Water tariffs revision announced

A special gazette announcement was issued announcing the reduced water tariffs, effective from last night (August 21).

Sports Ministry allocates funds for Peru-bound athletes

Following the Daily Mirror’s exposure highlighting the risk of 12 Sri Lankan junior athletes missing the 2024 World Junior Athletic Championships in Lima, Peru, due to a last-minute withdrawal of financial support by the Sports Ministry, the Ministry has now confirmed that the necessary funds have been allocated for all athletes to participate.

Presidential candidate Illiyas passes away

Muhammad Illiyas, an independent candidate for the 2024 Presidential election, passed away at the Puttalam Hospital last night at the age of 78, following a sudden heart attack.

Govt’s pre-poll salary hike announcement sparks Election Commission’s scrutiny

The government’s proposed salary hike for public servants along with the increased cost of living allowance is to come under scrutiny by the Election Commission to determine whether it will influence voting, particularly postal voting at the presidential election, an official said yesterday.

Monkeypox fears mount as Govt. allows visa free access to 35 countries

The government’s recent decision to allow visa-free entry for citizens of 35 countries has sparked serious concerns amid an uptick in Monkeypox cases in several of these nations.

SriLankan Airlines delights Samanera monks

SriLankan Airlines with the support of the Airport and Aviation Services (Sri Lanka), marked a milestone event today (22) by delighting a large group of Buddhist child monks, or ’Samaneras,’ with a special guided tour of the airport and their first opportunity to board an aircraft. This event coincides with the airline’s 45th anniversary which falls on 1 September 2024. Pix by Pradeep Pathirana

New BCB president openly threatens Hathurusingha, says ’’We can find someone better’’

Hathurusingha recently expressed his readiness to resign if the Bangladesh Cricket Board opts for a different direction.

’We need strong mandate to make revolutionary change’: Anura Kumara

Claiming that a minority government will not help make the expected change, NPP leader Anura Kumara Dissanayake said today he was hoping for a strong mandate to make a revolutionary change.

Postponing LG polls: President says he doesn’t regret decision

While acknowledging that postponing the Local Government elections is a violation of the citizens’ basic rights, President Ranil Wickremesinghe said he does not regret this decision.

Australia’s United Petroleum in operation from August 28

Australia’s United Petroleum Pvt. Ltd. is scheduled to commence their operations in Sri Lanka from August 28 under United Petroleum Lanka.

Cabinet approves salary increase for government employees

The Cabinet has approved a salary increase for all public servants, effective from January 2025, as announced today by the Expert Committee on Public Service Salary Disparities, according to the President’s Media Division (PMD).

CBSL Governor receives A Grade in Global Finance report

Sri Lanka’s Central Bank Governor Dr. Nandalal Weerasinghe has been awarded an ’’A’’ grade in the Global Finance’s 2024 Central Banker Report Cards, an international recognition that honors central bank leaders whose exceptional strategy and leadership has outperformed their global peers.

Dinesh to remain as PM if Ranil wins Presidential poll?

United National Party (UNP) Chairman Vajira Abeywardena today hinted that incumbent Prime Minister Dinesh Gunawardena will continue to be the Premier if the incumbent President emerges victorious at the Presidential election this year.

Medical graduates in protest...

The medical graduates staged a protest in front of the Ministry of Health today (22), demanding that health graduates be immediately recruited into the public service. The protestors claim that the move to recruit individuals from private institutions while restricting health graduates from free education should be withdrawn immediately. Pix Nimalsiri Edirisinghe

Election watchdog concerned as polls-related complaints mount

The Election Commission and election monitors have flagged concerns over the rising polls-related complaints which have now surpassed the 700 mark.

Helicopter of Iran’s late President Raisi crashed due to weather, Fars says

The helicopter crash in which Iran’s late President Ebrahim Raisi was killed in May was caused by weather conditions and the aircraft’s inability to handle the weight it was carrying, Iran’s semi-official news agency reported on Wednesday, citing a security source informed of the final investigation results.

Heavy influx of tourists to nine arch bridge

Aheavy influx of foreign and local tourists is being experienced at the historic Nine Arch bridge in Demodara on the upcountry railway line.

Third US Navy destroyer arrives in Colombo

The USS Stockdale of the United States Navy arrived at the port of Colombo on a replenishment visit today. The Sri Lanka Navy warmly welcomed the ship upon its arrival.

’AI-related Student Societies’ for school education system

The government today approved a project to implement “Artificial Intelligence-related Students’ Societies” as a pilot project in 100 schools, Cabinet spokesman and Minister Bandula Gunawardana said.

Distribution of polling cards starts on September 8

The Postal Department announced September 8 (Sunday) as the special day for the distribution of official polling cards for the 2024 Presidential election.

No SLPP MP representing Anuradhapura attended yesterday’s rally: Kariyawasam

No Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna (SLPP) Parliamentarian represting the Anuradhapura District participated in organising the SLPP’s maiden rally held in Anuradhapura yesterday, SLPP General Secretary Sagara Kariyawasam said today.

SC orders Election Commission to hold LG polls at earliest possible date

The Supreme Court five-judge-bench headed by Chief Justice Jayantha Jayasuriya today ordered the Election Commission to make the necessary arrangements to hold the Local Government elections at the earliest possible date.

Tamil actor Vijay unveils Tamizhaga Vetri Kazhagam party flag: ‘Victory is sure’

Tamil actor Vijay unveiled the representative flag for his political party Tamizhaga Vetri Kazhagam today.

Sri Lanka debutant creates history with stunning Manchester knock

A magnificent half-century from Milan Rathnayake helped the debutant break a 41-year Test record.

Brief Emergency At Kerala Airport Over Bomb Threat On Air India Flight

A full emergency was declared at the Thiruvananthapuram International Airport today following a bomb threat on an Air India flight from Mumbai, airport sources said.

Harshitha Samarawickrama joins Trinbago Knight Riders for WCPL 2024

Sri Lankan batter Harshitha Samarawickrama has joined the Trinbago Knight Riders for the 2024 Women’s Caribbean Premier League (WCPL). She replaces Meg Lanning who has been forced to withdraw due to injury.

Divers find five bodies in wreck of Sicily yacht

Divers searching the wreckage of a superyacht which sank off the coast of Sicily on Monday have found the bodies of five of the six missing passengers, and recovered four of them to shore.

One half of world-famous gay penguin couple dies

Sphen the gentoo penguin - one half of a world-famous same-sex ’’power couple’’ - has died in Australia, aged 11.

I could not take it anymore; SJB is heading on a wrong path

Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB) Parliamentarian Thalatha Athukorala who shockingly resigned from her parliamentary seat just weeks ahead of the Presidential election said she made this decision as she saw no clear road ahead with the SJB and said she could not bear to see the party heading in such an ad hoc direction.

Brampton municipal authorities in Canada turns harsh on Sri Lanka

The Brampton Municipal authorities in Canada have disregarded the Sri Lankan government’s protest over the construction of what is called ‘Tamil genocide memorial’ as its Mayor Patrick Brown requested Canadian Foreign Affairs Minister M. Joly to take a hard line position against Sri Lanka, according to the letter which Daily Mirror is now in possession.