Yala National Park overcrowded again

A recent decision by the Department of Wildlife Conservation to increase the number of Safari jeeps to 550 into the Yala National Park has received backlash from animal rights activists who claim that the National Park is facing a threat of overcrowding and this is a violation of animal rights.

All MPs must publish their educational qualifications: SJB

While highlighting that the false claim by Speaker Ashoka Ranwala on his doctorate has degraded Parliament, Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB) MP Harshana Rajakaruna said today that all Members of Parliament should publish their educational qualifications.

US govt.-owned DFC seeks more projects in Sri Lanka for investment despite Adani Group withdrawal

Despite Adani Ports and Special Economic Zone (APSEZ) withdrawing its request for financing for the Colombo West International Terminal (CWIT),

Farmers allowed to act against monkeys: environmentalist

While pointing out that the toque monkey is one of five mammals in Sri Lanka not protected under the law, veteran environmentalist Dr. Jagath Gunawardane said farmers are allowed to take action against non-protected animals that trespass on their lands.

Unidentified fever in Jaffna leaves health fraternity scrambling after five deaths

The unidentified fever spreading in the Jaffna district has claimed five lives, but health authorities have assured that the situation is under control while maintaining high vigilance.

Security details of former Presidents reduced

Security details of former Presidents have been withdrawn after reviewing reports on the security threats they face, police said.

Govt ready to resume talks on exporting Toque Macaque monkeys: Minister

The government is ready to take up the discussion again on exporting Toque Macaque monkeys to China as one solution to the monkey menace, Minister of Agriculture, Livestock, Land and Irrigation Lal Kantha said yesterday.

Sri Lanka can still send toque monkeys to China: former Minister

Sri Lanka still has the opportunity of sending toque monkeys to Chinese zoological gardens, former Minister of Agriculture Mahinda Amaraweera said yesterday. Mr. Amaraweera told media that incumbent President Anura Kumara Dissanayake should make use of this available opportunity and should focus on it.

Sudden change in weather conditions

Weather conditions concerning Sri Lanka has taken a sudden change as the low pressure area over southeast Bay of Bengal is expected to weaken by the North East Monsoon conditions which has been established, Department of Meteorology said yesterday.

US sanctions on Udayanga, Kapila: Easier for Govt. to take legal action against them: Govt.

In the wake of United States imposing sanctions and visa restrictions on former CEO of SriLankan Airlines Kapila Chandrasena and former ambassador to Russia Udayanga Weeratunga, Cabinet spokesman Dr. Nalinda Jayatissa said yesterday this would make the matters easier for the government to take legal action against them on Airbus and MiG aircraft deals.

Jerome not a Catholic Bishop, don’t get deceived: Catholic Church

The Catholic Bishops Conference in Sri Lanka yesterday (10) clarified that Pastor Jerome Fernando was not a Bishop of the Catholic Church, and therefore the members of its church should not be deceived.

Removal of ‘Dr’ title on web: Speaker says he is unaware

In response to the sudden drop of ‘Dr.’ title in reference to his name from the official website of Parliament, Speaker Ashoka Ranwala said yesterday that he is not aware who put or removed it.

Mustapaha’s nomination as MP: Shermila Perera acted unilaterally on National List MP: Vajira

In response to the action taken by National Democratic Front (NDF) General Secretary Shermila Perera, who submitted the name of Faizer Mustapha for the National List MP position, UNP Chairman Vajira Abeywardena stated that Perera has acted unilaterally, as she was not authorized to fill national list slots.

Vehicle imports to be allowed under certain restrictions

The government yesterday urged vehicle importers not to mislead and embarrass people by giving various unnecessary publicity on vehicle imports as vehicle imports will be allowed under certain restrictions.

General Election: Over 900 in the hot seat for failing to submit expense reports

Over 900 candidates who contested the General Election have failed to submit their income and expenditure reports to the Election Commission, with the deadline ending on December 6.

Speaker’s false Doctoral title is an insult to Parliament as the oldest in Asia - UNP

Asserting that it was verified with Waseda University in Japan that Speaker Ashoka Ranwala has never been a student of it, the UNP yesterday said the fake Doctoral title is an insult on Parliament as the oldest in Asia and nation as a whole.

