With the prospect of elections in Sri Lanka, visiting Indian External Affairs Minister Dr. S. Jaishankar reportedly said in his meetings here that it is important that India-funded projects such as renewable energy projects are not derailed by any incoming government.

In addition to his formal courtesy calls, one one-on-one meeting and bilateral discussions with the government leaders, he held talks with former President Mahinda Rajapaksa, accompanied by his son Namal Rajapaksa, Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna (SLPP) founder Basil Rajapaksa and Opposition Leader Sajith Premadasa separately.

In his meetings, he particularly mentioned the renewable energy projects including the solar projects, the grid connectivity project and the proposed petroleum pipeline between India and Sri Lanka. He stressed the need to ensure that these projects continue under any incoming government after the upcoming presidential election.

According to an informed source, the Indian Minister cited these projects as beneficial to Sri Lanka’s economic progress. Referring to the proposed petroleum pipeline, he said India had executed similar projects with Nepal and Bangladesh and would like Sri Lanka to be part of such connectivity. He called on the implementation of the Adani power projects saying it would benefit Sri Lanka.

The presidential election is scheduled to be concluded on a day between September 17 and October 17, this year in terms of the Constitution.

The External Affairs Minister, at the meeting with Mr. Premadasa and his team, said he was happy to undertake the visit to Sri Lanka as his first in the region after becoming the minister again.

Mr. Premadasa is reported to have informed the Indian Minister he believes relations with India as crucial and pledged to implement the 13th Amendment to the Constitution in full. The Indian Minister hailed the stand taken by Mr. Premadasa, and said it would be important for Sri Lanka to resolve the matter permanently rather than prevaricating.

President Anura Kumara Dissanayake has signed his first gazette, summoning the Army, Navy, and Air Force for the maintenance of public order in specific areas.

The Gazette Extraordinary detailing the division of institutions and responsibilities under the new Ministries has been published, the President's Media Division said.

Former Kalutara districtMP and Minister Kumara Welgama passed away at the age of 74. He passed away while receiving treatment in a private hospital in Colombo.

The government is to launch a probe into the controversial "e-visa" fraud, in outsourcing visa processing to a foreign company. The government restored the online visa application platform, leaving out the foreign consortium following a ruling by the Supreme Court.

Prime Minister Dr. Harini Amarasuriya has instructed an immediate internal audit regarding the progress of expenditure allocations within the Sports Ministry. This directive was given during a meeting held yesterday, with heads of institutions operating under the Ministry of Sports and Youth Affairs.

The majority of MPs who supported Ranil Wickremesinghe in the Presidential Election have now decided to back Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB) leader Sajith Premadasa’s candidacy for Prime Minister in the upcoming General Election, former Governor Navin Dissanayake told journalists on Friday (27).

While congratulating President Anura Kumara Dissanayake on his victory, US President Joe Biden said he looks forward to working with President Dissanayake to advance peace, security, and prosperity in the Indo-Pacific region.

The Supreme Court today initiated contempt of court proceedings against former State Intelligence Service (SIS) Director Nilantha Jayawardena for failing to pay the full compensation owed to the victims of the Easter Sunday bomb attacks.

Senior Deputy Inspector General (DIG) Priyantha Weerasooriya has been appointed as the Acting Inspector General of Police (IGP) with immediate effect.

All police security personnel assigned to former Parliamentarians and Ministers have been recalled, police said. However, Senior DIG (Administration) Lalith Pathinayake told the Daily Mirror that police security personnel provided for the former Speaker, former Deputy Speaker and the Opposition Leader will remain in place.

The government will begin negotiations with the International Monetary Fund (IMF) immediately and proceed with activities related to the extended credit facility, President Anura Kumara Dissanayake said today.

All Ceylon Makkal Congress leader Rishad Bathiudeen has requested President Anura Kumara Dissanayake to cancel the permit for a liquor bar which was newly established on Main Road, Mannar.

India does not seek to control every political move of neighbours, and does not expect that the political dynamics within neighbouring countries will adhere to what India may think is desirable, but Delhi is confident that fundamental realities of interdependence will ensure that relationships with neighbours remains constructive and positive, external affairs minister S Jaishankar has said.

Muditha Peiris has resigned as Chairman of Litro Gas Company, effective from tomorrow (27). Peiris, who took up the position on 13 June, 2022, had previously served as Managing Director of both Litro Gas Lanka Ltd and Litro Gas Terminal Lanka (Pvt) Ltd.

Officials of the Ministry of Power and Energy have informed President Anura Kumara Dissanayake that the country currently has sufficient fuel reserves to meet consumption needs.

Former Parliamentarian and Minister Dilum Amunugama has joined the Mawbima Janatha Party (MJP). Party leader Dilith Jayaweera said in a message posted on X that Amunugama has been appointed as the National Organiser of the Mawbima Janatha Party.

The Supreme Court today ordered that Controller General of Immigration and Emigration, Harsha Ilukpitiya be kept in prison custody within the Supreme Court premises till court proceedings resume in the evening.

The People's Action for Free and Fair Elections (PAFFREL) today urged the public to maintain peace both before and after the general elections, just as they did during the Presidential election.

President Anura Kumara Dissanayake has signed an Extraordinary Gazette notification to dissolve the Parliament of Sri Lanka, effective from tonight (24). According to reports, the Gazette notification has been sent to the Government Printer for immediate publication.

New governors were sworn in by President Anura Kumara Dissanayake today, the President's Media Division (PMD) said.