New Govt to set up mechanism to monitor, regulate private universities

The government is in the process of establishing a standard operating procedure (SOP) to regulate and monitor private universities –both in operation currently and to be established in the future-, an official said .

NGOs spend billions unchecked

The local and international NGOs registered with the National NGO Secretariat - have committed to spend as much as Rs.30 billion this year, yet more than double this amount is spent by such organisations which are unregistered, warranting the need to enact the proposed NGO Regulation and Supervision Bill as early as possible, an informed source said.

Govt to launch probe over X Press Pearl disaster

The government will study the X Press Pearl disaster which occurred in 2021 and will launch an investigation over it in the near future, Foreign Minister Vijitha Herath told Daily Mirror last evening.

Immigration authorities to crack down on overstaying Russians, Israelis

The Department of Immigration and Emigration will visit the southern coastal belt in early November to look for any overstaying tourists from countries like Russia and Israel, where an influx of tourists are expected in the emerging South season for Christmas, the Daily Mirror learns.

Security beefed up in Colombo, Weligama, Ella over possible threat

The elite Special Task Force (STF) have heightened security in Colombo, Weligama and Ella as well, a day after the US Embassy in Colombo gave a warning of a possible terror threat in Arugam Bay, a senior defence source told Daily Mirror last evening.

Growing Israeli presence puts SL in a spot

Growing Israeli presence in the Southern and Eastern parts of Sri Lanka has put Sri Lanka in a spotlight with local intelligence agencies being informed of a possible threat from Islamic extremists several weeks ago, senior defence sources told the Daily Mirror yesterday.

LRT project cancellation shocked Japan; Things started moving only after RW apologized - Japanese ambassador

Outgoing Japanese Ambassador Mizukoshi Hideaki said the cancellation of the LRT (Light Rail Transit ) project during the time of former President Gotabaya Rajapaksa was a typical case of ‘a very non-transparent decision’, and after that, it was difficult for him to secure assistance from Japan to Sri Lanka.

NPP Govt. unresponsive over Easter Sunday allegations

Despite the seriousness of allegations made against a senior official handpicked by it, the government, led by the National People’s Power (NPP), remained unresponsive yesterday.

Pruning fmr. Presidents’ perks Govt. yet to decide as it awaits committee recommendations

The government is yet to take a decision on the curtailment of perks and benefits of former presidents and their widows since it awaits the recommendations of the committee that has been appointed to look into it, a top source said.

Fresh twist in Easter attack probe

The debate over the alleged concealment of the reports on the series of deadly blasts that rocked Sri Lanka on Easter Sunday, 2019 took a new turn yesterday with Pivithuru Hela Urumaya (PHU) leader Udaya Gammanpila seeking an appointment in writing with Public Security Minister Vijitha Herath to hand over what he said ‘all defence sensitive materials’ to him.

Sri Lanka reaffirms commitment to climate resilience and sustainable development at GGGI Summit

the Secretary to Environment, Wildlife, Forest Resources, Water Supply, Plantations, and Community Infrastructure, highlighted Sri Lanka’s partnership with GGGI and stated that the country is committed to climate and risk mitigation as key principles for agricultural development, along with the transition to electric mobility as part of the national transportation strategy.

Chairman Urban Settlement Development Authority assumes duties

Asanka Abeywardene who has been appointed as the new Chairman of Urban Settlement Development Authority assumed duties recently.

10,000 Chinese cigarettes seized in raid in Kollupitiya

A stock of 10,000 Chinese cigarettes was seized by a team of Excise Officers from Sri Jayawardenapura Excise Station during a raid on a Chinese business establishment at Samagi Mawatha in Kollupitiya.

Chinese Ambassador Qi Zhenghong visits the Pathfinder Foundation

The Pathfinder Foundation had the honour of hosting Qi Zhenghong, Ambassador of the People’s Republic of China to Sri Lanka, who was accompanied by the Chief of Political Section, Mr Qin Ligong and Third Secretary Mr. Jin Enze, from the Embassy of China, for a luncheon meeting at its ‘River Point’ premises in Peliyagoda. The delegation was warmly welcomed by the Founder of Pathfinder Foundation, Mr. Milinda Moragoda, CEO of MMBL Pathfinder, Mr. K

Voters with disabilities can bring assistant: EC

The Election Commission has announced that voters with disabilities will receive special assistance to cast their ballots in the upcoming Parliamentary Election on November 14, 2024.

