President orders Army, Timber Corp. to back CMC to remove risky city trees ASAP

The Colombo Municipal Council (CMC) will receive backing from the State Timber Corporation and Sri Lanka Army to immediately remove over 100 remaining old and large decaying city trees posing a great danger to the people and property, as per an order by the President, the Daily Mirror learns.

Hundreds of birds and fish dead in Anawilundawa sanctuary Cause under investigation

Hundreds of birds and fish in the bird sanctuary in Anawilundawa Ramsar wetland and its watercourses have been dying for the last several days, much to the anxiety of the residents of the area and the environmentalists.

Is indelible ink mark on voter’s finger still needed?

Further relevance of marking a voter’s finger with indelible ink is now questioned as the production of a valid identity card for casting ballots is mandatory.

IRD to get taxpayer info from third parties: Siyambalapitiya

The Inland Revenue Department (IRD) is to collect information on assets owned by taxpayers through third parties in line with global practice, State Minister of Finance Ranjith Siyambalapitiya said.

Gangaramaya ‘Buddha Rashmi’ Vesak Zone second day inaugurated

The second day of the Gangaramaya ‘Buddha Rashmi’ Vesak Zone was opened by Prime Minister Dinesh Gunawardena and Opposition Leader Sajith Premadasa at the Seema Malaka last evening. Temple’s deputy incumbent Ven. Dr.

Rs.4.5 billion fine to be imposed on 13 leading jewellers for gold smuggling

Sri Lanka Customs have raided 13 leading jewellery-making institutions and seized a stock of gold smuggled into the country and a fine of Rs. 4.5 billion is to be imposed in this regard, the Daily Mirror learns. There are a

Rampant power outages due to high winds, rain-related disasters

The Ceylon Electricity Board (CEB) has recorded over 59,400 electricity breakdown complaints, resulting in power outages for over 431,500 consumers during the last four days from May 21 to 24, the Power and Energy Ministry said.

Inclement weather wreaks havoc across country

Sri Lanka is grappling with severe weather conditions as the South-West Monsoon continues to unleash heavy rains and strong winds across the country. According to the M

India, Sri Lanka discuss graphite industry development

An initial discussion has been conducted between officials from the Indian Government and the Geological Survey and Mines Bureau of Sri Lanka to see the possibilities of developing the graphite industry in the country, an informed source said.

Tree fall disasters Govt. advocates national policy on wayside planting: Premitha Bandara

Says the Singapore model is to be studied and adopted

A farmer who shot dead wild elephant in self-defence arrested

Suspect released on personal bail of Rs. 200,000 with two sureties each

Two Sri Lankan students in Japan arrested over illegal abortion

Two Sri Lankan students in Japan were arrested over an illegal abortion, and an expert points out that international students’ unstable resident status may be a factor behind the incident. Ibaraki P

School principal netted when trying to solicit Rs.30,000 bribe from food supplier to canteen

The Bribery Commission apprehended a school principal in the Eheliyagoda area for trying to solicit a bribe of Rs.30,000 from a lady to offer the tender to supply food for the school canteen uninterrupted. The sleuths of the Bribery Commission netted the principal in his office room. It is learnt that the suspect has demanded R

Economic Transformation Bill provide provisions to stabilize Sri Lanka by 2032

The Economic Transformation Bill which was presented to Parliament yesterday provides legal provisions for debt restructuring and to stabilize Sri Lanka’s economy by 2032.

10 year old school girl dies after being run over by bus

A 10-year-old school girl who was run over by a private bus running from Gampola to Berawila near the Udahenthanna Adhikari National School has died after being admitted to the Kuruduwatta Regional Hospital.

1,732 illegal Sri Lankan migrants repatriated from Malaysia

The Sri Lanka High Commission in Malaysia successfully facilitated the repatriation of 1,608 Sri Lankan illegal migrants. This operation, conducted in coordination with the Malaysian Government’s Migrant Repatriation Programme over a two-month period from 01 March 2024 to 30 April 2024, High Commission of Sri Lanka in Kuala Lumpur said.

