Don’t talk about election ?

Education Minister Susil Premjayantha and former Election Commissioner Mahinda Deshapriya engaged in a conversation during an event commemorating International Mother Language Day in Colombo, yesterday. Were they talking about election

New study on COVID vaccines: GMOA spokesman urges health authorities to go on alert

In light of recent findings suggesting potential rare occurrences of heart, brain, and blood disorders linked to certain Covid-19 vaccines, medical professionals in Sri Lanka urge the health authorities to remain vigilant on the development. The study in question, conducted by researchers from the Global Vaccine Data Network, a research arm of the World Health Organization (WHO), unearthed Covid vaccines from companies like Pfizer, Moderna and

CEB spokesman suggests students should study by oil lamp

Spokesman for the Ceylon Electricity Board (CEB), Noel Priyantha, stirred a controversy during a recent television programme by suggesting that children should resort to studying using oil lamps if necessary, citing the precedent set by previous generations who excelled in their studies under similar conditions. Priyantha made these remarks while addressing concerns over the escalating electricity prices in Sri Lanka.

SF willing to contest for the presidency

Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB) Chairman Sarath Fonseka yesterday said he is willing to contest for the presidency if the people want him to. “I am willing to heed the call of the citizens of Sri Lanka if they want me to contest the presidential elections,” Field Marshal Fonseka told Wion news India. “I represent an electorate today. However I came into politics in the national level. I am still recognized as a national politician. There are diff

Energy Minister says Electricity tariffs increased in October to be totally reduced

The new proposal on the electricity tariff revision aims to reduce the electricity tariffs increased in October last year, which included 18 percent for the domestic category, Power and Energy Minister Kanchana Wijesekara said yesterday. He told Parliament that the electricity tariffs of domestic consumers and religious places of worship were increased by 18 percent and tariffs on the industry and hotel sector were increased by 12 percent while

SL,Iran explores oil trade expansions bypassing US sanctions

Sri Lanka and Iran are exploring the possibility of expanding trade in oil bypassing the U.S. sanctions, an informed source said.

Heat wave warning issued for six districts

The Meteorology Department yesterday issued a ‘Caution’ level heat warning for some places in North-Western province and Gampaha, Colombo, Hambantota and Moneragala District. The Heat index Advisory issued by the Natural Hazards Early Warning Centre said that the heat index, the temperature felt on the human body is expected to increase up to ‘Caution’ level at some places in North-western province and Gampaha, Colombo, Hambantota and Moneraga

Social media post Rohitha wants woman brought in before Privilege Committee

Hot on the heels of enacting the Online Safety Act, SLPP MP Rohitha Abeygunawardane yesterday brought in a privilege issue over a woman in Katukurunda, Kalutara claiming that she had posted an insulting post while infringing his privileges and she should be brought in before the Privilege Committee. Raising a privilege issue in Parliament, MP Abeygunawardane said the woman had posted an insulting post on her social media account, stating that

Rising trend of addicts switching to pharma drugs in Western Province

Amid the ‘Yukthiya Meheyuma’ crackdown in the country, there has been a concerning trend of drug addicts increasingly turning to pharmaceutical drugs as alternative sources due to the shortage of heroin, ice, or cannabis and the authorities have launched a major operation in the Western Province targeting dozens of errant pharmacies that sell psychoactive drugs to the addicts.

Mindfulness for schoolchildren

The Education Ministry yesterday launched the first “Mindfulness” programme for this year for schoolchildren at the Dharmapala Vidyalaya in Pannipitiya with the participation of Education Minister Susil Premajayantha. By conducting this programme in schools, children will be trained to focus their minds on a single goal.

Indigenous medicine students protest...

Students’ union of the Indigenous Medicine Faculty staged a protest march yesterday from the Rajagiriya Ayurveda Hospital to Ayurveda rounabout, demanding the government to withdraw the policies that destroy the local indigenous medical practices and to take immediate action to overcome the current medicine shortage.

CEB to reduce electricity tariff rates by 18 percent?

The Ceylon Electricity Board (CEB) is planning to reduce electricity tariff rates by 18 percent soon, Daily Mirror learns. Earlier, the CEB said the price reduction is possible mainly due to the increased percentage of hydropower in the energy mix of the country. Sri Lanka received sufficient rainfall recently increasing the power generation capacity of major plants. It is now expected to submit proposals for tariff reduction to the Public

Covid vaccines linked to increase in heart and brain disorders, study finds

Covid vaccines from companies like Pfizer, Moderna and AstraZeneca were linked to rare occurrences of heart, brain and blood disorders, a recent peer-reviewed study found, though experts say the risks of developing Covid-19 greatly outweigh the risks of getting vaccinated. The study, conducted by researchers from the Global Vaccine Data Network, a research arm of the World Health Organization (WHO), examined the rates of 13 medical conditions c

couple defrauds 22,000 individuals of rs 8Bn cid and cb initiate probe

The Criminal Investigation Department and the Central Bank of Sri Lanka have initiated separate investigations to apprehend a man and his wife who are alleged to have defrauded approximately Rs. 8 billion from around 22,000 individuals across different parts of the country under the guise of establishing a trading community.

