Excise proposes settlement of 50% defaulted tax to restore production licence of W. M. Mendis and Co.

Making a fresh approach towards the stagnating tax issue of staggering Rs.5.8 billion defaulted by the local liquor giant W. M. Mendis and Co. Ltd. the newly appointed Excise Chief has proposed a way-out to settle 50% of the arrears to reactivate its suspended production licence, the Daily Mirror learns.

Sharp increase in financial frauds during festive season: SLCERT

An organized group is once again deceiving the public on a large scale, as evidenced by a sharp increase in financial fraud complaints during the Christmas and New Year season, Sri Lanka Computer Emergency Readiness Team (SLCERT) Chief Information Security Engineer Nirosh Ananda said.

SLPP decides on legal action over reducing MR’s security

Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna had decided to go to court over reducing the strength of security provided to former President Mahinda Rajapaksa.

18-hour water cut in Western Province starting tomorrow

There will be an 18-hour water cut tomorrow (26) in several areas of the Western Province due to urgent repairs on the main transmission line, the National Water Supply and Drainage Board announced.

NMRA, SPC, SPMC, MSD must take responsibility of 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.

STF to be deployed to control power cable thefts during night

The Police Special Task Force (STF) will be deployed to contain theft of power cables laid to supply electricity to the Katunayake-Colombo expressway, according to a statement from the Highways, Ports and Civil Aviation Ministry.

Revenue officer among two arrested for seeking chicken kilo as bribe

Two persons including an acting revenue officer of the Weweldeniya Sub Office attached to the Mirigama Pradeshiya Sabha were arrested by the Bribery Commission for accepting one kilo of chicken worth Rs. 1,170 as a bribe.

‘Cardinal’ only used to polish the floor: ’Pastor’ Jerome

’Pastor’ Jerome Fernando recently shared a nostalgic Facebook post recalling the role of the ’Cardinal’ brand in his childhood Christmas traditions.

Cardinal participates in Christmas celebrations

Azerbaijan Airlines plane crashes over Kazakhstan

A passenger plane carrying dozens has crashed near the Kazakhstani city of Aktau on Wednesday, the Kazakh Transport Ministry said.

SLTB launches special bus services for Christmas travel

The Sri Lanka Transport Board (SLTB) has initiated special and additional bus services to cater to commuters travelling during the Christmas festive season, SLTB Supervisory Officer Indika Chandimal said.

385 prison inmates released under special State pardon

The Department of Prisons announced today that a total of 385 prison inmates were released under a special State pardon in view of Christmas, Prison Commissioner (Media Spokesman) Gamini D. Dissanayake said.

Released under special state pardon

Cardinal leads Christmas service in Ja Ela

Archbishop of Colombo Cardinal Malcolm Ranjith led the Christmas service at Our Lady of Sorrows Church in Ja Ela today. A large crowd attended the midnight service. Pix by Pradeep Pathirana

62 suspended CEB employees reinstated

A total of 62 employees who were suspended for protesting against the privatisation of the Ceylon Electricity Board (CEB) have been reinstated.

Wasantha Handapangoda passes away in London

Wasantha Handapangoda, President of the Sri Lanka Podujana Education Services Union, has passed away.

New gazette issued for Aswesuma Welfare Payments from January

A new Gazette Extraordinary has been issued, outlining the procedure for the payment of monthly benefit allowances to eligible families and individuals under the Aswesuma Welfare Benefit Payment Scheme, effective from January 2025.

Man killed, wife injured in Wellawa shooting

A 32-year-old man was killed and his wife injured in a shooting incident at Maraluwawa, Wellawa, last night.

Govt yet to decide on future of Chief of Defence Staff post

The government has yet to decide whether to abolish or retain the position of Chief of Defence Staff (CDS) following the conclusion of the current CDS, General Shavendra Silva’s tenure.

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

MR received death threats from ISIS, LTTE: Manoj Gamage

Former President Mahinda Rajapaksa has received death threats from ISIS terrorists and LTTE groups, Vice President of the Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna (SLPP) Lawyers’ Association, Manoj Gamage, disclosed.

Christmas decorations in Colombo

Govt committed to combating underworld, drug trafficking but not for show

The government is committed to combating the underworld and drug trafficking, but not by staging frequent operations for show, Cabinet Spokesman Minister Nalinda Jayatissa said.

Senesh Bandara resigns as Rupavahini Chairman

Chairman of the Sri Lanka Rupavahini Corporation (SLRC) Dr. Senesh Bandara has resigned from his post.

Government to regulate private hospitals: Dr. Jayatissa

The government has taken steps to regulate private hospitals as people have faced serious issues when seeking treatment from private hospitals, Cabinet spokesman Minister Dr. Nalinda Jayatissa said today.

Christmas crib preparation

Circular prohibiting teachers’ private tutoring withdrawn

The circular issued by the Western Province Education Zonal Ministry prohibiting private tutoring classes for students by school teachers, along with the letter issued by the Education Ministry regarding modulators, has been withdrawn, Deputy Minister of Labour Mahinda Jayasinghe said.

Right to tell lies - Wasantha Samarasingha wrongs Kottahachchi

In response to remarks by NPP MP Nilanthi Kottahachchi, who claimed that people have the right to convince others that something true is false, or something false is true, as it is a democratic right, Minister Wasantha Samarasinghe said that it is wrong to encourage society to accept lies as truth.

Parker Solar Probe to fly closer to sun than ever before

This Christmas Eve, a vehicle will travel at incomprehensible speed around a celestial object to bring wonder to the people of Earth — and it’s not Santa’s sleigh.

Visits to 'Peace Ark'