Harini should bring in a private member’s motion to repeal laws prohibiting prostitution: Hirunika

National People’s Power (NPP) MP Harini Amarasuriya should bring in a private member’s motion to repeal the Vagrants Ordinance of 1841 under which prostitution is banned in Sri Lanka, former MP Hirunika Premachandra said today.

Appeal Court suspends auctioning of New Nawaloka Medical Centre

The Court of Appeal today issued an interim order preventing Hatton National Bank PLC from auctioning the property relating to New Nawaloka Medical Centre (Private) Limited.

Jeffrey Vandersay, Avishka Fernando called up for Bangladesh T20Is

Sri Lanka have retained largely the same T20 squad, that beat Afghanistan in their three-match T20I series, for next month’s tour of Bangladesh, with Jfferey Vandersay and Avishka Fernando the only additions.

UNFPA Sri Lanka inaugurates one stop centre in Kilinochchi

The United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) Sri Lanka announced the opening ceremony of the One Stop Centre (OSC) at the District General Hospital in Kilinochchi today (28).

SLFP to support no-faith motion against Speaker

The Sri Lanka Freedom Party (SLFP) has decided to support the proposed no-confidence motion against Speaker Mahinda Yapa Abeywardhane.

Many SJBers will will join Ranil on March 10: Range Bandara

Many members of the Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB) will abandon their party and join President Ranil Wickremesinghe when he kicks off his campaign for presidency on March 10 this year, UNP General Secretary Palitha Range Bandara said today.

Dislodged wheel of SLTB bus damages three-wheeler, shop

The right front wheel of a Sri Lanka Transport Board (SLTB) bus dislodged while the vehicle was on the move, resulting in a collision that damaged a nearby shop yesterday, the police said.

World’s lowest fertility rate plunges again in 2023 in South Korea

South Korea’s fertility rate, already the world’s lowest, continued its dramatic decline in 2023, as women concerned about their career advancement and the financial cost of raising children decided to delay childbirth or to not have babies.

UNFPA Asia Pacific Regional Director arrives in Sri Lanka

The United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) Sri Lanka welcomed Pio Smith, the UNFPA Asia Pacific Regional Director, who arrived in the country for a formal visit.

Protect universities...

The University Trade Union Joint Committee (UTUJC) staged a protest in front of the Visual and Performing Arts University today, demanding that the authorities solve their salary anomalies and take immediate action to enroll new lecturers to continue with the students’ academic activities. Pix by Nisal Baduge

Anura Kumara off to Canada next month

National People’s Power (NPP) leader Anura Kumara Dissanayake will travel to Canada next month to address Sri Lankans living there and to meet with some Canadian politicians, the Daily Mirror learns.

WNPS vows tough action against Adani wind power project

Wildlife and Nature Protection Society (WNPS) vowed stern legal action against the Adani-sponsored wind power project in Mannar if the proposed environmental concerns on the EIA is not heeded by the Central Environment Authority (CEA), saying over one million birds will be affected annually if the project came into being.

Sri Lanka asks UNHRC member states not to do vote bank politics

Minister of Foreign Affairs, Ali Sabry urged the members of the UN Human Rights Council not to allow short-term political gains or “domestic vote bank politics” to overtake the work of the Council, when addressing the High-Level segment of the 55th Session of the Council through a pre-recorded video statement on 27 February 2024.

Strenuous outdoor activities in schools suspended

In response to soaring atmospheric temperatures, the Education Ministry has issued a directive to all school authorities urging them to suspend strenuous outdoor activities for students till Friday (March 01).

Santhan, released convict in Rajiv Gandhi assassination case, dies

Santhan alias T Suthendiraraja, a Sri Lankan national who was one of the six convicts released in the Rajiv Gandhi assassination case, died on Wednesday morning at the Rajiv Gandhi Government Hospital (RGGH) in Chennai.

SLPP Parlimentarian accused of land grab in Kalpitiya

Puttalam District SLPP Parliamentarian Chinthaka Mayadunna is accused of being involved in land grabbing in Kalpitiya to distribute amongst the Muslim and Tamil communities, eyeing their votes at the upcoming elections.

Michelle Obama emerges as top contender to replace Biden

According to a survey, Michelle Obama, the former first lady of the United States, is the front-runner to succeed President Joe Biden as the Democratic party’s presidential nominee.

Court suspends divestiture process of Lanka Hospitals

The Court of Appeal today issued an interim order preventing the authorities from proceeding with the divestiture process of the Lanka Hospitals Corporation PLC, until March 12.

Ex-soldier wanted over shooting killed in clash with STF

An ex-army soldier, who was wanted for the killing of a meat shop owner in Mahabage and several other crimes, died in a confrontation with the Police Special Task Force in the Suriyawewa area.

Bread, bun sales down: Bakery industry in crisis

Sales of cakes breads and buns in the local market have dropped by around 50% due to the high manufacturing costs, the All Ceylon Bakery Owners’ Association (ACBOA) said.

Locals outraged as Israeli and Ukrainian tourists operate businesses in South

Following the Daily Mirror’s expose on Russian tourists engaging in illegal businesses in several areas in the south, it has now come to light that many Israeli and Ukrainian tourists are also engaged in running similar businesses in the south, hampering local businesses and causing much concern among industry stakeholders.

Fresh relief for businesses struggling with loan repayments

Businesses struggling to repay loans can now let out a sigh of relief as a Cabinet decision has been announced that prevents banks from opting for aggressive recovery measures.

New sex education publications for all ages to be launched next month

The Education Ministry has made arrangements to launch new educational publications compiled to provide sex education from the pre-childhood development stage to the adult community, the Parliamentary Caucus for Children said.

Ronnie de Mel no more

Ronnie de Mel who was instrumental in introducing the open economy in Sri Lanka in 1978, passed away at the age of 99 today.

Cricketers discuss challenges with Sports Minister

Several players of the Sri Lankan cricket team met Sports Minister Harin Fernando today to discuss issues and challenges faced by the Sri Lankan cricketers.

Legality of no faith motion against speaker questionable: Minister

The legality of the no confidence motion which is being brought against Speaker Mahinda Yapa Abeywardene is questionable, Minister of Justice Wijeyadasa Rajapakshe said today.

Delegation from Saudi Fund arrives in Sri Lanka

Saudi Arabian ambassador Khalid bin Hamoud Al-Kahtani received a delegation from the Development Evaluation Department of the Saudi Fund for Development (SFD) today, a statement from the embassy said.

US appreciates Sri Lanka’s role in Red Sea operations

US Deputy Secretary of State Richard Verma appreciates Sri Lanka’s involvement in the ongoing security operations in the Red Sea, and announces that a 4th Coast Guard Cutter will be gifted to the Sri Lankan Navy to further expand its naval operation capabilities.

Central Bank summoned before COPF over pay hike

The Committee on Public Finance has summoned the Governing Board of the Central Bank beforer the committee next week, COPF Chair Dr. Harsha De Silva said.

India to push rupee investments in Sri Lanka

The government of Sri Lanka is working on operationalizing Rupee investments in Sri Lanka in a move to boost Indian investments in its southern neighbour, two people aware of the matter told Mint.