Leader of the Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna (SLPP), Mahinda Rajapaksa, said that a general election should be held first and then the presidential election to maintain a fair process in the country.

The Women Parliamentarians’ Caucus has requested Justice Minister Wijeyadasa Rajapakshe to take steps to withdraw the bill gazetted to amend Chapter 19 of the Penal Code which seeks to reduce the consent age for sex to 14.

The actions of the Janatha Vimukthi Peramuna (JVP) and the LTTE were the main instrumental factors for the current economic crisis, former Minister S.M. Chandrasena said.

In the wake of calls for a snap general election , Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna (SLPP) stalwart Basil Rajapaksa who held a one on one meeting with President Ranil Wickremesinghe yesterday said talks ended on a positive note and they decided to consult their respective parties before reaching any finality .

A revision application filed on behalf of former Health Minister Keheliya Rambukwella, who is currently held in remand custody in connection with the alleged import of substandard Immunoglobulin injections, was today fixed for March 25 by the Colombo High Court.

The International Centre for Foreign Studies (ICFS) is set to host a special spot admissions program for students, especially in the North and East provinces, who aspire to pursue higher education opportunities in countries such as Canada, the United Kingdom and Germany for the upcoming September 2024 intake.

The IMF team reached staff-level agreement with the Sri Lankan authorities on the second review under the economic reform program supported by a 4-year Extended Fund Facility (EFF) arrangement and concluded the 2024 Article IV Consultation discussions.

The Viyathmaga had no connection to the economic crisis and the expulsion of former President Gotabaya Rajapaksa from office, Parliamentarian Nalaka Godahewa said today.

Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna (SLPP) stalwart Basil Rajapaksa, in response to a query about the former President’s decision to ban chemical farming, said a leader should take final responsibility for any decision taken by him.

Sri Lanka has barred research activities for German vessel ‘Sonne’ in keeping with the one-year moratorium on such activities involving foreign ships in its Exclusive Economic Zone, but it will be allowed for replenishment in the Colombo port, Daily Mirror learns.

New amendments to the Online Safety Bill are being drafted at the moment, Minister Ali Sabry told Parliament today.

The Cabinet endorsed a proposal to draft constitutional amendments for the introduction of a new parliamentary electoral system that will enable the election of 160 MPs under the previous First-Past-the –Post System and the remainder under proportional representation, Daily Mirror learns.

National People's Power (NPP) leader Anura Kumara Dissanayake is leaving for Canada this evening, party sources said. He is to participate in several meetings with the Sri Lankan diaspora in Canada.

Whilst calling the government to get Commitee on Public Enterprises (COPE) chief Rohitha Abeygunawarde to resign from his post, SJB MP Nalin Bandara Jayamaha told the House today that he will stage a fast unto death if the former does not resign.

A member of 'Viyath Maga' who is now working with Opposition Leader Sajith Premadasa is behind the move to prevent the implementation of the Adani Group’s wind power project, Minister of Power and Energy Kanchana Wijesekera told Parliament.

Tension escalated in Pettah, Colombo as police confronted a group of demonstrators with tear gas and water cannons. The protest, orchestrated by the 'Jana Aragala Viyaparaya' (People’s Struggle Movement), centered on a myriad of grievances including the skyrocketing cost of living and contentious foreign agreements.

A meeting of the Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna (SLPP) parliamentary group, chaired by the party founder – Basil Rajapaksa is to be held at the party office in Nelum Mawatha, Battaramulla today (March 20).

Putting an end to the rumor's that the general election or the presidential election will be held first, President Ranil Wickremesinghe reportedly informed the cabinet of ministers yesterday (18) that the presidential election will be held first.

The buying rate of the US Dollar has dropped below the Rs. 300 rate for the first time since July 2023, according to the Central Bank of Sri Lanka (CBSL).

Japanese Ambassador to Sri Lanka Mizukoshi Hideaki met NPP leader Anura Kumara Dissanayake at the JVP head office this morning. Deputy Head of the Japanese Embassy Katsuki Kotaro and the Second Secretary Imai Kaori also attended the meeting. NPP MP Vijitha Herath also participated in the discussion.

Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna (SLPP) founder Basil Rajapaksa said that he had not read the book published recently by former President Gotabaya Rajapaksa on an alleged conspiracy to oust him. While addressing a television interview yesterday, he said that he did not have such a book at home. "Gotabaya did not even give me a copy of his book," he said.

A tense situation erupted in Parliament after a group of Tamil National Alliance MPs staged a protest inside the Chamber over the arrest of eight persons who were engaged in religious observances at the Vedukkunaarimalai Athi Lingeswarar Shrine on Maha Sivarathri night.

The Indian Government has agreed to provide a grant of USD 61.5 million to fully develop the Kankesanthurai (KKS) Port. This was revealed during a recent meeting between Ports, Shipping, and Aviation Minister Nimal Siripala de Silva and Indian High Commissioner to Sri Lanka, Santosh Jha.

The British Tamils Forum (BTF) strongly denounces the continuing arrests, land grab, intimidation and disruption of the daily activities of the Tamil people by the Government of Sri Lanka, its military and police administrations. The atrocities of those in robes and uniform prevails above the law of the land of Sri Lanka.

Speaker Mahinda Yapa Abeywardena who is going to face a no confidence motion on Wednesday is to reveal inside details on Aragalaya including how he was pressed by some politicians to take over the presidency in violation of the constitution.

The US Dollar remains below the Rs. 300 rate at several commercial banks in Sri Lanka today (Mar 18), compared to last week.

A recent survey conducted by the Centre for Policy Alternatives (CPA) has unearthed that public trust in parliament and political parties has reached an all time low, with parliament showing 22 percent public trust and political parties showing 19 percent trust.

The El Nino phenomenon has caused an increase in the continuous dry weather situation in the country and it could continue till April, Meteorology Department Director Genral Athula Karunanayaka said.