Senior CID officers to be transferred over links to underworld drug dealer

The Police Headquarters is reportedly in the process of revamping the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) and accordingly, a group of police officers including high-ranking officers within the CID, is set to be transferred over alleged ties with notorious underworld drug dealer Nadun Chinthaka alias ‘Harak Kata’, the Daily Mirror learns.

State Wesak festival to be held in Matale

The state Wesak festival this year is to be held in Matale District in a grand way. A meeting to make preliminary arrangement for the festival was held at the District Secretariat under the chairmanship of Minister of Buddha Sasana, and Cultural Affairs Vidura Wickramanayake.

A possible alliance?

Former President Chandrika Bandaranaike Kumaratunga in conversation with SJB Leader Sajith Premadasa at a Bleedgood project launch on Thursday. However, other possible allies seem to be absent.

Sri Lanka seeks Thai assistance to repatriate Sri Lankans rescued from Myanmar

Around 56 Sri Lankans are being illegally held in Myawaddy area as victims of human trafficking

Driver and Conductor arrested for transporting Venison

The conductor and the driver of a Colombo-bound SLTB bus belonging to Kebithigollewa Depot were arrested on suspicion of transporting 10.5 kilos of venison. The stock of venison was found in three boxes, and the bus was seized.

Russian Aeroflot flight incident: Lawyer discharged from alleged professional misconduct

On June 2, 2022, the Colombo Commercial HC issued an Enjoining Order preventing the flight from departing from BIA

Non payment of dues by State Minister Rupavahini should collect funds due from others as well: Diana Gamage

The state TV channel Rupavahini should collect funds due from others as well, State Minister of Tourism Diana Gamag

Tourist killed by jumbo

A foreign tourist had been trampled to death by a wild elephant at Manachchena in Komariya in Pottuvil last morning.

Conductor arrested for pickpocketing

The conductor of a private bus on Moratuwa – Pettah route 101 was arrested on suspicion of being a pickpocket.

Minister orders inquiry into male zebra’s death at Dehiwala Zoo

Wildlife and Forest Conservation Minister Pavithra Wanniarachchi has ordered an inquiry into the unexpected death of the

Asgiriya Chapter Anunayaka Thera calls for fair and just rule in the country

Predicts bumper harvest under their rule

Keheliya seeks bail from HC

Former Health Minister Keheliya Rambukwella, currently held in remand custody in connection with the alleged import of substandard Immunoglobulin injections, has sought bail from the Colombo High Court. Filing a bail a

Counterfeit fags seized in Kalpitiya

A stock of counterfeit cigarettes amounting to 1, 052 sticks of the prohibited brand ‘Manchester’, which is worth over Rs.105, 200 had been seized by the Kalpitiya Police yesterday along with two women. Acting OIC Kalpitiya Wasantha Sirilal Edirisnghe and team conducted inquiries.

Sri Lanka, Vatican looking towards celebrating 50 years of bilateral ties

Sri Lanka and the Vatican are looking towards closer bilateral relationships as both states are gearing towards celebrating 50 years of bilateral ties next year. Both parties expressed this desire at a reception held in Colombo to mark the 11th anniversary of the election of Pope Francis on Wednesday. Apostolic Nuncio ( Ambassador of Vatican ) in Sri Lanka Archbishop Brian Udaigwe who addressed the event said there have been some challenges

Sri Lanka to promote big onion cultivation

A decision has been taken to promote big onion cultivation in place of paddy in Stage 03 and 04 in the Minipe Irrigation Scheme after the Yala paddy harvest to resolve the constant shortage of big onions and the resultant price hike. The meeting was held under the chairmanship of Kandy District Secretary Chandana Thennakoon District Secretary Chandana Thennakoon has instructed the Central Province Department of Agriculture to identify land fi

Sri Lanka refutes US claims of Chinese military base

Sri Lanka has refuted recent claims from US intelligence that there are potential plans for a Chinese military base to be established on its soil. State Defence Minister Premitha Bandara Tennakoon told Daily Mirror that Sri Lanka has not engaged in any discussions with foreign governments, including China, regarding the establishment of a military base within its borders.

Parliament to become elders’ home if current trend persists:Anunayake Thera

The Anunayake of the Ramanna Nikaya Most Venerable Kappitiyagoda Sirivimala Thera stated yesterday that if the current trend persists, the entire parliament will soon resemble an elders’ home and also emphasized the importance of elderly members stepping down to allow the youth the opportunity to contribute to the country’s development.

NPP will seek mandate to amend and continue IMF agreement: Vijitha

The National People’s Power (NPP) will seek a mandate to continue the IMF agreement after making amendments on conditions detrimental to the people, NPP MP Vijitha Herath said yesterday.