Finance ministry to revise customs rewards after audit reveals Rs. 24,220 million payout

In response to a recent report from the National Audit Office, which revealed that over Rs. 24,220 million has been paid to customs officials and informants as reward money over the past eleven years, the Finance Ministry has decided to revise the distribution of customs fines, the compensation fund, and the rewards for customs officers.

One in a group of five falls to death inside forest reserve

One in a group of five individuals who entered Metihakka forest reserve in Riverton in Laggala had fallen down a boulder and died.

No health risk from cow measles, says Animal Health chief

Dr. Hemali Kothalawala, Director General of the Department of Animal Production and Health, has assured the public that consuming milk and meat from animals infected with cow measles poses no health risks to humans. There is no threat of the disease spreading to humans, she emphasized. ​

Sri Pada Pilgrim Season ends

Sri Pada pilgrim season 2023/2024 ends with the dawn of Vesak full moon Poya today. Chief Incumbent of Sri Padasthana and Sanghanayaka of Sabaragamuwa Province Ven. Bengamuwe Dhammadinna Thera told the media yesterday that the caskets of sacred relics, the statues of the God, and the regalia will be taken in four processions, the following day (24) through Nallthanniya- Bagawanthalawa- Balangoda, Nallathaniya –Awissawella-Ratnapura, Sri Padast

Kap Planting ritual of the Kataragama Maha Devala is scheduled to be held tomorrow morning

Kap Planting ritual of the Ruhunu Kataragama Maha Devala is scheduled to be held tomorrow morning (24) at the Devala premises.

Stealing and selling M/ bikes to underworld

Supply of stolen motorcycles to the underworld for criminal activities came to light when two young men who had in their possession eleven motorcycle stolen by them were arrested by Minuwangoda police.

Aura Lanka Chairman remanded over alleged financial fraud

Aura Lanka Chairman Viranjith Thambugala has been arrested by the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) yesterday.

Bangladeshi LPL team owner arrested over match-fixing allegations at BIA

A Bangladeshi national, who owns the Dambulla franchise in the Lanka Premier League (LPL), had been arrested at the Bandaranaike International Airport over allegations of match-fixing.

Sri Lanka to sign debt restructuring MoU with bilateral creditors before IMF review next month

The government is to sign the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Official Creditor Committee (OCC) of the Paris Club of Nations and the Export-Import Bank of China (EXIM Bank) for restructuring the country’s debts before the completion of the IMF Executive Board review of Sri Lanka’s Extended Fund Facility Arrangement next month, a top source said.

No restriction for travelling between provinces: Traffic police

Police said yesterday that there is no barrier for anyone to travel between provinces or to travel anywhere in the country if they possess required documents, such as a valid driving license, insurance, and revenue license.

Female Filipino Assistant Accountant nabbed with Rs.200Mn worth Cocaine at BIA

A female Philippine national who tried to enter the country with Rs.200 million worth Cocaine concealed in her baggage along with some spices was nabbed by Sri Lanka Customs at the Bandaranaike International Airport (BIA).

Dawson Bungalow to be sold?

Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB) MP Kabir Hashim in Parliament yesterday questioned about an alleged move to sell off the historical Dawson Bungalow situated in the Kegalle District. “ The employees of the bungalow had informed about a move to sell it. They have complained that their opinion has not been called for to date,” the MP said.

No presidential pardon for Gnanasara Thera on Vesak Day

Ven. Gnanasara Thera is not among the 278 to be released under the presidential pardons in view of the Vesak Poya which falls today (23), the Prisons Department said.

Inclement weather leaves 70,000 people affected

Some 70,000 people from 18,000 families across thirteen districts have been affected by adverse weather conditions, with two deaths reported, according to the Disaster Management Centre (DMC).