News

Snap Presidential polls!

Published

2 years ago

June 5, 2023

editor

The government is making arrangements to call a snap Presidential Election early next year, political sources said.

A senior minister of the Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna (SLPP) said that President Ranil Wickremesinghe calling the members of the Cabinet, the party leaders of the government and the SLPP district leaders to the Presidential Secretariat last Monday to inform them about the government’s programme may have been a precursor to a snap election.

The President has said that the economic growth which was at a negative level has now been brought to the level of zero, and that it will be brought to a positive rate by September. He has requested the Cabinet and the SLPP leaders to visit the people at villages and inform them about this programme of the government.

It was reported that the President has also requested the political representatives to go to the grassroots level and prepare the background required to face any election.

(Lankadeepa)

News

New laws planned to tackle organized crime

Published

10 minutes ago

July 2, 2025

editor

Minister of Public Security – Ananda Wijepala says that new legislation will be introduced to tackle organized crime as the government moves to repeal the Prevention of Terrorism Act (PTA).

He explained that organized criminals are currently detained and questioned under the PTA, but with its repeal, new legal provisions are needed to handle such cases.

Accordingly, the Ministry of Justice is drafting a new Bill to ensure law enforcement retains the authority to detain and interrogate those involved in organized crime under updated laws.

News

Tenders called for e-NIC project

Published

2 hours ago

July 2, 2025

editor

The Ministry of Digital Economy Affairs in Sri Lanka has said that Tenders have been called from Indian companies to develop Sri Lanka’s new digital National Identity Card (e-NIC).

Deputy Minister – Eranga Weeraratne stated that a 04 month period will be given for this process.

The Deputy Minister added that the new digital NIC is expected to be issued by mid-2026.

In January, Weeraratne had clarified that the government has decided to cover half of this cost through assistance from India to meet the financial burden.

News

Public consultation on renewable energy sector kicks off today

Published

2 hours ago

July 2, 2025

editor

The Public Utilities Commission of Sri Lanka (PUCSL) announced that a public consultation will be held today (July 02) to identify challenges faced by renewable energy developers in Sri Lanka.

The Commission stated that oral submissions from stakeholders will be gathered from 8.00 am – 4.00pm at the Bandaranaike Memorial International Conference Hall (BMICH).

The public consultation is being held under the powers granted to the Commission by Section 17 of the Sri Lanka Public Utilities Commission Act, No. 35 of 2002.

Meanwhile, President of the Solar E P C Association (SEPCA) – Dr. Shyam Pathiraja has said that many stakeholders are expected to present their views on the crisis in the renewable energy sector.

On a related note, National People’s Power (NPP) MP – Ravindra Bandara claimed that the current government has not imposed any restrictions on renewable energy production.