Father kills disabled children in Ampara tragedy

A horrifying tragedy unfolded as a 63-year-old father, Mohamed Mizra Mohamed Kaleel, took the lives of his 29-year-old son, Kaleel Riyaz, and his 14-year-old daughter Fathima Fasliya in Periyanilavanai , Ampara. Both children were disabled, compounding the sorrow of their untimely deaths. The scene was discovered by authorities, who also found Mohamed Kaleel in critical condition after attempting to end his own life with the same weapon he us

Bail refused to Keheliya and others

The Maligakanda Magistrate’s Court yesterday rejected bail applications filed on behalf of former Health Minister Keheliya Rambukwella and five others in connection with the alleged import of substandard Immunoglobulin injections. Accordingly, eleven suspects including former Health Minister Keheliya Rambukwella, former Additional Secretary Saman Ratnayake were further remanded till March 28 by the Maligakanda Magistrate Lochani Abeywickrema f

Drought risk looms large

Amidst growing concerns over an anticipated drought, the Defence Ministry has announced plans to mitigate potential damages, according to an official statement released yesterday. Forecasts from the Meteorological Department indicate that while there may be sporadic rainfall expected towards the end of March and into April, it is projected to be of diminished volume, exacerbating the looming drought conditions.

Dry weather affects reservoirs

Water levels in the reservoirs used for hydropower generation have been dwindling fast due to the prevailing dry weather. Engineers in charge of Maussakele and Castlereagh reservoirs said water levels in both reservoirs had receded by 25 percent. They said the water level in Castelreagh reservoir stood at 24.5 feet below spill level and that of Maussakele reservoir 22.8 ft below spill level. They pointed out that the reservoirs would be furth

Fixing different interest rates for CBSL employees challenged in SC

Parliamentarian Gevindu Cumaratunga yesterday filed a Fundamental Rights petition in the Supreme Court challenging the fixing of different interest rates for the account balance of the Provident Fund maintained for the officers of the Central Bank of Sri Lanka. The petitioner stated that he found that the rate of the interest fixed in terms of Section 14(1) of the Employees Provident Fund Act No. 15 of 1958 for the year 2022 as 9% whereas the in

Second edition of ‘SIRIMAVO - Steering the Destiny of a Nation’ published

The Bandaranaike Museum Committee has taken steps to publish the second limited edition of the Pictorial Biography; ‘SIRIMAVO - Steering the Destiny of a Nation’ in collaboration with the Sarasavi Bookshop and it is now available for sale, the Bandaranaike Museum Committee said. It said the book was published due to various requests from the public here and abroad. The first edition of the book showcasing rare archival photographs depicting t

IGP calls on General Silva

Inspector General of Police (IGP) Deshabandu Tennakoon paid a courtesy visit to the Chief of Defence Staff General Shavendra Silva at the Chief of Defence office in Colombo yesterday.

security is India’s only concern: Moorthy

India’s main concern with China’s involvement in Sri Lanka is security related, a prominent political commentator said. Policy analyst N. Sathiya Moorthy told Daily Mirror the issue arose only after Chinese submarines arrived in Colombo in 2014. He noted that till then, India had not raised major concerns on China’s involvement in Sri Lanka.

Egg prices pegged to drop below Rs. 25

All Ceylon Egg Producers’ Association have forecast that egg prices are expected to come down below Rs.25 after the month of May as production is currently in full swing. This was revealed in a discussion held between the Agriculture Minister and representatives of the All Ceylon Egg Producers’ Association yesterday (13) ahead of the forthcoming festive season. During the meeting, discussions centered on addressing the escalating costs of eg

Latest report by US Intelligence Community China pursuing a military base in SL- US claims

China is reportedly exploring the possibility of establishing military facilities in various countries, including Sri Lanka, in a bid to bolster their power projection capabilities and safeguard national interests, a latest report by US Intelligence Community revealed. The People’s Liberation Army (PLA) will continue to pursue the establishment of overseas military installations and access agreements in an attempt to project power and protect C

Sri Lanka failed to ‘meet’ 33% of IMF commitments due by end-Feb

Sri Lanka verifiably failed to meet 33% of the commitments due by end-February 2024 in its International Monetary Fund (IMF) programme, according to the February update of Verité Research’s ‘IMF Tracker’.

Tragic murder of Sri Lankan family Canada to Strengthen Mental Health Safeguards

In the wake of a Sri Lankan family killed in Canada and a 19-year-old Sri Lankan national being charged for it, the Canadian authorities will pay more attention to safeguards already in place on the mental health of students, according to a diplomatic source. Febrio De-Zoysa, who is believed to be in Canada as a student, was charged with six counts of first-degree murder and one count of attempted murder, Ottawa police said in a post on X. Six