Absence of IGP: National Police Commission seeks AG’s advice

In the absence of both the Inspector General of Police and the Senior Deputy Inspector General in charge of Administration at Sri Lanka Police, the National Police Commission has sought the Attorney General’s advice regarding a crucial appointment.

Govt. to set standards and norms for journalism as a profession with proposed ‘Employment Law’

The proposed legislation envisaged establishing a Practitioner licencing system for all professions including journalism.

Do Sri Lankan MPs employ racing drivers?

It is interesting to note that accidents involving vehicles of MPs have been frequent during this year leaving people to wonder whether some MPs have employed racing drivers. Vehicles of four MPs have met with accidents this month as per media reports.

A US Zoo announces groundbreaking of research station in Sri Lanka

The Memphis Zoo in Tennessee, USA has announced the creation of a research station in the island nation of Sri Lanka, the Fox13 news agency reported.

Presidential candidates’ manifestos must align with Economic Transformation Act: Wajira

Manifestos of all presidential candidates should be in line with certain legislation including the Economic Transformation Act (ETA), and they would be illegal if they did not comply with these legislations, United National Party (UNP) Chairman Wajira Abeywardena said yesterday.

India-Sri Lanka ferry service hits a snag

The passenger service between Pondicherry, India, and Sri Lanka has encountered a fresh snag as there is no ferry to continue it, Secretary K. D. S. Ruwanchandra said yesterday.

Bribery commission withdraws indictment against Land Commissioner General

The Bribery Commission yesterday informed Colombo High Court that it would be withdrawing the indictment filed against the incumbent Commissioner General of Land and six others.

Hostage Drama in Tea Factory: Jeevan Thondaman and CWC leaders appear before Nuwara Eliya Magistrate

Minister of Water Supply and Estate Infrastructure Development Jeevan Thondaman and three senior leaders of the Ceylon Workers’ Congress appeared before Nuwara Eliya Magistrate Prabuddhika Lankandi yesterday in connection with a complaint. The complaint alleges that on May 30, the minister and several of his supporters entered the tea factory in Pedro Estate, Nuwara Eliya, and took the staff hostage for several hours.

New book to bring parliamentary tradition closer to people

“ Parlimenthuwe Balahathkaraya” authored by President’s Secretary Parliamentary Affairs Nadeera Madugalla which was launched recently brings into light unforgettable dramatic happenings in Parliament while it enlightens people on parliamentary tradition.

Alliance for Peoples Struggle to name its presidential candidate today

Alliance for Peoples Struggle which comprises the Frontline Socialist Party and those who staged protests in 2022 is to name its presidential candidate today.

SL urges Myanmar to rescue Lankans held by terrorists in cyber slave camp

Sri Lanka has urged Myanmar to facilitate the rescue of the group of Sri Lankans held captive for forced criminal activities at a camp in the Cyber Criminal area operated by a terrorist group in Myanmar.

New President Rotary Club Colombo South installed

Hiran Senewiratne was installed as Rotary Club Colombo South recently at a ceremony held in Colombo.

Minister officiates elevated highway bridge connection

The connection between two directions of the newly constructed elevated highway bridge, linking Harbour City End and the New Kelani Bridge, was officially completed yesterday under the patronage of Highway Minister Bandula Gunawardana. The construction of the bridge is carried out by China Civil Engineering Construction Corporation. Pic by Pradeep Pathirana.

Five-year jail term affirmed against fmr. SSP Douglas Pieris

Accordingly, five years of rigorous imprisonment were imposed on each accused. Subsequently, the five accused filed appeals in the Court of Appeal against the conviction.

Visa outsourcing fiasco takes a new turn

Three opposition MPs Patali Champika Ranawaka, Rauff Hakeem and M. A. Sumanthiran who had filed petitions with Supreme Court yesterday said they have received information that payments have been credited to accounts held by certain persons in foreign banks.

President’s Media Division: Announcing President’s political campaign rallies abuse state resources – EC, PAFFREL

The President Media Division, the official portal to announce the President’s decisions, activities and news updates would violate the election law and abuse state resources if the former announces President Ranil Wickremesinghe’s public campaigns in the run-up to the poll, the Election Commission and polls monitoring bodies said.

Mahanayaka Theras express displeasure over the move to decriminalize homosexuality

The most venerable Mahanayaka Theras of the four chapters in a letter addressed to President Ranil Wickremesinghe had expressed displeasure over the move to decriminalize homosexuality through a private members Bill.

Cumaratunga Munidasa commemoration ceremony

The Cumaratunga Munidasa commemoration ceremony and the scholarship award event will be conducted today at 3.15 onwards at the auditorium of Srī Sambuddhatva Jayanti Mandiraya, Colombo 4.

New Consumer protection Act in a fortnight: Trade Minister

Whilst highlighting that there are loopholes in existing laws which protects consumers, Minister of Trade Nalin Fernando yesterday said a new Bill will be introduced in two weeks’ time.

School uniforms from Chinese government

The Chinese government has agreed to provide school uniforms for children in government schools next year.

Handing over Mattala airport to Russia and India delayed due to legal issues

The transfer of management of the Mattala Rajapaksa International Airport (MRIA) to private companies is being delayed due to legal issues, the Daily Mirror learns.

Harsha’s report on visa issuance was false and erroneous: Semasinghe

Heated arguments erupted in Parliament yesterday after State Minister Shehan Semasinghe brought in a privilege issue claiming that the report presented recently by COPF Chairman MP Harsha de Silva regarding outsourcing visa issuance was false and erroneous.

Lawyer pays Rs.500,000 legal costs after dismissal of Presidential election petition

The lawyer who filed a Fundamental Rights petition against the holding of the Presidential election yesterday paid the Rs. 500,000 legal costs before the Supreme Court, as per the order made by the Court after dismissing his petition.

After the interdiction of top officers: Complaints galore against Customs’ corruption

Sri Lanka Customs have started receiving a series of complaints against various instances of corruption in handling and releasing cargo, to its Internal Affairs Unit, as the latter found four top officials guilty of major fraud recently, the Daily Mirror learns.

Inaction on recommendations made by committees: P’ment finds fault with police and Bribery Commission

Parliament yesterday found fault with the police and the Bribery Commission for their failure to take action on recommendations made by various committees.

Trade union alliance concerned about re-emergence of drug shortage

Trade Union Alliance of Doctors for Civil Rights expressed concern about the re-emergence of a shortage of drugs in government hospitals.

‘Tactile ballot paper’ for visually-impaired voters in Presidential poll for first time

A special ballot paper called ‘tactile ballot paper’ would be introduced for the benefit of the visually-impaired voters in the upcoming Presidential election for the first time, Chairman of the Elections Commission Saman Sri Rathnayake has informed a Parliamentary Committee.

Shoe smuggling in collusion with Customs ruins local industry: Manufacturers

Five errant businessmen in Pettah who are engaged in smuggling foreign shoes into the country are out to destroy the local shoe industry, the Sri Lanka Shoes and Leather Products Manufacturers’ Association alleged yesterday.

Kataragama Esala Festival concludes with water-cutting ceremony

The Kataragama Esala Festival, which lasted for 16 days, concluded after the final Randoli procession on Sunday night (21), followed by the water-cutting ceremony at Jeewamali ferry on Menik Ganga in the early hours of the following morning.

Land officer arrested for allegedly accepting bribe from businessman

A land officer in the Kekirawa Divisional Secretariat was arrested yesterday by the Investigation Officers of the Commission to Investigate Allegations of Bribery or Corruption.