Discussing May Day rally...

Senior Presidential Advisor and UNP Deputy Leader Ruwan Wijewardene participated in a New year celebration in Biyagama today while he also met party activists to dicuss on future programmes including the May Day rally. Pix by Pradeep Pathirana

Man jumps off Sri Pada Uda Maluwa, goes missing

A 33-year-old pilgrim who climbed to Sri Pada went missing after he jumped off the protective fence at the Ratnapura-Sri Pada route at the Uda Maluwa.

Emirates and flydubai resume normal operations after Dubai floods

Dubai’s flagship carrier Emirates and sister airline flydubai have restored normal operations after heavy rains caused severe flooding across the United Arab Emirates earlier this week, the airlines said on Saturday.

MP Digambaram to support plantation workers’ strike on Monday

The Tamil Progressive Alliance (TPA) fully supports the strike that the plantation workers are scheduled to launch from Monday (22), Nuwara Eliya District Member of Parliament Palani Digambaram said during a media conference held in Hatton today.

President visits Ambewela

President Ranil Wickremesinghe visited the Ambewela Dairy Farm, equipped with state-of-the-art technology, this morning to assess its progres. Pix by President media

Immigration Department to launch online visa for Sri Lanka ship travellers

The Immigration and Emigration Department announced a forthcoming online visa system for travellers entering Sri Lanka by ship.

Two Guinea women nabbed at BIA with Rs. 20 Mn worth cocaine

Two female passengers of the Republic of Guinea who tried to enter Sri Lanka by carrying Rs. 20 million worth of swallowed cocaine in their abdomens were intercepted by the Customs this morning.

Sri Lanka will suffer if Israel-Iran conflict escalates: Ruwan

Small nations like Sri Lanka will be adversely affected if the current conflict between Israel and Iran escalates, Presidential Advisor Ruwan Wijewardene said today.

British woman, Sri Lankan arrested with drugs in Nuwara Eliya

Two individuals including a British woman were arrested while in possession of Kush and hashish drugs at Toppass, Nuwara Eliya, Police said.

Vehicle importers call for increased space for importing used vehicles

President of the Vehicle Importers Association of Lanka (VIAL), Indika Sampath Merinchige urged the government to expand the allowance for importing used vehicles alongside new ones.

WHO prequalifies new oral simplified vaccine for cholera

A new oral vaccine for cholera has received prequalification by the World Health Organization (WHO) on 12 April. The inactivated oral vaccine Euvichol-S has a similar efficacy to existing vaccines but a simplified formulation, allowing opportunities to rapidly increase production capacity.

Catholic Church has not accepted Easter attacks proposals of NPP or SJB

The Catholic Church has not accepted proposals of the National Peoples Power (NPP) or the Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB) over the probes into the Easter Sunday attacks, Member of the Communications Committee of the Archdiocese of Colombo, Fr. Cyril Gamini Fernando said today.

Man sets himself on fire near courthouse where Trump is on trial

A man set himself on fire on Friday afternoon near the Lower Manhattan courthouse where jurors were being chosen for the criminal trial of former President Donald J. Trump.

Defence Ministry’s amnesty excludes officers skipping duty

The one-month general amnesty period announced by the Defence Ministry today will not be applicable to commissioned officers who do not report for duty without leave.

Tunde Onakoya: Nigerian breaks chess marathon record

Under the beaming lights of New York’s iconic Times Square, Nigerian chess master Tunde Onakoya has broken the record for the longest chess marathon.

Cultural dance event from Kataragam Dewalaya

The Ruhunu Maha Kataragam Dewalaya began a cultural dance event ’’The Rythms of Sri Lanka’’ for locals and tourists which will be held during every weekend. This event will help provide funds for the Apeksha Cancer Hospital in Maharagama. The event was held at the main entrance of the Dewalaya. Pix Nisal Baduge

Foreign Affairs Ministry to open Sri Lanka High Commission in Wellington

The Foreign Affairs Ministry has decided to open a Sri Lanka High Commission in Wellington, New Zealand.

Mother gives birth on boat en route to hospital

An expectant mother who developed labour pains on her way to hospital by boat had delivered the child onboard the ferry near Nagadeepa.

Prince Harry, now calls himself a U.S. resident

It’s official: Prince Harry, the fifth in line to the British throne, considers himself a U.S. resident.

Gazette declares electricity, fuel services as essential

An Gazette Extraordinary was issued declaring all services connected to the supply of electricity and or distribution of petroleum products and fuel as essential services from yesterday.

Genetic link between Lankan tribe and Indians

Sri Lanka’s Vedda people, long believed to be the island’s earliest human inhabitants, share close genetic bonds with five Indian tribal populations, a new study has found, bolstering evidence for their roots in the Indian subcontinent’s earliest modern human populations.

World’s oldest orangutan Bella celebrates 63rd birthday

Bella, the world’s oldest living orangutan in captivity, celebrated her 63rd birthday this week.

The ultimate tiger mum

Tigers, revered apex predators of astounding strength, intelligence and beauty, are the jungle’s most majestic creatures.

Bondholders fear regime change impact

The representatives of bondholders who hold around 50 per cent of Sri Lanka’s outstanding international sovereign bonds (ISB), during closed-door interactions with the representatives of Sri Lankan political parties, have expressed fear whether any debt restructuring agreement will be honoured in case of a regime change at the elections pending this year, Daily Mirror learns.

Electric Cables worth Rs.10 million chipped away from train parked at Hikkaduwa

In a daring robbery which has stunned authorities, thieves managed to steal electric cables worth over Rs.10 million from a train named ‘Nayana Kumari’ stationed at Hikkaduwa railway station, a top official said.

Sri Lankan Tamil becomes first naturalised Indian citizen to vote in general election

Nalini Kirubakaran, a 38-year-old at the rehabilitation camp for Sri Lankan Tamils in Tiruchi, became the first naturalised Indian citizen from the Kottapattu camp to vote in a general election on Friday.

Don’t be deceived by NPP and cardinal Ranjith: UNP

The United National Party (UNP) which is led by incumbent President Ranil Wickremesinghe today urged the Sri Lankan people not to get deceived by National Peoples Power (NPP) and Archbishop of Colombo Cardinal Malcolm Ranjith.

Plans afoot to obtain ’Blue Flag Beaches’ certification for Sri Lankan beaches

Steps are being taken to obtain the official certification of ’Blue Flag Beaches’ for Unawatuna, Bentota, Pasikuda and Arugam Bay, the Marine Environment Protection Authority (MEPA) said.

Volkswagen Club celebrates 21st ’Pride of Ownership’ drive

The Volkswagen Beetle Owners’ Club has arranged to hold the annual ’Pride of Ownership’ drive after a break of five years, on April 28.

Fr. Cyril Gamini says he provided useful information to CID

Member of the Communications Committee of the Archdiocese of Colombo, Fr. Cyril Gamini Fernando who was questioned by CID today said he provided much information on the Easter Sunday attacks.