President Maithripala Sirisena says the laws to give stern punishments will be implemented in the future against the people who engage in ragging incidents while properly implementing the Prohibition of Ragging Act.

The United States Senate has approved the appointment of Alaina B. Teplitz as new US ambassador to Sri Lanka and the Maldives.

The Ministry of Power and Renewable Energy says that the country’s daily electricity consumption has increased by about 2-megawatt hours (Mwh).

The UNP has decided to re-appoint former Finance Minister Ravi Karunanayake to Cabinet.

Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe had decided not to allow anybody to hold wedding receptions at Temple Trees in future, UNP sources said yesterday.

The World Health Organization (WHO) has declared Sri Lanka as a rubella-free country, the Health Ministry said on Thursday.

Referring to the rally organized by the Joint Opposition yesterday, Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe today questioned as to how individuals who cannot even stage a proper protest, govern the entire country.

The 72nd anniversary of the UNP will be celebrated at the UNP headquarters, Sirikotha at 9.30 am today.

Thousands of Sri Lankan opposition demonstrators led by former leader Mahinda Rajapaksa blocked a main road in Colombo on Wednesday in protest at economic hardship and the delaying of provincial polls.

Death Penalty must be imposed on the individuals who are involved in misappropriation of public funds and properties, President Maithripala Sirisena said today.

Finance and Mass Media Minister Mangala Samaraweera yesterday said that today’s JO protest is a Bili Poojawa (Sacrifice) in the name of MP Namal Rajapaksa to cover up their past wrongdoings.

The Sri Lankan rupee fell to an all-time low on Wednesday with the selling price of the US Dollar reaching 163.3676 for the first time in the country’s history.

The National Medicine Regulatory Authority (NMRA) is expected to issue a gazette notice specifying the maximum fee that could be charged from patients by private hospitals, nursing homes, private clinics and private medical practitioners and specialists.

Political opponents have got the space to organise protests in Colombo because of freedom and democracy prevailing in the country, Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe said.

The Joint Opposition (JO) yesterday vowed to go ahead with its planned protest in Colombo today (Sept.5) in spite of IGP Pujitha Jayasundera’s warning the police would use ‘required force’ to maintain law and order.