A total of 57 independent groups and 18 political parties have paid their deposits for the upcoming local government elections, according to the Election Commission.

Deposits for 168 local government institutions were paid, with the collection period starting on March 3 and set to end on March 19. Nominations for the local government elections will open on March 17.

In addition, the National Election Commission has issued a special circular to prevent the misuse of state property during the election period. The circular has been distributed to Ministry Secretaries, Provincial Councils, party General Secretaries, Commission secretaries, District Secretaries and heads of relevant government institutions.

The doctors of the Anuradhapura Teaching Hospital launched an idefinite strike against the sexual assault of a lady doctor at the Anuradhapura Teaching Hospital.

The suspect who sexually assaulted a lady doctor at the Anuradhapura Teaching hospital is found to be an army deserter, Minister of Public Security Ananda Wijepala told Parliament today.

Considering requests from various departments and affiliated bodies of the Ministries to fill vacant posts, the Cabinet has granted approval for the relevant Ministries and institutions to proceed with 5,882 recruitments, as recommended by the committee.

Claiming that the stance of the government on the Adani Wind Power project has not changed, Cabinet Spokesman Dr. Nalinda Jayatissa said today the Adani group can decide to pull out of the project if they are not ready to revise the tariff rates.

Cabinet Spokesman Nalinda Jayatissa was careful not to mention former Minister Tiran Alles' name despite numerous questions from journalists about potential links between former IGP Deshabandu Tennakoon and former Minister Alles.

Inspector General of Police Deshabandu Tennakoon, through his lawyer, has filed a writ petition before the Court of Appeal seeking an order to revoke the arrest warrant issued by the Matara Magistrate's Court. A two-judge bench of the Court of Appeal, comprising Justices Mohamed Laffar and Sarath Dissanayake, has fixed the petition for support on March 12.

New education reforms will be launched in 2026 and the process of preparing for it will take place in 2025, Prime Minister and Minister of Education Dr. Harini Amarasuriya said.

The Department of Meteorology has issued a weather advisory predicting showers across multiple regions of the country, with fairly heavy rainfall exceeding 75mm expected in several provinces.

Mark Carney has won the race to succeed Justin Trudeau as Canada's prime minister, vowing to win the trade war against US President Donald Trump as he takes charge of the country at a time of deep instability.

Former Speaker Chamal Rajapaksa has announced his candidacy for the upcoming Local Government Elections under the Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna (SLPP) from the Hambantota District.