Special police teams deployed to crackdown criminals

A special operation under the ’Yukthiya’ initiative was launched today and Inspector General of Police Deshabandu Tennakoon, STF Commandant Senior DIG Warun Jayasundara and several other senior police officers attended the official team send-off held at the Bambalapitiya Police Field Force Headquarters. Pix by Nimalsiri Edirisinghe

Party leaders decide on three-day debate on no-faith motion on Speaker

The Party leaders have decided to debate the no-confidence motion against Speaker Mahinda Yapa Abeywardhane for three days.

Israel Gaza: US reports death of senior Hamas military leader

Hamas leader Marwan Issa died in an Israeli air strike, White House official Jake Sullivan has said.

Cabinet approves import of 42 million eggs till end April

Cabinet approval was granted today to import another stock of 42 million eggs for the requirements of the people and to provide them at a fair price.

20 special police teams deployed to crack down identified underworld gangs

Following a concerning increase in organized criminal activities in the Western and Southern Provinces, a special operation under the ’Yukthiya’ initiative was launched today.

India grants USD 61.5 million to develop KKS Port

The Indian Government has agreed to provide a grant of USD 61.5 million to fully develop the Kankesanthurai (KKS) Port.

Explosive ’devil comet’ returns for 1st time in 71 years

A rare and massive comet with a devilish nickname is set to pass by Earth for the first time in 71 years and may be visible during the highly anticipated April 8 total solar eclipse, according to NASA.

Tense situation in Parliament due to protest by TNA MPs

A tense situation erupted in Parliament after a group of Tamil National Alliance MPs staged a protest inside the Chamber over the arrest of eight persons who were engaged in religious observances at the Vedukkunaarimalai Athi Lingeswarar Shrine on Maha Sivarathri night.

Schools which have not received textbooks, uniforms urged to notify authorities

The Education Ministry today requested all school principals to inform them if their schools have not received school text books and uniform fabric for 2024 yet.

Cash-strapped Govt. to cough up additional Rs.11Bn if general election declared

The cash-strapped government will have to cough up another Rs.11 billion in case a snap parliamentary election is declared ahead of the Presidential Election which is anyway due in terms of the Constitution during the last quarter of this year, Daily Mirror learns.

Prepare for presidential election first -President tells Cabinet

Putting an end to the rumor’s that the general election or the presidential election will be held first, President Ranil Wickremesinghe reportedly informed the cabinet of ministers yesterday (18) that the presidential election will be held first.

Purple-faced leaf monkeys risk death with daring rooftop travels: Primatologist

Due to deforestation in urban areas, Western purple-faced langurs also known as purple-faced leaf monkey are forced to use rooftops for travel in search of food and resting places, putting them at risk of encounters with dogs, people, and vehicles which can be fatal for the animals, a primatologist and behavioral ecologist said.

Scandal erupts over Keheliya given special transport privileges, CID launches probe

The Criminal Investigation Department (CID) has initiated investigations into an incident in which former Minister Keheliya Rambukwella who is in remand custody has been transported to court using a bus donated by UNICEF for the transportation of children of female inmates.

Tourism hits half a million arrival milestone in under 3 months

Sri Lanka’s tourist arrivals have soared past the 500,000 mark in just the third month of the year, with March alone crossing the 100,000 milestone, over the weekend.

Silence on gender-based harassment in workplaces gets louder

In a disheartening revelation, a recent study conducted by the Women’s Chamber of Industry and Commerce Sri Lanka (WCIC) shed light on the alarming silence surrounding gender-based violence and harassment (GBVH) against women in workplaces.

Wanindu Hasaranga comes out of retirement for Bangladesh Tests

Sri Lanka Cricket has named a 17-member squad and Wanindu Hasaranga, who announced his retirement from Test cricket last year, has made a comeback for the ICC World Test Championship series against Bangladesh, commencing on March 22.

Trump unable to get $464m bond in New York fraud case, his lawyers say

Donald Trump’s lawyers have said finding a bond to cover the $464m (£365m) judgement in his New York fraud case is a ’’practical impossibility’’.

Hirunika files action against Deshabandu

Former Parliamentarian Hirunika Premachandra today filed a Fundamental Rights petition in the Supreme Court seeking an order restraining Deshabandu Tennakoon from discharging the duties and functioning in the office of Inspector General of Police (IGP).

Sri Lanka names Test squad for Bangladesh Test series

Minister of Sports and Youth Affairs Harin Fernando approved the 17-member squad selected by the Sri Lanka Cricket Selection Committee to take part in the Test series against Bangladesh.

Mushfiqur mocks Mathews, recreates helmet malfunction scene from World Cup after ODI series win

During the post-match presentation, Mushfiqur Rahim celebrated the win by mocking Angelo Mathews’ ’timed out’ dismissal during the ICC Cricket World Cup 2023 as he gestured with a broken helmet.

Litton and uncapped Rana in squad for first Test vs Sri Lanka

Bangladesh have named a strong 15-member squad for the first Test against Sri Lanka in Sylhet, which begins on 22 March.

State Astrologers’ Committee refutes allegations of faulty auspicious times for New Year

Refuting allegations of faulty auspicious times during the Sinhala and Tamil New Year, the State Astrologers’ Committee justified the designation of auspicious times for performing Sinhala New Year rituals at night, claiming that they wanted the most suitable time for the rituals despite practical difficulties.

CEB summoned before COPE

The Ceylon Electricity Board (CEB) has been called to appear before the Committee on Public Enterprises (COPE) on March 21, 2024, the Communications Department of Parliament said.

Paediatrician warns of risks from matching environment-body temperatures

If the environmental temperature reaches body temperature, it can cause an increase in palpitations and decrease oxygen supply to the brain, thus leading to heat shocks, fainting and potential death, Lady Ridgeway Hospital (LRH) Consultant Paediatrician Dr. Deepal Perera said.

Tanzid, Rishad power Bangladesh to series win against Sri Lanka

Rishad Hossain played an attacking innings of 48 after substitute Tanzid Hasan Tamim hit 84 off 81 balls Monday, steering Bangladesh to a four-wicket win and a 2-1 ODI series victory over Sri Lanka.

Extending cracks on Jethawanaramaya Stupa stopped

Sri Jayewardenepura University lecturer and Acting Director General of Archaeology, Prof. Gamini Ranasingha, told the Daily Mirror that the treatments administered to the cracks in the square chamber of the Jethawanaramaya have successfully halted their extension.

El Nino phenomenon causing high temperatures, will continue till April

The El Nino phenomenon has caused an increase in the continuous dry weather situation in the country and it could continue till April, Meteorology Department Director Genral Athula Karunanayaka said.

Liyanage’s maiden ODI century lifts SL to 235

Sri Lanka’s rising batting sensation Janith Liyanage hammered his maiden ODI hundred in the third and deciding ODI versus Bangladesh in Chattogram.

Postpone all sports meets: Education Ministry

While issuing a circular, the Education Ministry has directed schools to postpone their sports meets due to the prevalence of higher temperatures.

Eran Wickramaratne resigns from COPE

Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB) MP Eran Wickramaratne has resigned from the Committee on Public Enterprises (COPE) protesting against the appointment of ineligible members to the committee.