Air Force to get 8 Bell helicopters from the USA & trainer aircraft from Pakistan

The Sri Lanka Air Force (SLAF) is to enhance its air capabilities with the addition of eight Bell 206 helicopters from the United States and an FT-7 trainer aircraft from Pakistan this year, the Daily Mirror learns.

We move forward in 2025 with renewed vision and determination: President

Claiming that Sri Lanka achieved significant economic stability as a nation in 2024, President Anura Kumara Dissanayake said with this progress as the foundation, the country would move forward in 2025 with renewed vision and determination, working towards creating a prosperous nation and ensuring a beautiful life for everyone.

Angry mob lays siege to two NPP MPs, hurls abuses

Two ruling party MPs- Wijesiri Basnayake of Kurunegala and Ajith Gihan of Puttalam- came under mob violence when they came out in their separate vehicles after a meeting with the management of an apparel factory in the Bingiriya area.

Second Jeju Air flight suffers landing gear problem in South Korea

A Jeju Air flight from Seoul on Monday was forced to return after encountering a landing gear problem, the airline said, a day after South Korea’s most deadly plane crash.

Former Minister Manusha’s brother remanded over alleged Rs. 3 Mn fraud

Thisara Iroshana Nanayakkara, the brother of former Foreign Employment Minister Manusha Nanayakkara, has been ordered to be remanded till January 6, 2025, following his appearance before the Gampaha Magistrate’s Court.

Defence forces will be employed exclusively for primary role of military assignments: Govt.

The defence forces will be employed exclusively for their primary role of military assignments in defending the country, Defence Secretary Air Vice Marshal Sampath Thuyacontha (Retd) said.

Ex-Provincial Councillor arrested in Rs. 9 mn bribery case, remanded

Sulochana Gamage, a former member of the Western Provincial Council, who was arrested while allegedly accepting a bribe, has been ordered to be remanded in custody along with another individual until January 6, 2025.

Why is Indian Airforce Target drone in Trincomalee? Probe launched

A special defence team has been appointed to investigate after an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV), believed to be a target drone belonging to the Indian Air Force, was discovered by a group of fishermen in the sea off Trincomalee.

Man deceives Deputy Minister; obtains 17 new passports

An individual who appeared as a Ministry official of the Public Security Ministry had deceived Public Security Deputy Minister Sunil Watagala and Ministry officilals and fled after obtaining 17 new passports.

Cable thefts on Katunayake Expressway leaves RDA facing Rs. 900 mn in costs

The Road Development Authority (RDA) is poised to sustain a cost of Rs.900 million for the restoration of damage done to the electrification system of the Katunayake - Colombo expressway by drug addicts in their acts of thefts of copper cables, an official said yesterday.

National consumer prices dip once again

National consumer prices continued their descent for the third month in a row in November 2024, at a pace much deeper than a month ago as prices either fell or remained unchanged helping the pocketbooks of large swaths of people who were hammered for many years due to runaway prices since 2022.

Govt. gives up on Amul

The new government is unlikely to follow the previous government’s model in tying up with India’s Amul in the development of dairy sector, an informed source said yesterday

Govt. to probe organic fertilizer blunder during GR’s time

The government will conduct fresh probes into the scams involved in the import of a stock of biofertilizer from China and in the introduction of organic farming during the time of former President Gotabaya Rajapaksa, a minister said yesterday.

Electricity Act to be amended ensuring 100 per cent government stake in transmission, distribution

The Energy Ministry will continue with the electricity sector reforms process and necessary restructuring and unbundling of electricity generation, transmission and distribution functions, and the newly established Power Sector Reforms Secretariat (PSRS) is heading to complete the transfer plan and unbundling by June 2025 following the proposed amendment to the Electricity Act, an official said.

Land surrounding Yala National Park unlawfully cleared

Controversy surrounds the illegal clearance of a plantation belonging to the Forest Conservation Department in the Lunugamwehera range adjacent to the Yala National Park.

Understanding Sri Lanka’s seasonal rice shortage: An analytical perspective

Sri Lanka’s recurring rice shortage during December and January has become a predictable yet pressing issue. This challenge is rooted in the country’s reliance on its two main paddy cultivation seasons, Maha and Yala, alongside structural inefficiencies in production, distribution, and storage systems. Understanding the statistical trends and underlying causes provides clarity on the situation and highlights actionable solutions.

An act to balance India and China – Will the govt. be successful?

As the new government begins to balance its ties with all foreign nations, it has noticed that two countries who need special attention in their balancing act is India and China.

Finally, retirement age of medical specialists to be gazetted

Following unrest and uncertainty regarding the unpublished gazette on the retirement age of medical specialists, which risks the premature retirement of over 200 specialists, the Ministry of Public Administration has decided to take steps to publish the gazette notification, Daily Mirror learns.

IMF agrees to raise income tax threshold: President

The government was able to reach an agreement with the IMF at the third review to raise the income tax threshold from Rs. 100,000 to Rs. 150,000 per month, President Anura Kumara Dissanayake said today.

Plan to relocate President’s House, Temple Trees to Sri J’pura Kotte put on hold

The new government led by the National People’s Power (NPP) has put on hold plans by the previous rule to relocate the President’s House, Temple Trees, the Prime Minister’s office and the Presidential Secretariat to Sri Jayewardenepura Kotte, a top source said.

RW praises AKD

Former President Ranil Wickremesinghe commended his successor Anura Kumara Dissanayake for deciding to proceed with the Economic and Technical Cooperation Agreement with India.

Explanations called from parliamentary employees

The process of re-checking and updating the information of all MPs on the parliamentary website is underway following the discovery that some titles were fake, an informed source said.

Speaker resigns

Speaker Ashoka Ranwala has stepped down from his position amid controversies regarding his doctorate qualifications.

Former Sri Lankan diplomat in Australia fined more than $100,000 for ‘entrapping’ domestic worker

A diplomat who “entrapped” a domestic worker in her Canberra home, forcing her to work 14 hours, seven days a week, for less than a dollar an hour, has been fined more than $100,000 in the federal court.

Two more fake ’Dr’ titles rock govt.

Days after a shocking dispute over the doctoral credentials of Speaker Asoka Ranwala and his stoic silence over it, fresh controversy has emerged following the discovery that Urban Development and Housing Minister Anura Karunatilake also does not possess such qualifications despite him being referred to as ’Dr.’ on certain occasions and in instances, and the same of Justice Minister Harshana Nanayakkara

SJB finalises National List nominees

The Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB) finalised its nominees for the remaining national list slots today.

Security details of former Presidents reduced

Security details of former Presidents have been withdrawn after reviewing reports on the security threats they face, police said.

US re-emphasizes importance of IMF programme,encourages continuous engagement

In the wake of the visit of Assistant Secretary of State for South and Central Asia Donald Lu as the first highest level engagement with the new government in Sri Lanka, the United States said it views the IMF (International Monetary Fund) programme as essential to Sri Lanka’s economic recovery and resilience and encourages continued engagement to drive sustainable growth and improve livelihoods.

Adani Group opts out of US funding for Its Colombo Port project

Billionaire Gautam Adani-led conglomerate on Tuesday said it will use its own resources to fund a Sri Lankan port project and not seek US funding.

Parliament website removes ’Dr.’ title from Speaker’s profile

Amid allegations over the academic qualifications of Speaker Asoka Ranwala, the Sri Lanka Parliament website has removed the title ’Dr.’ from his profile.