Police fire water cannon at IUSU protestors in Borella

The Inter University Students Union yesterday held a protest marching from Borella where police fired water cannon at them. The students then got into the premises of National Hospital Colombo carrying out their picketing.

Empowering Women! ‘The Road to Rights’ Event for International Women’s Day 2024

Empowering Women! ‘The Road to Rights’ Hosts Inspiring Event for International Women’s Day 2024 at One Galle Face In commemoration of International Women’s Day 2024, ‘The Road to Rights,’ a prominent youth organization dedicated to advancing human rights, social justice and sustainable development is gearing up for a momentous event at One Galle Face Mall, Shangri-La. This year’s theme, “Invest in Women: Accelerate Progress,” underscores the

Victims of plane crash commemorated

Indonesian Ambassador in Sri Lanka Dewi Gustina Tobing on Tuesday evening (05) visited the Seven Virgin hill range in Norton Bridge and commemorated the victims of the plane crash on December 04, 1974 which claimed the lives of 191 passengers. The DC 08 Martinair aircraft with 191 passengers including the crew on board flying from Indonesia crashed into the Seven Virgins mountain range at the dead of night killing all of them. The bodies recov

Rs.188,827 salary for CB’s lowest ranking employee

By Ajith Siriwardana The gross salary of the lowest ranking employee of the Central Bank, that of an Office Assistant - Grade 1, has been increased by 29.53 per cent up to Rs. 188,827 Prime Minister Dinesh Gunawardane said today. Responding to a question by SJB MP S.M. Marikkar, he told Parliament that the gross salary of the Deputy Governor has been increased by 76.97 per cent upto Rs.1,728,419. The Prime Minister said the Central Bank employe

Prez, MR, Basil to discuss possible alliance for Polls

Basil Rajapaksa who spearheads the Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna (SLPP) , along with former President Mahinda Rajapaksa will meet President Ranil Wickremesinghe this evening to discuss the future political arrangements between the two sides ahead of the presidential and parliamentary elections. Basil Rajapaksa, who was in the United States, arrived in the country on Tuesday. The meeting takes place at a time when electoral alliances are being form

UK’s misinformation on SL raised in UK Parliament

British Conservative peer Lord Michael Naseby on Tuesday called on the British government to assist Sri Lanka by way of updating Britain’s Travel Advisory on Sri Lanka to provide more accurate information, in order to better assist the country. “It is the UK’s Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) comments on that country (Sri Lanka) that currently cause me concern because they refer to the fact that protests are going on when t

First Lady calls for humanized foreign ties

At a time where it is repeatedly stressed that Sri Lanka needs to work closely with other nations, First lady Maithree Wickremesinghe called for diplomatic ties which would become connections of hearts, minds and souls.

13 year old school girl falls dead

A female student of Meepagama Jayanthi Vidyalaya in Kalawana had a fall accidentally in school last morning and died. The victim Dissanayake Mudiyanselage Imalka Sathsarani (13) from Kukulegama in Kalawana was a grade eight student. She had been admitted in a unconscious state to Kalawana Base Hospital only to be pronounced already dead. Police said the cause of death could be established after the postmortem emanation which was to be held

Gota to release a book ‘The conspiracy to oust me from the Presidency’

Former President Gotabaya Rajapaksa who was ousted from power will release his book today titled ‘The conspiracy to oust me from the Presidency’. “This book explains the first hand experience of an internationally sponsored regime change operation,” the former President said. In a statement to the press, he said,” I wish to announce the publication of my book titled “The conspiracy to oust me from the Presidency”. Foreign intervention has wei

Govt. aims to obtain relief from debt defaults from 2023 to 2027: President

Claiming that the discussions on the restructuring of domestic and foreign loans would reach a successful resolution soon, President Ranil Wickremesinghe said yesterday the government’s goal is to obtain temporary relief from debt defaults from 2023 to 2027. Making a special statement in Parliament, he said the government’s plan is to diligently work towards repaying the loans in the period from 2027 to 2042. “There are critics who question th

Have your own pic on postal stamps for Rs.2000

The Sri Lanka Postal Department is offering citizens the chance to design postal stamps featuring their own photographs or events, with a creation cost of Rs.2000, said Postmaster General Ruwan Sathkumara. Addressing an event organized in Colombo to unveil a stamp for Hatton National Bank (HNB), he announced that individuals can now acquire a sheet of stamps with 20 stamps tailored for special occasions like weddings, gatherings, and parties or

Exam at Excise Dept. illegal: Mujibur Rahman

The examination which appointed and promoted those up to the present rank of Assistant Excise Commissioner is illegitimate, a former SJB MP said yesterday. Samagi Jana Balawegaya Deputy General Secretary Mujibur Rahman told the media that even the Public Service Commission appeals inquiry authority has admitted that the examination was not legitimate and some of the excise officers have already gone to court against this matter. Rahman said the P

Routine eye checks compulsory for those over 50

The Health Ministry urged individuals aged 50 and above to undergo regular eye checks to keep glaucoma at bay. This was said by Dr. Palitha Mahipala, Secretary of the Ministry of Health during a special press conference held at the National Eye Hospital last morning. Stressing the significance of early detection, Dr. Mahipala highlighted that it is imperative, particularly for those with a family history of glaucoma, to prioritize eye health

