P’ment’s Budget Officer to get handsome salary of Rs 665,000

Parliament is offering a total monthly salary of Rs 665,000 to a ‘budget officer’ which is a newly created post in the House. As per the official website the basic salary of the budget officer is said to be Rs 408,360 while it will come to a total of Rs 665,000 with all allowances. The age limit of the officer should be 65 years. Any eligible person should possess at least 15 years of experience in the government budgeting, financial poli

Street food vendor arrested for verbally harassing foreigner

Following a contentious verbal exchange involving YouTuber Emeka Iwueze, a Sri Lankan street food vendor accused of charging an excessive amount for a Kottu Roti dish was apprehended by the police. According to a video shared on Emeka Iwueze’s official YouTube channel, the American visitor to Sri Lanka embarked on a culinary exploration of the country’s street food scene five days prior, aiming to familiarize himself with local cuisine. Du

Dr. A.T. Ariyaratne passes away

The founder of the Sarvodaya Shramadana Movement of Sri Lanka, Dr. A.T. Ariyaratne passed away yesterday at a private hospital in Colombo. He was 92. Born November 5, 1931, Dr. Ahangamage Tudor Ariyaratne had his primary education in the village school, secondary education at Mahinda College, Galle, and his higher education at Vidyodaya University where he earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in Economics and an Honorary Doctorate of D.Litt. He star

SL-bondholders talks on restructuring terms fail

Government officials continued to sound upbeat in striking a deal with the bondholders, however, authorities this week failed to reach a consensus regarding the terms of restructuring. Despite “constructive discussions”, authorities and the bondholders did not agree on restructuring terms, Sri Lanka said in a regulatory filing to the London Stock Exchange. The restructuring of the debt, amounting to over US$ 12 billion, is a mandatory requirement

Ruwan calls on Kotte Sri Kalyani Mahanayake Thera

UNP Deputy Leader and Senior Presidential Advisor Ruwan Wijewardene met Chief Prelate (Mahanayake) of Kotte Sri Kalyani Samagri Dharma Maha Sangha Sabha of Siyam Maha Nikaya, Venerable Dr. Ittapana Dhammalankara Anu Nayake Maha Thera.

Effectiveness of Sri Lanka’s legal system is questioned over alleged corruption: Chief Delegate

The effectiveness of the legal system in handling investment-related matters in Sri Lanka is often questioned due to perceived corruption and inefficiency, an official said.

Public inconvenienced due to lack of transport

Despite assurances from transport authorities that sufficient facilities would be provided to accommodate commuters during the festive season, people were highly inconvenienced due to inadequate public transport, resulting in them risking their lives.

Committee studying permitting vehicle imports on priority basis: Siyambalapitiya

Claiming that only vehicle imports have been restricted by now, State Minister of Finance Ranjith Siyambalapitiya said a committee is studying the possibility of permitting vehicle imports on a priority basis in the future.

Ex-soldiers joining Russian military as mercenaries, Sri Lanka seeks details

Amidst reports that some ex-military men from Sri Lanka have joined the Russian military operations against Ukraine, Sri Lankan Ambassador in Moscow Prof. Janita Liyanage said she asked for details about them from the Russian military if any.

Marked dip in accidents during festive season

Health authorities have noticed a significant decrease in accidents, notably firecracker-related incidents, during the festive season.

Paramour slain in showdown with mistress’ husband

In a tragic turn of events, a 42-year-old person was fatally stabbed on Sunday night at a residence in Galwala Junction, within the Serunuwara Police division. Hailing from Polonnaruwa, he had been residing there.

MPs request lower-priced vehicle permits ahead of presidential election

A group of MPs from both the ruling party and the opposition have urged the speaker and government officials to provide vehicle permits at lower prices if the previously issued duty-free licenses cannot be granted before the upcoming presidential election.

Xi calls for fair, transparent environment for investment in Sri Lanka

Chinese President Xi Jinping , in his recent meeting with Prime Minister Dinesh Gunawardena, has reportedly stressed the need for ‘fair and transparent’ environment for Chinese companies to invest in Sri Lanka . The Chinese leader had further mentioned that China is not happy about its friends being influenced by other countries unnecessarily when taking decisions . However , in the meeting which a top source mentioned as friendly and cordial

Sri Lanka Air Force organizes Colombo Air Show and Defence Exhibition (CADE 2024)

By Darshana Sanjeewa Balasuriya The Sri Lanka Air Force is gearing up for the Colombo Air Show and Defence Exhibition (CADE 2024) to showcase air power and boost tourism and investment. Air Force Commander Air Marshal Udeni Rajapaksa announced that the five-day event will run from May 29 to June 2 at the Galle Face and Colombo Port City. CADE 2024 aims to enhance SLAF’s proficiency, readiness, and overall effectiveness, with international a

9 year-old child fatally hit by train at Railway Crossing

A nine-year-old child, identified as M.R. Rantharu, who was a fourth-grade student at Moratuwa Jana Jaya School and resided at Clovius Mawatha, Moratuwa, was hit and killed by a train while riding a bicycle near the Murawatta railway crossing in Moratuwa. According to the police, the incident occurred when the child rode his bicycle from New Galle Road towards the closed gates of the railway crossing as a train was approaching. The child attem

SLPP MPs barred from going public on their support for presidential candidates

In the wake of SLPP (Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna) MPs airing contrasting views over the upcoming elections, the party hierarchy has barred all MPs from making comments on their support to any presidential candidate until a formal decision is taken, a party official said yesterday. The party’s executive committee took this decision at its meeting held last Tuesday. The SLPP is currently divided on its support, with those holdin

Indian Ocean peace is our priority at present: SLAF chief

Air Force Commander Air Marshal Udeni Rajapaksa said the SLAF is very much worried about the civilians, weaponizers and providing free navigation for naval craft in the Indian Ocean and that they need to address those issues. In response to a media query the necessity of maintaining fighter jets like Kfir and F7 in the SLAF’s fleet, the Commander explained that while they don’t currently see an immediate need to phase out such jets, they are

India remains Sri Lanka’s most reliable, dependable partner: Indian Envoy

India will remain Sri Lanka’s most reliable friend and a trusted and dependable partner, emphasized Indian High Commissioner to Sri Lanka Santosh Jha. “Our bilateral cooperation is expanding and diversifying. It is buttressed by India’s growing national capabilities.

