Mother, two daughters drown in Quarry Lake

A woman, 32, and her two daughters who went for a bath in a quarry lake in the Tissamaharama area have drowned, the police said.

Cost of transport, booze, tobacco increase for Sri Lankans

With Sri Lanka’s inflation increasing to 2.4 per cent in June from 1.6 per cent reported in May according to the national consumer price index, people appeared to have been compelled to spend more on transport, alcoholic beverages and tobacco.

I will announce my candidacy at the right time - RW

In response to Minister Prasanna Ranatunga’s plea for an immediate candidacy announcement, President Ranil Wickremesinghe assured yesterday that he plans to reveal his decision at the opportune moment. “An invitation was extended to me by Minister Ranatunga. You will have to respond whenever an invitation is extended to you. I will respond to Minister Ranatunga’s invitation at the right time,” President Wickremesinghe told a rally in Kadawath

MRI under fire for not performing sufficient testing

The Medical Research Institute (MRI), the apex institute which performs laboratory testing, laboratory diagnosis and consultations has come under fire for neglecting a significant number of its testing. This follows the allegations made by trade unions representing the health sector which claim that 50% of MRI investigations are currently not being performed. According to the trade unions the Rabies test, Candida Ab ELISA test, Mannan Ag fo

Alleged political intervention by Neluwa Divisional Secretariat Villagers oppose harming forest reserve to build road in Sinharaja

The villagers living around the Lankagama entrance of the world heritage Sinharaja forest strongly oppose the politically backed efforts of Neluwa Divisional Secretariat to harm the forest reserve to facilitate a road to a single domestic compound, when an alternative route already exists, the Daily Mirror learns. Both the residents as well as the tourist hoteliers in the sensitive ecological area that borders the world heritage rainforest dem

Asanga Abeyagoonasekera gets bail following arrest at BIA

Former Director of the Institute of National Security Studies, Asanga Abeyagoonasekera who was arrested upon arrival in the country at the Bandaranaike International Airport (BIA) had been released on bail. Police detained him while returning to Sri Lanka from Doha at the arrival terminal following the issuing of an arrest warrant taken by the Inland Revenue Department related to a case against him.

Former Australian PM says Sri Lanka achieves extraordinarily since economic crisis

Former Australian Prime Minister and Finance Minister Scott Morrison who arrived in Sri Lanka last week said that what Sri Lanka achieved since the economic crisis was extraordinary. He was here on the invitation of Don Susantha Katugampala, Chairman and Founder of Fairfields Lawyers, to further strengthen ties between Australia and Sri Lanka.

Joe Biden steps down from election race

U.S. President Joe Biden ended his reelection campaign on Sunday after fellow Democrats lost faith in his mental acuity and ability to beat Donald Trump, leaving the presidential race in uncharted territory, the foreign media reported. Mr. Biden, in a post on X, said he will remain in his role as President and Commander-in-chief until his term ends in January 2025 and will address the nation this week. It comes four months before Americans go to

Govt. rift deepens President overrides Justice Minister, clarifies 22A

In what appeared to be a conflict of opinion within the Cabinet, President Ranil Wickremesinghe defied Justice Minister Wijeyadasa Rajapakshe and went ahead with the publication of the ‘22 Amendment to the Constitution Bill ‘ in a gazette notification last afternoon.

No satisfactory bidder for SriLankan Airlines, Govt. looks for new strategy

The government scrapped plans to privatize the national carrier because no bidder came on satisfactory terms to buy it, a top source said.

Teachers, principals exploit schoolchildren with private tuition

The Education Ministry of the North Central Province has issued circular instructions to all principals and teachers of schools in the province to refrain from conducting fee-levying private tuition or holding educational seminars during duty hours or after school.

Charmed conflict

President Ranil Wickremesinghe is seen engaged in a light conversation with Justice Minister Wijeyadasa Rajapakshe at the function to mark the opening of the new court complex in the Galle Beligala area, featuring modern technical facilities, built at a cost of Rs. 1.6 billion. It was inaugurated by the President yesterday. (Courtesy: President’s Media Unit)

Tusker Agbo shot in the eye with catapult, youth arrested

An individual who shot the tusker Agbo frequenting Tirappane area, in its eye with a catapult, was taken into custody by Tirappane Police yesterday. The suspect was a resident of Akkara Panaha in Ethungama, Tirappane in the Anuradhapura District.

