Plans afoot to obtain “Blue Flag Beaches” certification for SL beaches

India which started the initiative even after Sri Lanka had already obtained “Blue Flag Beaches” certification for eight beaches whereas Sri Lanka is yet to commence the project

SJB Beliatta organizer joins UNP

Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB) Beliatta Organizer Druvin Pravin Atapattu joined UNP and obtained the membership from party Chairman Vajira Abeywardena. Atapattu is the son of late Dr.Ranjith Atapattu who was the Minister of Health in the cabinet of late President J. R. Jayewardene. Druvin Atapattu who was representing UNP in the Hambant

Election Commission ready to accept SLFP nominations despite disputes

The Commission members emphasized that such matters should be resolved through the courts, as the commission is not authorized to intervene under existing legal frameworks

Murderer sentenced in absentia arrested after 35 years on the run

Convict Colambage Saratchandra Sumanasekara alias Nandana Sumanasekara had hacked to death an Engineer of the Ceylon Electricity Board Dr. Waduarachchige Amarasiri over a family dispute

Ottawa mass killing suspect not seeking bail, says lawyer

De-Zoysa, who was studying in Canada as an international student, is set to return to court next week where lawyers expect to set dates for a preliminary inquiry in his case

Culture of Sri Lankan traders prevent people from reaping benefits from price cuts: Sagala

Sri Lankan trading culture does not allow people to enjoy benefits in terms of price reductions whenever the costs of inputs and logistics drop, Chief of Staff President’s Office Sagala Ratnayake said. “Fuel price

Electric Cables worth Rs.10 million chipped away from train parked at Hikkaduwa

According to railway security officials, the thieves specifically targeted cables used for powering the lighting system within the passenger compartments

Mother gives birth on boat en route to hospital

She had been first admitted to the Nagadeepa Base Hospital and on the advice of doctors had been transferred to the Jaffna Teaching Hospital by ferry

Foreigners join in celebrating the new year

A group of Danish tourists were provided the opportunity to enjoy Sri Lankan new year dishes at Ahangama. Local dishes of red rice, fish and pickle and sweetmeats prepared specially for the New Year meal were served to them. It was followe

Wild elephants pull down 16 telephone poles

A herd of wild elephant that roamed into the Settikulam-Mannar main highway in the early hours of last morning had pulled down telephone poles causing the breakdown of telecom services in several areas.

Middleman arrested for price gouging at Kalutara eatery

A middleman who gained notoriety in a social media video for overcharging a foreign national at a Kalutara eatery for ‘Vadai’ and ‘plain tea’ was arrested by the Tourist Police yesterday.

Bondholders’ agreement delay won’t hinder IMF third tranche payout:  Dr. Coomaraswamy

Possible delays in reaching an agreement (in principle) with private bondholders is unlikely to impact the disbursement of the third tranche under IMF’s US$ 3billion bailout package, given negotiations are moving ahead in good faith, Former Governor of Central Bank (CB) and renowned economist, Dr. Indrajit Coomaraswamy said.

Party leaders to shoot down MPs request for concessionary duty free vehicle permits

A request by some MPs across the political divide for concessionary vehicle permits is likely to be shot down by the party leaders given the dire economic situation of the country, Daily Mirror learns. Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB) MP Eran Wickramaratne brought to the notice of the Business Committee last week that a letter is being signed by the MPs for such a request.

Rising temperatures Public urged to provide water access to animals

As scorching temperatures continue to sweep across Sri Lanka, the Vets in Sri Lanka have issued a stark call to action, urging public to provide water access to animals especially birds.

Parties raise objections against first court case under Online Safety Act

The respondent parties in the first application filed before Colombo Chief Magistrate’s Court under the newly enacted Online Safety Act, today raised objections challenging the maintainability of the application.

Grave risk of substandard medicines entering market soon

Sri Lanka is facing an imminent threat in its health sector with high chances of substandard medicines like human immunoglobulin entering the market in the near future, as the law enforcement body of the National Medicines Regulatory Authority (NMRA) has diminished to just a single officer since this week.

Man dies after insect bite

A 52-year-old man in Jaffna city died after succumbing to an illness caused by an insect bite, as reported by hospital sources.

100 Police personnel trained to target criminals operating on motorbikes

In response to alarming shootings by criminals, IGP Deshabandu Tennakoon said that a team of 100 police personnel are undergoing training to go after motorbike riders engaging in criminal activities.

Catholic Church receives full report

The Catholic Church has received the remaining parts of the report submitted by the presidential commission which probed the Easter Sunday attacks, Archbishop of Colombo Cardinal Malcolm Ranjith said yesterday.