New CJ pledges to uphold judiciary’s integrity and independence

Newly appointed Chief Justice Murdu Fernando, PC, yesterday pledged her unwavering commitment to upholding the integrity, independence, and dignity of the country’s judiciary as an independent and impartial arbiter of justice.

Controversy swirls further high on Speaker’s ‘Dr’ title

Controversy swirls further high on Speaker’s ‘Dr’ title

Congo mystery disease: No screening as yet: Health Ministry

Responding to reports of a mystery disease spreading in Congo affecting children, Sri Lanka has not yet started screening at airports as the threat seems extremely minimal. A senior health official told Daily Mirror that the Health Ministry is monitoring the situation in Congo and prepared to act accordingly.

North Central Provincial Council loses Rs.12Mn in advertisement bid

The North Central Provincial Council has paid a private-sector advertisement producer Rs. 12 million in 2016 to produce a documentary video film to promote tourism in the province, but the project has not been fulfilled.

Liquor licenses not given free, they generated Rs. 3.1 Bn revenue :Ranil

Former President Ranil Wickremesinghe announced that the previous government under his leadership did not issue any liquor licenses in violation of the rules and regulations of the Excise Department, generating a revenue of over Rs. 3.1 billion during the first nine months of this year.

Beggar woman hit by MP Ponnambalam’s vehicle dies

A beggar woman knocked down by a Jeep with Jaffna District Parliamentarian Gajendrakumar Ponnambalam on board at Bolawatta in Wennappuwa was pronounced dead upon admission to the Marawila Hospital.

Coconut smashing as religious ritual impacted due to high prices, limited availability

The rising prices of coconuts and their limited availability have impacted the performance of the ritual of smashing coconuts at key Devalayas such as Seenigama and Munneswaram. Coconut prices have increased drastically and a shortage created making it difficult for devotees to engage in the ritual of smashing them on the ground at key Devalayas and Hindu temples.

Road accident: Lohan apologizes in court and agrees to Pay Rs. 1 Mn to settle case

Former State Minister Lohan Ratwatte, who was arrested and remanded for driving under the influence of liquor, causing an accident, and allegedly threatening a lawyer, publicly apologized to the lawyer in open court yesterday (09). The case, which was taken up at the Fort Magistrate’s Court regarding the threat charge, saw Ratwatte offer his apology.

Former CCD head Nevil Silva arrested over wrongful detention of man in Ratnapura

The former Director of the Colombo Crimes Division (CCD), Assistant Superintendent of Police Nevil Silva, was arrested by the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) yesterday and is to be produced in court today.

Police hunt gunman after fatal shooting in Gampaha

Several police teams have been deployed to arrest a gunman who shot and killed a 39-year-old man travelling on a motorcycle in Gampaha last night.

High coconut prices: No Sambol, Kiri Hodi in canteens

Serving of coconut Sambol (salad made of scraped coconut meat) and Kiri Hodi (gravy made of coconut milk) has been stopped at canteens in most of the places across the country due to the high prices of coconuts in the market, according to Harshana Rukshan who is the head of All Ceylon Canteen Operators’ Association.

Lalkantha should explain his method to prevent crop damage : farmer organizations

Farmer organizations said it is imperative that the Minister of Agriculture K.D. Lalkantha should clarify his advice to the farmers on preventing animals causing crop devastation and enlighten them on the way to do it.

Conch shells including a Valampuri seized in Madampe

Several rare conch shells including a Valampuri was seized and a suspect who had them in his possession to sell them for Rs.1.5 million was arrested in Madampe during a joint raid by the STF and the Wildlife Conservation Officers last morning.

Leaving the control of crop-damaging wild animals in the hands of people unacceptable: CEJ

In response to a statement by Agriculture Minister K.D. Lalkantha in Parliament on December 5, Centre for Environmental Justice (CEJ) legal advisor Ravindranath Dabare said that as a government, it is unacceptable to leave the control of animals that damage crops entirely in the hands of the people without taking appropriate action .