February tourist arrivals exceed 138,000 in 18 days

Sri Lanka’s tourism surge shows no sign of slowing down, with more than 138,000 international visitors exploring the island nation just in the first 18 days of February.

Iranian Foreign Minister calls on Ali Sabry

The joint media briefing by visiting Iranian Foreign Minister Dr. Amir Abdullahian and Sri Lankan Foreign Affairs Minister M.U.M. Ali Sabry took place in Colombo on February 20, 2024. Iranian Foreign Minister Dr. Hossein arrived in Sri Lanka last night for a three-day official visit. Pix by Pradeep Pathirana

English language to be considered for conducting legal proceedings

The English language is to be considered for conducting legal proceedings and maintaining records in certain courts, the Government Information Department said today.

Voice of Migrants condemns Israel’s policy against Palestinian migrant workers

The recent decision by Israeli authorities to terminate the employment of 72,000 Palestinian migrant workers has sparked widespread condemnation and calls for justice from international organizations and human rights advocates.

Chamari Athapaththu eyes big team goal in 2024

Sri Lankan superstar Chamari Athapaththu has set her eyes on the big prize at the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup later this year.

ILT20 slaps one-year ban on Noor Ahmad

Afghanistan leg-spinner Noor Ahmad has been banned for 12 months by ILT20’s disciplinary committee for breach of contract with his franchise Sharjah Warriors. Noor becomes the second player after fellow countryman Naveen-ul-Haq to be banned by the ILT20 for the same reason.

Iranian Foreign Minister Hossein meets President Ranil

Iranian Foreign Minister Hossein Amir-Abdollahian called on President Ranil Wickremesinghe at the Presidential Secretariat a short while ago, the President’s Media Division (PMD) said.

Thomians regain Abeynaike Trophy

S. Thomas’ College trounced Trinity College by an innings and 114 runs in their Inter-Schools Under-19 cricket encounter, with more than a session to spare at Mount Lavinia.

Oh how mighty Kandy have fallen?

CR and FC emerged champions of the Inter-Club League Rugby Tournament last Sunday when they defeated Kandy Sports Club in the last fixture, which was a potential title decider.

Russia arrests dual US citizen for Ukraine-linked ‘treason’

Russia’s internal security and intelligence agency has arrested a woman who holds dual Russian and United States nationality in the Ural district for committing “treason” by raising funds for Ukraine.

New study links COVID-19 vaccines to possible health issues

The largest ever multi-country survey on the side-effects of COVID vaccines – from the houses of Pfizer, Moderna and AstraZeneca – claims to have found that these life-saving shots exacerbated 13 different medical conditions.

SLPP MP ordained as Buddhist monk

SLPP MP Gunatileke Rajapaksa has been temporarily ordained as a Buddhist monk. The MP is now called Venerable Harispathuwe Dhammarathana Thera.

Janaka Wakkumbura gets additional ministerial portfolio

Janaka Wakkumbura has been appointed as the State Minister of Provincial Councils, Local Government and Environment.

Mindfulness programme for schoolchildren

The Education Ministry today launched the first ’’Mindfulness’’ programme for this year for schoolchildren at the Dharmapala Vidyalaya in Pannipitiya with the participation of Education Minister Susil Premajayantha.

Gotabaya’s private secretary resigns

Sugishwara Bandara, who served as the private secretary of former President Gotabaya Rajapaksa, has resigned from his position.

Indigenous medicine students protest...

Students’ union of the Indigenous Medicine Faculty staged a protest march today from Rajagiriya Ayurveda Hospital to Auyrveda rounabout, demanding the government to withdraw the policies that destroy the local indigenous medical practices and to take immediate action to overcome the current medical shortage. Pix by Nisal Baduge

Plans to provide Galle Face ’Aragalaya site’ for casino centre: Vijitha

The government is planning to provide the Galle Face agitation site where the ’GotaGoGama’ Aragalaya was conducted, to establish a casino centre, NPP MP Vijith Herath alleged today.

Expel Harin...

A public protest was held in Colombo, demanding the government expel Minister Harin Fernando from his post and stop selling the country to India. Pix by Pradeep Dilrukshana

Wimal questions Harin’s statement in India

The government must inform Parliament wether the statement made by Tourism Minister Harin Fernando in India that Sri Lanka was part of India was the government’s official stance or his personal opinion, Parliamentarian Wimal Weerawansa said.

Government hints out at further restrictions on vehicle imports

State Minister of Finance Ranjith Siyambalapitiya today informed Parliament that the imports of vehicles will be continued.

Promotion of maritime passenger transport between Sri Lanka and India

The government approved reducing the deviation tax currently charged on passengers leaving Sri Lanka by passenger vessels and ships.

Former Maldives State Minister and 16 others released from case

Former Maldives State Minister of Finance Mohamed Ashmalee and 16 other suspects have been released from the magisterial inquiry relating to the alleged sexual exploitation of a 15-year old girl in 2021.

Some sections of Anti Terrorism Bill inconsistent with Constitution: Supreme Court

The Supreme Court has informed the Speaker of Parliament that some sections of the proposed Anti Terrorism Bill are inconsistent with the Constitution and should be approved with a special majority and through a referendum.

Sri Lanka set for all-format cricket tour of Bangladesh in March

Sri Lanka’s men’s cricket team will tour Bangladesh during March–April this year to take part in an all-format tour, Sri Lanka Cricket said.

Iranian Foreign Affairs Minister arrives

The Foreign Affairs Minister of Iran, Hossein Amir Abdullahian arrived at the Bandaranaike International Airport (BIA) last night for a three-day official visit.

CEB Engineers open to “progressive” reforms

The resistance to restructuring the state-owned enterprises is a common narrative but the Ceylon Electricity Board Engineers Union (CEBEU) has made it clear that it is not opposed to reforms.

Man shot at in Borella

A person was injured in a shooting near an apartment complex in front of Borella Magazine Prison last night and was admitted to the m National Hospital, Colombo for treatment, police said.

Rise in Russian tourists engaging in prostitution sparks concerns

In the wake of an influx of tourists particularly from Russia following the implementation of a visa-free entry programme, concerns have been raised regarding the involvement of some Russian female tourists, engaging in illegal activities such as prostitution during their stay in Sri Lanka, the Daily Mirror learns.

Relatives of enforced disappearances to hold mass procession in Kilinochchi today

In completion of seven years of truth-seeking agony to learn the whereabouts of their missing kith and kin during the war, the family members of the enforced disappearances are to stage a mass procession in Kilinochchi this morning.

Handling of electricity tariff consultation inappropriate, unacceptable: Janaka Ratnayaka

The way that the present chairman of the Public Utilities Commission of Sri Lanka (PUCSL) conducted the affairs of the public consultation regarding the electricity tariff revision was not appropriate and unacceptable at all, former PUCSL chairman Janaka Ratnayaka said.