23 year old youth ends up having his testicles removed

The testicles of a young man had been removed yesterday at the Anuradhapura Teaching Hospital allegedly as a result of a police assault. He is under treatment at present after the surgery on Tuesday (9). It is alleged that six officers of the Medawachchiya police had trussed up his hands and brutally assaulted him. The 23 year old victim a resident of Thulawellia area in Medawachchiya. He told the media that he was driving his mini- lorry a

Education Ministry website hacked by local individual-SLCERT

The Sri Lanka Computer Emergency Readiness Team (SLCERT) has confirmed that the Education Ministry’s website was hacked by a local individual on April 4. The Senior Information Security Engineer of SLCERT, Charuka Damunupola, stated that a report will be sent to the Education Minister regarding the hacking incident.

State Minister alleged to have abused and threatened the HR and Admin Assistant of Lanka Phosphate Company

By Anuradhapura Special Corr. State Minister of Primary Industries Chamara Sampath Dassanayake is alleged to have severely abused and threatened the Human Resources and Administration Assistant of the Lanka Phosphate Company Mrs. H.D.V.K. Chandraratne in the presence of officials of the ministry and the company. The trade union Sri Lanka Nidahas Sevaka Sangamaya has informed the minister that it will resort to trade union action in case of re

Excise to launch special operation in Colombo City during Avurudu dry days

The Department of Excise is planning to launch a special operation in Colombo during the two festive dry days targeting illegal booze sellers and to implement law strictly during the Sinhala and Tamil New Year period. A senior Excise official overseeing the Colombo City told the Daily Mirror yesterday that a joint operation has been organised in collaboration with four main Excise stations in Kesbewa, Padukka, Battaramulla and Colombo City.

Fuel distributors warns of trade union action after April 20

Despite the Ceylon Petroleum Corporation (CPC) implementing a VAT on discounts for Petroleum Dealers, Vice President Kusum Sandanayaka of the Sri Lanka Petroleum Private Tank Owners’ Association stated they’ll ensure uninterrupted fuel distribution until April 20. Addressing the media, he highlighted that Petroleum Dealers are burdened with an 18 percent VAT on the CPC’s three percent discount. Despite their willingness to pay VAT, he emphas

President restricts foreign travel for Govt. members

Ahead of the presidential election, President Ranil Wickremesinghe has instructed the government members to restrict foreign travel as much as possible because their presence is required to undertake political work, an informed source said. The United National Party (UNP) led by the President is planning to ramp up political work in view of the election after the May Day rally. The party is planning to conduct the rally on a grand scale thi

Former Senior DIG Gamini De Silva passes away

Retired Senior Deputy Inspector General of Police P.G.S. Gamini De Silva passed away at the age of 70 on Monday while receiving treatment at a private hospital in Colombo due to illness. Born on September 3,1953, De Silva joined the Sri Lanka Police as an Apprentice Sub-Inspector on 20.08.1974. The final rites of the late senior DIG will be held at Eldeniya cemetery in Kadawatha on April 10.

SLFP faces conspiracy: Prof. Piyadasa

Senior Vice Chairman of the Sri Lanka Freedom Party Prof. Rohana Laxman Piyadasa said a conspiracy against the SLFP was being hatched by the government and that its main object was to lure the SLFP to become a constituent party of the government at the upcoming presidential election and the general election. He told the media in Kandy yesterday that the prevailing crisis in the party was just one episode of that conspiracy to absorb the SLFP

Sports instuctor arrested

The sports instructor of a school in Buttala education zone was arrested in connection with the alleged rape of a 15 year old school girl. The 33 year old suspect was a resident of Udaganawa colony in Buttala, Investigations revealed that he had been in love with the girl since November 2022 and first raped her at midnight on March 29 and April 04, 2024 in a hut behind her house. When her father came to know about her relations with the

Vehicle imports possible next year if economy improves

If the country’s economy improves by next year, there can be optimism regarding the import of vehicles, Finance State Minister Ranjith Siyambalapitiya said. Addressing the media at an opening event in Dematagoda, he said Rs. 13 billion was paid additionally for the increase in state employee salaries. Accordingly, Rs. 107 billion was paid for state employee salaries for the month of April.

Jaffna resident who paid 7,000 Euros for forged Polish visa nabbed at BIA

A resident from Jaffna who paid Euro 7, 000 to get a forged Polish visa affixed to his Sri Lankan passport was nabbed by the Immigration and Emigration Department officials at the Bandaranaike International Airport (BIA), whilst trying to leave the country. The passenger was about to board a SriLankan Airlines flight UL 217 bound for Doha, Qatar on Monday evening, when he was intercepted by the Immigration officials at the BIA departure counte

Sri Lanka Law College Alumni Association established

By Lakmal Sooriyagoda In a bid to promote close relations between the Sri Lanka Law College and its alumni, coinciding with the college’s 150th-anniversary celebrations, the Sri Lanka Law College Alumni Association was officially established in 2024. The association’s inaugural meeting was held on April 3, 2024, in the Main Hall of Sri Lanka Law College, with several esteemed alumni in attendance. This marks the first time in the 150-year history