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.

Lyrid meteor shower visible tonight

The annual Lyrid meteor shower will be visible to Sri Lanka tonight in the western sky, Space Scientist and Engineer Gihan Weerasekera said.

Indian SC allows termination of nearly 30-week pregnancy for 14-year-old rape survivor

The Supreme Court Monday permitted the medical termination of a nearly 30-week pregnancy of a 14-year-old rape survivor, setting aside the Bombay High Court order declining the minor’s mother’s plea in the case.

Two racing drivers arrested over Fox Hill tragedy

Two racing drivers who participated in yesterday’s Fox Hill Super Cross 2024 racing event have been arrested by the police over the accident which killed seven people.

Catholic Church to go to UNHRC seeking international probe

The Catholic Church is planning to present a proposal to the United Nations Human Rights Council (UNHRC) through several foreign governments and international organizations to initiate an international investigation into the Easter Sunday terrorist attacks with a view to mete out justice to the victims of those attacks.

Astrologer Chandrasiri Bandara passess away

Astrologer Chandrasiri Bandara has passed away this morning while undergoing treatment in a private hospital, family members said.

Showers across the country after 2 p.m

Showers will occur in the Western, Sabaragamuwa, Central and North-Western Provinces and in the Galle, Matara and Anuradhapura districts after 2.00 p.m, the forecasting division of the National Meteorological Centre said.

US and Sri Lankan navies to hold CARAT Sri Lanka 2024 in Trincomalee

The United States Navy, U.S. Marine Corps, and Sri Lanka Navy will partner for the Cooperation Afloat Readiness and Training (CARAT) Sri Lanka 2024 exercise for four days from today (22) in Trincomalee.

Maldivians in Sri Lanka cast votes

On April 21, 2024, Maldivian expatriates living in Sri Lanka exercised their democratic right by casting their votes in the Parliamentary Election of the Maldives. The polling station, established at the Maldivian High Commission in Colombo, welcomed over 300 Maldivian nationals who had registered to participate in the electoral process. Pix by Pradeep Pathirana

SJB embroiled in controversy after its MPs secure funds from Govt without party approval

The main opposition Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB), finds itself embroiled in controversy as reports emerge that several of its MPs had received Rs. 50 million each from the government’s decentralized budget without nod from the party leadership, Daily Mirror learns.

Deafening silence by Govt. on emblematic cases

The Government is maintaining a deafening silence on the investigations over a number of emblematic cases.

Market lending rate falls to two-year low as economy readies to take off

The often watched market lending rate, which guides the rest of the rates on loans to small businesses to mortgages to consumers, touched a two-year low last week continuing its descent.

Government to provide ownership of 50,000 flats in Colombo to plantation residents

The programme of providing free land rights to 2 million is currently underway and steps have been taken to give ownership of 50,000 flats in Colombo to the plantation people.

President vows inclusive economic growth

President Ranil Wickremesinghe assured that the government will not pass or leave anyone behind in the programme to strengthen the economy of the country as well as the people.

Victims of Easter Sunday terror attacks commemorated

People commemorated victims of the Easter Sunday terror attacks at a cemetery in Katuwapitiya today, marking the 5th anniversary of the Easter Sunday bomb attacks. Over 260 were killed in the blasts which targeted three churches and three luxury hotels in the island in April 2019. A prayer procession was also held from Maris Stella College, Negombo to St. Sebastian’s Church, Katuwapitiya to mark the occasion. Pix by Pradeep Pathirana

Peter’s beat Royal to claim championship

St. Peter’s College stamped their class when they beat Royal College 10-5 in the Dialog Schools Rugby Sevens 2024 final, which was worked off at the Royal Sports Complex today.

MSME holds inaugural ceremony

The Ceylon Federation of Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs)’s inaugural ceremony was held at the Bandaranaike Memorial International Conference Hall (BMICH) with the presence of distinguished guests from both local and international spheres. Pix by Kithsiri de Mel

Racing event tragedy leaves seven dead including eight-year-old child

The Fox Hill Super Cross 2024 racing event, held in Diyatalawa today (21), turned tragic as a race car veered off the track, resulting in the deaths of seven individuals including an eight-year-old child and leaving over 20 others hospitalized with injuries.

Gold prices surge to all-time high

Gold prices across the globe are surging at all-time high prices amid escalating geopolitical tensions in the Middle East.

Tension erupts outside SLFP headquarters

A tense standoff unfolded outside the Sri Lanka Freedom Party (SLFP) headquarters on Darley Road in Colombo 10, as a group attempting to enter the party building was met with resistance from the police.

Maithripala faction appoints Wijeyadasa as SLFP Acting Chairman

Minister Wijeyadasa Rajapakshe was appointed as the Acting Chairman of the Sri Lanka Freedom Party (SLFP) by the Maithripala Sirisena faction.

Sri Lanka to miss budget revenue target for 33rd year running in 2024: Verité Research

Sri Lanka is projected to fall short of its budget target on revenue to GDP (gross domestic product) for the 33rd consecutive year in 2024, according to the recently released ‘State of the Budget Report 2024’ compiled by Verité Research.

Every low-income family will receive 10 kgs of rice for April, May: President

President Ranil Wickremesinghe said today that every low-income family will receive 10 kgs of rice monthly for April and May.

People have already selected Ranil for Presidency: Prasanna

Claiming that people will not vote as a gratitude for goods distributed by politicians, Minister Prasanna Ranatunge said people have already selected Ranil Wickremesinghe for Presidency as he can rescue the country from the economic crisis.

Upcountry plantation workers launch strike; demand Rs. 1,700 daily wage

Upcountry plantation workers launched a strike and staged a protest today demanding that their daily wages be increased to Rs. 1,700.

Marking 5th anniversary of Easter Sunday attacks

Prayers were offered at the St. Anthony’s Shrine, Kochchikade, led by the Archbishop of Colombo, His Eminence Cardinal Malcolm Ranjith, to mark the fifth anniversary of the Easter Sunday bomb attacks and in commemoration of those whose lives were lost in the terrorist attacks. Meanwhile, another mass was held at the Tewatta Church in Ragama. Pix Nisal Baduge

Sri Lanka confident of speedy debt resolution: Semasinghe

Sri Lanka remains steadfast in its commitment to reaching the debt restructuring targets and is confident of smooth progress in the continued good-faith engagements for a speedy debt resolution that will ensure debt sustainability and comparability of debt treatment, State Minister of Finance Shehan Semasinghe said.

Increase in dollar reserves and rupee value will enable vehicle imports: Siyambalapitiya

The gradual increase in dollar reserves and the rise in the value of the rupee expected in the future will enable the import of vehicles, Finance State Minister Ranjith Siyambalapitiya said.

Total of 40,000 teacher shortages in schools countrywide: Stalin

There is a total shortage of 40,000 teachers in schools in the country, General Secretary of the Ceylon Teachers’ Union, Joseph Stalin said.

Detention orders issued on Naval Officers caught with ‘ICE’

Following the apprehension of four individuals, including two Sri Lanka Navy Lieutenant Commanders, in possession of a significant quantity of crystal methamphetamine, commonly known as ’ICE,’ the Hulftsdorp Magistrate’s Court issued detention orders on them.