Special operations to target alcohol, drug use during Sripada pilgrimage

Special operations have been planned to arrest individuals and groups who bring alcoholic beverages and drugs during the Sripada pilgrimage season starting this year, Hatton Police Superintendent Pradeep Weerasekara said.

Fair weather across most areas, showers in North, East

Fair weather will prevail in most parts of the country today, but showers are expected in the Northern and Eastern Provinces as well as the Anuradhapura district, the Meteorology Department said.

Sri Lanka possibly losing two-thirds of border tax revenue due to corruption, says Shippers’ Council

The Sri Lanka Shippers’ Council claimed that the government coffers could be losing as much as two-thirds of potential border tax revenue, due to corrupt activities by the officials in key border agencies.

Cuba plunged into darkness as electrical grid suffers fresh collapse

Cuba’s energy grid has collapsed, leaving millions without power, the latest in a series of failures on an island struggling from creaking infrastructure, natural disasters and economic turmoil.

One million coconuts to be distributed through Sathosa outlets: Minister

Steps are being taken to distribute one million coconuts through Sathosa outlets at a price of Rs. 130 each within the next two weeks, Minister of Trade, Commerce, Food Security and Cooperative Development Wasantha Samarasinghe said today.

President meets ITAK MPs

President Anura Kumara Dissanayake met with Parliamentarians from the Illankai Tamil Arasu Katchchi (ITAK) today at the Presidential Secretariat, the President’s Media Division (PMD) said.

Government Policy Statement passed in Parliament without a vote

The resolution on the Statement of the Government Policy presented by President Anura Kumara Dissanayake in Parliament on November 21 was passed unanimously in Parliament today without a vote.

Half a coconut selling at Rs. 120

Due to a shortage of coconuts in the country, it is reported that half a coconut is being sold at a price between Rs. 100 and Rs. 120.

Contempt of court application against Hirunika terminated

A contempt of court application filed against former Parliamentarian Hirunika Premachandra was terminated today before the Court of Appeal, following her decision to withdraw the alleged contemptuous statement she had made regarding the ongoing proceedings before the Mount Lavinia Magistrate’s Court.

Phone conversation data on Thajudeen death received: Government

Following an allegation by SJB MP Mujibur Rahman claiming that the CEO of Dialog which had refused to produce the phone conversations of former police officer Anura Senanayake and others have been appointed as a Presidential advisor, Chief Government Whip Nalinda Jayatissa said that the data pertaining to the phone calls have been received by the investigation officers.

Only 23% have so far submitted expense reports: EC

Only 23% of the total candidates who contested the General Elections have so far submitted their income and expenditure reports to the Election Commission.

Heated arguments in Parliament over recent arrests

Heated arguments erupted in Parliament over a statement by SJB MP Dayasiri Jayasekara, who said that cases have been filed against recent incidents involving LTTE commemorations under two laws in the North and South.

List of MPs who obtained liquor permits to be presented to Parliament today: Nalinda Jayatissa

Claiming that investigations into MPs who had obtained liquor licenses had begun, Chief Government Whip Nalinda Jayatissa said today the list of MPs who obtained liquor permits will be presented to Parliament this afternoon.

Govt. to purchase 85,000 units of insulin this week to meet demand

Following reports of a shortage of Mixtard insulin, the Medical Supplies Division of the Health Ministry has taken measures to purchase 85,000 units this week to meet the immediate demand in hospitals across the country.

Experts convene to Colombo to discuss hate speech law reforms

A workshop titled “A Pathway to Reform: Examining Hate Speech Laws in Sri Lanka” was recently held at the Mandarin Hotel in Colombo, bringing together legal experts, academics, and stakeholders.

Highest temperature recorded in Anuradhapura

During the past 24 hours ending at 8:30 a.m, the highest temperature was recorded in the Anuradhapura District, the Meteorology Department said.

Meteorology department website hacked

The official website of the Department of Meteorology has been hacked for the second time in a short period.

Severe shortage imminent if rice not imported within next two weeks

The All Ceylon Small and Medium Scale Rice Mill Owners’ Association warned that the country could face a severe rice shortage unless the government imports the required stocks of rice within the next two weeks.

South Korean president faces impeachment calls after martial law debacle

South Korean lawmakers on Wednesday called on President Yoon Suk Yeol to resign or face impeachment after he declared martial law only to reverse the move hours later, triggering a political crisis in Asia’s fourth-largest economy.

Legislations soon to recover stolen assets, deter money laundering: Justice Minister

The government is planning to present three Bills in Parliament within the first quarter of this year, aiming to recover stolen assets, deter money laundering, drug trafficking and related vices, Justice Minister Harshana Nanayakkara said today.

World Test Championship contender hit with points deduction

Points deductions for two Test nations sees the race to feature at next year’s Final thrown wide open.

Pressure mounting on Karunaratne?

Former Test Captain Dimuth Karunaratne has arguably been Sri Lanka’s best opener in the last decade or so. Since the retirement of some of Sri Lanka’s big names such as Kumar Sangakkara, Mahela Jayawardene, T. M. Dilshan and Thilan Samaraweera, the left-hander became Sri Lanka’s Mr. Reliable at the top of the order in Test Cricket.

Sinister move to create ethnic unrest: Minister

Investigations have revealed that a certain political group is out to create ethnic unrest between the North and the South, Minister of Public Security and Parliamentary Affairs Ananda Wijepala told Parliament today.

NPP Govt. should probe killings of Wijeweera, Vijaya - MP

The NPP government should probe the killings of its founder leader Rohana Wijeweera and actor turned politician Vijaya Kumaratunga in keeping with the pledges made by President Anura Kumara Dissanayake during his policy statement, opposition MP Chamara Sampath Dassanayake told Parliament yesterday

Public Funds must be accountable and open to public scrutiny - Appeal Court

In another judgement broadening the scope of the applicability of the Right to Information Act, the Court of Appeal recently held that any amount of money spent by a public authority must be accountable and made available for scrutiny when requested by a member of the public.

South Korea president backs down from martial law order after MPs vote to block it

Crowds of protesters erupted with cheers outside South Korea’s parliament early on Wednesday after the country’s president dramatically withdrew a martial law order that had sparked chaotic scenes in Seoul.

Govt. toughens up against communalism, extremism

Asserting that it is committed to scrap the Prevention of Terrorism Act (PTA), Cabinet spokesman Minister Dr. Nalinda Jayatissa said that the government will not hesitate no matter what, to invoke existing laws and regulations to prevent any attempt to fuel communalism.

Sri Lanka’s merchandise export performance up 18% in October

Sri Lanka’s merchandise export earnings in October 2024 climbed to US$ 1.097 billion, marking an 18.22 percent year-on-year increase, driven by higher earnings from key export categories, including apparel and textiles, tea, rubber-based products, coconut-based products, and spices and concentrates.

Govt. to bring BTI bacteria to control dengue: Dr. Jayatissa

The government is in discussions with the Cuban government to launch a sustainable programme aimed at eradicating the dengue menace from the country.

Govt. to revise electricity tariff soon, refutes 3-year claim

The government will take measures to revise the electricity tariff by a certain margin, and it will not take three years as claimed by Trade Minister Wasantha Samarasinghe, Cabinet Spokesman and Minister Dr. Nalinda Jayatissa said.