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.

President pays final tribute to late Palitha Thevarapperuma

President Ranil Wickremesinghe visited the home of the late former UNP Member of Parliament and former Deputy Minister, Palitha Thevarapperuma, in Yatadolawatte, Matugama where he paid his last respects and extended condolences to the grieving family and the local community today (19).

Crude oil prices jump, equities sink as Israel rains missiles on Iran

Global oil and gold prices have jumped, while shares have slumped after reports of explosions near the Isfahan airport emerged just minutes after a US official told the Australian broadcaster ABC that Israel had fired missiles on one Iran site.

Final rites for Thevarapperuma

The final rites of the late former Deputy Minister Palitha Thevarapperuma were held this evening at Yatadolawatte, Mathugama, with the participation of politicians, religious leaders and the public. Thevarapperuma was buried at the burial site, which he had prepared while he was still alive in Yatadolawatte. Pix by Pradeep Pathirana

UL cancels flights to Dubai amid bad weather

In light of the adverse weather conditions at the Dubai International Airport, SriLankan Airlines (UL) faces flight cancellations to the UAE hub, sources said.

Dubai’s Emirates halts check-in for connections

Emirates, one of the world’s biggest international airlines, has suspended all check-ins for customers with onward connections as operations at Dubai International Airport (DXB) are still volatile three days after a record storm swept the UAE.

Stakeholder meeting on plastic pollution

A stakeholder meeting, hosted by the Alliance for Aquatic Research and Conservation (AARC), took place recently at the Malima Clubhouse in Uswetakeiyawa. Pix by Kushan Pathiraja

Ottawa mass killing suspect not seeking bail, says lawyer

The 19-year-old Sri Lankan national charged in the mass killing of a newcomer family in Ottawa has no plan to seek bail, his lawyer says.

Fortified rice distributed to provide nutritious meal for school students

The distribution of fortified rice, provided by the World Food Programme (WFP) on behalf of the programme initiated under the instructions of President Ranil Wickremesinghe, to provide a nutritious meal for school students, commenced today at the Veyangoda warehouse complex, the President’s Media Division (PMD) said.

Election Commission to accept SLFP nominations despite disputes

Notwithstanding the internal friction within the Sri Lanka Freedom Party (SLFP) resulting in changes in party’s leadership positions, the Election Commission clarified its role in accepting nominations for SLFP candidates in the event that internal conflicts persist beyond the declaration of elections.

Woman arrested after taking corpse to sign bank loan in Brazil

A woman has been arrested in Brazil after she brought a 68-year-old man who had been dead for hours into a bank to sign for a loan.

IMF urges Asian Central Banks to not follow Fed too closely

The International Monetary Fund (IMF) has urged Asian Central Banks to not follow the Fed too closely.

All flights to and from BIA to Dubai operating on normal schedule

All flights are now operating to and from Colombo to Dubai without any delays after the heavy floods experienced in Dubai recently, airport sources said.

Preserve plantations...

Plantation workers attached to the Ceylon Workers’ Congress (CWC) staged a protest today in front of the Fort Railway Station, demanding that the authorities protect the plantations as national treasures and increase their daily wage to Rs. 1,700 against the skyrocketing cost of living. Pix by Kithsiri de Mel

Two arrested with over 1,000 narcotic pills

Two individuals were arrested with some 1,229 narcotic pills in their possession at Pulmudai last morning, Police said.

Chamari Athapaththu sets big goal for T20 World Cup

After record knock in Potchefstroom, Sri Lankan captain reveals ambitions for the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup 2024

Man dies after insect bite

A 52-year-old man in Jaffna city died after succumbing to an illness caused by an insect bite, as reported by hospital sources.

12-hour water cut in Gampaha Municipality area

Water supply will be interrupted for 12 hours from Wednesday (24) at 8.30 a.m. in Gampaha due to an emergency repair of the electricity subgrid in Sapugaskanda, the National Water Supply and Drainage Board (NWS&DB) said.

25 train services cancelled till April 25

Due to a lack of railway power sets, the Railways Department has decided to cancel 25 train services operating from Colombo, until April 25.

Final rites of Palitha Thevarapperuma at 2 p.m. in his own grave yard

The final rites of the late former Deputy Minister Palitha Thevarapperuma are scheduled to be performed today (19) in the grave prepared by him, family sources said.

Chicken prices down by Rs. 100 today

The retail price of a kilogram of chicken has been reduced by Rs. 100 at the Narahenpita Economic Centre today.

Israeli missiles hit site in Iran, explosions heard in Isfahan: Report

Israeli missiles have hit a site in Iran, according to the US broadcaster ABC News, which cited an unnamed senior US official.

India heads to the polls in world’s biggest election

Polls opened Friday for the first and largest phase of India’s marathon general election, kicking off a vote in which Prime Minister Narendra Modi is seeking to win a rare third consecutive term.

Party leaders to shoot down MPs request for concessionary duty free vehicle permits

A request by some MPs across the political divide for concessionary vehicle permits is likely to be shot down by the party leaders given the dire economic situation of the country, Daily Mirror learns.

Public urged to provide water access to animals

As scorching temperatures continue to sweep across Sri Lanka, the Vets in Sri Lanka have issued a stark call to action, urging public to provide water access to animals especially birds.

Wild elephants pull down 16 telephone posts

A herd of wild elephant that roamed into the Settikulam-Mannar main highway in the early hours of last morning had pulled down telephone posts causing the breakdown of telecom services in several areas.

No presidential candidate has secured a 50% vote base as of date

With the Presidential Election scheduled to be held in the first week of October, political parties have begun vigorous campaigns in electorates as well as closed door discussions with parliamentarians in a bid to secure a basic 50 percent vote base which will win them the presidency.

Port City officials frustrated over delay in duty free mall opening

Port City Colombo officials expressed frustration over delays in opening the downtown duty-free mall in Colombo.