Navy recovers 778 kgs of smuggled dried turmeric in Puttalam

The Sri Lanka Navy yesterday recovered a consignment of dried turmeric while attempting to be smuggled into the country via sea routes.

SJB raises concern on UNP seniors meeting Election Commission members

The Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB) has raised concerns about a recent meeting between senior UNP members and Election Commission officials.

Mahawansa declared a world heritage

The Ola leaf manuscript of Mahawansa chronical, the main source of history of Sri Lanka in the Peradeniya University Library was yesterday declared a world heritage.

Gnanasara Thera released on bail

The Court of Appeal today ordered to release Bodu Bala Sena (BBS) General Secretary Galaboda Atte Gnanasara Thera on bail, in a bail pending appeal.

Patients in the lurch as CT scanners of key hospitals go down again

A significant number of CT scan machines in government hospitals has become completely dysfunctional again as it has been in the recent past leaving patients in dire straits, medical professionals pointed out.

Parents urged not to smoke around kids as wheezing cases rise

Medical experts have issued a stern advisory urging parents to refrain from smoking in the presence of children, citing a notable increase in cases of wheezing among pediatric patients.

Fire at shopping centre in China’s southwest kills 16

Sixteen people were killed after a fire broke out at a shopping mall in southwest China on Wednesday, according to Chinese state media.

Indian Navy rescues nine crew including one Sri Lankan from tanker capsized off Oman

More than a day after the search began for the missing crew of a small oil tanker, the Prestige Falcon, that capsized off Oman, the Indian Navy is reporting that it has found nine of the 16 crew members alive.

Biden tests positive for Covid, White House says

Joe Biden has tested positive for Covid-19 and is suffering mild symptoms, the White House has said.

SLPP will field a common candidate: MR

Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna (SLPP) will field a common candidate for presidency as it had always done in the past, former President Mahinda Rajapaksa said yesterday.

SJB MP Tissa Attanayake’s vehicle meets with accident

The vehicle in which Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB) MP Tissa Attanayake was travelling in met with an accident at Jawatte Road in Colombo last night.

Illegal fishing methods cause death of marine mammals

The Wildlife Department announced today that illegal fishing activities like bottom trawling have caused the death of marine mammals such as turtles and dolphins around the sea areas of the country.

SL should not have major issues in shaking off current default status: Experts

As Sri Lanka awaits the removal from ‘restrictive default’, a status discouraging the potential investors, experts are optimistic about the nation’s ability to move beyond this ranking.

End discriminatory maternity leave practices: Economist

Sri Lanka must urgently address the discriminatory maternity leave policies that distort the country’s labour market, a senior economist asserted.

Hangs in balance as remaining competent officer retires in June

The Law Enforcement Division of the National Medicines Regulatory Authority (NMRA), which was responsible for the detection of the infamous human immunoglobulin racket, hangs in the balance as the remaining competent official retired last June, the Daily Mirror learns.

Global growth to be in line with April forecast: IMF

The International Monetary Fund (IMF) in its latest economic outlook said global growth is projected to be in line with the April 2024 World Economic Outlook (WEO) forecast, at 3.2 percent in 2024 and 3.3 percent in 2025.

Ex-Prisoner appeals to Supreme Court to restore voting rights for incarcerated individuals

A writ petition has been filed in the Supreme Court seeking an order directing the Election Commission to issue requisite guidelines to facilitate the eligible prisoners and inmates in remand custody to cast their vote in the elections including Presidential, Parliament and at every referendum.

Range Bandara encourages hunger strike for ’nuisance’ individuals to meet their demise

United National Party (UNP) General Secretary Palitha Range Bandara told the civil organizers to continue their hunger strike, stating it is good for people who are a nuisance to society to die.

Chamari to lead Sri Lanka at T20 Asia Cup

Dynamic all-rounder Chamari Atapattu was named Captain of the Sri Lanka Team for the Women’s T20 Asia Cup 2024, which will commence on July 19 at the Rangiri Dambulla International Cricket Stadium.

Fernandez faces disciplinary action over alleged racist chant

Chelsea have begun disciplinary proceedings against midfielder Enzo Fernandez after he posted a video on social media that the French Football Federation said included an alleged ’’racist and discriminatory’’ chant.

Water tariffs to be reduced, decision this week: Minister

Water tariffs will be reduced alongside the new electricity tariff revision and the decision regarding the extent of the reduction will be announced by the end of this week, Water Supply Minister Jeevan Thondaman said today.

Indian Navy joins search for crew of capsized oil tanker off Oman

The Indian Navy on Wednesday said it had deployed a vessel to help the search and rescue operation for the 16 missing crew members, including more than a dozen Indians, of a Comoros-flagged oil tanker that capsized off the coast of Oman.

Four women arrested for beating six-year old child

Four women including the mother were arrested today in Aranayake following a video circulated on social media, which showed a six year-old child being beaten by some women.

NPP urges EC to declare Presidential polls sooner to stop further confusion

The National People’s Power (NPP) today urged the election commission to declare the dates for the presidential election sooner as the government is still attempting to create confusion among the people and the people have a doubt about the election commission as well.

Finance Ministry ready to allocate money for election as per requirements

Finance State Minister Ranjith Siyambalapitiya informed the Election Commission that the Finance Ministry has the ability to allocate money for the upcoming Presidential election.

Cyanide found in teacups shared by six found dead in Bangkok hotel

Police investigating the deaths of six people found in the room of a luxury hotel in central Bangkok say they believe a member of the group poisoned themselves and others using cyanide.

Committee to conduct threat assessments on Presidential candidates

President Ranil Wickremesinghe submitted a Cabinet Paper proposing the appointment of a committee to conduct threat assessments on Presidential candidates and former Presidents to ensure their required security in view of the forthcoming Presidential election, the President’s Media Division (PMD) said.

E-passports from next year

The Immigration and Emigration Department today announced the launch of a new, efficient and safe e-passport for Sri Lankans, with effect from January 1, 2025.

Rise in wheezing cases among children

Medical experts have noticed a notable surge in pediatric cases exhibiting wheezing symptoms following a viral infection akin to an influenza-like illness.

Prices of fertilizers for cinnamon, tea, coconut to be reduced

The State Fertilizer Company was advised to reduce the prices of fertilizers used for plantation crops such as cinnamon, tea and coconut, the Agriculture Ministry said.