Government approves amendment to ban physical punishment

The government today approved the amendment to the Penal Code and the Criminal Procedure Code for the banning of all corporal or physical punishments in all sectors.

SJB General Secretary slams dissident

Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB) General Secretary Ranjith Madduma Bandara today hit out at the party’s Organizer Gamini Vijith Vijithamuni Soysa who has been critical of the party leadership lately.

UK Policeman spared jail after assault on innocent Sri Lankan

A serving UK Metropolitan Police officer who assaulted an innocent Sri Lankan after mistaking him for a criminal has been spared jail.

Misfire at airport VIP lounge damages roof

The VIP lounge terminal roof of the Bandaranaike International Airport was damaged this morning following a misfire from a T-56 type firearm belonging to an airman of the Sri Lanka Air Force.

Mahindananda acquitted, released from Money Laundering case

Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna (SLPP) Parliamentarian Mahindananda Aluthgamage was today acquitted and released from the money laundering case by the Colombo High Court.

Patali arrives at CID

The leader of the Eksath Janaraja Peramuna and MP Patali Champika Ranawaka, arrived at the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) to provide a statement.

Independent three-member inquiry board appointed: SLAMS

The Sri Lanka Automobile Sports (SLAMS) today appointed a three-member independent board of inquiry to investigate into the tragedy at the Fox Hill Supercross Motor Racing Event on April 21.

Order on Keheliya’s writ petition postponed for May 7

The Court of Appeal’s decision whether or not to consider the writ petition filed by former Health Minister Keheliya Rambukwella seeking an order directing the Maligakanda Magistrate to release him on bail was today postponed for May 7.

AstraZeneca admits for first time its COVID vaccine can cause rare side effect

AstraZeneca has admitted in court for the first time that its COVID jab can cause a deadly blood clotting side effect.

Four officers shot dead, four wounded, in North Carolina home siege

Four law enforcement officers have been fatally shot and four others were wounded while serving a warrant in Charlotte, North Carolina, officials say.

Four arrested for impersonating CID officers and extorting Rs. 10 Mn bribe

Four persons were arrested for impersonating officers of the Criminal Investigation Department and demanding a bribe of Rs. 10 million.

Four underage girls raped in Moneragala District

Four incidents of rape involving underage girls have been reported today from the Buttala, Wedekumbura, Kudaoya and Wellawaya police areas in the Moneragala district.

An Int’l summit avoids Sri Lanka due to beggar menace in Colombo

The decision to not hold the annual SMMT International Automotive Summit in Sri Lanka for 2025 was influenced by the prevalence of beggar menace at traffic lights in Colombo, Sri Lanka Automobile Association Secretary Devapriya Hettiarachchi yesterday said.

Heavy taxes for public, duty free vehicles for MPs, senior officials?

Despite the public being heaped with tax burdens and a soaring cost of living, parliamentarians, along with public servants in the executive category, are set to get concessionary vehicle permits soon, the Daily Mirror learns.

Lankan students return after showcasing robotic skills

Sri Lankan students from the Burhani Serendib School in Colombo who participated in the International Creativity and Innovation Awards 2024 in Thailand arrived at the Bandaranaike International Airport (BIA) last night. Pix by T.K.G. Kapila

Income tax payment methods limited

As per the recently issued gazette notification, the income tax payments can only be made using three methods.

NPP accepts Daily Mirror invitation for political debate, Sajith’s confirmation awaited

The National People’s Power (NPP) yesterday accepted the official invitation for the political debate to be held by the Daily Mirror and Lankadeepa, with the three main presidential candidates while the Samagi Jana Balawegaya leader Sajith Premadasa is yet to confirm his participation.

Sri Lankans rich in financial knowledge but poor in practice: CB

The financial knowledge of Sri Lankans is at satisfactory levels when compared with the other countries but the island nation is lagging behind financial behaviour, the financial sector regulator, the Central Bank said.

Parties should publicize their election manifestos well in advance: PAFFREL

The political parties should publicize their election manifestos well in advance of any election, be it a Presidential or Parliamentary poll, to create a better and responsible political culture in the country, the Peoples’ Action for Free and Fair Elections (PAFFREL) said.

President’s next revolution is to uplift agriculture through modern technology: Pavithra

President Ranil Wickremesinghe’s next revolution is to prepare the farmers for the upliftment of agriculture based on modern technology, Wildlife and Forest Resources Conservation and Irrigation Minister Pavithra Wanniarachchi said.

Ranil invited me to take up position in the government: CBK

Former President Chandrika Bandaranaike Kumaratunga said today President Ranil Wickremesinghe invited her on several occasions to take up a position and support the government.

Special traffic plans for May Day parades, rallies

Sri Lanka Police have announced the implementation of a special traffic plan in the vicinity of May Day parades and rallies scheduled for Wednesday (May 01).

All doubts over Sri Lanka’s ability to overcome economic crisis vanish: Semasinghe

The doubts that existed among all parties on whether Sri Lanka will be able to overcome the economic crisis have disappeared, Finance State Minister Shehan Semasinghe said.

Police clamp down on Traffic light beggars, warn public against donations

The Police Department today urged people not to give money to those begging from them in vehicles stuck at traffic lights within the Colombo city limits.

Booze banned at May Day rally venues

The Excise Department of Sri Lanka has prohibited the sale of all kinds of alcoholic beverages in Divisional Secretariat areas in the country where May Day rallies and processions are held on Wednesday, May 1.

Asia Rugby Division 1 Championship begins tomorrow

Colombo is set to witness an exhilarating clash of talents as the Asia Rugby (AR) Division 1 Championship will kick-off at the Racecourse Grounds tomorrow.

Fire reported at girls’ college hostel in Weligama

A fiire has reportedly broken out in a girls’ college hostel in Weligama.

Pope will decide on Cardinal Ranjith’s retirement date: Fr. Jude Krishantha

Pope Francis will decide as to when Archbishop of Colombo Cardinal Malcolm Ranjith should retire, Director of Communications, the Archdiose of Colombo Fr. Jude Krishantha said today.

Fowzie noticed to appear before court over corruption case

The Colombo High Court issued a notice today directing Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB) parliamentarian A.H.M. Fowzie to appear before Court on May 22 over the indictment filed against him on corruption charges.

O/L exam students to begin A/L classes immediately

Students sitting for the GCE Ordinary Level (O/L) Examination will start the GCE Advanced Level (A/L) classes immediately after their exams, Education Minister Susil Premajyantha said.