Sri Lanka to mark 77th independence day with simpler celebrations and reduced costs

The Lanka Private Bus Owners’ Association (LPBOA) has stated that a final decision regarding the planned bus strike, initiated as a protest against police-conducted bus inspections, will be made today (January 8).

Sri Lankan President Anura Kumara Dissanayake held an extensive discussion with officials from the Ministry of Finance today (January 7) at the Presidential Secretariat in Colombo.

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi is set to visit Sri Lanka later this year, the Indian High Commission in Colombo announced on Tuesday (January 7). However, the exact dates are yet to be finalized by both sides.

Defence Secretary, Air Vice Marshal Sampath Thuyacontha (Retd), extended his heartfelt congratulations to Midshipman T.M.I. Vimukthi Tennakoon of the Sri Lanka Navy for receiving the prestigious Sword of Honour.

The Cabinet of Ministers of Sri Lanka has approved compensation for 17 patients who developed complications after undergoing cataract surgery at the Nuwara Eliya District General Hospital.

The Secretary to the Ministry of Finance, Mahinda Siriwardena, has issued directives to all state institutions, including provincial councils and local government bodies in Sri Lanka, to auction high-capacity vehicles, particularly those with V8 engines, by March 1, 2025.

The Ministry of Education in Sri Lanka reports a nationwide shortage of nearly 30,000 teachers.

Two people were killed in a shooting at Watarappala Road, Mount Lavinia, early this morning (January 7), police reported.

Sri Lankan President Anura Kumara Dissanayake held a discussion with the Attorney General and officials from the Attorney General’s Department at the Presidential Secretariat today (January 6).

A statement issued by M. Jayalath Perera, Director of Legislative Services and Acting Director of Communication at the Parliament of Sri Lanka, addressed a newspaper report titled ‘The Actual Costs of the Tea Party Post-Ceremonial Opening of Parliament,’ published in Irida Lankadeepa on December 29, 2024.

Two suspects, including a former member of the Western Provincial Council, Salochana Gamage, who were arrested for allegedly accepting a bribe, have been further remanded until January 17, 2025, by Colombo Chief Magistrate Thanuja Lakmali.

The Archbishop of Colombo, Malcolm Cardinal Ranjith, has emphasized the urgent need for a new Constitution to promote national unity, ensure democratic governance, and address corruption.

Thisara Iroshana Nanayakkara, the brother of former Minister of Foreign Employment Manusha Nanayakkara, has been further remanded until January 17, 2025, by the Gampaha Magistrate’s Court.

Health and Media Minister Dr. Nalinda Jayatissa announced on January 5, 2025 that the Sri Lanka Government will modernise and develop the Thriposha Company in Kandana as a state-owned enterprise to fulfill the nutritional needs of the nation.

A meeting between the Vice-Chancellors of state universities and Prime Minister Dr. Harini Amarasuriya was held on January 4, 2025, at the University Grants Commission (UGC).