Opposition Leader MP Sajith Premadasa has expressed his condolences over the demise of Tamil National Alliance (TNA) Member of Parliament and former Opposition Leader R. Sampanthan.

In a post on ‘X’, MP Premadasa said late MP Sampanthan’s dedication to equal rights for all Sri Lankans is a beacon of hope. MP Premadasa added that the late MP’s fair and just leadership will continue to inspire him and many others.

“Today, we mourn the loss of Mr. Sampanthan, who served Sri Lanka for over half a century. His dedication to equal rights for all Sri Lankans is a beacon of hope. His fair and just leadership will continue to inspire me and many others. Truly, it is the end of an era,” the Opposition Leader said.

Meanwhile, former President Mahinda Rajapaksa also expressed his condolences on the passing of TNA Leader R. Sampanthan. In a post on ‘X’, the former President said Sampanthan’s demise is a loss to Sri Lanka’s political fraternity.

“My deepest condolences on the passing of TNA Leader R. Sampanthan. He was an old friend and colleague and we shared many a days discussing various issues. His demise is a loss to Sri Lanka political fraternity and may his family & friends overcome this sad loss. @TNAmediaoffice,” former President Mahinda Rajapaksa said.

Tamil National Alliance (TNA) member and former Opposition Leader MP R. Sampanthan passed away at the age of 91 while receiving treatment at a private hospital in Colombo.

Sampanthan’s political career spanned six decades, with his first stint in the Sri Lankan parliament starting in 1977. Having served in five parliaments, he was the incumbent MP for Trincomalee District in 1977.

Sampanthan led the Tamil National Alliance since 2001 and was a Member of Parliament continuously from 2001 until his demise. He was the Leader of the Opposition from September 2015 to December 2018.

A fundamental rights petition has been filed in the Supreme Court seeking an order to prevent the Election Commission from conducting the Presidential Election until the Court decides on the incumbent President's tenure. C.D. Lenawa, a professional entrepreneur, submitted the petition.

Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna (SLPP) General Secretary Sagara Kariyawasam highlighted that former Ambassador of Sri Lanka to Russia Udayanga Weeratunga has nothing to do with the party and thus, his statements regarding the party are of no importance.

The National Election Commission has announced that Shanmugam Kugathasan of the Illankai Tamil Arasu Kadchi (ITAK) has been appointed to fill the Parliamentary seat vacated recently.

Two people have died in a fire that broke out this morning (July 3) in a row of estate houses in the Palallegama area of Yatiyanthota. The victims, identified as 60-year-old Mukkan Weerasingham and his 50-year-old wife, Muttiah Shanti Devi, were a married couple.

President Ranil Wickremesinghe told Parliament yesterday that Sri Lanka’s foreign debt totalled USD 37 billion.

Former SLPP Colombo Municipal Councillor Mahinda Kahandawela who hit the news after he was attacked during the violence on May 9, 2022, has joined the UNP and pledged his support to incumbent President Ranil Wickremesinghe. Kahandawela was appointed as a zonal organizer in the Colombo Central electorate.

The remains of former Opposition Leader and TNA MP the late R. Sampanthan were placed at a private funeral parlour in Borella this morning from 9 am, allowing the public to pay their final respects.

The Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB) parliamentary group unanimously approved a resolution that the party will not support any national government under President Ranil Wickremesinghe, SJB General Secretary Ranjith Madduma Bandara said today.

Sri Lanka is to launch 100 Octane premium petrol, known as XP100 rating fuel, which helps enhance the performance of vehicles, particularly high-end luxury cars and bikes.

The Supreme Court has determined that some clauses of the Public Financial Management Bill are inconsistent with the Constitution and can be passed only by a special majority and through a referendum, Speaker Mahinda Yapa Abeywardena announced today.

While delivering a speech in Parliament today, President Ranil Wickremesinghe announced that an agreement was reached on June 26 with Sri Lanka's official creditors about debt repayment, the President's Media Division (PMD) said.

The price of a 12.5 kg cylinder of Litro domestic LP gas will be reduced by Rs.100 from midnight today, Litro Gas said. Accordingly, the new retail price of a cylinder of 12.5 kg LP gas will be Rs.3,690.

Veteran Tamil politician and parliamentarian R. Sampanthan passed away at a private hospital in Colombo today evening, aged 91. Sampanthan was one of the longest serving MPs with decades of experience and served as the Leader of the Tamil National Alliance for several years.

Canada wants see a peaceful, prosperous and reconciled Sri Lanka, the High Commissioner for Canada to Sri Lanka and Maldives, Eric Walsh, said in a message to mark Canada Day.

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi condoled the death of former Tamil National Alliance (TNA) leader R. Sampanthan.

Kadiravel Shanmugam is to enter Parliament filling the vacancy created by the demise yesterday of TNA leader R. Samanthan. Shanmugam who contested the 2020 General Elections from Trincomalee District under the TNA ticket, obtained 16,770 votes.

The bail application (bail pending appeal) filed on behalf of former Colombo district Parliamentarian Hirunika Premachandra was today fixed for July 4 by the Colombo High Court.

Many Sri Lankan mercenaries fighting in the Ukraine front have become Russian citizens, making it difficult to give them diplomatic support, Foreign Minister Ali Sabry said.

The death toll in an incident where Sri Lankan fishermen consumed an unknown substance found in a bottle floating in the sea has risen to five, the Sri Lanka Navy said.

Two Sri Lanka Navy personnel attached to the Intelligence Unit have been arrested by the Sri Lanka Navy's Special Investigation Unit over their alleged involvement in a large-scale drug smuggling racket.