SANASA ‘Idiriya’ programme inaugurated

SANASA ‘Idiriya’ (future) programme was inaugurated recently at the Nagoda Divisional Secretariat under the auspices of Galle District Parliamentarian and Chairman of the District Coordinating Committee Sampath Atukorala. As per the programme, 3,750 chicks and 150 egg hatcheries are expected to be distributed among 3,750 members of 150 SANASA Societies selected from 22 Divisional Secretariats. Head of SANASA Society Development and Business

Public officers delayed the Beira Lake cleanup project: Ashu

The billion rupee project to clean up Beira Lake was deliberately delayed by public officers attached to few state institutions, Senior Presidential Advisor Ashu Marasinghe said yesterday. Professor Marasinghe said public officers attached to few institutions such as the Central Environment Authority and Colombo Municipal Council took a long time to grant the final approval for the project. “We wonder as to why the approval was delayed for su

IGP urges heightened security for upcoming religious and cultural events

Inspector General of Police Deshabandu Tennakoon emphasized the need for heightened security measures in light of the upcoming Ramadan festival and Sinhala and Hindu New Year celebrations. Speaking at an event held at the Minister’s Security Division, the IGP highlighted the global threat of extremist terrorist attacks stressing the importance of focusing on VIP security and national security. “Extremist and terrorist attacks occur worldwide

Digital Litha made available by Soorya

40-year-old heritage brand Soorya honours the tradition and spirit of togetherness this season by presenting the new year auspicious times once again for everyone’s convenience so the public can find out the Nakath times in advance. An individual can access by simply using a smartphone to scan any Soorya matchbox. This enables access to the AR filter to view the Litha on the social media applications, Facebook and Instagram. The Digital Lith

Ramadan festival today

Muslims in Sri Lanka will celebrate the Eid-Ul-Fithr (Ramadan) festival today, as the new moon for the Islamic month of Shawwal was sighted yesterday. The Colombo Grand Mosque announced the decision last night after a meeting at the Colombo Grand Mosque attended by the representatives of All Ceylon Jamiyyathul Ulama (the Supreme Council of Muslim Theologians of Sri Lanka), Department of Muslim Religious and Cultural Affairs and Colombo Grand M

Prof. Marasinghe says RW likely to contest presidential election under a new symbol

Incumbent President Ranil Wickremesinghe is likely to contest the presidential election under a whole new symbol other than the elephant or flower bud, Senior Presidential Advisor and UNP senior Ashu Marasinghe said yesterday. Professor Marasinghe told journalists that Mr. Wickremesinghe will represent a number of parties as a national candidate. “People such as Minister Prasanna Ranatunga had said man

Immigration head office yet to fix CCTV cameras purchased six years ago

A Parliamentary Committee has revealed that CCTV camera equipment that had been purchased at a cost of Rs. 2.1 million to be fixed at the internal premises of the Immigration and Emigration head office had been stored for six years without being fixed. This was revealed when the Immigration and Emigrations Department was summoned before the Committee on Public Accounts (COPA) recently. It was further revealed that the equipment had been purch

PHI Union gripped by fear following Treasurer’s death

In the wake of the tragic death of Treasurer of the Public Health Inspectors’ Union, Roshan Kumara Vithanage, the Public Health Inspectors are in cold sweat hindering their ability to carry out responsibilities effectively. Roshan Kumara was shot dead at his house in Elpitiya in February leaving doubts of the motive behind his death. Speaking to Daily Mirror, PHI union Head Upul Rohan said a significant number of PHIs feel insecure and fear

Streets bustle with New Year shoppers

The streets of Colombo and its suburbs bustl

Expressway debts could take over 160 years to settle

Despite earning a yearly profit of Rs. 5 billion from expressways, Minister Bandula Gunawardana revealed that it might take at least 160 years to fully pay off the Rs. 800 billion loan used to build them. Gunawardana explained that even if someone lived for 80 years, it would still be impossible to settle the debt. He emphasized that even if someone reincarnated multiple times and worked throughout each lifetime, the debt would persist. To pre

Govt. to consider registering higher engine capacity motorcycles

A meeting was held recently at the Transport Ministry to explore the feasibility of registering motorcycles with higher engine capacities. Commissioner General of the Department of Motor Traffic Nishantha Weerasinghe informed Daily Mirror that a decision was made to draft a cabinet paper seeking approval from the cabinet of ministers.

SJB NPP public debate becoming a non-event?

