Children attending school face a greater risk of road accidents in the densely populated city of Colombo compared to other areas of the country, Education Minister Susil Premajayantha said, addressing an event organized at the Ministry for the official launch of the ‘School Road Safety Club’.
In response to mounting concerns over reports of several police officers being in contact with leading drug lords, some of whom operate from overseas while others are imprisoned following recent crackdowns on underworld gangs, intelligence officers have been deployed to identify the police officers collaborating with organized criminals and drug traffickers with their assets to be probed, the Daily Mirror learns. Police have received informati
A Canadian tourist couple on a visit to Sigiriya came under attack by a wild elephant on their way to the summit of the Sigiriya rock to watch the sunrise in the early hours of last morning. The 36 year old woman received serious injuries in the attack. They were walking through the sanctuary when the wild elephant hit the female tourist. However, a tourist guide who heard their cries rushed to the scene, scared away the elephant and saved
Chief Incumbent of Mihintale Rajamaha Vihara Ven.Walawahengunawewe Dhammarathana Thera boycotted the Poson Committee that met yesterday claiming that the government grant of Rs. 5 million allocated for Poson celebrations in Mihintale Rajamaha Vihara is not sufficient, The committee met under the chairmanship of Anuradhapura District Secretary Janaka Jayasundara. Ven. Thera said the grant of Rs.5 million is not sufficient for the illuminatio
Absence of MPs yesterday created a drama in Parliament leading to the suspension of sittings for more than two hours while the voting on the order under Value Added Tax (VAT) ACT was low. Sessions were suspended around 1 pm last afternoon until 4 pm as more than 30 MPs who were to speak during the debate were absent. Some 21 members of the Opposition and 11 from the ruling party who were to speak during yesterday’s debate were absent. Later
Research conducted by the government has revealed that more than 60 percent of the voters in Sri Lanka are still undecided on whom they should vote for, UNP Assistant Leader Akila Viraj Kariyawasam said yesterday. Former Minister Kariyawasam told a press briefing that rumours of certain political parties expected to get a high percentage of votes is false. “Some political parties are living on illusions,” he said.
Sri Lanka has recovered faster than expected from the economic crisis it faced two years ago, however, the World Bank yesterday cautioned that this momentum might be lost due to a possible slowdown in the reform efforts as the island nation gears up for election this year. World Bank’s Senior Country Economist for the Maldives and Sri Lanka Richard Walker told journalists in Colombo that while Sri Lanka has made significant progress in the last
Research reports suggest that hazardous chemicals or chemical mixtures, known as endocrine disruptive chemicals (EDCs), which interfere with the body’s hormonal functions, have been found concealed within everyday consumer products like water-repellent textiles such as raincoats. EDCs have an effect on the male hormone testosteron, and a large number of young males have a reduced sperm count, and an increasing number are being born with defor
National Dangerous Drug Control Authority (NDDCA) has pointed out that the toffee that bursts in the mouth, popularized among schoolchildren by racketeers would cause damage to the tissues in the mouth and the stomach. Media spokesman for NDDCA and Education Infor
In the absence of a mechanism to curb corruption at Sri Lanka Customs, the abolition of the Special Commodity Levy on imported goods can result in price hikes, according to the Essential Commodities Importers’ and Traders’ Association. The Cabinet has decided to repeal the 17-year-old tax law starting from January, next year. A spokesman for the Association told Daily Mirror that the levy was introduced way back at the insistence of its me
While admitting that the Central Environment Authority (CEA) was unaware that a Singapore cargo ship carrying hazardous material was heading to Sri Lanka from the US, State Minister of Environment Janaka Wakkumbura said yesterday that the CEA has already launched a comprehensive investigation into the incident. He told Parliament that Sri Lanka Customs and the Colombo Port have been informed of the cargo ship and assured to provide a report to
Melbourne, April 1 (9News) - A bank teller from Sri Lanka, working at the Melbourne branch of National Australia Bank,saved a woman who he said was “blinded by her love” from losing thousands of dollars to a “cunning” scammer.
India has no intention to reverse the agreement that ceded the Katchatheevu Island to Sri Lanka despite the political debate in India that is primarily meant for domestic consumption in view of the upcoming Lok Sabha elections, Daily Mirror learns.
Sri Lanka is not yet aware of the nature of hazardous materials in the Singapore cargo ship Dali chartered by Maersk, which crashed into the Baltimore, US bridge on March 26, carrying 764 tons of hazardous materials as reported by
Importers of essential items such as big onions, potatoes and dried sprats have earned a total profit of Rs. 114 billion last year in an unfair manner, the report of the Ways and Means Committee which was tabled in Parliament revealed yester
All-Island Three-Wheeler Drivers’ Union (AITWDU) President Lalith Dharmasekera criticized the recent fuel price revision, saying the social group mostly affected by the economic crisis had been neglected in the process. He said the
The Easter Sunday service was held at St Anthony’s Shrine Kochchikade in a calm atmosphere but under tight security. The same service in this church ended in carnage five years ago when a suicide bomber blew himself up killing around a hundred people. The tears of this devotee indicate the reminiscences of the incident.
Traffic on the Badulla – Randenigala – Kandy main highway came to a standstill last morning when a wild elephant from Randenigala forest reserve stood motionless across the road. The vehicles from either direction were halted at a distance to avoid any possible danger. However the jumbo that kept standing on the road for about half an hour had gone back padded towards the Randenigala reservoir reservation much to the relief of the drivers.
The Executive Board of UNESCO at its 219th Session adopted by acclamation a Decision to commemorate the International Day of Vesak at UNESCO in alignment with the Organization’s core mandate of promoting global peace, intercultural dialogue, and the preservation of cultural heritage. The landmark Decision was based on the historic UN General Assembly Resolution 54/115 of 1999 on International Recognition of Vesak at the United Nations which was t
Police arrested two suspects yesterday during their investigations into the death of a woman at Paddiyawatta in Kotalawala in Kaduwela on Thursday (28) her body which was lying in a pool of blood had been recovered from her house. The deceased Ajantha Katugampola (54) was a mother of two children who had been away from home for employment at the time of the incident. One of the suspects was a close relative of the deceased and the other a mas
An individual who had allegedly clubbed to death his mistress and complained to the police that she fell in the bathroom and died was arrested by the Pallekele police yesterday. The victim Vimani Kodituwakku (48) was a resident of Vidurawatta in Pallekele and her 54-year-old paramour, who was taken into custody in connection with her death, a resident of Kundasale. The woman in critical condition had been admitted to the ICU of Kandy Nation
Canada issues travel advisory over serious risk in Arugam Bay
More countries issue travel advisories
Sri Lanka Tourism invites global travellers for upcoming season
Russian embassy urges citizens to stay vigilant in Arugam Bay
US Embassy issues travel warning for Arugam Bay
Tourism industry on edge as travel advisories mount
Israelis top tourist arrivals in Arugam Bay, but reduced now