Bangladesh reels from surge in snake bites

All health centres and hospitals in Bangladesh have been ordered to stock anti-venom after reports of a surge in snake bites around the country.

BIA ’Gold Route’ expected to exceed 2,500 passengers by end 2024: AASL

While achieving a significant growth and revenue milestones by providing a premium airport experience for passengers travelling through the Bandaranaike International Airport (BIA), the Airport and Aviation Services (Sri Lanka) (Pvt) Limited (AASL) said the total number of passengers using the ’Gold Route’ fast track service is expected to exceed 2,500 by the end of 2024.

Only rating agencies can announce a nation has come out of bankruptcy: Harsha

It is the rating agencies that should announce that a nation has come out of bankruptcy, SJB MP Harsha De Silva said today.

Visiting Udjo’s House of Angklung

Popular Sri Lankan singer Umaria Sinhawansa and a group of journalists on an official visit to Indonesia visited Udjo’s House of Angklung, where Sundanese art and culture thrive and gain respect worldwide.

Lawyers’ Collective condemns President’s and Ministers statements in Parliament

The Lawyers’ Collective, a prominent legal advocacy group in Sri Lanka, today strongly condemned the statements made in Parliament by the President, the Justice Minister, the Education Minister, and Parliamentarian Dayasiri Jayasekare under the cover of parliamentary privilege.

Dengue cases for 2024 top 27,000

The tally of dengue cases recorded for 2024 has topped the 27,000 mark, according to the Epidemiology Unit.

South Africa Mpox cases rise to 13

South Africa has identified six additional laboratory-confirmed cases of Mpox, taking the total number of cases from seven to 13 since the first case was reported last month.

Sumanthiran, Sritharan take contrasting views before Jaishankar on common Tamil candidate

The Ilankai Thamil Arasu Katchchi (ITAK) , the main Tamil party in the north and the east, appeared divided in front of Indian External Affairs Minister Dr. S. Jaishankar regarding the plan to field a common Tamil Presidential candidate S. Sritharan supporting it and Jaffna district MP M.A. Sumanthiran opposing it openly.

Pillayan confirms his party’s support for President

TMVP Leader Sivanesathurai Chandrakanthan alias Pillayan confirmed his party’s support for President Ranil Wickremesinghe at the upcoming Presidential election, the President’s Media Division (PMD) said.

SLC President breaks silence on team’s T20 World Cup decisions

Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) President Shammi Silva expressed his disappointment over the decisions made by the Sri Lankan team during the T20 World Cup, following their early exit from the tournament held in the United States.

President orders officials to speed up Zion Church renovation

President Ranil Wickremesinghe instructed officials to explain the hold-ups in the renovation of the Zion Church in Batticaloa, which was damaged in the Easter Sunday bomb attacks.

Property tax will come into effect after first quarter of 2025

The proposed property tax will come into effect after the first quarter of 2025 and will not affect 90% of the ordinary people, Finance State Minister Ranjith Siyambalapitiya said.

Announcement on obtaining NICs

Individuals over the age of 40 who have not obtained their National Identity Cards (NIC) due to the lack of their birth certificates can still apply for their NICs, Commissioner General of the Department for Registration of Persons, Pradeep Saputantri said.

25% of doctors ready to migrate, says GMOA

The Government Medical Officers Association warned of a wave of economic crisis-driven brain drain among medical professionals, as 25 percent of them have already taken the necessary exams to find employment abroad.

Jaishankar shares with Prime Minister how BJP weathered election campaign

High-profile visits often highlight serious discussions, but they also have lighter, more human moments that slip under the radar.

International Yoga Day celebrated

Nearly 1,000 yoga enthusiasts today celebrated the International Yoga Day at the Galle Face Green. Several parliamentarians also participated in the event. International Yoga Day falls today.

Sajith pledges support for India’s quest for permanent seat in UN Security Council

The Indian Minister who was on a visit to Sri Lanka on Thursday met with the delegation of Mr. Premadasa’s Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB) and its alliance partners.

Over 100mm rains today

Heavy rains above 100mm are likely at some places in the Western and Sabaragamuwa Provinces and in the Kandy, Nuwara Eliya and Puttalam districts, the forecasting division, National Meteorological Centre said.

Sri Lanka again rejects UN evidence mechanism, citing globallegal impact

Sri Lanka has once again declined to accept the external evidence-gathering mechanism established by UN Human Rights Council resolutions 46/1 and 51/1, emphasizing significant legal and political implications for all nations involved.

Shooting at grocery store in US kills 3 and wounds 10

Three people were killed and 10 wounded in a shooting at a grocery store in Fordyce, Arkansas, the Arkansas State Police said in a news conference Friday.

WHO asks Sri Lanka to be alert on bird flu as global fears mount

The World Health Organisation (WHO) has directed Sri Lanka to go on alert in the wake of the recent detection of avian influenza or bird flu in humans in neighbouring countries like India,Daily Mirror learns.

Nortje and De Kock star as South Africa edge England in T20 World Cup

Anrich Nortje held his nerve as South Africa remained unbeaten at the T20 World Cup after defeating reigning champions England by seven runs in a thrilling second-round Super Eights clash in St. Lucia on Friday.

Lankadeepa Poson Aloka Pooja

Lankadeepa Poson Aloka Pooja illumination at the Thanthirimale Rajamaha Vihara organized by Wijeya Newspapers Ltd was inaugurated by President Ranil Wickremesinghe for the 21st time this evening.The historic Thanthirimale Cheithiya and the temple grounds will be illuminated on June 21, 22 and 23.

Customs nab BIA security guard smuggling Rs. 48 Mn worth gold biscuits

A security guard trying to smuggle gold biscuits worth Rs. 48 million into the country from the Bandaranaike International Airport (BIA) was nabbed by Sri Lanka Customs.

University non-academic staff not paid due to strike, says union

The university’s non-academic employees have claimed they have not received their June salaries due to the ongoing strike, the University Trade Union Joint Committee (UTUJC) said.

Manioc Dansala

A Manioc Dansala was held at Dam Street, Colombo in view of the Poson Poya day by the Dam Street Police. Pix by Nimalsiri Edirisinghe

Catholic Church refutes Maithripala’s allegations

The Catholic Church in Sri Lanka today refuted the claims made by former President Maithripala Sirisena that funds received from various sources to be given to the Easter Sunday bomb victims have not been disbursed to them.

Fonseka criticising Sajith as he was denied presidential candidacy: Digambaram

Field Marshal Sarath Fonseka criticised SJB leader and Opposition Leader Sajith Premadasa as Fonseka was not given the Presidential candidature as requested, Tamil Progressive Alliance Deputy Leader Parliamentarian Palani Digambaram said.

Man arrested for defrauding Rs. 50 mn promising student visa in Russia

A suspect who defrauded over Rs. 50 million from people around the country, promising student visas in Russia was arrested at the Bandaranaike International Airport (BIA) last night.

Distorting of Karaniya Metta Sutta to be probed

The Buddha Sasana, Religious and Cultural Affairs Ministry requested the Police Cyber Crimes Unit, and the Telecommunication Regulatory Commission of Sri Lanka (TRCSL) to carry out a probe into the distorting of the Karaniya Metta Sutta.