Govt. to save Rs.1,200 Mn annually by removing Tri-Forces security from former Presidents

He said Rs. 710 million had been spent for security of former president Mahinda Rajapaksa including Rs. 328 by the tri-forces, Rs. 327 million by police and Rs. 55 million by Presidential Secretariat this year so far until December 15.

Dr. Archchuna’s eligibility for Parliamentary seat challenged in Court

Court of Appeal two-judge-bench comprising Justices Sobhitha Rajakaruna and Mahen Gopallawa fixed this matter for hearing on January 15, 2025.

SJB MP Kavinda’s “Dr.” title questioned in Parliament

Claiming that no one can use the title of a medical doctor without being registered with the Sri Lanka Medical Council (SLMC) as per the Medical Ordinance, government MP Dr. Janaka Senaratne yesterday challenged SJB MP Dr. Kavinda Jayawardena to produce his SLMC registration.

Court orders CEA to assess air quality in Jaffna

The Court of Appeal yesterday directed the Central Environmental Authority (CEA) to assess the air quality in the Jaffna area and present its findings to the court.

Indian and Pakistani traders operating unauthorised businesses in Dambulla

A group of Indian and Pakistani traders have been running a business along the main road near Dambulla Economic Centre much to the inconvenience of the public travelling by vehicles and the pedestrians as well.

Leopard terrorizes people in Shanon Estate, Watawala

Upcountry leopards frequenting Shanon Estate in Watawala and its environs have posed a serious threat to the lives of the workers and the residents of the area.

Sharp drop in vegetable prices at Thambuttegama Economic Centre

The prices of several vegetable varieties at the Thambuttegama Economic Centre dropped sharply yesterday morning due to the prevailing heavy rains, which caused damage to vegetable stocks

Paddy shortage forces Marandagahamula rice mills to close

About 60 rice mills in Marandagahamula area have ground to a halt for want of adequate stocks of paddy, much to the anxiety of the rice traders.

Maithripala Sirisena abandons claim for SLFP chairmanship

Former President Maithripala Sirisena, through his counsel, informed the Court of Appeal yesterday that he would not claim the rights to the Sri Lanka Freedom Party (SLFP) chairmanship in the future.

Plans afoot to set maximum price for variety of goods: Minister

The Consumer Affairs Council of the Consumer Affairs Authority (CAA) is taking steps to set maximum prices for a large number of goods in the market, Trade, Commerce, Food Security and Cooperative Development Minister Wasantha Samarasinghe said yesterday.

Reckless rider kills motorcyclist

A young man, raising the rear wheel and riding a motorcycle on a single wheel, knocked down and killed a motorcyclist, causing serious injuries to the pillion rider in the Lolugaswewa area of Anuradhapura Investigations revealed that he had been riding a motorcycle of high engine capacity and that he was not in possession of a riding licence. The deceased Atula Gamage Ranjith Fernando (62) was a retired government servant and a resident of Lo

Thick mist on upcountry roads

Thick mist followed by heavy rain is experienced in the central hills. Police said Hatton-Nuwara Eliya, Hatton–Colombo and byroads were the worst affected. The drivers have been warned to be cautious when passing through the affected areas, particularly at night.

300,000 Metric tonnes of rice may be lost to floods: Dept. of Agriculture

We can expect a rice production loss of around 300,000 tonnes due to the damage caused to paddy by the floods, the Department of Agriculture told the Daily Mirror yesterday.

Berthing Chinese research vessels in Sri Lanka ports: India points to security sensitivity

In an obvious reference to the berthing of Chinese research vessels in the Sri Lankan ports during engagements with President Anura Kumara Dissanayake during his visit in New Delhi, India pointed to what it called ‘importance and sensitivity’ of it to its security interests.

A care centre for invalid Buddhist monks opened at Gampaha Maligathanna

A care centre for invalid Buddhist monks was declared open and an alms giving for 50 monks was held in view of completion of 50 years of monkhood of Chief Sangha Nayake of Australia and Chief prelate of Gampaha Maligathanna Viharaya Ven. Akaravita Sanghananda Nayake Thera in Maligathanna on Saturday.

