT) The Election Commission announced that in accordance with the Order given by the Supreme Court on 22 Aug 2024, immediately after the completion of the Parliamentary Elections, they will set the date for the Local Govt Polls. After discussing with the District Deputy/Assistant Election Commissioners and other govt agencies including the Govt Press, it was observed that at least 30-35 days are required to organise Local Govt Polls. It has also been stated in announcement more..

Oct 4 (TM) India’s External Affairs Minister (EAM), S. Jaishankar, visited Colombo today, where he held discussions with top SL leaders, reaffirming India’s commitment to deepening bilateral relations. During his visit, Jaishankar called on President Anura Kumara Dissanayake, PM Harini Amarasuriya, and Minister of Foreign affairs Vijitha Herath. He also met former Prez Ranil Wickremesinghe & Leader of the Opposition more..

Oct 4 (DM) The IMF said that the dates for the third review under the EFF will be announced in due course. Director of the IMF Communications Department Julie Kozack said a high-level team led by IMF Director of the Asia Pacific Department, Krishna Srinivasan, is currently visiting Colombo to meet with Prez Dissanayake and his new economic team and that the delegation is discussing with the authorities the latest economic developments and their economic reform objective. more..

Oct 4 (PMD) Prez Anura Kumara Dissanayake engaged in a discussion with the IMF at the Presidential Secretariat today, marking the second day of talks with the Prez. Director of the IMF’s Asia Pacific Dept Krishna Srinivasan, Senior Mission Chief Dr. Peter Breuer, along with other senior IMF representatives and the SL delegation attended the discussions. Prez Dissanayake aims to achieve the objectives of the program in partnership with the IMF, seeking alternative approaches more..

Oct 4 (CT) A group of Police officers yesterday sought an unconditional apology before the Supreme Court after handcuffing and interrogating a lawyer’s driver on a main road. The officers had mistaken the driver for a suspect wanted in connection with Operation Yukthiya. The petition was heard before a 3-Judge Bench of the Supreme Court, comprising Justices Prithi Padman Surasena, Achala Wengappuli and Mahinda more..

Oct 4 (DM) A family of four was reported living in a treehouse in the Mahawilachchiya Divisional Secretariat area of the Anuradhapura district, as they do not have a permanent home. They said they were struggling against various odds to survive and that the threat of wild elephants was a serious danger to them. The breadwinner of the family S.H. Susantha Kumara said his family did not have a fixed abode or a permanent income and that they were compelled to build a hut on a tree. more..

Oct 4 (EN) Visiting India external affairs minister S Jaishankar has met PM Harini Amarasuriya and Foreign Minister Vijitha Herath, the latter with whom he said he held wide-ranaging and detailed talks. “Concluded wide ranging and detailed talks with FM Vijitha Herath today in Colombo. Congratulated him once again on his new responsibilities. Reviewed various dimensions of India-SL partnership. Assured him of India’s continued support to Sri Lanka’s economic rebuilding. more..

Oct 4 (DM) Former Minister Bandula Gunawardene has decided not to contest at the upcoming General elections. He said that he had been in politics for more than 20 years representing the Homagama electorate and that he functioned as a Deputy Minister and as a Cabinet Minister. He said he rendered the maximum possible service to the people in his capacity. He said he was pleased that he represented the people in Homagama electorate who had been left without representation more..

Oct 4 (CT) Ceylon Teachers’ Union (CTU) has called for a complete overhaul of the Dept of Examinations following revelations of widespread exam-related fraud. CTU General Secretary Joseph Stalin said a list issued by the dept in 2024 identified 473 individuals involved in various fraudulent activities related to national exams. “The list includes 473 persons who have been engaged in exam-related fraud. These individuals have been prohibited from participating in any future exam processes.” more..

Oct 4 (EN) SL’s premier spy agency, the State Intelligence Service (SIS), is set for a shake-up under the new govt of President Anura Kumara Dissanayake, according to a source involved in the process. The agency is to appoint a new head, a serving DIG, to replace Suresh Sallay, a controversial retired major general. Sallay was appointed to the top post by Gotabaya Rajapaksa when he became the president in Nov 2019. more..

Oct 4 (AD) The case filed against the former State Minister Diana Gamage over allegedly obtaining a passport by producing formed documents was taken up for hearing before the Colombo High Court today. During the proceedings, the state counsel informed the court that it has been decided to add an additional witness to the case and therefore, requested permission to amend the relevant witness list. High Court judge, who accepted the request, allowed relevant witness list to be amended. more..