Complaint lodged over Piumi Hansamali’s possession of Gota’s Range Rover

Mage Rata organization president Sanjaya Mahawatta yesterday, lodged a complaint with the Illegal Assets Investigations Division, calling for an inquiry into model Piumi Hansamali using the Range Rover vehicle previously used by former President Gotabaya Rajapaksa.

We are struggling with severe shortage of staff – Excise Chief

The Excise Department of Sri Lanka, one of the three main revenue generating arms of the country’s Ministry of Finance is struggling with a severe dearth of staff even to perform day-to-day duties, as the 17 top rung positions are vacant for months now, the Daily Mirror learns.

Easter attacks: NPP pledges action against culprits under its government

The National People’s Power (NPP) said that a future NPP government will appoint a special Commission of Inquiry with full judicial powers to further investigate the facts unearthed through the special Commissions and other investigations into the Easter Sunday attack and mete out justice to the victimized families.

Highest possible level of transparency provided in bondholders talks: Semasinghe

In a bid to set the record straight, State Minister Finance Shehan Semasinghe pointed out that authorities continue to engage all debt restructuring negotiations in good faith, within principles of equitable treatment among creditors, and with maximum transparency within the norms of such negotiations. Sections of the political and business community yesterday expressed disappointment in the government not being as open as it should be about the

Police CCTV Cameras to integrate public and private CCTVs for crime detection

The Police department has decided to enhance crime detection by integrating public and private CCTV camera systems with the Police CCTV camera system, a senior police officer said. In the initial stage, around 2000 CCTV cameras from private entities, including residences in Colombo city, will be linked to the police’s camera network.

Tax payers poised to cough up Rs.45 million on another debate on Easter attack

Tax payers will have to cough up as much as Rs. 45 million as the cost of conducting yet another three-day parliamentary debate on the Easter Sunday attack for the fifth time, with uncertainty looming whether it will be a meaningless exercise with key questions unanswered once again. Previously, three such debates took place in the House, but failed to leave the question regarding the mastermind behind the attack unanswered. People, mostly the

Renovation of Anula Maha Seya Mahanayake of Malwatta Chapter requests President to revoke agreement

Mahanayaka of Malwatta Chapter Ven. Thibbatuwewe Sri Siddhartha Sumangala Thera has requested President Ranil Wickremesinghe to revoke the agreement signed between the Minister of Buddha Sasana and Cultural Affairs and a Buddhist monk to renovate Anula Cheiththiya that comes under Mihintale Rajamaha Vihara, Ven. Mahanayake Thera has pointed out that Anula Cheithiya, which is considered the site of the founding of the Bhikkuni Sasana in Sri Lanka

Court of Appeal orders reallocation of Hajj quotas

By Lakmal Sooriyagoda The Court of Appeal has ordered the suspension of the previous allocation of Hajj pilgrim quotas for the year 2024 and to include an aggrieved travel agent for proper allocation . Each year the Saudi Arabian government allocates quotas to each country in order to manage the influx of pilgrims . Sri Lanka had been allocated 3500 pilgrims this year which had been allocated to different travel agents. The Court of A

Former Deputy Minister Thewarapperuma passes away after being electrocuted

Former Deputy Minister Palitha Thewarapperuma passed away yesterday at the age of 64. It was learnt that the former Kalutara District Parliamentarian had been electrocuted when he attempted to connect two electrical circuits at his home and died after being admitted to the Nagoda Hospital. Born on 3 May 1960, Thewarapperuma was elected to Parliament from the UNP. He was appointed Deputy Minister of Internal Affairs, Wayamba Development and Cultur

Govt. schools overcharging parents for school activities: Stalin

The Ceylon Teachers’ Union (CTU), alleged that government schools are collecting significant amounts of money from parents for various school activities. Addressing the media CTU General Secretary Joseph Stalin said that prominent schools traditionally charge parents for activities such as wall and desk painting, sports events and functions as there is insufficient funding allocated by the Education Ministry.

Madagascar woman nabbed with swallowed cocaine worth Rs.34Mn Advance Passenger Information could do wonders tracking drug smugglers – border agencies

The border surveillance agents will have to rely on traditional methods that enabled the recent arrest of a female Madagascar national with swallowed cocaine worth over Rs.34 million, whereas an Advance Passenger Information system at airport could do wonders in tracking down drug smugglers, the Daily Mirror learns. This came to light when the Customs officials intercepted a female Madagascar national arriving in Sri Lanka during Avurudu holid