Imthiaz to be appointed new SJB Chairman

In what seemed to be a significant change in Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB), the party is slated to appoint national list MP Imthiaz Bakeer Markar as its new chairman in place of Field Marshal Sarath Fonseka.

Trade Minister warns suppliers: reduce prices or face price controls

Whilst the government issued a stern warning to suppliers of essential goods emphasising that they must promptly pass on the cost reductions resulting from its recent policy decisions by next week, some producers said it is not possible to reduce prices due to the high cost of raw materials.

EU scotches social media reports on election poll survey in Sri Lanka

European Union scotched rumours on social media that it conducted an election poll survey in Sri Lanka.

Ruwanpura Expressway unrealistic in foreseeable future

The project initiated during 2005-2010 has only progressed to the land acquisition stage

Gazette on 22A - No hindrance to Presidential Election: EC confirms

In the wake of the gazetting of the 22nd Amendment to the Constitution, the Elections Commission (EC) has announced that there are no obstacles to declaring the Presidential Election which is due to take place at the end of this month.

Sri Lanka to balance biodiversity and agricultural economy with UNDP support

Sri Lanka, recognised globally as a biodiversity hotspot, hosts a diverse array of flora and fauna. Approximately 60 per cent of the nation’s endemic flora thrive in the lowland wet ecosystems, while 34 per cent are found in the highland montane regions, both of which also support the majority of Sri Lanka’s animal species, the UNDP said. Additionally, tea and rubber plantations cover 25 per cent of the land in these areas, underscoring their cri

Prof. W.M.T. Madujith appointed as Vice Chancellor Peradeniya

Prof. W.M.T. Madujith has been appointed as the next Vice Chancellor of Peradeniya University to succeed the incumbent Vice Chancellor Prof. M. D. Lamawansa whose term of office is due to expire on July 31.

Police beef up countrywide security for Esala Poya today

Sri Lanka Police will beef up countrywide security today in line with the Esala Full Moon Poya Day and will exercise a special traffic and crime control programme for the benefit of the devotees.

Record number of Schools at 2024 ESOFT Blue & Gold Hockey 7s

Blue & Gold Hockey 7s, Sri Lanka’s oldest and largest schools’ hockey carnival organised by the Royal College Hockey Club (RCHC) will see a record 70 schools participating in this year’s edition scheduled to be held from August 10-11 at the Royal College main ground.

Navy deployed to clear garbage left by Pada Yatra pilgrims

The Navy has been deployed to clear solid waste including polythene disposed of by “Pada Yatra” pilgrims journeying on foot through Kumana and Yala National Parks to attend Kataragama Esala festival.

Hundreds participate in fire walking ceremony at Kataragama

The fire walking ceremony in Ruhunu Kataragama Maha Devala Esala festival took place in the early hours of yesterday. The fire field was located in front of Dutugemunu Maha Seya near Abinawarama Temple on the main street.

Gnanasara Thera granted bail after serving four months of his four year sentence

Bodu Bala Sena (BBS) General Secretary Galaboda Atte Gnanasara Thera, who was incarcerated for nearly four months, was granted bail by the Court of Appeal pending an appeal.

No 22nd Amendment till Presidential election is over

In the midst of controversy over the proposed constitutional amendment with some interpreting it as an attempt for postponement of the Presidential election, Justice Minister Wijeyadasa Rajapakshe instructed his officials not to proceed with steps for enactment of it till the election is over.

Tiran Alles challenges Harsha on VFS deal

Public Security Minister Tiran Alles yesterday challenged MP Harsha de Silva, who recommended a forensic audit of the visa process outsourcing deal between the Sri Lankan government and VFS Global, to prove the loss caused to the government from the deal.

Prez, poll announcement next week- EC Chairman

Election Commission Chairman R.M.A.L.Ratnayake said yesterday that the Presidential election would be declared next week.

Customs interdict four top officials over major fraud

Sri Lanka Customs yesterday interdicted four of its senior officials attached to the Central Cargo Examination Directorate for being involved in a major fraud of releasing an illicit goods container to its importer by preparing fraudulent documents, the Daily Mirror learns.

Easter Sunday probe: Senior DIG Nilantha placed on compulsory leave

Senior Deputy Inspector General of Police (Administration) Nilantha Jayawardena has been placed on immediate compulsory leave by the National Police Commission following a Supreme Court order regarding the Easter Sunday attacks.