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 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.

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.

President Anura Kumara Dissanayake is set to hold a series of meetings with the High Commissioners of South Africa and New Zealand, along with the Ambassadors of Iran and Myanmar, as well as a delegation from the European Union today (25) at the Presidential Secretariat.

Three suspects have been arrested in connection with the security threats to Israeli nationals in the Arugam Bay area, Public Security Minister Vijitha Herath said.

Sri Lanka should get its foreign policy right in the wake of the escalating Middle East crisis, Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB) MP Mujibur Rahman said today.

The Canadian government has issued a travel advisory urging travellers to exercise a high degree of caution in Sri Lanka due to demonstrations, the threat of terrorist attacks and crime, particularly in the Arugam Bay area.

Sri Lankan security forces have been alerted to a potential attack on Israelis in the Arugam Bay area by Indian intelligence agencies. According to intelligence information, the threat is believed to be targeted at foreign nationals.

Former Power and Energy Minister Kanchana Wijesekara asked why the government did not take action to beef up security for foreign tourists in advance if it had received information on a possible threat on October 7, according to the statement made by Acting Chief of Police.

Former Presidential Advisor Sagala Ratnayake has advised the current government to appoint a National Security Advisor to prevent potential threats from terrorists to Sri Lanka. Addressing the media yesterday, Ratnayake said that the introduction of an intelligence-sharing network with other countries had helped the former government avoid such threats.

The US Embassy in Colombo said it has received credible information on a potential attack targeting popular tourist locations in the Arugam Bay area. As a precaution, the Embassy has imposed an immediate travel restriction on its personnel to Arugam Bay until further notice.

The Russian Embassy has urged its citizens to remain vigilant and avoid large crowds in response to potential threats against foreign tourists in Arugam Bay. The embassy noted that local law enforcement agencies are taking necessary measures to ensure security, involving special police forces, the Navy, the Army, and the State Intelligence Service of Sri Lanka.

Israel's national security council on Wednesday called on Israelis to immediately leave some tourist areas in Sri Lanka over the threat of a possible terrorist attack.

Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB) candidate Rehan Jayawickrama today cautioned against Israeli nationals running illegal business activities in some parts of Sri Lanka. He said the following in his X message:

Former Minister Johnston Fernando had been arrested by the Criminal Investigation Department (CID). He arrived the CID this morning to provide a statement regarding a luxury car, allegedly owned by him, that was found unregistered and parked at a star-class hotel in Colombo.He will be produced in the Fort Magistrate.

Sri Lanka Police addressed the situation in the Arugam Bay area following the US Embassy in Colombo's travel advisory for its citizens.

Archbishop of Colombo Cardinal Malcolm Ranjith questioned the motive behind former President Ranil Wickremesinghe appointing a committee headed by Retired Judge A. N. J. Alwis earlier this year, to look into actions taken by the certain intelligence authorities in the lead up to the 2019 Easter Sunday bombing.

Secretary to the Public Security Ministry former Senior Deputy Inspector General (DIG) Ravi Senaviratne and Director of Crimes of Sri Lanka Police, former Director CID, SSP Shani Abeysekera will not be removed from their positions for any reasons, Minister Vijitha Herath said today.

The government will not accept the report of the Committee headed by retired Judge A.N.J. De Alwis that probed the Easter Sunday bomb attacks in its entirety as it is politically motivated, Minister Vijitha Herath said today.

President Anura Kumara Dissanayake and other ministers will not attend the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM), which is scheduled to be held in Samoa from October 25 to 26, 2024.

The national consumer prices fell into deflation in September, after the food prices cooled, while the fuel prices took away much of the heat on the non-food price inflation during the last few months. This is due to the repeated cuts to the fuel prices, based on the easing global energy prices and rupee strength.

President Anura Kumara Dissanayake stated the controlled price of rice will not change, the President’s Media Division said. He also highlighted that plans are underway for a long-term program to create an organized agricultural plan, which would provide greater benefits to farmers.

Pivithuru Hela Urumaya (PHU) leader, former MP Udaya Gammanpila has called for the immediate removal of Ravi Seneviratne from the post as the Public Security Ministry Secretary, as he has been named as a main accused in the Easter Sunday bomb attacks investigations by a Presidential Commission of Inquiry (PCoI) report.

The Archbishop of Colombo, His Eminence Malcolm Cardinal Ranjith says attempts are being made to mislead the public regarding the investigations into the 2019 Easter Sunday Attacks.

The Overall Rate of Inflation, as measured by the National Consumer Price Index (NCPI), has decreased to -0.2% in September 2024. According to the Department of Census and Statistics, the decrease in September is compared to the 1.1% reported in August 2024.

In response to a remark made by incumbent President Anura Kumara Dissanayake that his predecessor Ranil Wickremesinghe has asked for extensive privileges, Advisor to the former President Sagala Ratnayake yesterday said it is the security unit of Mr. Wickremesinghe which has asked for privileges.

3 fishing vessels have been damaged in a fire that broke out this morning (Oct. 21) in a fishing vessel that was docked at the Kudawella Fisheries Harbour. According to reports the fire had broken out in a multi-day fishing vessel which had been destroyed. Two other vessels docked nearby have also been damaged. Further investigations are underway.

Three vehicles that were given for the use of former President Mahinda Rajapaksa have been returned. Accordingly, the 3 vehicles were handed over to the Presidential Secretariat today (21).