Adviser to current Prez was a member of salary hike committee: RW

Duminda Hulangamuwa was a member of Udaya Seneviratne committee which recommended a salary hike for the public servants during the previous regime, former President Ranil Wickremesinghe said yesterday.

PTA will not be repealed immediately: Government

Claiming that the government is not expecting to repeal the Prevention of terrorism Act (PTA) right now, Cabinet Spokesman Vijitha Herath said yesterday the matter related to repealing the PTA would be taken up in Parliament once it is formed.

Arugam Bay incident suspects held for 90 Days under Detention Order

Two suspects arrested in connection with security threats to foreign tourists in the Arugam Bay area are being detained for 90 days for further questioning, under the Prevention of Terrorism Act (PTA), investigators informed the court.

Govt. to review AG’s directive halting CID action in Mahara Prison Case

The government is expected to make a decision in the coming days regarding the Attorney General’s directive to the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) to cease further action on the deaths of 11 inmates during the 2020 Mahara Prison incident, Minister Vijitha Herath said.

Govt. rules out any influence behind recent US travel advisory

Ruling out any influence behind the recent US travel advisory, Cabinet Spokesman Minister Vijitha Herath said yesterday the US Ambassador to Sri Lanka had informed him and the security forces in advance before issuing the travel advisory.

Central Bank refutes money printing claims

The Central Bank of Sri Lanka (CBSL) said yesterday that claims on money printing are inaccurate and baseless. It clarified that the liquidity (money) injected through Open Market Operations (OMOs) is a routine central banking function and should not be grossly misinterpreted as “money printing.”

Security Council discusses bomb threats to passenger aircraft

The National Security Council, led by President Anura Kumara Dissanayake, yesterday discussed a series of bomb threats targeting Indian passenger aircraft and their potential impact on Sri Lanka’s tourism industry.

Three-wheeler driver arrested for transporting 11 students and a teacher

A three-wheeler driver transporting eleven children and a teacher to a school in Beruwala has been apprehended by the traffic department of the local police.

Strong opposition needed to prevent country from sliding towards Marxism under NPP Govt.: Ruwan

A strong opposition with experienced people is needed in Parliament to safeguard the nation as National People’s Power (NPP) might even try to introduce Marxism otherwise, UNP Deputy Leader and National Democratic Front (NDF) Gampaha District candidate Ruwan Wijewardene said yesterday.

Udaya Gammanpila vows to impeach President in next Parliament

Pivithuru Hela Urumaya (PHU) leader Udaya Gammanpila said an impeachment motion would be brought against President Anura Kumara Dissanayake in the next Parliament unless Public Security Ministry Secretary Ravi Seneviratne was not removed from office over his alleged negligence of duty during the time of Easter Sunday attack in 2019.

Rs. 10 million contract killing averted

An individual suspected of preparing to murder a woman on a contract of Rs. 10 million was taken into custody by the Organised Crime Investigation Unit of the CID during a raid in Habaraduwa area.

2016 court case against Wimal Weerawansa postponed due to health issues

The trial against National Freedom Front (NFF) leader Wimal Weerawansa, facing charges relating to causing disturbance to the people and the normal traffic movement during a protest held in 2016 was yesterday postponed as he failed to appear in court due to illness. According to his legal team, the former Parliamentarian Weerawansa is suffering from a viral flu, rendering him unable to attend the scheduled hearing.

Budget deficit to increase upto Rs 2.5 trillion : President should explain the fate of Sri Lanka’s economy: RW

Whilst highlighting that Sri Lanka’s economy is slated to stumble with a budget deficit of Rs 2.5 trillion if the new budget is introduced with new proposals of National People’s Power (NPP) government are implemented, former President Ranil Wickremesinghe yesterday said incumbent President Anura Kumara Dissanayake should inform the nation on the real situation.