The proposed public debate between Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB) and National Peoples Power (NPP) seemed to be becoming a non-event with the former sending mixed signals whilst the latter says its economic specialists are ready for a debate if Opposition Leader Sajith Premadasa avoids its leader Anura Kumara Dissanayake. SJB MP Dr. Harsha de Silva told the media that two separate debates should take place. “Myself, MPs Kabir Hashim and Ear

New legislation to be introduced to allow individuals to decide on their final rites; President

President Ranil Wickremesinghe said new legislation will be introduced to allow individuals to decide on their final rites. He said a new committee would also be established to coordinate arrangements for the last rites of individuals in accordance with their religious customs or final wishes, including those within the Muslim community. He also expressed his commitment to enacting relevant legislation in this regard. These remarks were made du

Trade deals with India and China will benefit Sri Lanka: Sajith

Sri Lanka should make use of its proximity to India and get into trade deals with the nation as it will be beneficial to our people, Leader of Opposition Sajith Premadasa said. Speaking during a meeting of Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB) intellectuals, Mr. Premadasa said trade deals with India will help Sri Lanka to get into bigger markets. “The brain drain that is in existence in our society will end only if you make the right reforms,

Trade Ministry to issue price ranges to curb middlemen profits

The Trade, Commerce, and Food Security Ministry is to issue price ranges on essential items to curb excessive profits by middlemen in the retail market. After a meeting held at the ministry, Minister Nalin Fernando said that the increase in commodity prices was a result of the economic crisis and inflation. In 2022, Sri Lanka faced the challenge of being one of the countries with the highest commodity prices globally, primarily due to soari

Invasive plant found spreading in Sri Pada mountain range: Minister

In areas where the plant has spread, native plants have been completely overwhelmed and destroyed. Researchers at Sabaragamuwa University have discovered that a particular plant, typically found growing 6 to 8 feet tall near mountainous areas, gradually weakens the stability of its root system. This weakening contributes to an increased risk of landslides occurring at the mountain peaks. It has also been confirmed that this invasive plant h

Health guidelines issued ahead of festive season

As Sri Lanka gears up for the Sinhala and Tamil New Year season, health authorities have released a set of guidelines aimed at safeguarding participants and spectators during sporting events. The guidelines, titled “Guidelines for Prevention of Injuries and Acute Medical Conditions Related to Sports Events Organized During Festival Seasons in Sri Lanka,” address the unique challenges posed by combining festivals and sporting activities. Whether

Chandrika not a member of SLFP: Acting Secretary

MP Mithrapala, emphasized that Ms. Chandrika was not involved in the activities of the Sri Lanka Freedom Party and accused her of attempting to create a new party under the guise of the SLFP Acting Secretary of the Sri Lanka Freedom Party MP Sarathi Dushmantha Mitrapala, said that Mrs. Chandrika Bandaranaike is not a member of the Sri Lanka Freedom Party and has recently been associated with the New Lanka Freedom Party. Addressing a press confer

Fathers now welcome in delivery room in state hospitals

Separate rooms prepared for each mother within the maternity ward

Temple Chief Incumbent, Civil Security Guard arrested over Ex-Soldier’s death

The Chief Incumbent of Diyakapanathota Temple in Getambe and a Civil Security Guard were arrested yesterday in connection with the death of an individual who had been assaulted and tied to a tree. The deceased C

SLAF Corporal allegedly involved in Moragahahena shooting killed

He had reportedly ignored an order to stop at the checkpoint

Defamation cases filed targeting social media misinformation on Online Loans

Defendants ordered to appear in court on May 21, 2024

2024 Calin Avurudu Kumari contest held in Kandy

The finale of the 2024 Calin Avurudu Kumari contest, jointly organized by Calin and Sirikatha, was held in grandeur on Sunday, April 7, at the Kandy City Centre premises in Kandy.

Invasive plant found spreading in Sri Pada mountain range: Minister

This plant first appeared in Myanmar and the Eastern Himalayas

NPP says AKD ready for Presidential debate by Daily Mirror

National People’s Power (NPP) MP Harini Amarasuriya said that the NPP is ready to accept the invitation made by the Daily Mirror t

Sri Lanka hard-pressed against time to conclude agreements for debt restructuring

Sri Lanka is hard-pressed against time to reach agreements with creditors including bondholders before June, when the third tranche of the International Monetary Fund (IMF) extended fund facility is expected, Daily Mirror learns. Sri Lanka is expected to get the next tranche of US $ 337 million in June after the third review of the programme. Before t

‘BIG BOLD BRAVE 2024 – HARVARD Asia Pacific Regional Conference in Sri Lanka

The Harvard Club of Sri Lanka proudly announces ‘BIG BOLD BRAVE 2024,’ a ground-breaking thought leadership conference set to take place from April 3rd to 5th, 2024, at the Galle Face Hotel in Colombo, Sri Lanka. This is a collaboration of 15+ Harvard Clubs in the Asia Pacific region, the official Alumni Organisations of the prestigious Harvard University. “Sri Lanka is a 5-hour flight from 4.5 billion people in the APAC region—getting richer

One faction of SLFP calls for political affairs committee meeting today

Organized crime suspected in Moragahahena shooting Victims linked to Ratnapura robbery case

Police suspect that the shooting in Moragahahena where two persons were killed was carried out based on an assassination contract given by an organized criminal named Tanuja Sampath alias Homagama “Handaya” who is reportedly in Dubai. Two individuals, 50 and 52 years old, residents of Piliyandala and Pannipitiya who were travelling in a three-wheeler were killed in a shooting by a group that arrived in a car at Thalgahawila, Moragahahena yesterda

Man killed in police shooting in Mawanella

A 53-year-old individual has died in a police shooting while attempting to resolve a dispute in Padiyadora in Mawanella over the weekend. According to the police, the Mawanella Police were alerted to a dispute in Padiyadora and dispatched officers to investigate the situation. During the investigation, on