President Maithripala Sirisena has appointed Senior DIG S.M. Wickremesinghe as the acting IGP, police said. N. K Illangakoon who served for five years as the 33rd IGP, retired yesterday.

Agriculture and Livestock Deputy Minister Namal Karunaratne participated in the launch of the ‘Clean Sri Lanka’ programme at the Agriculture Ministry premises in Battaramulla on Wednesday.

Exams Chief Amith Jayasundara yesterday said the 2024 Grade 5 Scholarship Examination paper marking meeting had been scheduled for tomorrow. The marking process is expected to conclude within 40 days, with the aim of completing it by the first week of February.

The Constitutional Council (CC) has approved the appointments of High Court Judges K.M. Sarath Dissanayake and Pradeep Hettiarachchi to the Court of Appeal. The nominations were submitted by President Anura Kumara Dissanayake for the CC's approval. Judges Dissanayake and Hettiarachchi, the two most senior serving High Court judges, are set to take their oaths as Court of Appeal Judges next week.

Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB) MP Mujeebur Rahuman has appealed to President Anura Dissanayake to reconsider the government’s decision to deport 103 Rohingya refugees, including over 40 children, who were rescued off the Mullaitivu coast on December 19.

Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB) MP Harsha de Silva has criticized the government for its contradictory stance on withholding tax (WHT) policies. In a tweet, de Silva questioned why the National People’s Power (NPP) policy document, endorsed by President Anura Dissanayake, did not mention plans to increase WHT on interest.

It is a known secret in the state bureaucracy circles that the transfer process of government employees is highly politicised. It is said that those who encounter problems in receiving transfer postings near their hometowns or resist transfers outside the home turf or their preferred locations often use political influences ‘at whatever cost.’

In the wake of reports on a virus spreading in China, the Ministry of Health has announced that it is closely monitoring the situation.

The Colombo High Court today further extended its order to freeze for three months 16 fixed deposit accounts and three insurance policies belonging to the family members of former Health Minister Keheliya Rambukwella.

Former Minister Wimal Weerawansa arrived at the Financial Crimes Investigation Division (FCID) this morning to provide a statement regarding remarks he had made during a television programme on March 3, 2022.

Former President and UNP leader Ranil Wickremeisinghe has appointed Thalatha Athukorala as the new party General Secretary, party sources said. An official announcement is expected to be made shortly.

Yoshitha Rajapaksa, the second son of former President Mahinda Rajapaksa, arrived at the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) this morning to record a statement.

The office of the Foreign Minister has issued a statement on delays in appointing High Commissioners and Ambassadors to overseas missions, citing procedural and diplomatic requirements.

5 prominent figures in political circles, including a wife of a politician allegedly involved in various frauds and corruption, are to be arrested in early 2025, reports the ‘Mawbima’ newspaper, citing reliable government sources.

The Sri Lanka Air Force (SLAF) is to enhance its air capabilities with the addition of eight Bell 206 helicopters from the United States and an FT-7 trainer aircraft from Pakistan this year, the Daily Mirror learns.

Major General Ruwan Wanigasooriya (Retd) has been appointed as the new Chief of National Intelligence, the Ministry of Defence said. He officially received his letter of appointment from Defence Secretary Air Vice Marshal Sampath Thuyacontha (Retd) yesterday. Major General Wanigasooriya commenced his duties in his new role at the Defence Ministry in Sri Jayawardenepura Kotte.

The Sri Lanka Freedom Party (SLFP) will contest the upcoming elections, including the Local Government and Provincial Council elections, under the ‘Chair’ symbol, SLFP general secretary Duminda Dissanayake said today.

The crisis involved in the issuance of passports is to exist further in the New Year, since the available stock is sufficient only for the first half of this year, and the government is still at a loss to call for tenders to get fresh copies of the P-series.

The second reading of the 2025 Budget Proposal, or Appropriation Bill, will be presented in Parliament on February 17, as announced by Parliament Secretary General Kushani Rohanadheera following a Steering Committee meeting on Parliamentary Affairs.

Outgoing Chief of Defence Staff (CDS) General Shavendra Silva yesterday asserted that he wanted to avoid civilian casualties at all costs caused by military fire during the ‘Aragalaya’ period in 2022, but the rulers misunderstood his strategy, which put him at a disadvantage.

The controversy surrounding former Speaker Asoka Ranwala’s doctorate has taken a bizarre twist, with NPP MP K. Illankumaran from the Jaffna district describing Ranwala as a “Medical Doctor". Ranwala, recently resigned amid allegations of using fake educational credentials.

By the end of 2024, the Sri Lanka Customs achieved a record-breaking revenue of over Rs. 1.5 trillion, marking the highest annual revenue in its history.

The fuel price revision took place with the price of a litre of kerosene reduced by Rs. 5, effective from tonight, the Ceylon Petroleum Corporation (CPC) announced. Accordingly, the new retail price of a litre of kerosene will be Rs. 183.

The annual birth rate in Sri Lanka has reported a significant drop, according to Consultant Paediatrician Dr. Deepal Perera. Deepal Perera revealed Sri Lanka’s annual birth rate has reduced from 350,000 to 250,000.

Social activist Namal Kumara has been arrested by the Colombo Crimes Division (CCD) today. The Police said he was arrested after reporting to the CCD to provide a statement.

The Supreme Court today declared that the Fundamental Rights of the student candidates and petitioners have been violated by the State through the breach of the integrity of Paper I of the Grade 5 scholarship examination conducted on September 15, 2024 due to the breach in confidentiality of three questions.

Two ruling party MPs- Wijesiri Basnayake of Kurunegala and Ajith Gihan of Puttalam- came under mob violence when they came out in their separate vehicles after a meeting with the management of an apparel factory in the Bingiriya area.

The Commissioner General of Examinations, Amith Jayasundara announced that the results of the G.C.E. Advanced Level (A/L) examination are expected to be released by April 2025.

Vice Admiral Kanchana Banagoda officially assumed duties as the new Commander of the Sri Lanka Navy at Navy Headquarters today (31). He was appointed following a presentation of the official letter by Secretary to the President Nandika Sanath Kumanayake on December 30.

The official YouTube channel of the Sri Lanka Police has been targeted by a cyber attack. The Police Media Division stated that by now, the control of the channel has completely fallen into the hands of the hackers. The cyber attack had occurred at around 7:30 PM yesterday.

Lieutenant General Lasantha Rodrigo officially assumed duties as Sri Lanka's Army Commander today (31) at Army Headquarters. Previously, he served as the Deputy Chief of Staff of the Sri Lanka Army.