Is sustainable farming the answer to end child malnutrition in Sri Lanka?

The Serendip Be the Change Foundation (SBTCF), founded in 2021 during Sri Lanka’s economic crisis, focuses on addressing child malnutrition and food insecurity.

NPP govt. mirrors RW regime’s borrowing strategy: Economists

Sri Lanka’s new NPP government is following a similar borrowing strategy to the Ranil Wickremesinghe regime, raising significant funds from domestic markets to manage its debt, according to leading economists.

Personal accounts hit by online scams

Amidst mounting cases of online scams in Sri Lanka, Police warned that online scammers hacked only personal accounts and that no incidents of accounts of banking systems or financial institutions had been reported in Sri Lanka or anywhere in the world.

Sri Lanka vulnerable to extreme weather events as an island in equatorial belt

Sri Lanka, as a country surrounded by the ocean and in the equatorial belt, is always vulnerable to extreme weather events, but the Meteorology Department lacks capacity for observation in localized and regional developments for more accurate weather forecasting, a climatologist said yesterday.

restructuring of allstate enterprises on hold till election is over

The government has put on hold key policy decisions on restructuring state owned enterprises including Sri Lankan Airlines and the transfer of the Mattala international airport until the general election is over, a top source said.

High-intensity rain pounds Sri Lanka, flood threat looms

The complicated weather conditions which Sri Lanka is experiencing currently has led to a flood threat, according to the disaster management authorities.

More key politicians back out from contesting General Election

More key political figures have backed out from contesting the November 14 General Election, marking an end to their parliamentary careers and paving way for the new Parliament to have new faces representing the political parties.

Adani project: New Govt. slides from cancellation to review?

National People’s Power (NPP) leader Anura Kumara Dissanayake, in the run up to the September 21 presidential election vowed to cancel Indian conglomerate Adani’s 450 MW wind power project in Sri Lanka if elected.

Girl’s fall to death from Lotus Tower: Education Ministry seeks clarification from CIS

Ministry handicapped in taking action due to lack of legal authority over international schools

Tragic fall from Lotus Tower

A female student from Colombo International School fell to her death from the observation deck of the Lotus Tower in Colombo last evening, the police said. The police said an investigation is now in progress to ascertain whether it is an attempted suicide or not.

Dozens of MPs to quit parliamentary politics

Mr. Bandula Gunawardane also announced that he would not contest this time. Former Justice Minister Wijeyadasa Rajapakshe also remains uncertain whether to contest or not.

Prez assures Sri Lankan territory will never be allowed to be used against India’s security interests

President Anura Kumara Dissanayake, in his meeting with Indian External Affairs Minister (EAM) Dr. S. Jaishankar, said that India’s economic support is critical to realise his vision of a prosperous Sri Lanka and meeting the aspirations of the people, according to a statement released by the Indian External Affairs Ministry after the visit.

President AKD to visit New Delhi as his first overseas visit

President Anura Kumara Dissanayake will likely undertake his first official overseas visit to New Delhi for discussions with Prime Minister Narendra Modi after he accepts an invitation which will be extended today by visiting Indian External Affairs Minister, Dr. S. Jaishankar, the Daily Mirror learns.

UNP-SJB electoral pact now a non-event

An electoral alliance between the Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB) and the United National Party (UNP) is now going to be a non-event, with each of them planning for different strategies to contest the upcoming General Elections, Daily Mirror learns.

High level SL delegation due for talks with IMF this month

Claiming that the government will not discuss any structural changes to the IMF agreement with the IMF delegation that arrives in the country today, Cabinet Spokesman Minister Vijitha Herath said yesterday that structural and principal changes to the IMF agreement will be discussed at a meeting scheduled with a Sri Lankan delegation at IMF Headquarters at the end of this month.