No debate after June 6: NPP gives ultimatum to SJB

The National People’s Power (NPP) said today that if the Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB) is not ready for the debate between the two leaders Sajith Premadasa and Anura Kumara Dissanayake on June 6 as previously announced, there would be no further debate or discussions about a debate after June 6.

Darshana edge towards Paris Olympic dream

Sri Lankan sprinter Aruna Darshana further boosted his chances of qualifying for the 2024 Paris Olympic Games by securing the Gold Medal in the Men’s 400m event at the second Belt and Road Athletics Invitation Meet in Chongqing, China.

Special bus service for Poson Poya due to northern railway delays

Special bus services will be arranged for Poson Poya to avoid inconvenience to passengers as the development work of the Northern Railway will be delayed by another two months, Cabinet Spokesman and Transport Minister Bandula Gunawardana said.

Indians running IT firm with visit visa apprehended

A group of Indian nationals who were illegally running an IT based firm in Colombo 7 on mere visit visas to remain in Sri Lanka was taken into custody by the Department of Immigration and Emigration.

60th session of International Coconut Community to be held in Sri Lanka

The 60th Session and Ministerial Meeting of the International Coconut Community are proposed to be held in Sri Lanka this year.

Postponing elections not healthy for democracy: Namal

In the wake of the proposal made by UNP General Secretary Palitha Range Bandara over holding a referendum to extend the term of the President and Parliament, MP Namal Rajapaksa said such a move undermines the fundamental principles.

Woman injured in Easter Sunday bomb attack succumbs to injuries

Tilina Harshani who was seriously injured in the blast that took place in Katuwapitiya on Easter Sunday five years ago succumbed to her injuries on Monday night.

SJB Lawyers’ Federation proposes legal reforms for system change

The SJB Lawyers’ Federation stated that they have proposed 116 measures for significant legal reforms aimed at affecting a system change in the country.

Woman hacked to death near church over nightclub dispute

A 36-year-old woman was found hacked to death near a church in Liyanagemulla, Seeduwa, believed to be as a result of a dispute stemming from a night club altercation.

University non-academic staff strike continues despite Cabinet decision

After the Cabinet decision and a trade union meeting, the University Trade Union Joint Committee (UTUJC) has decided to continue with their trade union action starting today.

Government approves renovation of 52 bungalows belonging to Wildlife Conservation

Government approval was granted to renovate and improve the facilities at wildlife bungalows with the contribution of private sector organizations and parties who are interested in contributing voluntarily.

First model village for strawberry cultivation established in Nuwara Eliya

The Agrarian Development Department has taken steps to establish Sri Lanka’s first model village for strawberry cultivation based on four villages in Nuwara Eliya.

Tense situation emerges at Nelum Mawatha when Prasanna Ranatunga passes area

A tense situation arose at the Nelum Mawatha premises near Parliament a short while ago when Minister Prasanna Ranatunga attempted to pass the area.

Bomb threat prompts evacuation of plane at Delhi Airport

A Varanasi-bound IndiGo flight received a bomb threat at the airport here on Tuesday morning but a search of the aircraft found it to be a hoax, police said.

Hold referendum to extend terms of President, Parliament: UNP

United National Party (UNP) headed by President Ranil Wickremesinghe today suggested holding a referendum to extend the term of the President and Parliament for two more years.

Suspect arrested over murder of ’Kalamulle Tashi’ dies in prison

A suspect who was arrested and remanded in connection with a murder in Katukurunda, Kalutara last week, was found dead in the Kalutara prison yesterday (27).

Teacher arrested for setting fire to Ranil’s private residence

The Criminal Investigation Department arrested a 36-year-old suspect in connection with the incident of setting fire to President Ranil Wickremesinghe’s private residence on 09 July 2022.

Rain may be limited to North-Western Province by end of this month, but will continue

Due to the active south-west monsoonal condition, the Meteorological Department predicted that the rainfall will be limited to the southwestern areas of the country, but will continue.

A/L 2023 results likely to be release by this week

The Examinations Department said today that all arrangements are being made to release the results of the 2023 GCE Advanced Level (A/L) examinations by this week.

CBSL keeps policy interest rates unchanged

The Monetary Policy Board of the Central Bank of Sri Lanka has decided to maintain the Standing Deposit Facility Rate (SDFR) and the Standing Lending Facility Rate (SLFR) at their current levels of 8.50 percent and 9.50 percent, respectively.

Hospital says its a macerated stillbirth, parents seek justice

In a heart-wrenching saga that has gripped Weligama, a young couple is seeking justice for their deceased newborn amidst confusion and accusations against hospital authorities.

Sri Lanka hopes to launch Starlink satellite internet service within three months: Ruwan

Sri Lanka is hoping to launch Starlink satellite internet service founded by billionaire Elon Musk within three months’ time, Senior Presidential Advisor Ruwan Wijewardene said yesterday.

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.