22A to Constitution unlikely to see the light of day

The enactment of the 22nd Amendment to the Constitution in Parliament is heading to be unrealistic because it is all set to deny two-thirds for the ruling party in case a vote is taken.

Elon Musk likely to visit Sri Lanka next month Starlink to be operational in Sri Lanka by end of August or early September

Elon Musk is likely to arrive in Sri Lanka next month to launch his Starlink satellite-based internet service, an official said yesterday. The government, earlier, gave Starlink, the satellite unit of SpaceX, preliminary approval to provide internet services there. Afterwards, the government fast-tracked the process by even amending the Telecommunications Regulatory Act after 28 years. Asked for a comment on the latest situation, Director Gener

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.

Lawyers facilitated Kanjipani’s escape from country: Alles

Amidst speculation surrounding the escape of underworld figure Kanjipani Imran, who is implicated in the Athurugiriya shooting incident, Public Security Minister Tiran Alles stated that the lawyers who represented Kanjipani played a pivotal role in facilitating his departure from the country immediately following his release on bail.

Rs.10 billion ready to conduct presidential poll anytime-Treasury assures

Treasury Secretary Mahinda Siriwardana, at a meeting with the Election Commission yesterday, assured unhindered release of funds for the conduct of presidential elections this year, an official said yesterday.

Excessive use of Air Force helicopters by MR and Sirisena exposed

Former President Mahinda Rajapaksa made 978 flights using Air Force helicopters under presidential privilege for domestic flights between 2005 and 2015, while former President Maithripala Sirisena flew 557 times during his five-year tenure, information obtained from the Sri Lanka Air Force Headquarters under the Right to Information has revealed.

AKD owns up string of strikes

National People’s Power (NPP) leader Anura Kumara Dissanayake who is planning to contest the presidential elections admitted that his party is behind a string of strikes, acceding to an interview given by him to our sister paper ‘The Sunday Times.’

Sri Lanka limits bilateral engagements ahead of Presidential Election

The government has limited its bilateral engagements including entertaining foreign leaders except Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi within the next couple of months because of the presidential election , Daily Mirror learns .

45 Sri Lankan organised criminals still at large overseas

As many as 45 Sri Lankan criminals –red noticed by Interpol are stationed overseas - mostly in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) - and carry organised criminal activities in Sri Lanka, a top police source said.

India suspends new loan projects given current economic status in SL

India has suspended fresh loan or Line of Credit (LoC) projects in Sri Lanka given the current status of the economy, Daily Mirror learns.

Govt. not ready to compromise Adani wind power project despite environmental concerns

Despite environmental concerns raised over the Adani green energy project in the north, the Power and Energy Ministry is insistent that the project site cannot be compromised but only steps for mitigation of damage can be taken, according to a top source.

Club Wasantha murder Dubai based gangsters orchestrated shooting; Kanjipani Imran suspected mastermind

Investigations with regard to the shooting in Athurugiriya where two persons including Club Wasantha were killed, revealed that two underworld criminals, ‘Loku Patti’ and ‘Gona Kovile Shantha,’ currently hiding in Dubai, directly orchestrated the operation to kill Club Wasantha. Police suspect that underworld figure Kanjipani Imran may have masterminded the shooting from overseas. Police have detained seven individuals, including the owner o

Overseas link to Athurugiriya shooting, notorious criminal suspected

Several police teams are investigating the broad daylight shooting at Oruwala Junction in Athurugiriya, where two persons, including businessman Surendra Wasantha Perera alias ‘Club Wasantha,’ were killed and four others, including popular singer K. Sujeewa, were injured.

Sri Lanka’s sea bed expansion BID hits A snag

Sri Lanka’s bid for the extension of its continental shelf beyond its Exclusive Economic Zone has hit a snag since India has also made overlapping claims prompting both the countries to seek bilateral engagement for the resolution of it, a top source said.

Parliamentarians under IRD radar for possible tax-related frauds

The Inland Revenue Department (IRD) is reported to have upped the ante on parliamentarians over possible involvement in tax frauds, Daily Mirror learns.

No new yen loan from Japan until suspended project implementation is successful

Hot on the heels of the successful conclusion of bilateral debt restructuring, Japan has taken up the position that any new yen loan will be considered for Sri Lanka depending on the successful implementation of the projects suspended due to the economic crisis and subsequent confidence building, a top source said.

