Power and Renewable Energy Minister Ranjith Siyambalapitiya instructed the authorities to commence the construction work of the Sampur Coal Power Plant within next few months. He instructed that work on the first and the second phases of the Sampur project, which is designed to contribute another 500 MW to the National Grid commence soon. The minister gave these instructions to the relevant authorities during an inspection tour of the Sampur Coal Power Plant site on Thursday. The site extends to an area of 500 acres and the construction cost is estimated at US dollars 600 million.

Minister Siyambalapitiya said that as the Central Environment Authority (CEA) has granted approval for the construction of the power plant and therefore, work should get underway as soon as possible. He added that the ministry's view is to provide electricity at a low price and provide a quality product. He also added that the ministry's attention is drawn to minimise the e environment impact on the power generation process. Power and Renewable Energy Deputy Minister Ajith P Perera also participated on the tour.

The World Health Organization (WHO) has awarded Sri Lanka a $17 million grant for its proposal, “One Vision, One Shield,” aimed at strengthening pandemic preparedness and response.

In response to Daily Mirror story headlined ‘AKD, Harini clashes over UGC Chairman appointment?’ in yesterday’s edition, the Prime Minister’s Office sent the following clarification.

The latest financial disclosures from the Election Commission reveal that Sajith Premadasa and the Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB), lead in campaign spending for the 2024 Presidential Election, with a total expenditure of Rs. 1.13 billion.

Chanu Nimesha, the Secretary of Women's Affairs of the Sri Lanka Socialist party, has created history by becoming the first transgender individual to contest an election in Sri Lanka. Nimesha will contest from the Kegalle District.

The Department of Immigration and Emigration will visit the southern coastal belt in early November to look for any overstaying tourists from countries like Russia and Israel, where an influx of tourists are expected in the emerging South season for Christmas, the Daily Mirror learns.

The elite Special Task Force (STF) have heightened security in Colombo, Weligama and Ella as well, a day after the US Embassy in Colombo gave a warning of a possible terror threat in Arugam Bay, a senior defence source told Daily Mirror last evening.

While refuting claims by former President Ranil Wickremesinghe that his government had allocated funds required to increase public sector salaries, President Anura Kumara Dissanayake said that no such funds had been allocated.

A Fundamental Rights petition has been filed before the Supreme Court seeking an order preventing Ranjan Ramanayake from contesting the parliamentary election scheduled for November 14.

Claiming that Sri Lanka has come a long way in terms of undertaking reforms which have led to some hard won gains, the International Monetary Fund (IMF)said they could move fast towards the third review which will come up soon.

The Election Commission has decided to mark the voters' index fingers for this year's general elections, Commissioner General Saman Ratnayake announced. He said the elections are scheduled for November 14, 2024.