Women's Day programme at Nalanda College

A ceremony was held today at Nalanda College in view of International Women’s Day by the Community Police Unit in Colombo. Inspector General of Police (IGP) Deshabandu Tennakoon participated at the event. Pix by Waruna Wanniarachchi

Three tons of plastic bottles collected in Sri Pada within three months

Three tons of plastic bottles discarded by pilgrims visiting Sri Pada have been collected within three months since the beginning of the Sri Pada season this year, Maskeliya Pradeshiya Sabha announced.

Vets dispute Pramitha Bandara’s stray dog population claim over data accuracy

The declaration by Defense State Minister Pramitha Bandara Tennakoon in Parliament yesterday regarding the population of stray dogs in the country is baseless and it is asserted that the State Minister issued this statement without possessing accurate data on the subject, advisor to the Association of Veterinarians for Humane Management of Animal Population, Dr. Chamith Nanayakkara said.

Ramya Vanigasekara passess away

Veteran actress, journalist and radio news anchor Ms. Ramya Vanigasekara has passed away at the age of 73 years old.

Six Sri Lankans knifed to death in Ottawa; 19-year old arrested

The Ottawa Police Service Homicide Unit in Canada arrested a 19-years-old Sri Lankan student who was involved in last night’s homicide where six including five members of a Sri Lankan family were killed.

Sri Lanka sees uptick in HIV/AIDS cases in 2023

Sri Lanka has experienced a significant surge in HIV/AIDS cases in 2023 recording close to 700 cases.

President, Mahinda, Basil talks end with no decision on alliance

The meeting among President Ranil Wickremesinghe, Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna (SLPP) leaders Mahinda Rajapaksa and Basil Rajapaksa ended with no final decision on the formation of an alliance ahead of the pending national elections, Daily Mirror learns .

Shavendra and Kamal villains in GR’s new book

Former President Gotabaya Rajapaksa has acknowledged his shortcomings in appointing key defence personnel, including General Shavendra Silva and General (Retd.) Kamal Gunaratne in his tell-all memoir “The Conspiracy to Oust Me” launched yesterday (March 7).

Ottawa: Four children among six found dead in house

Canadian police are treating the deaths of four children and two adults at a house in Ottawa as homicides.

President to invite Opposition parties to discuss IMF programme

President Ranil Wickremesinghe has announced plans to convene a meeting next Monday (11) inviting leaders, including those from the Opposition to contribute ideas in line with the ongoing discussions with officials from the International Monetary Fund (IMF).

'Press vs Prez' book launched...

The ’’Press Vs. Prez’’ book was officially launched at the Nelum Pokuna Theater in Colombo today (07) under the patronage of President Ranil Wickremesinghe. Pix by Pradeep Pathirana

Indian Warship rescues crew members from attacked ship in Gulf of Aden

An Indian warship, INS Kolkata, swiftly responded to a distress call in the Gulf of Aden, rescuing 21 crew members from the cargo ship ’True Confidence’ after it was targeted by a missile launched by Houthi rebels.

UNFPA Director urges action to safeguard women’s rights in post-pandemic Sri Lanka

Amidst the challenges of a post-pandemic world and economic uncertainties, the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) underscores the critical importance of protecting the rights and dignity of women and girls in Sri Lanka.

Rohitha Abeygunawardhane attempted to assault me: Rasamanickam

Parliamentarian Rajaputhiran Rasamanickam said MP Rohitha Abeygunawardhane threatened him and attempted to physically assault him in the Prime Minister’s Office in Parliament today.

Talks for Gaza ceasefire at a standstill

A ceasefire deal in Gaza that would see Israeli hostages freed and the first break in the fighting in more than three months is unlikely to happen by the start of Ramadan which the Biden administration had been aiming for, according to sources familiar with the negotiations.

