Threat of wild elephants in Sigiriya

Local and foreign tourists and the residents of the area are facing the threat of wild elephants that feed on garbage disposed haphazardly in Sigiriya new town.

Illegal sand mines and quarries in Hambantota ordered to close immediately

Hambantota District Coordinating Committee that met on Tuesday (24) decided to order the closure of all illegal sand mining sites, gravel mining sites and unauthorized quarries in the district within a week.

Ancient Buddha statue destroyed by Portuguese in Pilimathalawa replaced

The ancient statue of the Buddha in Gadaladeniya Sri Saddharmatileka historic temple in Pilimathalawa destroyed by the Portuguese invaders in the 16 century was replaced with a new statue yesterday.

Midnight Christmas service

Christian devotees at Our Lady of Sorrows Church in Ja-Ela in a Christmas day service on Wednesday (25). Archbishop of Colombo Cardinal Malcolm Ranjith held the midnight Christmas service with the participation of a large crowd. Pic by Pradeep Pathirana

NMRA, SPC, SPMC, MSD must take responsibility of providing continuous supply of quality medicines: Minister

Stressing the need to resolve issues in the supply of medicines soon, Health Minister Dr. Nalinda Jayatissa said the National Medicine Regulatory Authority (NMRA), State Pharmaceuticals Corporation (SPC), State Pharmaceuticals Manufacturing Corporation (SPMC) and Medical Supplies Division (MSD) must take the responsibility of providing quality medicines to the people continuously.

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.

Schoolboys arrested with forged currency notes in Digana

During investigations, the police seized 57 forged currency notes which the suspects had in their possession. Under interrogation, they stated that they received the forged currency notes from an individual known to them to purchase anything they wanted.

President visits his mother

President Anura Kumara Dissanayake on Friday night (20) visited his mother receiving treatment at Anuradhapura Teaching Hospital. Hospital Director Dr, Dulan Samaraweera told him that she was now recovering and that she could be discharged in a couple of days

K. R. Ravindran honoured for promoting diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI)

One of Sri Lanka’s respected business leaders and the only Sri Lankan to head the Rotary Global as Rotary International President based in Chicago - K. R. Ravindran was recognized as Top 10 champions of Diversity by WIM /IFC (member of World Bank) in Sri Lanka for his role played in promoting diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) in Rotary and his workplace.

Increase of withholding tax unfair: Opposition

Those who keep their hardly earned monies in banks are badly affected by the government’s decision to increase the withholding tax by 5 percent, an opposition MP said yesterday.

Jumbo dies after falling into pit

A wild elephant that was bogged down in Eranawilluwa marshy land in Wanathawilluwa had breathed its last without being able to escape.

Is Israeli soldier known as ‘terminator’ in Colombo? Police respond

In response to widespread concerns regarding the alleged presence of Israeli soldier Gal Ferenbook in Colombo, police said that they have not received any verified information on the matter.

First overhauled Kfir fighter jet to join SLAF fleet by early 2025

The Sri Lanka Air Force (SLAF) is set to add one of its overhauled and upgraded Kfir multirole combat aircraft to its fleet within the first three months of next year, the Daily Mirror learns.

SJB to undergo changes

Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB) is to undergo changes under which some office bearers would be changed, Daily Mirror leant yesterday.

Will release names of more politicians who obtained money from President’s Fund: Nalinda

Cabinet Spokesman Minister Dr. Nalinda Jayatissa said today he will release the list of politicians who had obtained money from the President’s Fund apart from the list of politicians he revealed in Parliament on Wednesday.

We expect the govt. to release the nation from the bondage of capitalism: Cardinal

We expect the government to release the nation from the bondage of capitalism and see that national resources are divided among people equally, Archbishop of Colombo Cardinal Ranjith said yesterday.

The 18th SIP Abacus and Mental Arithmetic National Competition 2024 held

The 18th SIP Abacus and Mental Arithmetic National Competition 2024 was held at the Sugathadasa Indoor Stadium in Colombo Saturday December 14. It was held under the patronage of SIP Abacus Sri Lanka Country Manager Rishard Raheem.

UN General Assembly adopts resolution declaring Dec.21 as World Meditation Day

The United Nations General Assembly in New York adopted a resolution sponsored by six countries comprising Sri Lanka, Liechtenstein, Andorra, Mexico, Nepal, and India declaring 21st December as ‘World Meditation Day’. The Resolution recognizes meditation’s contribution to health and well-being and its universality. Seventy-one states from all geographical regions and cultural backgrounds co-sponsored the resolution which was adopted by consensu

Investigations are underway to trace Royal Park convict - AG

The Attorney General informed the Supreme Court yesterday that investigations have been launched to trace the whereabouts of Jude Shamantha Jayamaha, who was sentenced to death in connection with the Royal Park murder case.

Most polluted locations in Colombo identified

Six locations in Colombo have been identified as highly polluted, according to the real-time Air Quality Index (AQI). The air quality near the following locations have been identified as significantly unhealthy, prompting authorities to advise caution:

Will export energy to BIMSTEC countries: Foreign Minister

Claiming that no agreement which betrays the country was signed with India, Foreign Minister Vijitha Herath said yesterday the agreement on power grid connectivity aims to export excessive energy generated in Sri Lanka.

Heart disease age in Sri Lanka drops to 17: Specialist

The age of those suffering from heart disease in Sri Lanka is gradually decreasing and the age limit has now reached 17, National Hospital specialist Indika de Lanerolle said today. Addressing the media, he said that the age range for developing heart disease was previously between 50 and 70 years. He said that the decreasing age of individuals suffering from heart disease raises concerns about its connection to the country’s development. In deve

Retirement age for medical specialists to be gazetted

After growing concerns over the delayed gazette on the retirement age for medical specialists, which jeopardized the continued service of over 200 doctors, the Ministry of Public Administration has decided to move forward with publishing the gazette notification.

Unhealthy Air conditions attributed to bad weather, vehicle emissions

The recent Air Quality Index (AQI) of the Jaffna district surpassed 150 which is considered unhealthy is attributed to reasons such as adverse weather conditions in the previous month and high contamination levels in the air caused mainly by vehicle emissions, an official said.

PCR and Antigen test kits imported by an unregistered company: Minister

PCR and rapid antigen test kits have been imported to Sri Lanka by a company which has not been registered with National Medicine Regulatory Authority (NMRA) during the COVID 19 pandemic period, Parliament was informed yesterday.

Short-finned pilot whale found washed ashore near Bambalapitiya; cause unknown

A short-finned pilot whale was found washed ashore near the beach close to the Bambalapitiya Railway Station last night, but the cause of its arrival on the coast has not yet been revealed, Marine Scientist Dr. Asha de Vos said.

Expressway exits accept only local currency, causing inconvenience: Official

Payments at expressway exits in Sri Lanka are currently accepted only in Sri Lankan currency, causing inconvenience for many, the Daily Mirror has learnt.

Only Ministers and MPs have benefited most from President’s Fund: Minister

He said former Presidents, Mahinda Rajapaksa, Maithripala Sirisena and Ranil Wickremesinghe have chaired the funds as President’s Fund Act.

SLPA honours ten media veterans at 69th Anniversary Convention

Ten media veterans were honoured at the 69th anniversary of the Sri Lanka Press Association (SLPA) and D.F.Kariyakarawana Memorial Journalism Awards held yesterday at the Sri Lanka Foundation.

Distress caused by forced cremation cannot be healed by paying compensation: Government

There is no rationale behind paying compensation to relatives of COVID victims who were subjected to forced cremation during the pandemic period, Leader of the House Bimal Ratnayake told Parliament yesterday.