Oct 4 (AD) An elderly couple has been found murdered with a sharp weapon inside their house in Welhengoda, in the Ahangama police division, early this morning. The victims, identified as a 67-year-old man and a 63-year-old woman, were discovered lying in pools of their own blood with throats slit after police received an emergency alert reporting an individual was found on the ground of the house with severe injuries. Authorities have yet to determine the motive behind the double homicide, more..

Oct 4 (AD) SL Bureau of Foreign Employment (SLBFE) states that SL has seen a significant increase in the number of Sri Lankans departing for overseas employments in Sept 2024, compared to the same period in 2023. SLBFE highlighted that accordingly, there has been a 10% increase in Sri Lankans departing for foreign employments as 28,344 individuals have been expatriated in the in the month of September alone in 2024. more..

Oct 4 (DM) The int'l community should support SL in building a peaceful, multi ethnic, green and prosperous SL, Norwegian diplomat and former politician Erik Solheim said. He said that it is only two weeks since SL elected Anura Kumara Dissanayaka as Prez but he has used the time well. "He got the diplomacy exactly right. First meeting with the Indian High Commissioner, then the Chinese ambassador, signalling that India is most important for SL, then comes China next. more..

Oct 4 (AD) Colombo High Court has further extended the order issued suspending the fixed deposits and insurance policies to the tune of Rs. 97 million belonging to former Health Minister Keheliya Rambukwella and fiver of his close relatives, in connection with an investigation by the Bribery Commission. This order was issued by the Colombo HC after considering a request made by the Bribery Commission. On July 5, the Colombo High Court suspended the fixed deposits and more..

Oct 4 (FT) Sri Lanka has elected its 9th Executive President. How the election was won and finding reasons for the defeat of other parties may be politically important. However, more focus should be placed on the country’s development, at a time when we are struggling to transform from an apparent stable economy to a growing economy. It is not easy to make miracle changes, but there is no ifs or buts that Sri Lanka should move forward along sustainable development paths. more..

Oct 4 (FT) I was dining in a Colombo restaurant when the person waiting on me asked who I thought was going to win the Sri Lankan Presidential election. I said I had no vote and so would reserve my opinion but asked him who he thought would win. He said 100% sure AKD. I said oh. The person continued as if he felt he needed to allay fears – he said this is like Narendra Modi coming to power in India. A common man taking away power from the family (entrenched political establishment). more..

Oct 4 (TM) External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar will pay an official visit to SrL Friday and meet with the country’s new leadership led by Prez Anura Kumara Dissanayake. This will be the first visit by a Foreign Minister since the Prez polls. “In keeping with India’s Neighbourhood First Policy and SAGAR outlook, the visit underlines the shared commitment of the two countries to further deepen longstanding partnership for mutual benefit” more..

Oct 4 (CT) The Govt Information Department announced that a programme to provide birth certificates for children without birth certificates will be implemented countrywide. The programme, set to run throughout October, is a joint effort between the Dept of Probation and Child Care Services and the Registrar General’s Department. This programme aims to identify children without birth certificates and provide them with such certificates. Dept of Probation and Child Care Services added more..

Oct 4 (EN) Sri Lanka govt is planning to provide income and VAT relief to the people who are struggling, Prez Anura Kumara Dissanayake has told the IMF officials. Prez Dissanayake discussed the progress of SL’s on-going IMF programme with the global lender’s delegation including Director of the Asia Pacific Dept, Krishna Srinivasan and Senior Mission Chief Peter Breuer. “Prez Dissanayake reaffirmed the govt’s broad agreement in principle with the objectives of the IMF programme more..

Oct 4 (EN) A delegation led by the Director of the IMF’s Asia Pacific Department, Krishna Srinivasan is visiting Sri Lanka and discussing the new administration’s reform objectives, an official said. “Program performance is strong, and reform efforts are bearing fruit in terms of reviving economic growth, lowering inflation, boosting reserves and improving revenue mobilization,” Julie Kozack, Director of the Communications Dept said. more..

Oct 4 (Island) Discussions between the SJB and the UNP on forming a united front for the upcoming general election had collapsed due to the actions of a senior UNP member, SJB Chairman Imthiaz Bakeer Markar. said. Markar said that initial talks between the two parties had been progressing smoothly until the intervention of a prominent UNP figure. The early negotiations were headed by SJB General Secretary Ranjith Maddumabandara and UNP Deputy Leader Ruwan Wijewardene. more..

Oct 4 (DM) Prez Anura Kumara Dissanayake will likely undertake his first official overseas visit to New Delhi for discussions with PM Narendra Modi after he accepts an invitation which will be extended today by visiting Indian External Affairs Minister, Dr. S. Jaishankar. Jaishankar is the first high ranking foreign dignitary to visit Dissanayake after he won the Prez Election on Sept 21. Indian High Commission in a statement said that in keeping with India’s neighbourhood first policy and more..