Deshabandu’s appointment as IGP challenged before Supreme Court

A Fundamental Rights petition has been filed before the Supreme Court seeking an order preventing Deshabandu Tennakoon from functioning as the Inspector General of Police.

CEB to introduce instalment payment scheme for new connections: Minister

Steps are being taken to introduce a mechanism to pay the connection charge for new electricity connections through an instalment payment scheme, Power and Energy Minister Kanchana Wijesekara said today.

Special trains on main, northern lines during long weekend

The Railways Department has assigned special train services on the main line and the northern line to facilitate the movements of commuters during the upcoming long weekend.

Remembering Charles Henry de Soysa

The celebration honouring the enduring legacy of Charles Henry de Soysa, the esteemed founder of the De Soysa Hospital for Women, Lunawa Hospital and Prince and Princess of Wales’ Colleges, took place on Sunday in commemoration of his 188th birth anniversary. Pix by Nimalsiri Edirisinghe

Rohitha Abeygunawardane new COPE Chairman

SLPP MP Rohitha Abeygunawardane was elected chairman of the Committee on Public Enterprises today.

Lasantha Alagiyawanna re-elected COPA Chairman

Parliamentarian Lasantha Alagiyawanna was re-elected as the Chairman of the Committee on Public Accounts today.

Commander inspires schoolgirl’s aviation dream at ’’Air Tattoo’’

The ’’Air Tattoo - 2024’’ educational and technical exhibition, held in conjunction with the 73rd anniversary of the Sri Lanka Air Force, was inaugurated yesterday at the Muttraweli Ground in Jaffna. Air Marshal Udeni Rajapaksa, Commander of the Sri Lanka Air Force presenting a symbolic aircraft souvenir to a schoolgirl, inspiring her dream of becoming an aviator.

Some 6.2 mn stray dogs roaming in the country: Pramitha Bandara

Some 6.2 million stray dogs are roaming in different parts of the country, State Minister of Defence Pramitha Bandara Tennakoon said today.

Wildlife Minister to look into environmental issues caused by Mannar wind power project

Wildlife Minister Pavitnhradevi Wanniarachchi today told Parliament that she will look into the environmental issues caused by the proposed wind power project in Mannar.

Group of 13 Sri Lankan chefs who went to Ambani’s son’s wedding return

Thirteen chefs who were selected and taken from Sri Lanka to prepare food for the wedding ceremony of Anant Ambani, the youngest son of Indian billionaire businessman Ambani, returned to Sri Lanka this morning through the Bandaranaike International Airport (BIA).

Excessive exposure to sunlight may cause blindness

During the prevalence of dry weather, exposure to excessive sunlight can lead to blindness, Eye Surgeon Dr. Mudita Kulatunga said.

Bollywood icons to grace opening ceremony of Legends Cricket Trophy 2024

Icons such as Sanjay Dutt, Badshah, Emraan Hashmi, and Jacqueline Fernandez are poised to light up the event with their electrifying performances.

Three killed in first fatal Houthi attack on Red Sea shipping: Two Lankans among crew

A Houthi missile attack killed three seafarers on a Red Sea merchant ship, which had a crew of 20 members including two Sri Lankans, on Wednesday, U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) said, the first fatalities reported since the Iran-aligned Yemeni group began strikes against shipping in one of the world’s busiest trade lanes.

Paid Rs. 3,000 re-connection fee two months ago: MP contradicts Kanchana

Contradicting the Power and Energy Minister’s claim that the electricity re-connection fee was reduced to Rs. 800 this year, newly appointed Anuradhapura District MP M.C. Muthukumarana said he paid Rs. 3,000 as reconnection fee two months ago.

Police sergeant arrested for aiding ’Harak Kata’s’ escape bid

A police sergeant assigned to the Matara Division Crime Investigation Unit has been arrested for his involvement in aiding and abetting the failed escape attempt of organized criminal Nandun Chinthaka alias ’Harak Kata’ from the Criminal Investigation Department (CID).