Zoo must be brought under President’s purview: DG

Says current situation in the zoological department is very critical

Train fares up

While holding a special media briefing today, the Sri Lanka Station Masters’ Union (SLSMU) said that the Railways Department has in

No revision in train fares from last night: Transport Min.

There will be no increase in the intercity and long distance special train fares, from last night Transport Minister Dilum Amunugama said. He said the railway d

16 Lankans among 38 migrants, hidden in semi-trailer truck, found in Romania

Thirty-eight migrants from Turkey, Syria, Sri Lanka and Iraq were discovered while trying to leave from Romania illegally hidden in a semi-trailer truck and two minibuses driven by Romanians and checked at the Nadlac II Border Crossing Point.

SL in continuous engagement with Canada: State Minister

Sri Lankan government has made extensive effort to prevent the enactment of the “Tamil Genocide Education Week Act” presented in the Ontario State Parliament in Canada, State Minister Tharaka Balasooriya said yesterday.

Everyone should be united to resolve existing issues: Ruwan

While stressing that current issues cannot be resolved individually, UNP Deputy Leader Ruwan Wijewardene said everyone including political leaders should be united to overcome current challenges.

Finance Minister declines to share IMF draft on SL economy

Finance Minister Basil Rajapaksa admitted at the All Party Conference yesterday that the International Monetary Board( IMF) had submitted a draft on the economic situation of Sri Lanka, and the final report would be shared with all concerned once ready.

Vehicle imports to be further delayed: State Minister

Even though several proposals have been received with regard to vehicle imports, State Minister Shehan Semasinghe said yesterday the government was yet to allow vehicle imports as priority was given to import only essential items at the moment.

UN accuses SL of violating rights of LGBTI activist

Sri Lanka violated the rights of a lesbian and leading LGBTI activist who was subjected to discrimination, threats and abuses due to the country’s Penal Code that criminalises same-sex sexual activit

Ministry of Home Affairs approves back-wages for Dr. Shafi Shihabdeen

The Attorney General yesterday informed the Court of Appeal that the Ministry of Public Services has given its approval to pay the salary and allowances payable to Dr. Shafi Shihabdeen, for the compul

US encourages PC elections in Sri Lanka, says move to reach out to IMF courageous

While saying that it is a courageous step by the Sri Lankan Government to reach out to the International Monetary Fund, US Under Secretary for Political Affairs Victoria Nuland underscored that the US

Delay in printing textbooks due to power cuts, scarcity of paper, accessories and diesel: Comm. Gen.

There is a delay in printing school textbooks due to the shortage of paper and other related accessories, Educational Publications Department Commissioner General P.N.Ilaperuma said.

Health authorities secure sufficient US dollars to import life-saving drug

Health authorities have finally been able to secure sufficient US dollars to import the medicinal drug ‘ Tenecteplase’ used for the treatment of blood clots of heart patients, a Minister said. The country is currently fac

The Bill to amend the Value Added Tax Act No. 14 of 2002 approved by the Committee on Public Finance

The Bill to amend the Value Added Tax Act No. 14 of 2002 was approved by the Committee on Public Finance yesterday thus giving the green light to take it for debate today, Parliament communications unit said. This Bill

Vasudeva still a member of the government

Minister Vasudeva Nanayakkara yesterday told Parliament that he is still a member of the government though he is keeping away from his ministry. “ We are still in the government and we will request the President to allow us to remain as independent Members within the government if the need arises but we will not join the opposition,” Mr. Nanayakkara said. “ We are not prepared

President apologises to Ranil over Cabraal’s remarks

President Gotabaya Rajapaksa expressed his apologies to former Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe at the All Party Conference over the remarks made by Central Bank Governor Ajith Nivard Cabraal in which he accused the former government for the present crisis. In his sp

Daily Mirror Journalists receive Journalism Awards for Excellence

Daily Mirror Journalists Kamanthi Wickramasinghe, Harsha Amarasinghe and Sajith Ekanayake were adjudged the Best Environmental Reporter of the Year 2020, Best Sports Journalist of the Year 2019 and Best Cartoonist of the Year 2019 respectively at the Journalism Awards for Excellence organised by the Sri Lanka Press Institute in collaboration with The Editors Guild of Sri Lanka which was held last night. PIC BY PRADEEP DILRUKSHANA

Despite availability of Indian credit line Payment for food containers hampered

The use of US $ 1 billion Indian credit line for the release of around 1500 containers of essential food commodities already imported from India and stuck at the port has been hampered since som

Three suspects arrested over killing Minister Lokuge’s driver

Three suspects including the main suspect involved in the brutal murder of the driver of Energy Minister Gamini Lokuge have been arrested. Police s

Opening skies to India for monitoring may pose security threat: Harin

The latest Cabinet decisions where Sri Lankan skies are to be opened for Indian monitoring aircraft, the establishing of a Maritime Rescue Centre which is to be run by an Indian entity may push Sri La

Hotel employee charged with sexual harassment

A hotel employee suspected for misbehaving with a foreign woman staying in a hotel in Galle was taken into custody by Galle police yesterday. The 35 year old suspect was a resident of the area. Police said the incident took place when the Ukrainian woman was fast asleep with her husband in their room and the wrongdoer would be charged with sexual harassment.

PTA passed with amendments

The Prevention of Terrorism Amendment Temporary Provisions Bill was approved in Parliament with amendments without a vote yesterday. The Opposition who called for the introduction of a new Counter Terrorism Bill called for a division but did not call for one during the third reading. The division for the second reading was called by TNA MP M. S. Sumanthiran and Jathika Jana Balawegaya MP Anura Kumara Dissanayake.

Troops deployed at CEYPETCO fuel stations

In the wake of several unfortunate incidents being reported at fuel stations due to shortage of fuel, military personnel have been deployed to monitor the distribution of fuel at filling stations operated by the Ceylon Petroleum Corporation, commonly known as CEYPETCO across the country, the Army said.

Last will and Marriage Registration ordinance to be amended

Justice Minister Ali Sabry PC, has submitted three cabinet memos on Monday to amend two pieces of law to rectify a long felt legal constraint in respect of Deed of Gifts and Registration of Marriages in order to provide relief to those affected. Accordingly, an

Present fuel crisis cause for limited bus transportation

Bus transportation will have to be limited given the situation in the country but it will not come to a standstill, Minister of Transport Dilum Amunugama told Parliament yesterday, responding to a question raised by MP Hesha Withanage. The

CA suspends circular to hand over management of ‘Other State Forests’ to Divisional Secretaries

The Court of Appeal has issued an interim order suspending the operation of Circulars issued by the Land Commissioner to hand over the management of “Other State Forests” to the Division

Main door of Galle Fort dismantled only for repairs: CCF

Refuting reports that the double lid main door at the entrance to the Galle Fort, fitted by the Dutch who built the fort in the 17th century AD, has been removed, the Central Cultural Fund said yesterday that the door was dismantled recently

US $ 200 million out of Indian credit line for pharmaceutical imports

The government decided to use US $ 200 million out of the US $ 1 billion Indian credit line to import essential medic

Minister Gamini Lokuge’s driver hacked to death

The driver of Energy Minister Gamini Lokuge has been hacked to death at his residence in Gamwanawatta, Mavittara in Kesbewa

Over 16% of students face sexual harassment at uniVERSITes, new study reveals

44% of university staff are subjected to verbal sexual violence while 19% to physical sexual violence