farmers of Rajarata affected by Drought

Several areas in Rajarata have been affected by a severe drought causing a shortage of drinking water. Water resources including garden wells in the area had run dry compelling residents to make a long trek in search of water.

Elephant tramples elderly couple to death

By Sumanasiri Gunatilleka An elderly couple working on a rubber estate had been trampled to death by a rogue elephant last morning. The victims K.Ramakrishnan (65) and Annavi Mariyai (57), parents of three children, were rubber tappers on Parawila Estate. Police said the victims had died at the scene of the incident. The inquest was to be held at the Divisional Hospital, Okkampitiya last afternoon by Inquirer into Sudden Deaths, Nimal Ranji

Cabinet approves purchase of entire Yala paddy harvest

The cabinet decided to allocate Rs.10,420 million to purchase the entire paddy harvest of the Yala season 2020. The government expects a record harvest this season, Cabinet spokesman and minister Dr. Ramesh Pathirana said yesterd

Trademark violator heavily fined

A person who pleaded guilty to misusing the trademark and the trade name of a Beedi manufacturing company and manu

Conducting Illegal abortions Quack given suspended sentence and fined

A quack who carried out illegal abortions was found guilty and sentenced to one years imprisonment suspended for three ye

NCCSL clarifies its position over ‘video’ by its member

Referring to a recent ‘video’ by a clergyperson within its constituent membership, where she is seen to be canvassing for a political party at the forthcoming election, National Christian Council of Sri Lanka (NCCSL) said the views e

Policemen casting postal votes

Policemen attached to Maradana and Cinnamon Gardens Police Stations in a queue to cast their postal votes for the general election 2020.

Three-year plan to uplift religious sites in S’gamuwa

The Sabaragamuwa Provincial Council plans to implement a three-year plan to uplift cultural and religious institutions in the province. After a meeting

Live ammo found in Mt. Lavinia

A stock of 93 live cartridges was recovered from a waste water canal at Kashiya Mawatha in William Place by the Mount Lavinia police. A gang of labourers cleaning the canal had noticed the ammunition pack

Corona infected persons Discussion held on preventing influx from India

A meeting was held at the Mannar Divisional Secretariat on Wednesday evening (15) headed by Mannar Government Agent C.A. Mohanras, to work out a mechanism to prevent CORONA infected persons from India, migrating to Sri Lanka through Mannar. Senior police and security force personnel and health authorities attended the meeting. The navy explained the steps already t

Wildlife Dept. commences survey of migratory birds

The Wildlife Department has commenced a survey of different species of exotic birds annually migrating to Bundala National Park. Asst. Director of Wildlife Channa Suraweera said more than 20,000 migratory birds of different species had been sighted in the park. He said

COVID-19 Govt. has the resources, capacity to control the pandemic: Bandula

There is no second wave of Covid-19 pandemic in Sri Lanka and the government has the resources, capacity and a strategy to fully control the escalation of the viral infection originating from the Ka

CMEV complains against MSD security Govt. higher-ups ordered to provide MSD security for Jeevan: MSD Director

The Director of Ministerial Security Division (MSD) SSP W. Thilakarathne yesterday told the Daily Mirror that the late politician Arumugam Thondaman’s son Jeevan Thondaman had been given MSD security following orders, they received, from government higher-ups. He said this w

Adherence of health guidelines, responsibility of institutional heads: President

President Gotabaya Rajapaksa said that the heads of both government and private entities are accountable for adhering to health guidelines in their respective organisations in the wake of current spike in COVID- 19 cases. He said the COVID-19

Geological Survey and Mines Bureau inspects site Subterranean seepage of water damage several houses

The Geological Survey and Mines Bureau has arranged to carry out an inspection of the underground flow of water that resulted in damage to several houses and endangered 48 others in Juse Vas M

Theft of machinery/equipment from Ratmalana Institute of Technology Forty-year-old suspect arrested

A person wanted in connection with the theft of machinery and equipment from the Ratmalana Institute of Technology was taken into custody yesterday by Mount Lavinia police.The 40-year-old suspect was a resident of Ratmalana. His accomplice was absconding and the police said he would be arrested soon. Investigatio

177 stranded Sri Lankans in Maldives return home

A special SriLankan Airlines flight carrying 177 stranded Sri Lankans in Maldives due to COVID-19 pandemic, arrived in Sri Lanka last evening. The SriLanka

Drug trafficker imposed 18- years rigorous imprisonment

Colombo High Court Judge Vickum Kaluarachchi yesterday imposed 18 years of rigorous imprisonment on a convict found guilty for peddling and trafficking heroin in Colombo during the year 2015.

Tipper driver remanded for running over Police officers

The tipper truck driver who was arrested for running over Police officers in Hakmana, was remanded till July 23 on charges of murder, attempted murder, causing grievous injuries to officers on duty and

Banned items thrown to inmates over Kalutara prison walls

A total of 15 suspects were arrested for attempting to throw heroin, tobacco, and mobile devices into the Kalutara Prison, the Police said. Initially th

Easter Sunday attacks Some ministers, MPs wanted to hide info: Ex-DIG

Some MPs and ministers had instructed their security officers not to reveal that they had been informed about a possible terror attack by a group connected to National Thawheed Jamaat (NTJ), retired DIG Lucien Priyalal yesterday informed the PCoI on the Easter Sunday attacks. He also infor

SJB rejects UNP allegations

The Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB) yesterday rejected allegations made by United National Party (UNP) candidate Oshala Herath that the Election Commission Chairman had mentioned that documents were manipulated when registering the SJB. Mr. Hera

Tipper truck knocks down PC, injures two sergeants

Two police sergeants and a constable on duty at a roadblock on the Matara-Hakmana road were run over by a tipper truck. A police constable was killed. Police said th

New SL envoy to Austria says SL looks to new era of cooperation with Austria

Sri Lanka hopes to further strengthen and expand the friendly relations into new vistas of cooperation in the years ahead, Sri Lankan Ambassador to Austria, Majintha Jayesinghe said. Ambassad

Japan grants aid to combat SL drug menace

The government of Japan has provided grant aid worth Japanese Yen 200 million (approximately Rs. 345 million) to strengthen the anti-illegal drug measures of the government of Sri Lanka. The exchange

Alleged phone calls to join UNP from SJB Madduma Bandara denies claims by Range Bandara

SJB General Secretary Ranjith Madduma Bandara denied the claim made by former UNP MP Palitha Range Bandara

Navy seizes 52kg Kerala cannabis at Uduthurei

The Navy seized over 52kg of Kerala cannabis, during a special operation conducted in the sea area off Uduthurei in Vettrilaikerni on Saturday.

Ranil pays visit to Malwatte Maha Viharaya

United National Party (UNP) Leader and former Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe while attending the election rallies held in the Kandy District visited Malwatte Maha Viharaya and met Mahanayake of the Malwatte Chapter Most Ven. Thibbotuwawe Sri Siddhartha Sumangala Thera yesterday. He is seen in conversation with the prelate.

Over 600 Sri Lankans repatriated from UK, Australia and Maldives

A total of 648 Sri Lankans stranded in the UK, Australia and the Maldives landed at the Bandaranaike International Airport (BIA) by three separate SriLankan Airline flights during the weekend. Accor

Tree planting campaign in Kurunegala

A programme to plant 250,000 plants in the Kurunegala District got off the ground with the participation of Minister of Shipping and Highways Johnston Fernando and former M.P. Namal Rajapaksa at Ganewatte in Kurunegala District yesterday. The programme had been initiated by Minister Fernando and got underway with the planting of 12 varieties of plants and is the result of a pledge made by Minister Fernando during the presidential election.