Sharp rise in social media hacking since 2019: SL CERT

Sri Lanka Computer Emergency Response (CERT) Team in its recent statistics indicates an increase in social media hacking from 3,556 cases in 2019 to 20,628 cases last year.

Fraud in North Central Provincial Council: Contractor decamps with Rs.14Mn

A missive fraud of Rs. 14 million in the North Central Provincial Council has been disclosed by the National Audit Office.

No travel ban, U.S. advisory for Sri Lanka similar to popular destinations, says Envoy

U.S. Ambassador to Sri Lanka Julie Chung said there is no travel ban on Sri Lanka, and the security advisory for Sri Lanka remains at Level 2, similar to other popular destinations such as France, Italy and the Maldives.

No decline in tourist arrivals at Arugam Bay - Residents

Residents of the area and those engaging in tourism in Arugam Bay tourist zone point out that there is no unusual decline in foreign tourist arrivals in the area but there is a decline since this is off season.

Prez vows to scrap perks for former presidents once again

President Anura Kumara Dissanayake vowed once again that the perks and benefits of the past heads of state would be scrapped completely, no matter what.

Ambanpola residents up in arms over liquor shop established amidst schools, temples

The residents of Ambanpola are protesting and complaining of an illegal liquor shop established amidst five schools, Dhamma schools and temples in the town, saying the bar rigorously violates Excise laws.

Policeman in a fix for sexually harassing three new constables

A police constable attached to the Tissamaharama Police has been arrested in connection with the sexual abuse of three newly recruited police constables in their single quarters, in addition to subjecting them to ragging as freshers to the service.

Disease spreading among pigs raises eyebrows

The highly contagious viral disease previously known as ‘Porcine Reproductive and Respiratory Syndrome’ (PRRS), which is spreading among pigs, hogs, and boars in Sri Lanka, has been identified as the African Swine Disease.

Alliance for People’s Struggle calls for a fresh probe on passport issue

The Alliance for People’s Struggle yesterday called for a fresh probe on what they called the passport scandal stating that the truth of the claim made by Epic Lanka that it had signed an agreement with Department of Emigration and Immigration on printing passports is true or false.

Experienced persons should be in Parliament to take over government if the need arises : Ruwan

Experienced and able persons are needed in Parliament to take over the government if the need arises, UNP Deputy Leader and New Democratic Front (NDF) Gampaha District candidate Ruwan Wijewardene said yesterday.

Two wild elephants electrocuted in Mannar and Hambegamuwa

The death of two wild elephants due to human activities had been reported from Mannar and Hambegamuwa areas.

Immigration authorities to crack down on overstaying Russians, Israelis

The Department of Immigration and Emigration will visit the southern coastal belt in early November to look for any overstaying tourists from countries like Russia and Israel, where an influx of tourists are expected in the emerging South season for Christmas, the Daily Mirror learns.

Ranjan Ramanayake’s candidacy at General Election challenged in court

Petitioner alleges that Ranjan Ramanayake was convicted on charges of contempt of court and imprisoned

Enhanced security measures for Kandy hotels with Israeli tourists

Security for several hotels in Kandy providing accommodation to Israeli tourists has been stepped up by the police. Police have taken steps to obtain daily reports on foreign tourists seeking accommodation in hotels in the Kandy Police Division as well.

Prime Minister’s Office responds to Daily Mirror report

In response to Daily Mirror story headlined ‘AKD, Harini clashes over UGC Chairman appointment?’ in yesterday’s edition, the Prime Minister’s Office sent the following clarification.

McDonald’s Corporation and International Restaurant Systems (Pvt) Limited ends Franchise Relationship in SL

McDonald’s Corporation and International Restaurant Systems (Private) Limited ends Franchise Relationship in Sri Lanka, according to a statement from it.

Sri Lanka may face another economic turmoil: Sajith

Sri Lanka is slated to face another economic turmoil no matter to whom people may vote at the General Election, former Opposition Leader Sajith Premadasa said.