Import Permit frauds threaten essential food supply chain

The members of the Essential Food Commodities and Traders Association yesterday raised concerns with Trade Minister Nalin

Will form new alliance to contest presidency: SF

Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB) Chairman Sarath Fonseka yesterday said he will form a new alliance to contest the presidential ele

Sajith to raise objections against Fonseka’s case

Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB) leader Sajith Premadasa and its office bearers are expecting to raise objections against the plaint filed by SJB Chairman Field Marshal Sarath Fonseka. SJB leader Sajith Pre

Blue Field Tea Factory in Ramboda received the golden award for Global Sustainability 2024

A leading tea manufacturer in the Nuwara Eliya District Blue Field Tea Factory in Ramboda received the golden award for Global Sustainability 2024 in the plantation segment of the factory. The award ceremony was held recently at Colombo Hilton. Marketing and Sales Manager K.Hatheem received the award from Parliamentarian Dr.Harsha De Silva. Marketing and Sales Manager K. Hatheem told the media that the dedicated services of the Managing Di

Stock of Kerala Ganja valued Rs. 9.5 million seized

A consignment of 36 kilos of Kerala Ganga smuggled to the country was seized in transit and two suspects including a retired soldier were arrested by Kalutara Division Crime Investigation Unit during a raid in Aluthgama. Under interrogations the suspects stated that the street value of the stock was about Rs. 9.5 million. Police had seized the car hired from a rent-a-car service to transport the stock of contraband from the South to Colombo

President attends ‘Battle of the Maroons’ encounter

President Ranil Wickremesinghe graced the 94th ‘Battle of the Maroons’ cricket clash between Ananda and Nalanda Colleges, iconic Buddhist boys’ schools in Sri Lanka, at the SSC ground in Colombo yesterday.

Visionary Singaporean Educator Eugene Wijeysingha passes away at 90

Eugene Wijeysingha, the esteemed former principal of Raffles Institution (RI) in Singapore, has passed away at the age of 90. Wijeysingha, whose distinguished 35-year career in education included leading RI from 1986 to 1994, was born in Negeri Sembilan, Malaysia, in 1934 to parents of Sri Lankan descent before moving to Singapore in 1949. Wijeysingha, whose career in education spans 35 years, served as RI principal from 1986 to 1994. The institu

Overstaying Russians and Ukrainians must apply for visa or depart: Alles

Public Security Minister Tiran Alles said yesterday that Russians and Ukrainians who have been in Sri Lanka since February 2022 will need to apply for a visa or leave the country. The minister told the Daily Mirror that the free visa facility granted to them will not be extended and they must comply with immigration regulations by applying for fresh visas. Meanwhile, according to the Tourist Development Authority, an estimated 300 to 400 Ru

President meets Dawoodi Bohra Leader

President Ranil Wickremesinghe welcomed His Holiness Dr. Syedna Mufaddal Saifuddin Saheb, Spiritual Leader of the Dawoodi Bohra Community, at the official residence of the President yesterday. With a global presence of approximately one million adherents spanning countries such as India, Pakistan, the USA, the UK, Canada, Sri Lanka and Australia, the Dawoodi Bohra community holds considerable cultural and religious significance. During the

Zahran’s brother-in-law and others cleared of criminal intent

The investigations conducted thus far into the suspects, including Zahran’s brother-in-law, who were arrested by the Kattankudy Police, have concluded that these individuals were not planning to commit any criminal or anti-state activities. A group of around 30 people who were gathered in a temporarily constructed place in the Kattankudy police area were arrested on March 1, over the information that they were gathered for an unlawful meeting

SLPP has to find a better candidate than RW : Prasanna

Indicating the problem faced by the Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna (SLPP) in facing the forthcoming Presidential election, Minister Prasanna Ranatunga told yesterday that his party, the SLPP would have to find a better candidate than President Ranil Wickremesinghe if it wants to field a candidate of its own. He said that former minister Basil Rajapaksa will not contest while time is not ripe for Namal Rajapaksa to contest. “I will support Basil i

NPP has plans to raise state revenue by increasing IRD efficiency and discussions held with them: AKD

Claiming that they have plans to raise state revenue, NPP leader Anura Kumara Dissanayake said yesterday they had discussions with the Inland Revenue Department (IRD) on ways to increase state revenue. Speaking at the Ratnapura District Women’s Convention, he said that state revenue could be increased through the Customs Department and Excise Department as well. He said the revenue generated through the Inland Revenue Department could be

