Rice stocks arrive

Imported rice stocks were seen being unloaded at markets in Pettah. Following government approval, importers have been permitted to bring in rice stocks until December 20. Pix by Pradeep Pathirana

SLPA 69th anniversary held

Leopard killed and head taken away

A hill country leopard, frequently seen in the shrub jungle adjacent to Fordyce Estate in Hatton, was killed, and its head and limbs were cut off and taken away.

Mihintale Chief Incumbent acquitted

Chief Incumbent of the Mihintale Rajamaha Vihara, Ven. Walawahengunawewe Dhammarathana Thera, who was charged with the alleged assault of a tour guide within the temple’s central compound, causing injuries, was acquitted by Anuradhapura Additional Magistrate Ms. P.H.W.D.L. Samarasinghe.

Delhi pollution: Cold air and toxic haze affect millions

Delhi’s pollution has once again soared to hazardous levels, with a top expert warning that India’s toxic air will have a bigger impact on public health than the Covid-19 pandemic.

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.

Did Minister Samarasinghe accept Namal’s challenge to step down?

SLPP MP Namal Rajapaksa today (18) challenged Minister of Trade Wasantha Samarasinghe to step down from his ministerial portfolio if ’’he (Wasantha) fails to prove that I (Namal) took the law exam alone in an A/C room,’’

I am a degree holder, says Sajith

Opposition Leader Sajith Premadasa claimed today that he is a degree holder and tabled all his certificates in Parliament.

Belgium-based NGO claims Israel soldier ’terminator’ in Sri Lanka

Belgium-based NGO Hind Rajab Foundation has accused that Gal Ferenbook, an Israeli soldier allegedly responsible for the death of a Palestinian civilian and the degrading treatment of the body, is now in Colombo, Sri Lanka.

Keheliya Rambukwella’s two bank accounts with Rs. 20 million suspended

A current account and a fixed deposit account belonging to former Health Minister Keheliya Rambukwella, with a combined balance of approximately Rs. 20 million, have been suspended by the Commission to Investigate Allegations of Bribery or Corruption.

Personal motor vehicle imports from February next year

Import of motor vehicles for personal use will be allowed from February 1, 2025, President Anura Kumara Dissanayake said.

IMF agrees to raise income tax threshold: President

The government was able to reach an agreement with the IMF at the third review to raise the income tax threshold from Rs. 100,000 to Rs. 150,000 per month, President Anura Kumara Dissanayake said today.

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).

India spinner Ashwin retires from international cricket

India spinner Ravichandran Ashwin announced his immediate retirement from international cricket following the third Test against Australia in Brisbane on Wednesday.

President in Parliament

President Anura Kumara Dissanayake arrived in Parliament to attend the sessions this morning.

Harsha appointed Chairman of Committee on Public Finance

SJB MP Harsha de Silva has been appointed as Chairman of the Committee on Public Finance (COPF), Speaker Jagath Wickramaratne announced today.

Nizam Kariapper sworn in as MP

Sri Lanka Muslim Congress (SLMC) member Nizam Kariapper was sworn in as a national list MP before Speaker Jagath Wickramaratne.

Adani Group dealings with other countries not Sri Lanka’s concern – President

Sri Lankan President Anura Kumara Dissanayake said his government is not concerned with Adani Group’s dealings with other countries but is instead focused only on what the conglomerate does in Sri Lanka.

Remaining Sri Lankans at cyber camps in Myanmar to be repatriated

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Foreign Employment and Tourism said it is collaborating with relevant authorities to ensure the swift rescue and repatriation of Sri Lankans still trapped in Myanmar.

Plan to relocate President’s House, Temple Trees to Sri J’pura Kotte put on hold

The new government led by the National People’s Power (NPP) has put on hold plans by the previous rule to relocate the President’s House, Temple Trees, the Prime Minister’s office and the Presidential Secretariat to Sri Jayewardenepura Kotte, a top source said.

Selfie with returning President

President Anura Kumara Dissanayake returned to the island yesterday (17) after completing a three-day official visit to India. At the airport, the president was seen taking selfies and sharing thoughts with passengers and airport employees.

Expressway exits accept only local currency, inconveniencing tourists and locals

Tourists and the local community face inconvenience when making payments at expressway toll gates, as they currently accept only Sri Lankan currency, the Daily Mirror has learnt.

Sri Lanka’s internet subscriptions hit 26mn connections

The number of internet subscriptionsin Sri Lanka, including mobile internet connections, has risen to 26 million units by the end of the second quarter of 2024, according to local analytics platform Charts.lk.

Chamith Wijesundera questions Government’s commitment to integrity

Chamith Wijesundera, National Youth Organizer of the Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB), has called for decisive action against candidates who provide false qualifications or spread misinformation to gain votes.

IOC cuts funding to Sri Lanka over internal feud

The International Olympic Committee (IOC) and the Olympic Committee of Asia (OCA) have raised concerns about the internal disputes of the National Olympic Committee of Sri Lanka (NOCSL), which have yet to be addressed and resolved properly.

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

A short-finned pilot whale was found 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.

Pope reveals he was target of suicide bomb attempt during 2021 Iraq visit

Pope Francis has revealed he was the target of an attempted suicide bombing during his visit to Iraq three years ago, the first by a Catholic pontiff to the country and probably the riskiest foreign trip of his 11-year papacy.

Court orders to assess air quality in Jaffna

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

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 today challenged SJB MP Dr. Kavinda Jayawardena to produce his SLMC registration.

RW praises AKD

Former President Ranil Wickremesinghe commended his successor Anura Kumara Dissanayake for deciding to proceed with the Economic and Technical Cooperation Agreement with India.