Counter-protest in Pitipana…

A counter-protest was held in Negombo today in response to allegations that the fisheries harbour in Pitipana has been taken over by the Archdiocese of Colombo. Demonstrators accused the opposing group of spreading falsehoods and claimed that the decision by the Archdiocese of Colombo is correct. Pix by Kithsiri De Mel

T.M. Dilshan gains Australian citizenship

Former Sri Lankan cricketer Tillakaratne Dilshan has obtained Australian citizenship following a citizenship ceremony, Australian MP Jason Wood said.

Modi inaugurates India’s longest cable-stayed bridge in Gujarat

Prime Minister Narendra Modi recently inaugurated the Sudarshan Setu, a monumental cable-stayed bridge that spans approximately 2.32 km, connecting the Okha mainland to Beyt Dwarka in Gujarat. This bridge, formerly known as the ’Signature Bridge,’ has been renamed Sudarshan Setu.

Vocational training for students who have sat their A/L exams

English language guidance for students who have sat for their Advanced Level (A/L) examinations this year will also be given an opportunity to study a vocational subject of their choice free of charge from March 5, Education Minister Susil Premajayantha said.

President orders probe into directive for Russian, Ukrainian tourists to depart

President Ranil Wickremesinghe has ordered an investigation into the notification issued to Russian and Ukrainian tourists, without prior Cabinet approval, requiring them to leave the country within 14 days.

Police arrest Chinese woman over Rs. 8.4 million fraud

A Chinese woman was arrested in connection with a fraud exceeding Rs. 8.4 million, Police said.

SriLankan clarifies flight delays

SriLankan Airlines clarified that the delays experienced by passengers at the check-in counters in Bandaranaike International Airport during the early hours of the morning were due to temporary, unplanned operational conditions at the airport and not any form of trade union action.

Prison to be set up on Mantheevu island in Batticaloa

The government is exploring the possibility of setting up a prison or a rehabilitation centre on the lonely Mantheevu Island off the coast of Batticaloa, a statement from the Justice, Prisons and Constitutional Reforms said.

I am a proud father of a baby girl, Sajith tells first time in public

Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB) leader Sajith Premadasa revealed in public for the first time that he is now the proud father of a baby girl.

SriLankan flights delayed as airport ground staff protest

At least four SriLankan flights were delayed at Bandaranaike International Airport this morning due to ground staff refraining from performing some of their duties.

India, Maldives, Sri Lanka hold ’Dosti’ exercises in Indian Ocean

Seeking to enhance maritime security and interoperability, coast guard personnel from India, the Maldives and Sri Lanka have embarked on a four-day trilateral exercise to identify emerging maritime challenges in the Indian Ocean Region.

Kegalle district gets new foreign employment bureau office

Labour and Foreign Employment Minister Manusha Nanayakkara has addressed a joint request from the Kegalle Migrant Workers Committee and the Kegalle District political authority by committing to establish a Sri Lanka Bureau of Foreign Employment (SLBFE) office in Kegalle District.

Hasaranga to miss first two T20Is against Bangladesh for suspension

Sri Lanka’s T20I captain Wanindu Hasaranga has been suspended for two international matches after his accumulated demerit points reached five within a 24-month period following his latest breach of the ICC Code of Conduct, for which he received a 50 percent fine and three demerit points.

Sugeeshwara pulls big crowd to debut rally...

A big crowd gathered at Hyde Park, Colombo today as Sugeeshwara Bandara made his debut in national politics as Colombo district organizer of the new alliance led by ex-Minister Anura Yapa. Pix by Waruna Wanniarachchi

Presidential poll will be held first as scheduled: President affirms

President Ranil Wickremesinghe affirmed that the Presidential election will be held as scheduled with the General Elections anticipated to be held early next year, the President’s Media Division (PMD) said.

China deports two Lankans arrested from empty container

Two Sri Lankans who tried to hide in an empty container on a ship anchored in the Colombo port and escape to Malaysia were deported from China a year after they were arrested.

You can call me ’Pad Man’ but I will focus on women’s health: Sajith

Renewing his pledge made during the 2019 Presidential election, Opposition Leader Sajith Premadasa today said he will focus on the maximum on women’s health if elected as President of this country.

STF arrests Army Corporal over Mahabage shooting

The Police Special Task Force arrested a key suspect linked to the shooting incident at Mahabage on Thursday.

Suspected deaths of patients at Kurunegala Hospital raise concern

The Health Ministry has launched an investigation and appointed a committee to look into the incident surrounding the suspected deaths at the dialysis unit of the Kurunegala Teaching Hospital.

Enrollment to Grade One

An official ceremony was held recently at the Samudradevi Girls’ College, Nugegoda for the admission of new children to Grade One for the year 2024.

Annual Navam Perahera commences

President Ranil Wickremesinghe and former President Gotabaya Rajapaksa graced the first day of the Gangarama Navam Perahara in Colombo along with several other dignitaries last night. Traditional drummers, dancers and whip-crackers added colour to the Perahera. Pic by Pradeep Dilrukshana

Sri Lanka ready to face any radiation emission if nuclear attack occurs: SLAERC

Sri Lanka is ready to face any radiation emission if a nuclear accident occurs in the region, Sri Lanka Atomic Energy Regulatory Council told a Parliamentary Committee recently.

Rajiv Gandhi assassination case convict gets document to return to Sri Lanka

The Foreigners Regional Registration Officer (FRRO) of the Union Ministry of External Affairs has issued an emergency travel document for Santhan, one of the freed convicts in the Rajiv Gandhi assassination case, facilitating his immediate deportation to Sri Lanka. Santhan, who is currently lodged in the special camp at the Tiruchy central prison, will be escorted by officials to the international airport in Tiruchy.

Over 1Mn power disconnections last year: Parliamentary Committee reveals

More than one million power disconnections have been imposed within the past year throughout the country, a parliamentary committee has revealed.

Ratnapura turns hot with the highest temperature

The temperature in Ratnapura District in Sabaragamuwa Province and Kandy, Nuwara-Eliya in the Central Province had increased due to the decline of wind flow, the Department of Meteorology said.

Rain expected in several areas today

Thundershowers will occur at several places in the Western, Southern, Sabaragamuwa, Central, North-Western, and Uva Provinces in the evening, the Forecasting Division of the National Meteorological Centre said.

Lowest vegetable prices today, high chicken prices

The wholesale prices of vegetables at the New Manning Market in Peliyagoda today recorded lower while bringing down the price of carrots to Rs. 350 per kilo.

Central Bank asked to provide report within one week

Amidst criticism over the exorbitant salary hike of the Central Bank employees, a top parliamentary committee has called for a report from the Central Bank on the legal provisions for such a salary increment without parliamentary approval.

Foreign Ministry pursues all avenues for repatriation of Sri Lankan victims trafficked into Myanmar

The Foreign Affairs Ministry, in coordination with the Embassy of Sri Lanka in Myanmar continues to make every effort to rescue and repatriate the Sri Lankan nationals who have become victims of human trafficking and are trapped in Myanmar, the Foreign Affairs Ministry in Colombo said.

US ready for further financial cooperation with Sri Lanka

The United States (US) which invested half a billion dollars in the development of the West Container Terminal of the Colombo Port has expressed interest in similar financial cooperation with Sri Lanka, Daily Mirror learns.