Former Navy Commander presents credentials as envoy to Cuba

Former Sri Lanka Navy Commander Admiral Nishantha Ulugetenne (Retd), who was appointed as Sri Lanka’s Ambassador to Cuba, presented his credentials to the President of the Republic of Cuba, Miguel Díaz-Canel at the Palace of the Revolution in Havana yesterday (13).

Man shot at in Modara Street last night

A 51-year-old person was admitted to the National Hospital in Colombo with injuries following a shooting incident at Modara Street in Modara, Colombo, last night, police said.

Thundershowers in Western, Sabaragamuwa, Galle, Matara after 2 p.m.

Thundershowers may occur in the Western and Sabaragamuwa Provinces and in the Galle and Matara districts after 2 p.m., the forecasting division of the National Meteorological Centre said.

Debt payers slam CB’s silence on unregulated online lenders

Leasing and debt installment payers voiced concerns over Central Bank’s silence regarding the questionable practices of unregulated online loan providers in Sri Lanka.

5G Technology remains uncertain in Sri Lanka

The timelines for the commercial launch of 5G technology remains uncertain over the high cost involved in infrastructure building and securing devices, a source from the Technology Ministry said.

Tri-forces halt general recruitment

Sri Lanka is in the process of downsizing the existing Sri Lanka Army cadre to 135,000 by the end of this year, and the number has already dropped to nearly 150,000 from the existing Sri Lanka Army cadre of 200,783, Daily Mirror learns.

SC rules against an overholding tenant after 21 years legal battle

The Supreme Court has delivered a judgement against an overholding tenant who continued to occupy a property after his rental agreement had expired, following a 21 year legal battle.

Kalpitiya Police OIC granted bail over sexual assault case

The Officer-in-Charge (OIC) of the Kalpitiya Police Station surrendered to the Puttalam Magistrate’s Court today in connection with allegations of sexually assaulting a female police constable.

Beware of crocodiles in Colombo’s waterways

The Wildlife Department warned the public to be vigilant when using rivers, lakes and canals in Colombo as there was a high possibility of crocodiles languishing in these waterways.

Government has committed a huge mistake by appointing healthcare workers to hospitals

Government Medical Officers’ Forum (GMOF) president Dr. Rukshan Bellana said today that the government has made a significant error by appointing healthcare workers to hospitals.

Sri Lanka eye clean sweep against Afghanistan

Sri Lanka will host Afghanistan for the final and inconsequential One Day International (ODI) match in the three-match series at the Pallekele Stadium in Kandy tomorrow.

Pay attention to direction of the sun when building new houses: Parliamentary Committee

A Parliamentary Committee has observed that people must be informed of the need to pay attention to the direction of the sun when building a new house so as to install solar panels.

Health services declared as Essential Public Service

An Extraordinary Gazette has been issued making all service connected to the maintenance and reception, care, feeding and treatment of patients in hospitals, nursing homes, dispensaries and other similar institutions, as an Essential Public Service.

Bangladesh recall Mahmudullah, Taijul for Sri Lanka T20Is

Bangladesh on Tuesday recalled batsman Mahmudullah Riyad and Taijul Islam to their Twenty20 international squad for the three-match series against Sri Lanka in March.

Pidurutalagala must be reopened for tourists

Arrangements must be made to reopen Pidurutalagala, which is the highest peak in the island, for tourists, Central Province Governor Lalith U. Gamage said at the Nuwara Eliya District Coordinating Committee meeting.

US Senate passes $95 billion Ukraine aid bill

The US Senate passed a $95.3 billion foreign aid bill with assistance for Ukraine and Israel in a vote early Tuesday morning, setting up a showdown with the House as Speaker Mike Johnson has criticized the legislation.

Sri Lanka recognized as one of the seven UN World Restoration Flagships

Sri Lanka has been recognized as one of the seven UN World Restoration Flagships for its ambitious initiative to restore and expand mangrove cover by over 50 percent.

Customs seize Rs.150 Mn worth readymade garments imported from Malaysia

Sri Lanka Customs today thwarted an attempt to smuggle four container loads of readymade garments worth over Rs.150 million, which had been imported from Malaysia falsely declared as fabric.

Judgment on Diana’s citizenship case to be delivered in due course

The Supreme Court today concluded the hearing of the appeal petition filed challenging the Court of Appeal decision to dismiss a writ petition which challenged the legality of State Minister Diana Gamage’s parliamentary seat.

Survey on Sri Lanka’s PR industry reveals print is here to stay

A survey conducted by APAC chapter of the Public Relations and Communications Association (PRCA) revealed that print is here to stay.

European Union Ambassador Carmen Moreno meets Anura Kumara

Ambassador of the European Union to Sri Lanka, Carmen Moreno met NPP leader Anura Kumara Dissanayake at the JVP Headquaters this afternoon.

Do not award surveying contracts to private surveyors

The Government Surveyors’ Association held a protest near the premises of the Ministry calling the authorities to suspend the decision to award surveying contracts to private surveyors. Pic by Pradeep Dilrukshana

NMRA faces exodus as two more Board members resign

The National Medicines Regulatory Authority (NMRA) has witnessed the resignation of two more members from its board namely Supul Wijesinghe and Dr Priyantha Serasinghe.

Sajith is losing control of SJB: Palitha Range Bandara

Leader of the Opposition Sajith Premadasa is witnessing an erosion of control within his party, Samagi Jana Balwegaya (SJB), as several prominent members have conveyed their willingness to support the President, UNP General Secretary Palitha Range Bandara said today.

Introduction of courses on Artificial Intelligence to education system

The proposal for the introduction of Artificial Intelligence (AI) to schools will be a radical change to the education system, and will help prepare children for the future, Cabinet spokesman and Minister Bandula Gunawardana said.

Presidential Election on schedule, General Election set for next year: PMD

The President’s Media Division (PMD) confirmed that the Presidential Election will be held within the mandated period and will adhere to the current timeline.

Government approves housing programme for Sri Lankan overseas employees

Cabinet approval was granted today to implement a housing programme for overseas employees.

Government approves amendments to Online Security Act

The government granted approval to the resolution furnished by the Public Security Minister to direct the Legal Draftsman to prepare a draft bill for amending the Online Security Act based on revisions recognized through further discussions.

Health workers protest...

Trade unions attached to the Federation of Health Professionals of the health sector engaged in an island wide strike today, demanding a solution to a long-standing dispute over the Disturbance, Availability and Transport (DAT) allowance. Pix by Nisal Baduge

Biannual inspection...

Personnel from the Dam Street Police Station conducted their biannual inspection today. The inspection team was headed by SSP Central Colombo Lalith Leelaratne. Dam Street Police OIC CI Ajith Peduruarachchi accompanied the routine inspection team. Pix by Nimalsiri Edirisinghe