President evaded Opposition concerns in speech – Sajith

Leader of the Opposition Sajith Premadasa says the President through his address to the nation has revealed to the country the inability and the failure of the present government.



Dollar crisis: Central Bank shuts door for commercial banks; importers badly hit

The Central Bank has told banks not to request dollars from the banking regulator’s depleted foreign currency reserves, and instead find it in the cash-short market as the country faces a major scarcity of dollars in the forex market.



Basil to be appointed Finance and Economic Development Minister?

Speculation is rife in political circles that SLPP strongman Basil Rajapaksa will be appointed Minister of Finance and Economic Development after he takes oaths as a National List MP on July 6.



05 areas in Colombo, Ratnapura and Nuwara Eliya isolated

Five areas in the Colombo, Ratnapura and Nuwara-Eliya Districts have been placed under isolation as of 6.00 am today.



Fisherfolk affected by X-Press Pearl vessel to get Rs. 720 Million as compensation

The owners of the X-Press Pearl ship have agreed to pay a compensation of Rs. 720 million to the fishing community affected by the fire that erupted in the vessel.



VAT policy revision on postal shipments to EU countries

The VAT policy with regard to the postal shipments by the European Union (EU) on their member countries will be revised with effect from July 01, 2021, says Sri Lanka Post.



How is Basil’s arrival related to concessions? – Sobitha Thera

Venerable Omalpe Sobitha thera says subjugatory actions of certain individuals before selected politicians has led to the country’s deterioration.



Man arrested in Pooneryn with over 180 kg of Kerala cannabis

A man who was in possession of 182 kg of Kerala cannabis has been taken into custody in the area of Kudiyiruppu in Pooneryn, says SDIG Ajith Rohana.



Full text of Sri Lanka President Gotabaya Rajapaksa’s address to the nation

Sri Lanka President Gotabaya Rajapaksa delivered a special address to the nation in a televised broadcast on Friday (June 25).



Four Grama Niladhari Divisions in Kegalle district isolated

Four Grama Niladhari Divisions in Kegalle District have been isolated with effect from 6.00 am today (June 26), the National Operation Centre for Prevention of COVID-19 Outbreak (NOCPCO) says.



Death row inmates in Sri Lanka protest ex-lawmaker’s pardon

About 150 death row inmates were on a hunger strike Friday to demand their sentences be commuted after Sri Lanka’s president pardoned a former lawmaker who had been condemned for an election-related killing.



Fire erupts aboard container ship in Indian Ocean off Sri Lanka

A fire has erupted in the engine room of container ship ‘MSC Messina’ in Indian ocean halfway between Sri Lanka and Malacca Strait.



Duminda’s release undermines rules of law – UNHRC

The United National Human Rights Commission says the release of former Parliamentarian Duminda Silva is another example of selective, arbitrary granting of pardons.



U.S. slams Duminda Silva’s release

The United States has condemned the release of former MP Duminda Silva on a special presidential pardon.



Bar Association condemns Presidential pardon for Duminda Silva

The Bar Association of Sri Lanka (BASL) yesterday via a statement condemned the Presidential pardon for convict and former MP Duminda Silva, saying it was “unreasonable and arbitrary” and would result in erosion to the rule of law and loss of public confidence in justice.



Updated announcement on isolation orders

The isolation orders have been imposed on 10 more localities in five districts effective from 6.00 am today (June 25), the National Operation Centre for Prevention of COVID-19 Outbreak (NOCPCO) announced.