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.

Protecting sea lanes vital for Indo-Pacific economic growth: US Deputy Secretary of State Verma

The United States remains committed to the economic growth and prosperity of Sri Lanka, Deputy Secretary of State for Management and Resources Richard Verma told government, civil society and economic leaders during his February 23 to 24 visit to Sri Lanka.

Controversial ’white only’ party cancelled amid public outcry

A controversial ’white only’ themed party scheduled to take place on February 24 at a Russian run cafe in the south has been cancelled by its organizers following widespread public backlash.

ISIS bride Shamima Begum loses bid to regain UK citizenship

Shamima Begum, the London-born Bangladeshi-origin woman, who fled the UK as a 15-year-old schoolgirl to join the Islamic State (ISIS) terrorist network, on Friday lost yet another legal bid to regain her British citizenship and return to the UK.

Two youths attempting to use fake visas to reach Europe arrested

Immigration officers at the Katunayake Airport arrested two Sri Lankan youths attempting to flee to Europe using counterfeit ’’Greek’’ tourist visas during the early hours today.

Sri Lanka will not jeopardise India’s security concerns: State Minister

State Minister of Foreign Affairs Tharaka Balasuriya has assured India that the island will not be used by another country jeopardising India’s security concerns.

Indian legislator, 37, dies in car accident

G Lasya Nanditha, a prominent Bharat Rashtra Samithi (BRS) politician and Member of the Telangana Legislative Assembly, died in a car accident in Sangareddy on Friday.

Uganda National Cricket team in town, calls on Ali Sabry

Foreign Minister Ali Sabry had a meeting with the Uganda National Cricket team at the Foreign Affairs Ministry.

Name ’spa’ has to be changed; spa is something very professional: Diana

The name ’spa’ has to be changed and people should not be allowed to merely use the name spa, Tourism State Minister Diana Gamage said.

Legal action to be taken against unauthorized granting of national awards

President’s Secretary Saman Ekanayake has directed officials to take legal action against the unauthorized granting of national awards and honorary titles.

Chief Prelates have lost faith on President, government: Hirunika

The Malwathu and Asgiri Chief Prelates have lost their faith on President Ranil Wickremesinghe and with the government as they have begun to raise doubts about the elections being held as scheduled, former MP Hirunika Premachandra said.

Architect 2024 at BMICH

Architect 2024, the biggest construction and architecture exhibition of the year, was launched at the BMICH. The exhibition is organized by the Sri Lankan Architects’ Association with the masters in the field. It will be held till Sunday (25) from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. Pix by Kithsiri de Mel

Sri Lankan athletes gearing up for Paris Olympics

The Minister of Sports Harin Fernando has recommended a squad of 58 athletes for the High-Performance Pool in preparation for the Paris Olympic Games and the Paralympics Games 2024.

Major General Sathyapriya Liyanage joins SJB

Former Chief of Defence Staff Major General Sathyapriya Liyanage has been appointed as the head of the Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB) Anti Corruption Unit, the party office said today.

US Deputy Secretary of State calls on President

United States Deputy Secretary of State for Management and Resources Richard Verma called on President Ranil Wickremesinghe a short while ago at the Presidential Secretariat, the President’s Media Division (PMD) said.

Hotel manager falls to death from Rawana Ella mountain

A 32-year-old manager of a tourist hotel in Ella died after falling down a precipice while on a hiking expedition in Rawana Ella mountain yesterday afternoon.

’Yukthiya’ Operation nets 83 suspects on Poya day

A total of 83 suspects were arrested during the continuing ’Yukthiya Operation’ conducted targeting those arriving at the Anuradhapura town in view of Nawam Poya Day, police said.

Religious observances at Bellanwila

Religious observances at Bellanwila People gathered at the Bellanwila Raja Maha Viharaya were seen taking part in religious observances today on Nawam Full Moon Poya day. Pix by Kithsiri de Mel

U.S. lands unmanned Odysseus spacecraft on moon

An unmanned, robotic lunar lander launched by a private U.S. company landed on the moon Thursday evening

Sri Lankan workers in Israel face dilemma, seek job shifts

A contingent of Sri Lankan workers dispatched to Israel to work in the agriculture sector has encountered challenges, with some seeking alternative employment due to reported difficulties on the job, Daily Mirror learns.

Sajith Premadasa seeks to retain private lawyer instead of Attorney General

Opposition Leader Sajith Premadasa, as a member of the Constitutional Council (CC), has sought to retain a private lawyer instead of the Attorney General in the case in which the CC’s rejection of the nomination of Appeal Court President Nissanka Bandula Karunaratne as a judge of the Supreme Court has been challenged.

No heatwave threat to Sri Lanka: Met. Dept.

The Department of Meteorology yesterday assured that Sri Lanka is not facing a heatwave threat though it has adviced people in some areas to be vigilant.

Leakage of water in Samanalawewa reservoir cannot be stopped, say officials

The leakage of water in the Samanalawewa reservoir cannot be stopped, Ceylon Electricity Board’s accessory manufacturing arm Sri Lanka Energies Private Limited (SLE) said.

Adhering to safety rules...

An elephant brought for the Nawam Perahera at Hunupitiya Gangaramaya temple safely crosses the road at the Viharamahadevi Park pedestrian crossing and enjoys a snack at the library junction food truck. Pix by Nimalsiri Edirisinghe

Sri Lanka's debt woes deepen as it joins IMF surcharge list

Sri Lanka has been added to the list of 22 heavily indebted countries facing controversial surcharges imposed by the International Monetary Fund (IMF) from recently.

Banks alarmed over parate execution suspension move

Sri Lanka’s banking sector is on the edge of following the government’s decision to suspend parate execution rights.

Hot weather no obstacle for them...

People in urban areas of Colombo engaged in construction work during the daytime despite the hot weather. Some labourers were also transporting goods in Pettah to earn their living, persevering the the heat. Pix by Pradeep Pathirana