CEA, CAA joint raid seizes over 2, 000 Kgs of illicit polythene

The Central Environment Authority (CEA) teamed up with the Consumer Affairs Authority (CAA) carried out a joint raid yesterday in Ganemulla and seized over 2, 050 kilogrammes of illegal polythene, which is hazardous for human usage. The CEA acting on information organised a joint operation with its branch office in Gampaha along with a team of CAA officials raided a factory in Bollatha in Ganemulla and found a stock of prohibited polythene lun

Medical experts ring alarm bells over hot weather

By Sheain Fernandopulle In light of the prevailing hot weather conditions in the country, medical experts strongly advise individuals to minimize their exposure to sunlight and to drink plenty of fluids on a frequent basis. Senior Consultant Physician Dr. Ananda Wijewickrama told Daily Mirror that it is highly advisable for people to prioritize hydration by consuming natural beverages such as water, king coconut, while steering clear of arti

Plans to provide ‘Aragalaya site’ for casino: Vijitha

The government is planning to provide the Galle Face agitation site where the ‘GotaGoGama’ Aragalaya was conducted, to establish a casino centre, NPP MP Vijitha Herath alleged yesterday. He told Parliament that the government is planning to provide a license through the Urban Development Authority (UDA) to an institution bearing a Chinese name to open a casino centre on the Aragalaya site and that a famous gambler in Negombo was behind this p

Supreme Court determination on Anti-Terrorism Bill

Supreme Courts which had held that certain sections of the Anti-Terrorism Bill are inconsistent with the constitution had determined that the definition of the Bill and those which are described as offences should be more in line with international laws. “The definition of terrorism should also be in line with the UN definition of terrorism while it should be in line with the resolution of 1373 of 2001 on terrorist financing,” the determinati

English to be considered for legal proceedings

The English language is to be considered for conducting legal proceedings and maintaining records in certain courts, the Government Information Department said yesterday. Particulars in the commerce sphere related to commercial activities are mainly used in the English language and require a considerable cost and time in translating those contents into the Sinhala language.

KV line to be extended to Ratnapura

The Railways Department has taken steps to peg out the boundaries of the Kelani Valley railway under the proposed plan to augment the railway line from Avissawella to Ratnapura. The narrow gauge railway from Colombo to Opanayake, constructed by the British in 1919 was closed beyond Avissawella by the United Front Government in 1976. Later the narrow gauge line up to Avissawella was developed as a broad gauge railway line.

I do associate with Ranil: SF

Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB) MP Sarath Fonseka said yesterday that he does associate with President Ranil Wickremesinghe, but it is a different kind of relationship.”It was Ranil who introduced me to politics. Therefore, I do associate with him,” Fonseka told journalists. “I have no intention of joining the National Peoples Power. There is a difference between my politics and theirs,” he added.

Salinity barrier across Kelani river amid declining water levels


In response to the decreasing water levels caused by dry weather conditions, the National Water Supply and Drainage Board (NWSDB) has announced plans to build a salinity barrier across the Kelani River. The purpose of this initiative is to prevent saltwater from contaminating the national water supply as a result of the river’s diminishing water levels.



Fr Cyril Gamini on anti-cardinal protest in Colombo Pitipana Fisheries harbour will be handed over to an authority; Cardinal’s spokesman

A protest by a group of people who claimed to be fishermen in front of the archbishop’s House

Cops kneel at SC in apology for Senior Citizen’s illegal arrest

In a remarkable courtroom moment that has sparked conversations countrywide, three policemen have tendered a heartfelt apology after taking knees during a Supreme Court hearing involving an 88-year-old senior citizen t

Hunupitiya Gangarama Temple’s ‘Mal perahera conducted yesterday

The Hunupitiya Gangarama Temple’s ‘Mal perahara’ which is held in parallel with the ‘Navam Maha Perahera’ was conducted yesterday. Annual Navam Perahera will be held in Colombo on February 22nd and 23rd 2024.

Cops kneel in SC in apology for Senior Citizen’s illegal arrest

In a remarkable courtroom moment that has sparked conversations countrywide, three policemen have tendered a heartfelt apology after taking knees during a Supreme Court hearing involving an 88-year-old senior citizen they had previously arreste

Court prevents SJB from axing Fonseka

Colombo District Court yesterday issued an enjoining order preventing the Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB) from removing Field Marshal Sarath Fonseka from the party membership and positions, on the basis of remarks he made against

Sri Lanka’s debt restructuring

French Ambassador Jean-François Pactet said yesterday that the Official Creditor Committee (OCC) of Paris Club is working hard with the hope of concluding an agreement on Sri Lanka’s debt restructuring soon. He said China, as a bilateral

Sri Lanka’s recovery praised by US Official

Sri Lanka’s recovery is one of the greatest comeback stories, US Assistant Secretary of State for South and Central Asian Affairs Donald Lu has said. During a panel discussion organized by the US Institute of Peace (USIP) in Washington, Mr. Lu took Sri Lanka as an example to explain economic recoveries.

French inputs to resolve India–Sri Lanka fisheries issue

Proposes guidelines on IUU fishing within IORA