A small sweet surprise....

Palu fruit (Manilkara hexandra), which has a unique sweetness, being sold in Colombo on the road leading to Borelasgamuwa. Palu fruit trees usually grow in tropical and temperate forests. Pictures show a person who loves the sweetness of Palu fruits waiting to get some. Pix by Kithsiri de Mel

Uma Oya project ready to be handed over to public tomorrow

All arrangements have been made to hand over the Uma Oya Multi-Purpose Development Project to the public tomorrow (April 24), Irrigation, Wildlife and Forest Conservation Minister Pavitra Wanniarachchi said following a recent visit to inspect the project.

78-year-old swimmer from Bengaluru dies while swimming from Sri Lanka to India

A 78-year-old man, Gopal Rao, of Bengaluru, Karnataka, died of a heart attack while he was swimming from Thalaimannar in Sri Lanka to the Dhanushkodi islet in Rameswaram, T.N., on Tuesday, April 23, 2024.

Athapaththu back atop ICC Women’s ODI Batting Rankings

Sri Lanka captain Chamari Athapaththu is back at the top of the ICC Women’s ODI Batting Rankings after a superb 195 not out in the third ODI against South Africa in Potchefstroom that helped her team level the ICC Women’s Championship Series 1-1.

Showers of about 50 mm on the cards across Sri Lanka

Residents in the Western and Sabaragamuwa Provinces, as well as the Galle and Matara districts, should be prepared for fairly heavy showers of about 50 mm in some areas, the Meteorology Department predicted.

Army forms committee to probe Diyatalawa Fox Hill Supercross accident

The Sri Lanka Army has decided to appoint a special investigation committee consisting of 07 senior officers chaired by a Major General to probe the accident that occurred during the Diyatalawa Fox Hill Supercross.

CBSL announces eight new pyramid activities

Based on complaints received, the Central Bank of Sri Lanka (CBSL) has released eight other institutions and inputs identified as engaging in pyramid activities.

Seeking blessings on Bak Poya day

Devotees at the Pillewa Bodhiraja Temple and Bellanwila Rajamaha Viharaya are seen taking part in religious observances on Bak Full Moon Poya Day which falls today. Pix by Kithsiri de Mel

Ten dead as two Navy helicopters collide mid-air in Malaysia

Ten people have died after two navy helicopters collided in mid-air during a military rehearsal for a Royal Malaysian Navy parade.

Railways chief passes away

The General Manager of Railways, H.M.K.W. Bandara passed away this morning due to a sudden illness at the Anuradhapura Hospital.

National consumer prices soften in March

The consumer prices measured by the broader National Consumer Price Index (NCPI) continued to soften in March, as the non-food prices cooled sharply while the food prices remained unchanged from a year ago.

Two killed in police shooting at Moragahahena

Two persons have died after police fired at a three-wheeler that was driving in defiance of orders to halt at Millawa in Moragahahena.

Anura Kumara gives date for debate with Sajith

The National People’s Power (NPP) has officially notified the Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB) yesterday that they are prepared to hold the proposed debate between NPP leader Anura Kumara Dissanayake and SJB leader Sajith Premadasa on one of the following days: May 7, 9, 13, or 14.

SJB, SLPP MPs broker liquor licences for cronies

Some MPs from both Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB) and the ruling Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna (SLPP) have reportedly brokered liquor licences from the government for their cronies for hefty commissions involved, Daily Mirror learns.

Impersonators in Police attire loot Norochcholai home of Rs. 8Mn, 40 Gold sovereigns

In an alarming incident, a gang of three individuals disguised in authentic police attire perpetrated a robbery in Norochcholai, Kalpitiya yesterday, leaving residents shaken and authorities on high alert. According to police reports, the culprits made away with a staggering sum of Rs. 8 million in cash along with gold items weighing approximately 40 sovereigns.

Having Fox Hill race on Easter Attack anniversary day was unintentional: Army

Sri Lanka Army yesterday said organising the Fox Hill Super Cross race on April 21st when the fifth Easter Attack commemoration was taking place in the country was unintentional, as heavy public criticism was underway for holding the event on a day of public mourning.

Six suitors in the running for SriLankan Airlines

The government’s search for a suitor for national carrier SriLankan Airlines has narrowed down with a total of six bidders showing interest in the debt-ridden entity.

Iranian President to visit Sri Lanka on April 24

President of the Islamic Republic of Iran Dr. Ebrahim Raisi is scheduled to make an official bilateral visit to Sri Lanka at the invitation of President Ranil Wickremesinghe to jointly declare open the Uma Oya Multipurpose Development Project on April 24, The Foreign Affairs Ministry said.

No Sri Lankan boats to Australia in a year: Australia Emergency Task Force Operations

During the launch of Operation ’Disi Rala,’ the joint maritime security effort between Australia and Sri Lanka, Mark Whitechurch, who heads the Emergency Task Force Operation Sovereign Borders, mentioned that they had not spotted any boats from Sri Lanka heading to Australia in over a year.

Family New Year celebrations

A family New Year celebration was held recently at the Seethawaka Miracle Nature Resort in Avissawella. Several New Year games were held at the resort. Pix by Nimalsiri Edirisinghe

Boost for tourism with Shree Ramayan Trails launch

Sri Lanka’s tourism industry is anticipated to receive a boost from Indian pilgrims with the official launch of the Shree Ramayan Trails project.

Sri Lanka seeks enhanced ties with Gambia ahead of OIC summit

Ahead of the forthcoming Organization of the Islamic Cooporation (OIC) summit, slated to be hosted by Gambia in early May, Sri Lankan Envoy to Kenya, Kana Kananathan engaged in bilateral discussions with Dr. Mamadou Tangara, the Foreign Minister of Gambia.

Health officials warn against misleading posts re child surgeries abroad

A recent viral social media message alleging that the Rotary Club Colombo West has received a substantial grant for cardiac surgeries in India and is transferring children to LRH – Colombo for treatment has raised concerns among health officials.

Demanding inclusion into teaching service

Union of All Ceylon School Development Officers March towards Ministry of Education, Battaramulla, demanding inclusion into teaching service. Pix by Pradeep Dilrukshana

Pro-China party wins Maldives election in landslide

Maldives voters handed President Mohamed Muizzu’s party a landslide win at parlimentary elections, media said on Monday, an outcome set to shift the Indian Ocean archipelago closer to China and away from traditional partner India.

Stocks of rice, dhal distributed to schools unfit for consumption

The Public Health Inspectors’ Union has raised serious concerns over the quality of rice and dhal to be distributed to schools under the World Food Programme (WFP).

Indian cricket manager indicted for Legend Cricket League match-fixing allegations

The Attorney General’s Department informed court today that an indictment has been filed before the Colombo High Court against an Indian cricket manager over match-fixing allegations during the Legend Cricket League 2024.

Pensioners protest...

The Collective of Pensioners’ Associations staged a protest outside the Public Administration Ministry today, advocating for various demands, including the rectification of pension anomalies. Pix by Waruna Wanniarachchi

Wijeyadasa could lose his Parliamentary seat: Tissa Kuttiarachchi

Justice Minister Wijeyadasa Rajapakshe, who took up the position as the Acting Chairman of the Sri Lanka Freedom Party (SLFP) could lose his parliamentary seat, according to the party constitution of the Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna (SLPP), SLPP MP Tissa Kuttiarachchi said today.

71% cultivated land damaged in 2023–24 Maha season

The Agriculture Department revealed today that 71 percent of the total cultivated land, other than paddy cultivation, was damaged in the 2023–24 Maha season due to heavy rains and floods.