Sri Lanka’s official reserve assets rose to $6.46 billion in October 2024, marking a 7.9% increase from $5.99 billion in September, according to the Central Bank of Sri Lanka (CBSL).

Gold reserves increased by 5.8%, from $40 million in September to $42 million in October.

Foreign reserves also grew to $6.38 billion, a 7.3% rise from $5.94 billion the previous month. This figure includes approximately $1.4 billion from a swap with the People’s Bank of China (PBoC), subject to conditional usability.

The Election Commission today announced the vote counting schedule for the general elections to be held on 14th of November.

All schools are to be handed over to the respective Grama Niladhari officers today (12) after classes end, in preparation for the parliamentary elections scheduled for Thursday (November 14), the Education Ministry said.

The Criminal Investigation Department (CID) has initiated an investigation into the documentary telecast by Britain’s Channel 4 TV on Sri Lanka’s Easter Sunday bomb attacks in 2019.

The Ceylon Electricity Board (CEB) revealed that proposals to reduce electricity tariffs will be submitted to the Public Utilities Commission of Sri Lanka (PUCSL) by next week.

Sri Lanka has reported a notable increase in cases of Hand, Foot, and Mouth Disease (HFMD) in recent days.

The formation of a low-pressure area over the south-west Bay of Bengal today may lead to thundershowers in most parts of the island from November 13, the Meteorology Department said.

Former MP Rohitha Abeygunawardhane became emotional during an election rally in Kalutara where he said, with tears in his eyes, that he had been with the people over the years. Abeygunawardhane said he will protect the people even as an Opposition MP in Parliament.

The National People's Power (NPP) is confident of winning a majority seats in Thursday's Parliamentary Election but will look at forming a national unity government with Parliamentarians representing the Tamil and Muslim communities, in order to achieve national unity, Minister Vijitha Herath told Daily Mirror last evening.

Former TNA MP M.A. Sumanthiran alleged that President Anura Kumara Dissanayake had brought several thousands of people in buses last evening all the way to Jaffna to participate in the NPP's political rally attended by the President.

Ahead of the Parliamentary elections, the Election Commission has launched an online system enabling voters to access their polling cards. Accordingly, the polling cards can be viewed via ‘On-line Registration’.

Price of an egg will rise to Rs 1000 if Sri Lanka fails to stabilize the economy, former President Ranil Wickremesinghe said yesterday. Mr. Wickremesinghe made this remark during his speech at an election rally in Hatton which he spoke both in lighter vein and with seriousness. However, he quickly turned serious when elaborating on the economy.

The Elections Commission announced that all campaign activities related to the parliamentary elections will conclude at midnight today. A silent period will begin then, prohibiting any campaign activities until election day.

On October 16, 2024, the Prime Minister of Canada Justin Trudeau when testifying at the Public Inquiry into the Foreign Interference in Federal Electoral process and Democratic Institutions, publicly reaffirmed Canada's commitment to protecting Tamil Canadians from Sri Lanka's foreign interference in Canada.

With heavy inter-monsoonal rain beating the country, the election authorities have decided to work out extra plans along with the Disaster Management Centre (DMC) to conduct polling of the General Election next Wednesday without any impact from a possible disaster situation, an official said.

Ahead of the parliamentary election on November 14, the Election Commission has reiterated that all State and Private sector banks and financial institutions must grant leave to employees for voting without affecting their pay. This directive, based on Section 122 of the Parliamentary Elections Act, comes following complaints that some institutions have not adhered to this rule. The Commission calls on heads of these institutions to ensure that staff receive the necessary leave to cast their vote at their assigned polling stations.

The Ministry of Education has issued a circular requiring social media platforms like WhatsApp, Viber, and Telegram, used for educational activities in schools, to be continuously monitored by school authorities.

The Criminal Investigations Department (CID) arrested 58 Sri Lankans in Narahenpita on suspicion of involvement in online financial fraud. The suspects are believed to have conducted fraudulent activities online, prompting a swift CID response. Further investigations are underway.

The government ruled out any plans to offer ministerial portfolios to EPDP leader former minister Douglas Devananda. NPP member Bimal Ratnayake told an election meeting in Jaffna that Devananda was misleading the people claiming that the President had agreed to offer him a ministerial portfolio.

The vehicle owned by Samagi Jana Sandanaya (SJS) National Organiser and national list nominee Sujeewa Senasinghe has been cleared by the government analyst as being genuine. Senasinghe told Daily Mirror that the vehicle was handed over to the government analyst yesterday and later released.

Former President Ranil Wickremesinghe says despite the International Monetary Fund (IMF) having projected Sri Lanka’s growth to be moderate in 2024-25, at around 3%, it was at 4.4% at present. Speaking at a public event, the former President said that Sri Lanka’s growth has the potential to reach 5% next year.