Questions mount over teens’ fatal fall at Altair

The Kompanna Veediya police are investigating the deaths of two 15-year-old students, a male and a female, from the Colombo International School (CIS), to determine whether the tragic incident was a result of suicide or a tragic accident.

Prabhakaran’s family accuses some diaspora and Indian, SL politicos of major fraud

Exposing a major scam by some Tamil diaspora groups and Tamil politicians in India and Sri Lanka, the immediate family of LTTE leader Velupillai Prabhakaran urged Tamils around the world not to get duped by a ‘gang of mafia fraudsters’. Karthic Manoharan, the son of Prabhakaran’s elder brother, Velupillai Manoharan speaking exclusively to Daily Mirror warned that no money collected to ‘keep alive’ the former rebel leader goes to the family nor

Sri Lankan soldiers seek Russian citizenship

The release of 465 Sri Lankan military personnel who enlisted in the Russian army has hit a legal snag, prompting the Russian authorities to consider Sri Lanka’s request at a later stage along with requests from other foreign nationals fighting for Russia, an official said yesterday.

Health Ministry in limbo as exodus of doctors makes a comeback

With the medical brain drain back on the increase after a period of decline, the Health Ministry is in a tight spot as they run out of options to tackle the matter.

Navy sailor’s death Sri Lanka registers protest but tones it down

Sri Lanka registered its concerns with India on the death of a navy sailor in his attempt to seize an Indian fishing boat poaching in Sri Lankan waters, an informed source said.

Wild elephants damage Divisional Secretariat building

A herd of wild elephants that raided the Mahakumbukkadawala area in the early hours of yesterday morning caused extensive damage to the Divisional Secretariat and a nearby shop.

Pathfinder Foundation and U.S. Embassy honour Col. Henry Steel Olcott’s legacy in Buddhist revival

Pathfinder Foundation, in collaboration with the U.S. Embassy in Colombo, held an event to commemorate the well-known pioneer of the Buddhist revival in Sri Lanka, the late Col. Henry Steel Olcott, on June 16, 2024. The event was held at the historic Kelaniya Raja Maha Viharaya, where several eminent senior Buddhist clergy and special invitees representing Buddhist organisations, Dhamma schools, and leading Buddhist schools in Colombo parti

Immigration extends validity of expired passports by one year until e-passport issuance

The Department of Immigration and Emigration has extended the validity of all passports that expire from June end by one year until the issuance of the e-passport project takes off in January next year.

EC constitutionally empowered to call for Presidential poll in less than three weeks

By Kelum Bandara The Election Commission which will get constitutional authority to conduct the presidential election independent of any governmental interference in another three weeks time has sprung up into action by issuing a circular to initiate action for staff, vehicle mobilization and polling centre inspections, an official said. The Commission will get authority automatically after July 17 to issue the gazette notification calling

Debt-restructuring bears fruit immediately

The signing of debt restructuring agreements with the Paris Club of Nations, EXIM Bank of China and India appeared to have borne immediate results with Japan bracing for the announcement of the resumption of all the stalled loan projects except the light rail project. In the immediate aftermath of signing the agreement, the Foreign Ministry announced the invitation extended by Japanese Foreign Minister Yoko Kamikawa to her Sri Lankan count

SL poised to secure grace period for repaying bilateral debts

Sri Lanka is likely to secure a grace period to settle its debts to bilateral creditors - India and China and the Paris Club of Nations - when signing the restructuring agreements with them today, an informed source said.

Another cabinet reshuffle?

Speculation is rife within the political circles of an imminent cabinet reshuffle in the coming weeks, the Daily Mirror learns.

Consumers in lurch without competitive reductions

Despite the presence of some global fuel giants in retail trading, consumers are yet to benefit from competitive price reductions substantially prompting the government to mull tightening their profit margins through a Cabinet decision in the future, a top official said.

Thanthirimale Raja Maha Vihara illuminated on Poson Poya Day

The historic Thanthirimale Raja Maha Vihara was illuminated on Poson Poya Day under the sponsorship of Wijeya Newspapers Ltd for the 21st time. President Ranil Wickremesinghe was among the participants who graced the occasion.