Should public be worried about virus spreading in China?

In the wake of a mysterious viral outbreak in China, the health authorities are still up in the air whether it could lead to a massive outbreak worldwide like COVID-19 pandemic.

SriLankan Airlines authorities asked to submit plan for development

The new government which abandoned the previous government’s plan on SriLankan Airlines has now asked its authorities to submit proposals for the development of the national carrier in five years, an informed source said.

What is the HMPV which is spreading in China ?

In recent days, news media outlets have been commenting about an increased number of respiratory infections in China, due to a virus, that many would not have heard much about. They are referring to the Human Metapneumovirus (HMPV). This article would give a brief outline of HMPV infections and how they may be prevented.

Two pilot traffic projects begin in Sri Lanka to improve road safety

In line with the Clean Sri Lanka project, the Sri Lanka Police has launched two traffic initiatives aimed at reducing accidents and easing congestion.

150 elephants trapped, starving in Oyamaduwa: Veterinary Association

Around 150 elephants, including tuskers and calves, are reportedly trapped and starving in the Oyamaduwa area following a failed attempt to relocate them from regions such as Sravastipura, Thambuttegama, Vilachchiya, Moragoda and Thanthirimale in the Anuradhapura district to Wilpattu National Park.

Sri Lanka monitors virus outbreak in China

In the wake of reports on a virus spreading in China, the Ministry of Health has announced that it is closely monitoring the situation.

Sanga, Mahela back ‘Clean Sri Lanka’ initiative

Sri Lanka’s cricket legends Mahela Jayawardena and Kumar Sangakkara have thrown their weight behind the government’s newly launched ‘Clean Sri Lanka’ initiative.

Mother of Altair victim to sue CIS for alleged negligence

The untimely death of Jivon Zoro Singh (15), a student of Colombo International School (CIS) who fell to his death from the Altair luxury apartment complex sparked much controversy over the past few months.

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.