Australian Minister of Foreign Affairs, Penny Wong, engaged in a significant meeting with Sri Lankan President Ranil Wickremesinghe during the Indian Ocean Conference, marking a pivotal moment in bilateral relations between the two nations.

Minister Wong warmly welcomed President Wickremesinghe to Australia and expressed appreciation for Sri Lanka's supportive role in the conference, highlighting the importance of collaboration among Indian Ocean countries.

Addressing attendees, Minister Wong reiterated Australia's renewed commitment to the Indian Ocean region and emphasized the government's efforts to strengthen ties with key nations in the area.

In response, President Wickremesinghe shared his perspectives on the evolving dynamics of the Indian Ocean, particularly emphasizing the crucial role of the Indian Ocean Rim Association (IORA) in promoting regional cooperation. He praised Australia's increased engagement in the region as a positive step amid changing geopolitical landscapes.

President Wickremesinghe also highlighted Sri Lanka's growing investments in renewable energy and acknowledged the participation of Australian firms in this sector, underscoring opportunities for collaboration and investment between the two countries.

Reflecting on the longstanding historical relations between Sri Lanka and Australia, dating back to initiatives like the Colombo Plan, both leaders affirmed their commitment to enhancing bilateral ties and exploring avenues for further cooperation across various sectors

The hierarchy of the National People's Power (NPP) is being misled by some government officials due to their lack of experience, former MP Madura Vithanage said today.

A Fundamental Rights petition filed challenging Ranjan Ramanayake from contesting the parliamentary election scheduled for November 14, was dismissed by the Supreme Court.

All arrangements have been made to conduct the 2024 Advanced Level (A/L) examinations from November 25 to December 20, 2024, as scheduled, Commissioner General of Examinations Amith Jayasundara said.

The Canadian government alleged on Tuesday that Indian Minister of Home Affairs Amit Shah, a close ally of Hindu nationalist Prime Minister Narendra Modi, was behind the plots to target Sikh separatists on Canadian soil.

The National Security Council, led by President Anura Kumara Dissanayake, yesterday discussed a series of bomb threats targeting Indian passenger aircraft and their potential impact on Sri Lanka’s tourism industry.

Former Minister Johnston Fernando, who was arrested and remanded in connection with an unregistered luxury vehicle, has been granted bail. He was taken into custody after a luxury vehicle, allegedly belonging to him, was found parked on the premises of a star-class hotel.

Police have initiated investigations into reports of tourists, including Israeli nationals, allegedly engaging in activities outside of leisure, such as business and religious practices, while on tourist visas in Arugam Bay.

While refuting reports of printing money under the new government, Cabinet spokesman Minister Vijitha Herath said today the government had neither printed money nor obtained loans from foreign countries or institutions.

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.

A new gazette notification has been issued declaring all Divisional Secretary’s divisions in the country as “infected” or “suspected” areas due to the recent reports of African Swine Fever (ASF) outbreaks among pigs.

Cabinet spokesman and Minister Vijitha Herath today requested that public to apply for passports at the Immigration & Emigration Department only for urgent matters.

The Supreme Court today permitted the petitioners to add former President Ranil Wickremesinghe as a respondent in a Fundamental Rights petition filed challenging the appointment of Deshabandu Tennakoon as the Inspector General of Police (IGP).

Train services between the Maho-Anuradhapura stretch of the northern railway line resumed today. The first train departed from the Colombo Fort railway station at 5.45 am for Kankesanthurai via Anuradnapura and Jaffna.

U.S. Ambassador to Sri Lanka Julie Chung said there is no travel ban on Sri Lanka, and the security advisory for Sri Lanka remains at Level 2, similar to other popular destinations such as France, Italy and the Maldives.

A total of 76 fresh complaints related to the upcoming Parliamentary elections were received, taking the total number of complaints to over 800.

Lanka IOC PLC (LIOC) reported higher revenues but profits tumbled in the quarter ended in September 2024 reflecting growing demand for fuel in a recovering economy, but the margins narrowed, taking a toll on the bottom-line.

Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB) Leader Sajith Premadasa says the public must grant the Parliamentary majority to the SJB instead of the National Peoples’ Power (NPP) which has failed to reduce the suffering of the people as promised during the Presidential Election.

Pivithuru Hela Urumaya (PHU) Leader Udaya Gammanpila has called on the government to investigate an individual who identified himself as a top government official in the video by British Media ‘Channel 4’ on the 2019 Easter attacks aired in September last year.

The National People’s Party (NPP) has achieved a major victory in the Elpitiya Pradeshiya Sabha election held on Saturday (26). With a strong showing, NPP secured 17,295 votes, the highest number of votes among all parties, and won a total of 15 seats.

Following the modernisation of the Maho-Anuradhapura stretch of the northern railway line, train services between Colombo and Kankesanthurai will resume tomorrow, October 28, the Sri Lanka Railway Department said.