SJB now question education qualifications of Deputy Speaker

The main opposition Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB) yesterday questioned the educational qualifications of Deputy Speaker Dr. Rizvie Salih whom it said is not a specialist doctor as claimed by him.

Ten media veterans to be honoured at Sri Lanka Press Association 69th Anniversary Convention

Ten veteran media personalities who have rendered a yeoman service to the field of journalism are to be honoured at the 69th Anniversary Convention of the Sri Lanka Press Association and the D. F. Kariyakarawana Memorial Journalism Awards on Tuesday, December 17th at the Sri Lanka Foundation Auditorium.

Passenger ferry between Nagapattinam and KKS to resume next month

The passenger ferry service between Nagapattinam in India and Kankesanthurai (KKS) near Jaffna in Sri Lanka’s Northern Province is scheduled to resume next month. The service was suspended on November 7 due to bad weather conditions.

JVP’s new standard compelled Ranwala to use “doctorate”: NFF

A JVP dissident group, National Freedom Front (NFF) led by Wimal Weerawansa said yesterday former Speaker Ashoka Ranwala was compelled to use a “doctorate title” before his name because of the JVP’s recently imposed standard of being a doctor or a professor to become a politician.

Three names proposed for the Speaker post

The government is considering three names of NPP Parliamentarians for the Speaker post which fell vacant by the resignation of NPP government’s first Speaker Asoka Ranwala, government sources said.

Electricity tariff revision: PUCSL to begin public consultations from Tuesday

The Public Utilities Commission of Sri Lanka (PUCSL) announced yesterday that public consultations on the electricity tariff revision will commence on Tuesday.

Galle Jailer threatened with death by gangster in Dubai

A Jailer working in the Galle prisons had been threatened with death allegedly by a underworld gangster hiding in Dubai.

Rajarata Rejini and Sagarika express trains collide at Beliatta

The engines of the Sagarika Express Train and the Rajarata Rejini Express Train collided at the Beliatta Railway Station yesterday morning, the Railways Department reported.

Sri Lanka receives Beechcraft from Australia to strengthen air operations

The addition of the modern twin-engine turboprop aircraft to Sri Lanka Air Force will play a crucial role in strengthening Sri Lanka’s efforts to combat maritime threats, including drug trafficking and human smuggling, while also supporting disaster relief in the country and search operations in the Indian Ocean.

New Sri Lankan Ambassador in China hands over credentials

Sri Lankan Ambassador to China Majintha Jayesinghe presented his Credentials to Chinese President Xi Jinping yesterday.

Some 50,000 monkeys frequenting villages and urban areas causing issues: report

Recent statistics indicate that out of the estimated 300,000 monkeys in the country, around 50,000 monkeys are causing issues by frequenting villages and urban areas,

Supreme Court clears obstacles to judicial appointments

A Fundamental Rights petition filed by an Attorney-at-Law seeking an order directing the Constitutional Council to approve the recommendation made by former President Ranil Wickremesinghe to appoint the incumbent President of the Court of Appeal,

New regional Centre for Maritime Studies will enhance coordination in Indian ocean region: Defence Secretary

The newly established, Regional Centre for Maritime Studies (RCMS) will function as a pivotal and strategic nexus for comprehensive inter-ministerial and inter-agency coordination, Defence Secretary Air Vice Marshal Sampath Thuyacontha (Retd) said.

Flocks of migratory birds arrive in Sri Lanka

Paddy fields and the surrounding jungles in the Monaragala district are teeming with flocks of migratory birds as usual due to the winter season in many countries.

Sri Lankan start-ups ace the SolarX Startup Challenge of Invest India and International Solar Alliance

Sri Lanka boasts the highest number of winners at the SolarX Startup Challenge (Asia-Pacific Chapter). The Challenge launched at COP 28 by the International Solar Alliance in collaboration with Invest India is committed to identifying and fostering innovative solutions in the solar energy sector.