UK calls for all political parties in SL to honour IMF programme

British High Commissioner Andrew Patrick emphasized the need for the main three parties, if not all the major parties, to recognize the agreement with the International Monetary Fund (IMF). In an interview with Daily Mirror, he said, “I know it’s a debated issue here, whether the government should have entered into an IMF deal and what the future of the IMF deal is. The High Commissioner made such remarks in the wake of the main parties making

CB Salary hike cost an extra Rs 232Mn monthly

The salary hike for Central Bank officials cost an extra sum of Rs 232 million monthly, it was revealed at the party leaders meeting yesterday. The party leaders have been of the opinion that the salary hike was illegal The party leaders have informed the Central Bank officials that it is unfair for them to increase their salaries at a time when ordinary citizens are undergoing various hardships. “Party leaders have also been of the opini

Some SJB MPs have failed to sign no faith motion against Speaker

The no confidence motion against Speaker Mahinda Yapa Abeywardena that was handed over to Deputy Secretary General of Parliament Chaminda Kularatne yesterday has not been signed by some Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB) MPs. SJB MPs Rajitha Senaratne, Field Marshal Sarath Fonseka and Eran Wickramaratne are some of the MPs who have not signed the motion. MP Dullas Alahapperuma’s signature was also missing. A total number of 44 MPs have signed t

All South Asian countries have surpassed Sri Lanka: Imthiaz

While saying that Sri Lanka is currently at an impasse, SJB MP Imthiaz Bakeer Markar called upon leaders and citizens to transcend political differences and unite for the collective betterment of the island nation. He made these sentiments in the thanksgiving address at the launch of his autobiography “Mage Kathawa” held at the Ananda College auditorium yesterday (05). The event saw the participation of a plethora of dignitaries incl

Aware of multidimensional complexity, won’t sell a dummy for short-term gain: SJB

Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB) said it is a responsible opposition and understands the complexity of the multidimensional crisis, and therefore will not sell a dummy for short-term gain.

Alleged assault on woman Police not informed of Muzammil’s son’s surrender

Despite Uva Province Governor A.J.M. Muzammil’s remarks that his son had informed the police of his intention to surrender over investigations into the alleged assault of a woman, police clarified today that neither the suspect nor the Governor has directly communicated with them regarding such a surrender. Police further said that they have not received any such communication and are conducting investigations to arrest the suspect. Accordin

Will not deviate from IMF programme, but will renegotiate terms and conditions: NPP

The National People’s Power (NPP) said it would not derail the IMF programme if it won the presidency but would renegotiate its terms and conditions on implementations since the current austerity measures had burdened people and the attempts of the government to sell off public assets would bring severe economic consequences to the country. NPP economic council member Prof. Anil Jayantha said his party would also seek speedy actions on the deb

Halt excessive scrutiny of nations - SL tells Human Rights Council

Sri Lanka has called for the UN Human Rights Council to halt its excessive scrutiny of nations in the global south through intrusive mechanisms while ignoring violations elsewhere to regain credibility. Sri Lanka also expressed disappointment that the Council’s persistent and disproportionate attention on Sri Lanka is not beneficial to the nation. Speaking at the 55th Session of the Human Rights Council in Geneva, the Permanent Representat

Electricity now a luxury for a cluster of villages in Anuradhapura

Electricity connection to a cluster of villages in Thantirimale, Anuradhapura has been disconnected leaving consumers in the lurch.

Airport worker nabbed trying to smuggle in Rs.200Mn worth gold

The suspect had received the bag of gold from a transit passenger

Doctor attached to Karapitiya Hospital found dead

Magistrate returns open verdict

Much-awaited power tariff reduced

The much-awaited electricity tariff reduction was announced by the Public Utilities Commission of Sri Lankan (PUCSL) yesterday. PUCSL Chairman Professor Manjula Fernando told a briefing that the decision made by the commission will be notified to t

Public urged to use water sparingly amidst dwindling resources

The Irrigation Department has issued a public advisory urging citizens to conserve water and exercise caution in usage. Speaking to Daily Mirror, Director General of Irrigation A. Gunasekara said that this call comes in the light of the dwindling water levels observed in rivers, which serve as crucial sources for pipe-borne drinking water across the region.

Assault to death of suspect in police custody Two cops sent to the gallows

Accused ordered to pay compensation of Rs. 1Mn each to the victim’s daughter

15-year-old girl sexually abused with mother’s connivance

A young man had fallen in love with a 15-year-old schoolgirl of Kahataruppa area in Badulla and sexually abused her with the connivance of her mother. She is below the age of consent in accordance with the law of Sri Lanka, and therefore even cons

Gangster Manna Roshan’s brother killed in shooting at Hanwella

Victims were travelling in a cab when the shooting occurred

AKD’s change in stance on BR’s return raises questions

Says all the members of the Rajapaksa family in politics had no place in Sri Lanka politics