Health experts warn of spike in seasonal diseases

With the torrential rains sweeping across Sri Lanka, health experts are raising alarm bells over a spike in seasonal diseases including dengue, leptospirosis, diarrheal diseases and influenza.

LankaGPT to launch Sri Lanka’s first Sinhala and Tamil AI GPT platform

LankaGPT Technologies is gearing up to launch Sri Lanka’s first-ever Sinhala and Tamil AI Generative Pre-trained Transformer (GPT) by July 2024.

Industry fears wage hike impact on Ceylon Tea brand

The tea industry veterans warned that the Ceylon Tea brand would face irreparable damage in international markets, leading to both decline in auction prices and global market share, if the government forced the plantation companies, including the smallholder sector, to implement the unprecedented 70 percent minimum wage hike arbitrarily.

CEB divests LTL shares to West Coast Power

The Ceylon Electricity Board (CEB) has partly settled the dues for energy purchases from West Coast Power (Pvt.) Ltd by divesting a 28 percent stake of its shares in LTL Holdings (Pvt.) Ltd to the company.

Starlink internet pre-orders open in Sri Lanka

Elon Musk’s Starlink internet is now open for pre-order in Sri Lanka, with the public able to reserve Starlink by paying a fully refundable USD 9 deposit.

Failure to appoint judges to Superior Courts challenged before SC by President’s Counsel

A President’s Counsel with over 55 years of active practice as an Attorney-at-Law filed a Fundamental Rights application before the Supreme Court challenging the failure of the President to make judicial appointments to the Superior Courts, resulting in two vacancies in the Supreme Court and five vacancies in the Court of Appeal for several months.

Darshana cruise to 400m final in China

Sri Lanka’s Aruna Darshana powered his way to win the Men’s 400m first round heat at the second Belt and Road Athletics Invitation Meeting in Chongqing, China.

Update: Daily Mirror’s quick action leads to removal of hazardous tree branch

Quick action by the Daily Mirror breaking news exposing the wayside hazard of a shattered branch of a mango tree hanging over the pavement along the Anagarika Dharmapala Mawatha in Colombo drew a similar quick response by the Colombo Municipal Council (CMC) and was removed by the CMC’s Disaster Management Unit a short while ago.

President’s Fund deadline extended for 2024/2025 ICT scholarship applications

The deadline for submitting applications for the 2024/2025 scholarship programme, jointly offered by the Sri Lanka Telecommunication Regulatory Commission and the President’s Fund for students studying Information and Communication Technology at the G.C.E. Advanced Level, has been extended till June 7, the President’s Media Division (PMD) said.

Do not ventrure out to sea for next three days

Due to very rough seas, the Naval and multi-day fishing communities are advised not to venture into tje Bay of Bengal and Arabian Sea areas for the next three days, the Marine Forecasting Division of the National Meteorological Centre said.

Another hazard hanging over pedestrians: CMC FYI

A shattered branch of a wayside mango tree over the bend bordering Lakmedura and Hunupitiya Cross Road along the Anagarika Dharmapala Mawatha in Colombo 02, loosely hanging over the pedestrians who pass underneath the this afternoon.

Tornadoes and storms leave 18 dead across central US

At least 18 people were killed as tornadoes and storms tore across central areas of the US, destroying homes and cutting power to hundreds of thousands.

More sluice gates may be opened if rainfall increases

If rainfall in the catchment areas increases during the day, it is possible that more sluice gates will need to be opened at various dams and reservoirs, the Irrigation Department’s Irrigation (Hydrology) Director Eng. S.P.C. Sugeeshwara Bandara said.

Aura Lanka Chairman granted bail

Aura Lanka Chairman Viranjith Thambugala who was arrested by the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) was granted bail.

President orders Army, Timber Corp. to back CMC to remove risky city trees ASAP

The Colombo Municipal Council (CMC) will receive backing from the State Timber Corporation and Sri Lanka Army to immediately remove over 100 remaining old and large decaying city trees posing a great danger to the people and property, as per an order by the President, the Daily Mirror learns.

Lalkantha trying to prevent Anura’s success: Marikar

National People’s Power (NPP) member K.D. Lalkantha trying to prevent his party from coming into power, SJB MP S.M. Marikar said today.

SLAF pilots conduct crucial evacuation mission of UN members in Africa

Sri Lanka Air Force pilots, deployed in the Central African Republic as part of the United Nations Multidimensional Integrated Stabilization Mission (MINUSCA), executed a critical evacuation mission involving multiple UN personnel.

Driverless vehicles banned from parking at BIA arrivals lounge

A decision has been taken not to allow vehicles without drivers to be parked in the arrivals lounge premises at the Bandaranaike International Airport (BIA), Airport and Aviation Services (Sri Lanka) (Private) Limited (AASL) announced today.

Wimal, Udaya, Channa Jayasumana form new political movement

Several political parties including the National Freedom Front (NFF) led by MP Wimal Weerawansa, Pivithuru Hela Urumaya (PHU) led by MP Udaya Gammanpila and several civil organisations formed a new political movement named ‘Sarvajana Balaya’ this morning.

Shooting incident reported near school in Matara

A shooting incident was reported near the Pathegama Model Primary School in Matara a short while ago.

Western, Sabaragamuwa Provinces, Nuwara-Eliya district affected by heavy showers

The Western and Sabaragamuwa Provinces and the Nuwara-Eliya district were affected by heavy showers above 100 mm during the day, the Natural Hazards Early Warning Centre of the Meteorology Department said.

Accepting applications for Grade 5 exam begins today

Accepting applications for the Grade Five Scholarship Examination for 2024 commences today, Examinations Commissioner General H.J.M.C. Amith Jayasundara said.

12 people injured during turbulence on Qatar Airways flight

Twelve people were injured after a Qatar Airways flight from Doha to Dublin was hit with turbulence on Sunday.

Hundreds of birds and fish dead in Anawilundawa sanctuary: Cause under investigation

Hundreds of birds and fish in the bird sanctuary in Anawilundawa Ramsar wetland and its watercourses have been dying for the last several days, much to the anxiety of the residents of the area and the environmentalists.

China, US, India, France compete for SL’s graphite deposits

In another example of the global spotlight on Sri Lanka’s strategic assets and resources, China, India, the United States and France are in a competition to secure investments in the country’s graphite sector, the Daily Mirror learns.

Price of ginger reaches Rs. 5,000 per kilo today

The retail price of a kilogram of ginger has reached Rs. 5,000 at the Narahenpita Economic Centre today, the National Consumer Front said.

Opposition MPs leave to rescue Sri Lankans held hostage in Myanmar, Russia

Katunayaka, May 27 (Daily Mirror) - Three members of the Opposition left Bandaranaike International Airport (BIA) for Thailand for a diplomatic mission to rescue the 49 Sri Lankan youths and women who are forcibly held in the cyber camp of computer criminals in Myanmar and the Sri Lankan war heroes who are in the middle of the Russian-Ukraine war and bring them back to Sri Lanka.

Labour Minister approves wage increase

As per a gazette notification issued last week by Ministry of Labour and Foreign Employment Secretary R. P. A. Wimalaweera, the Minister has approved the wage increase for plantation sector workers.

Tea smallholders express grave concerns over unprecedented wage hike

Alarmed by the government’s move to increase the minimum daily wage without additional revenue streams and with no industry consultation, Sri Lanka’s tea smallholders....

Tourist arrivals to cross 100,000 mark in May

Tourist arrivals to Sri Lanka are likely to surpass the 100,000 mark, while falling behind the target of 120,934 -131,112 arrivals in May.