India - Sri Lanka grid connectivity Project to cost US $ 1.2Bn, environmental study set to commence

In another step towards the implementation of the India - Sri Lanka power grid connectivity project, the two sides have agreed to conduct the environmental feasibility study, a source familiar with the process said. A delegation led by Pankaj Agarwal, Secretary to the Ministry of Power in India and Santosh Jha, High Commissioner of India to Sri Lanka, visited the Ministry of Power and Energy recently. The delegation including senior officials fr

Skyrocketing coconut prices will affect meal packets

The skyrocketing prices of coconuts will have a serious effect on the packed rice and curry meals in the future, as most of the curries are prepared with the coconut cream, food industry trade unions said.

Trained police and armed forces personnel are hired by underworld gangs - IGP

IGP Deshabandu Thennakoon said hiring of experienced police and security force personnel of marksmanship by underworld gangs has been going on unchecked since long and that and effective mechanism would be worked out to prevent such malpractices. During his meeting with the Mahanayake Theras of Malwatta and Asgiriya Chapters during his visit on Saturday (02) to Kandy on assuming duties as IGP he said the police officer who went abroad due to d

Maldivian flies between Male and Colombo twice a week

The Maldivian, the flag carrier of the Maldives, announced the commencement of its highly anticipated service to the Bandaranaike International Airport (BIA) from April 25. While looking forward to welcoming passengers on board, the Maldivian has decided to operate two weekly flights to Colombo, departing every Thursday and Saturday. Commenting on the launch of the new destination, Managing Director of Maldivian Ibrahim Iyas said that they hav

UN human rights chief concerned over Online Safety Act and IGP appointment

“These laws, if enacted, could grant extensive powers to the executive, security forces, and severely restrict freedoms of assembly, association and expression,” he said. Moreover, Türk emphasized the ongoing economic crisis in Sri Lanka, with poverty levels soaring to an estimated 27.9% and a significant decline in household incomes. \ Despite efforts by the government, social protection remains strained, with a substantial portion of the budg

Heat felt by human body raised to caution level in four provinces

Prolonged exposure to heat could cause fatigue

Parliament, Central Bank set to discuss salary hike

CB officials ready to clarify

If Sri Lanka’s economic rights harmed in Red Sea, we will stand up: President

Reaffirms commitment to safeguarding regional stability and world peace

Matara Rest House roof damaged as helicopter carrying PM touches down

Strong winds generated during the landing of a helicopter carrying Prime Minister Dinesh Gunawardena at the Matara Fort Grounds resulted in damage to the roof of the Matara Rest House, leading to the disposal of a significant amount of food and drinks intended for customers yesterday.

Sri Lanka recognized as a world flagship for mangrove restoration

Sri Lanka emphasizes the need for climate justice, especially for vulnerable nations

Ratnapura DCC rejects cabinet approval for mini hydro project

The Cabinet approval granted on a decision taken by the President and the Prime Minister for a mini hydro project fed by the Samanalawewa tank was turned down by Ratnapura District Coordinating Committee that met on Thursday (29).

Zahran’s brother-in-law arrested in Kattankudy

Raid carried out based on a tip-off about an unlawful meeting

Kosgoda Sujee’s cousin shot dead in Ahungalla

Earlier on January 22, five individuals, including Saman Perera, were gunned down near the Beliatta interchange

Two burglars of President’s home given suspended jail term

Two persons who were involved in a burglary at the private residence of President Ranil Wickremesinghe on July 9, 2022, were handed down rigorous imprisonments yesterday. In one case, the

Teacher beats seven students with broomstick at Padukka school

Three students admitted to hospital

Month-old infant falls from moving trishaw on Colombo – Hatton highway

A month-old infant child that slipped off mother’s lap and fell on the road from a moving trishaw at Gurumetiya in Kitulgala on Colombo – Hatton highway had miraculously escaped unhurt. The child’s moth

Easter Sunday attacks Petition filed urging action against Nilantha Jayawardena

The Centre for Society and Religion yesterday filed a writ petition in the Court of Appeal seeking an order to conduct a credible investigation and take appropriate actions against Senior DIG Nilantha Jayawardena for his omissio

Dr. Saman Ratnayake arrested over Immunoglobulin scandal

The Criminal Investigations Department (CID) arrested Additional Secretary of the Health Ministry Dr. Saman Ratna