News Room : Dr Asoka Sapumal Ranwala appointed speaker of 10th Parliament – The Island
The ceremonial opening of the First Session of the Tenth Parliament is scheduled for today (Nov. 21). Following the sounding of the quorum Bell at 9:55 a.m., Parliament will convene at 10:00 a.m. After the placing the mace in the chamber, the Secretary-General of Parliament will present the Extraordinary Gazette Notifications issued by the President, setting the date and time...
News Room : US charges Indian billionaire Gautam Adani with fraud – The Island
Temba Bavuma South Africa’s Test captain, has recovered from his elbow injury in time to be available for their two-Test series at home against Sri Lanka. Bavuma will lead a 14-man side which also features Marco Jansen and Gerald Coetzee, who both made their international returns from a conditioning break in the recent T20I series against India and have...
News Room : NPP sweep ‘earthquake in Sri Lankan politics’: Solheim – The Island
The stunning electoral sweep of the National People’s Power (NPP), led by Marxist President Anura Kumara Dissanayake, is “an earthquake in Sri Lankan politics”, says Erik Solheim, the former Norwegian peace facilitator here. The former diplomat also feels that the strong showing by the NPP in areas populated by Tamils, particularly in the north, marked “a very strong call for...
News Room : NDF embroiled in NL seat row has not read public mood – Dayasiri – The Island
By Shamindra Ferdinando A sharp split in the Muslim vote in many parts of the country at the recently concluded general election has deprived both the Sri Lanka Muslim Congress (SLMC) and the All Ceylon Makkal Congress (ACMC) of parliamentary representation in several districts. None of the SLMC candidates who contested last week’s general election from the Puttalam, Trincomalee, Kurunegala and...
News Room : Biden agrees to give Ukraine anti-personnel mines
US President Joe Biden has agreed to give Ukraine anti-personnel land mines, a US defence official told the BBC. The official, who was speaking on condition of anonymity, said such mines would be delivered soon and Washington expected that they would be used on Ukraine’s territory. Kyiv was also committed to not using such mines in densely-populated areas, the official said. The...
News Room : Depression over southwest Bay of Bengal may move near the Eastern coast of Sri Lanka on Sunday [24] or Monday [25] – The Island
The Japan Maritime Self-Defence Force (JMSDF) ship SAMIDARE, which arrived in Sri Lanka on 17th November 2024, departed the island today (19th November), on successful completion of her formal visit. The Sri Lanka Navy bade customary farewell to the departing ship at the Colombo port, following naval traditions. On her departure, JMSDF SAMIDARE engaged in a successful Passage Exercise (PASSEX)...
News Room : Fairly heavy showers above 75 mm are likely at some places in Western and Sabaragamuwa provinces and in Galle and Matara districts – The Island
Weather forecast issued at 05.30 a.m. on 19 November 2024 by the Department of Meteorology Misty conditions can be expected at some places in Western, Sabaragamuwa, Central and Uva provinces and in Galle and Matara districts during the morning. Showers will occur at times in the Northern, Eastern and North central provinces. Showers or thundershowers will occur in Western, Sabaragamuwa, Central,...
News Room : Ravi K appointment cannot be challenged – Deshapriya
‘Wickremesinghe can enter Parliament in case of NDF NL vacancy’ Former Chairman of the Election Commission, Mahinda Deshapriya, yesterday said that the appointment of Ravi Karunanayake, as a National List (NL) member, was in line with the Parliamentary Election Act 01 of 1981. Deshapriya pointed out that appointment couldn’t be challenged under any circumstances. According to Article 99 A, those who...
News Room : Sri Lankan students in US increase by 10% – The Island
The U.S. Embassy in Colombo yesterday (19) said there had been a 10% increase in the number of Sri Lankan students studying at US colleges and universities during the 2023-2024 academic year. The embassy made this declaration on the basis of the 2024 Open Doors Report on International Educational Exchange. The embassy statement: “This reflects a growing trend of Sri...
News Room : Rs 90 mn worth of smuggled painkillers detected – The Island
By Ifham Nizam In a landmark move to address pressing ecological challenges, Sri Lanka has unveiled the Mihikataha Policy, an ambitious framework aimed at ensuring environmental sustainability and resilience. Spearheaded by a multi-disciplinary team of policymakers, scientists, and activists, the policy is a testament to the country’s commitment to balancing development with environmental preservation. At its core is the vision of...