India’s former minister says Namal’s entry as presidential candidate welcomed

India’s former cabinet minister and BJP member, Subramanian Swamy said that Namal Rajapaksa’s entry as a Presidential candidate was welcomed as the Rajapaksa tradition was to accept India as a ’family’.

Sajith pledges to abolish Executive Presidency

Opposition Leader Sajith Premadasa today pledged to abolish the Executive Presidency if he is elected President next month.

Ceylon Workers’ Congress to back RW at Presidential election

The Ceylon Workers’ Congress (CWC) has announced its decision to support President Ranil Wickremesinge at the upcoming Presidential election.

JMO arrested over Thanamalwila schoolgirl rape case

The Judicial Medical Officer (JMO) of the Hambantota District General Hospital, who conducted the medical examination related to the rape of a 16-year old schoolgirl, was arrested by the National Child Protection Authority.

French film giant Alain Delon dies aged 88

French film legend Alain Delon has died at the age of 88. The actor was a star of the golden era of French cinema, known for his tough-guy persona on screen in hits including The Samurai and Borsalino.

Spills gates of Kukule Ganga reservoir opened

The spill gates of the Kukule Ganga reservoir have been opened due to heavy rains experienced in the catchment areas yesterday (17) and the day before yesterday (16), the Irrigation Department said.

Daily Mirror once again invites Ranil, Sajith, Namal and Anura for presidential debate

The Daily Mirror once again calls upon the main presidential candidates Ranil Wickremesinghe, Sajith Premadasa, Namal Rajapaksa and Anura Kumara Dissanayake for a live presidential debate, hosted by the Daily Mirror and Lankadeepa.

Grama Niladharis to end strike at midnight today

The ongoing strike and black protest week launched by the Grama Niladharis will conclude at midnight today (18), according to Nandana Ranasinghe, Co-President of the Grama Niladhari Officers’ Alliance.

Three-wheeler driver hacked to death in Thalangama

Thalangama police have launched an investigation after a 45-year-old three-wheeler driver was found hacked to death inside a garage at Arukpitiya in Thalangama.

Groups, fixtures revealed for U19 Women’s T20 World Cup 2025

The second edition of the ICC U19 Women’s T20 World Cup 2025 will be hosted by Malaysia and will comprise 16 teams.

President emphasises strengthening economic cooperation, regional integration from Japan to India

President Ranil Wickremesinghe emphasised the importance of strengthening economic cooperation and regional integration from Japan to India, with a special focus on deepening ties with India.

Quake of magnitude 7.2 hits off coast of Russia’s Kamchatka region

A magnitude 7.2 earthquake struck off the east coast of Russia’s Kamchatka region at a depth of 51 km (32 miles), the European Mediterranean Seismological Centre (EMSC) said on Saturday.

Indonesia’s Independence Day celebrated in planned new capital

Indonesia has celebrated Independence Day in its future new capital city Nusantara for the first time - with scaled-back festivities as construction continues.

Rains exceeding 75 mm likely in several areas

Fairly heavy showers exceeding 75 mm are likely at some places in the Western and Sabaragamuwa Provinces and in the Galle and Matara districts, the Meteorology Department said.

US Acting Assistant Secretary of State Littlejohn to visit Sri Lanka

Acting Assistant Secretary of State for Oceans and International Environmental and Scientific Affairs Jennifer R. Littlejohn will travel to Sri Lanka from August 17 to August 31, US Department of States said.

Sri Lanka responds to Australian court’s verdict on diplomat’s domestic worker case

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Sri Lanka said today that its attention has been drawn to the recent media reports regarding a judgement given by the Australian Federal Court in a case against the former Deputy High Commissioner of Sri Lanka in Canberra.

Sri Lanka cricket needs to rediscover its identity, says Aravinda de Silva

Former Sri Lanka captain Aravinda de Silva recalled of the time people knew how the side used to play their game, which led to other teams wishing to emulate them. He added that it is something which isn’t there in the current Sri Lanka side.

Mangala Samaraweera’s family backing me: Sajith

All family members of late Minister Mangala Samaraweera have decided back me, Opposition Leader Sajith Premadasa said today.

NPP government will remove VAT on medicines, school items, food: Anura Kumara

A future National People’s Power (NPP) government will remove the VAT on medicines, school items and food items through its first budget, NPP leader Anura Kumara Dissanayake said today.

18 countries offer ten billion dollar loan concession :Ranil

President Ranil Wickremesinghe kicked off his campaign today by revealing that 18 creditor nations have offered USD 18 billion loan concession.

Election law violation complaints top 500

A total of 519 complaints related to the upcoming Presidential election have been received by the Election Commission as of yesterday evening.

Sri Lanka strongly protests Tamil genocide monument in Canada, summons Canadian HC

Sri Lanka’s Foreign Minister Ali Sabry summoned the Canadian High Commissioner yesterday to formally protest the laying of the foundation stone for a so-called Tamil Genocide Monument at Chinguacousy Park in Brampton, Canada on August 14.

Flood warning for low-lying areas of Kuda Ganga, Maguru Ganga

The Irrigation Department warned of a possible flood situation in low-lying areas of the Kuda Ganga and Maguru Ganga valleys in Bulathsinhala Madurawala and Palinda Nuwara within the next 48 hours.

Man caught with counterfeit currency while attempting to buy gold

A suspect was arrested yesterday in the Ratnapura town while attempting to purchase gold at a jewellery shop using 102 counterfeit Rs. 5,000 notes.

Vote on account before presidential poll or fully-fledged budget after- Govt. weighs options

The government weighs whether to move a vote an account to seek parliamentary approval to seek allocations to cover expenditure during the remainder of this year or to present a fully-fledged budget after, State Finance Minister Shehan Semasinghe said yesterday.

Live births decline 20 per cent between pre-and post-pandemic era, deaths increase

The number of live births has dropped by 20 per cent between the pre-pandemic and post-pandemic period and the deaths increased by 30 per cent, an expert said

Key candidates seek to spend Rs.1,000 a voter, lesser-known 50 cents

A few key candidates, in their meetings with the Election Commission to decide on a ceiling on campaign financing, have sought to spend as much as Rs.1,000 for a voter according to the new law whereas some others have quoted as low as 50 cents, a source said.

SL sets eyes on welcoming 3mn tourists next year

Sri Lanka has set its eyes on welcoming three million tourists next year, aligned with the Sri Lanka Tourism Promotion Bureau’s (SLTPB) plans to launch the much-awaited tourism promotion campaign covering the key source markets, starting from the second week of September this year.

PAFFREL complains to EC over Rs.25,000 pay hike for public servants

The latest decision by the Cabinet to increase the salary of public sector employees by Rs.25, 000 from 2025 could have a serious influence on the free vote of the government workers in the Presidential Election, the independent observers have complained to the Election Commission.

20 Sri Lankans rescued from Myanmar undergoing screening process in Thailand

The 20 Sri Lankans, who were stranded in Myanmar as victims of human trafficking and rescued earlier this week, are undergoing a screening process in Thailand before their expected repatriation to Sri Lanka, the Foreign Ministry said today.