British High Commissioner Andrew Patrick emphasized the need for the main three parties, if not all the major parties, to recognize the agreement with the International Monetary Fund (IMF). In an interview with Daily Mirror, he said, “I know it’s a debated issue here, whether the government should have entered into an IMF deal and what the future of the IMF deal is. The High Commissioner made such remarks in the wake of the main parties making
The salary hike for Central Bank officials cost an extra sum of Rs 232 million monthly, it was revealed at the party leaders meeting yesterday. The party leaders have been of the opinion that the salary hike was illegal The party leaders have informed the Central Bank officials that it is unfair for them to increase their salaries at a time when ordinary citizens are undergoing various hardships. “Party leaders have also been of the opini
The no confidence motion against Speaker Mahinda Yapa Abeywardena that was handed over to Deputy Secretary General of Parliament Chaminda Kularatne yesterday has not been signed by some Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB) MPs. SJB MPs Rajitha Senaratne, Field Marshal Sarath Fonseka and Eran Wickramaratne are some of the MPs who have not signed the motion. MP Dullas Alahapperuma’s signature was also missing. A total number of 44 MPs have signed t
While saying that Sri Lanka is currently at an impasse, SJB MP Imthiaz Bakeer Markar called upon leaders and citizens to transcend political differences and unite for the collective betterment of the island nation. He made these sentiments in the thanksgiving address at the launch of his autobiography “Mage Kathawa” held at the Ananda College auditorium yesterday (05). The event saw the participation of a plethora of dignitaries incl
Despite Uva Province Governor A.J.M. Muzammil’s remarks that his son had informed the police of his intention to surrender over investigations into the alleged assault of a woman, police clarified today that neither the suspect nor the Governor has directly communicated with them regarding such a surrender. Police further said that they have not received any such communication and are conducting investigations to arrest the suspect. Accordin
The National People’s Power (NPP) said it would not derail the IMF programme if it won the presidency but would renegotiate its terms and conditions on implementations since the current austerity measures had burdened people and the attempts of the government to sell off public assets would bring severe economic consequences to the country. NPP economic council member Prof. Anil Jayantha said his party would also seek speedy actions on the deb
Sri Lanka has called for the UN Human Rights Council to halt its excessive scrutiny of nations in the global south through intrusive mechanisms while ignoring violations elsewhere to regain credibility. Sri Lanka also expressed disappointment that the Council’s persistent and disproportionate attention on Sri Lanka is not beneficial to the nation. Speaking at the 55th Session of the Human Rights Council in Geneva, the Permanent Representat
Magistrate returns open verdict
The much-awaited electricity tariff reduction was announced by the Public Utilities Commission of Sri Lankan (PUCSL) yesterday. PUCSL Chairman Professor Manjula Fernando told a briefing that the decision made by the commission will be notified to t
The Irrigation Department has issued a public advisory urging citizens to conserve water and exercise caution in usage. Speaking to Daily Mirror, Director General of Irrigation A. Gunasekara said that this call comes in the light of the dwindling water levels observed in rivers, which serve as crucial sources for pipe-borne drinking water across the region.
A young man had fallen in love with a 15-year-old schoolgirl of Kahataruppa area in Badulla and sexually abused her with the connivance of her mother. She is below the age of consent in accordance with the law of Sri Lanka, and therefore even cons
A leading tea manufacturer in the Nuwara Eliya District Blue Field Tea Factory in Ramboda received the golden award for Global Sustainability 2024 in the plantation segment of the factory. The award ceremony was held recently at Colombo Hilton. Marketing and Sales Manager K.Hatheem received the award from Parliamentarian Dr.Harsha De Silva. Marketing and Sales Manager K. Hatheem told the media that the dedicated services of the Managing Di
A consignment of 36 kilos of Kerala Ganga smuggled to the country was seized in transit and two suspects including a retired soldier were arrested by Kalutara Division Crime Investigation Unit during a raid in Aluthgama. Under interrogations the suspects stated that the street value of the stock was about Rs. 9.5 million. Police had seized the car hired from a rent-a-car service to transport the stock of contraband from the South to Colombo
Eugene Wijeysingha, the esteemed former principal of Raffles Institution (RI) in Singapore, has passed away at the age of 90. Wijeysingha, whose distinguished 35-year career in education included leading RI from 1986 to 1994, was born in Negeri Sembilan, Malaysia, in 1934 to parents of Sri Lankan descent before moving to Singapore in 1949. Wijeysingha, whose career in education spans 35 years, served as RI principal from 1986 to 1994. The institu
Public Security Minister Tiran Alles said yesterday that Russians and Ukrainians who have been in Sri Lanka since February 2022 will need to apply for a visa or leave the country. The minister told the Daily Mirror that the free visa facility granted to them will not be extended and they must comply with immigration regulations by applying for fresh visas. Meanwhile, according to the Tourist Development Authority, an estimated 300 to 400 Ru
President Ranil Wickremesinghe welcomed His Holiness Dr. Syedna Mufaddal Saifuddin Saheb, Spiritual Leader of the Dawoodi Bohra Community, at the official residence of the President yesterday. With a global presence of approximately one million adherents spanning countries such as India, Pakistan, the USA, the UK, Canada, Sri Lanka and Australia, the Dawoodi Bohra community holds considerable cultural and religious significance. During the
The investigations conducted thus far into the suspects, including Zahran’s brother-in-law, who were arrested by the Kattankudy Police, have concluded that these individuals were not planning to commit any criminal or anti-state activities. A group of around 30 people who were gathered in a temporarily constructed place in the Kattankudy police area were arrested on March 1, over the information that they were gathered for an unlawful meeting
Indicating the problem faced by the Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna (SLPP) in facing the forthcoming Presidential election, Minister Prasanna Ranatunga told yesterday that his party, the SLPP would have to find a better candidate than President Ranil Wickremesinghe if it wants to field a candidate of its own. He said that former minister Basil Rajapaksa will not contest while time is not ripe for Namal Rajapaksa to contest. “I will support Basil i
Claiming that they have plans to raise state revenue, NPP leader Anura Kumara Dissanayake said yesterday they had discussions with the Inland Revenue Department (IRD) on ways to increase state revenue. Speaking at the Ratnapura District Women’s Convention, he said that state revenue could be increased through the Customs Department and Excise Department as well. He said the revenue generated through the Inland Revenue Department could be
In another step towards the implementation of the India - Sri Lanka power grid connectivity project, the two sides have agreed to conduct the environmental feasibility study, a source familiar with the process said. A delegation led by Pankaj Agarwal, Secretary to the Ministry of Power in India and Santosh Jha, High Commissioner of India to Sri Lanka, visited the Ministry of Power and Energy recently. The delegation including senior officials fr
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
Warning of a terror attack: Govt springs into action on multiple fronts
Tourism industry on edge as travel advisories mount
Israelis top tourist arrivals in Arugam Bay, but reduced now