Police beef up countrywide security for Esala Poya today

Sri Lanka Police will beef up countrywide security today in line with the Esala Full Moon Poya Day and will exercise a special traffic and crime control programme for the benefit of the devotees.

Record number of Schools at 2024 ESOFT Blue & Gold Hockey 7s

Blue & Gold Hockey 7s, Sri Lanka’s oldest and largest schools’ hockey carnival organised by the Royal College Hockey Club (RCHC) will see a record 70 schools participating in this year’s edition scheduled to be held from August 10-11 at the Royal College main ground.

Navy deployed to clear garbage left by Pada Yatra pilgrims

The Navy has been deployed to clear solid waste including polythene disposed of by “Pada Yatra” pilgrims journeying on foot through Kumana and Yala National Parks to attend Kataragama Esala festival.

Hundreds participate in fire walking ceremony at Kataragama

The fire walking ceremony in Ruhunu Kataragama Maha Devala Esala festival took place in the early hours of yesterday. The fire field was located in front of Dutugemunu Maha Seya near Abinawarama Temple on the main street.

Gnanasara Thera granted bail after serving four months of his four year sentence

Bodu Bala Sena (BBS) General Secretary Galaboda Atte Gnanasara Thera, who was incarcerated for nearly four months, was granted bail by the Court of Appeal pending an appeal.

No 22nd Amendment till Presidential election is over

In the midst of controversy over the proposed constitutional amendment with some interpreting it as an attempt for postponement of the Presidential election, Justice Minister Wijeyadasa Rajapakshe instructed his officials not to proceed with steps for enactment of it till the election is over.

Tiran Alles challenges Harsha on VFS deal

Public Security Minister Tiran Alles yesterday challenged MP Harsha de Silva, who recommended a forensic audit of the visa process outsourcing deal between the Sri Lankan government and VFS Global, to prove the loss caused to the government from the deal.

Prez, poll announcement next week- EC Chairman

Election Commission Chairman R.M.A.L.Ratnayake said yesterday that the Presidential election would be declared next week.

Customs interdict four top officials over major fraud

Sri Lanka Customs yesterday interdicted four of its senior officials attached to the Central Cargo Examination Directorate for being involved in a major fraud of releasing an illicit goods container to its importer by preparing fraudulent documents, the Daily Mirror learns.

Easter Sunday probe: Senior DIG Nilantha placed on compulsory leave

Senior Deputy Inspector General of Police (Administration) Nilantha Jayawardena has been placed on immediate compulsory leave by the National Police Commission following a Supreme Court order regarding the Easter Sunday attacks.

Several areas in N’Eliya affected by mist

Several areas in the Nuwara Eliya District has been affected by dense mist due to the prevailing inclement weather. Nuwara Eliya town and its environs including Shanthipura, Magastota, Meepilimana, Pattipola and Kandapola were the worst affected.

NMRA Law Enforcement Division: Hangs in balance as remaining competent officer retires

The Law Enforcement Division of the National Medicines Regulatory Authority (NMRA), which was responsible for the detection of the infamous human immunoglobulin racket, hangs in the balance as the remaining competent official retired last June, the Daily Mirror learns.

Four women arrested for beating six-year old child

Four women including the mother were arrested yesterday in Aranayake following a video circulated on social media, which showed a six year-old child being beaten by some women.

SLPP will field a common candidate: MR

Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna (SLPP) will field a common candidate for presidency as it had always done in the past, former President Mahinda Rajapaksa said yesterday.

Parents urged not to smoke around kids as wheezing cases rise

Medical experts have issued a stern advisory urging parents to refrain from smoking in the presence of children, citing a notable increase in cases of wheezing among pediatric patients.

Ex-Prisoner appeals to SC to restore voting rights for incarcerated individuals

A writ petition has been filed in the Supreme Court seeking an order directing the Election Commission to issue requisite guidelines to facilitate the eligible prisoners and inmates in remand custody to cast their vote in the elections including Presidential, Parliament and at every referendum.

President prioritizes candidates’ safety in wake of Trump attack

In light of the recent attack on former U.S. President Donald Trump, President Ranil Wickremesinghe has submitted a Cabinet paper to ensure the safety of the candidates in view of the forthcoming Presidential election.

Patients in the lurch as CT scanners of key hospitals go down again

A significant number of CT scan machines in government hospitals has become completely dysfunctional again as it has been in the recent past leaving patients in dire straits, medical professionals pointed out.

Range Bandara encourages hunger strike for ‘nuisance’ individuals to meet their demise

United National Party (UNP) General Secretary Palitha Range Bandara told the civil organisers to continue their hunger strike, stating it is good for people who are a nuisance to society to die.

Passport issuance adopts new method starting this week

A streamlined passport application process is set to be implemented for the convenience of applicants, the Immigration and Emigration Department announced yesterday.

Public keener than ever on Presidential election: EC

As the Presidential election is around the corner, the Election Commission said it has observed an unprecedented level of interest and enthusiasm from both the general public and institutional bodies towards the election.

Muthu Raja’s overall health improving

Muthu Raja, the Thai elephant gifted to Sri Lanka repatriated to his home country for medical treatment a year ago, is on gradual recovery of his overall health - inflammation cured and gait adjustment being done - an official said

Call for ban on bringing mobile phones to cinemas

With reference to an illegal recording and uploading his film ‘ Sinhabahu’ on social media, Film Director and President of Film Directors Guild of Sri Lanka (FDGSL) Somaratne Dissanayake yesterday called for the banning of brining mobile phones into cinemas.

Visa free travel to Thailand now in effect for Sri Lankans

Thailand has implemented the visa exemption for 60 days for Sri Lankan nationals along with those of 92 other countries.

Lohan, Keheliya, Kiriella must live to see country’s development under NPP govt: Lalkantha

Politicians like Keheliya Rambukwella, Lakshman Kiriella and Lohan Ratwatte must live to witness the development activities which would take place under a National People’s Power (NPP) government, NPP politburo member K.D. Lalkantha said yesterday. Speaking at the NPP Kandy District convention, he said politicians like Keheliya and Kiriella must take their medicine on time and live to witness development activities of the NPP government.

Piumi Hansamali will not be arrested until September 20

The Attorney General yesterday gave an undertaking before the Court of Appeal that Sri Lankan model Piumi Hansamali will not be arrested until her writ petition is taken up for support on September 20.

No attempt by Sajith to patch-up : Fonseka Ready to discipline Sri Lanka

Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB) Chairman, Field Marshal Sarath Fonseka, says he is still on the fence on contesting the upcoming Presidential elections but is willing to take the challenge and put the country back on track.

Starlink satellite system nears approval as Musk’s representative visits SL

A representative from the Starlink satellite system, founded by billionaire entrepreneur Elon Musk of SpaceX and Tesla, visited Sri Lanka this week and is set to return next week to complete the final stages of obtaining the necessary licence for operations in the country.

Probe on decapitated skeleton at Colombo Port premises

A decapitated skeleton was discovered at the Colombo Port premises on Sunday (July 14) during excavation activities of the Port Access Elevated Highway Project.

Health risk forces activity restrictions at Galle Prison

An inmate has succumbed to Meningitis (brain fever) at the Galle Prison, forcing authorities to restrict various activities within the facility for a period of one week.