Increased tobacco use among schoolchildren

Urges parents and teachers to educate children about the dangers of nicotine

Memorial service held for late French Ambassador

A memorial service in remembrance of the late Ambassador Jean-François Pactet of France to Sri Lanka was held at St. Mary’s Church, Lauries Road, Colombo 04 yesterday morning.The event was organised by the Sri Lanka’s Ministry of Foreign Affai

EC defends talks with Julie Chung amid criticisms

Following severe criticism that US Ambassador Julie Chung had interfered in discussing Sri Lanka’s election process with the Election Commission (EC) officials, the EC chairman R.M.A.L. Rathnayake defended the move saying that the discussion with Chung was a casual one.

Calls for probe into Bar Assoc. office bearers over misconduct in JICA project

Several concerned members of the Bar Association of Sri Lanka (BASL) - Attorneys-at-Law including President’s Counsels have urged the newly appointed five-member expertise Committee of Inquiry to look into the very serious and perturbing allegations of misconduct against few members of the Bar Association office bearers into the JICA funded project/ activities.

Russian ambassador slams “powerful Western country” for hypocrisy

Slamming a “powerful Western country” for its double standard and hypocrisy, Russia’s ambassador to Sri Lanka Levan Dzhagaryan said steps will be taken to assist in the repatriation of hundreds of ex-Sri Lankan military personnel in Russia, who are involved in his country’s conflict against Ukraine.

Extending term of President and P’ment is an option; Presidential Adviser

Whilst United National Party (UNP) General Secretary Palitha Range Bandara said he will explain his proposal of extending the terms of the President and Parliament on Monday, Presidential Adviser Ashu Marasinghe stressed that the former only talked of an available option to ensure the nation’s stability.

International spotlight on presidential election

The International spotlight is already cast on the conduct of the upcoming presidential election in Sri Lanka with the European Union already deploying its experts for a pre-election assessment of the ground situation, an official said yesterday. Election observers are usually deployed to monitor national elections in Sri Lanka. They also carry out pre-poll assessments to ascertain whether a free and fair electoral process is ensured in the coun

Waterfalls swell again

The waterfalls in the central hills have swelled creating a lovely and attractive sight due to the heavy rain experienced at present.

Maithripala to be charged for Contempt of Court?

A contempt of court application has been filed in the Court of Appeal against former President Maithripala Sirisena for allegedly disregarding an order made by Colombo District Court regarding Sri Lanka Freedom Party (SLFP) chairmanship.

Nuwara Eliya, Kandy residents requested to be vigilant over sudden floods

Due to the considerable rainfall in the catchment areas of the central hills yesterday, those living in Nuwara-Eliya and Kandy districts are requested to be vigilant as the water level of the Mahaweli Ganga has risen and hence may cause sudden floods.

Three female students missing in Yakkala after attending tuition class

Three 14-year-old female students who attended a tuition class in Yakkala area have been reported missing since Wednesday evening, according to police sources.

Customs strongly refutes allegations of misappropriating billions from reward fund

Sri Lanka Customs strongly refuting all allegations levelled against them including misappropriation of billions of rupees from the Customs Reward Fund said even a Supreme Court verdict in 2000 proves that the present reward scheme has been approved by the then Finance Minister in 1988.

Is hypertension the reason for some SLTB bus drivers to drive recklessly?

In a recent health checkup by the Kuliyapitiya MOH office, it was revealed that SLTB employees including drivers and traders in the Kuliyapitiya bus stand were at high risk for hypertension, a condition often referred to as a ‘silent killer.’

Teachers, principals to launch sick leave campaign today

The National Teachers’ Power (NTP) has decided to launch an islandwide two-day sick leave campaign starting today, demanding the government resolve the salary anomalies of school principals and teachers.

Powerful western country concerned over SL ex-soldiers joining the Russian military

A powerful western country remains concerned over Sri Lankan ex-soldiers joining the Russian military in the war against Ukraine, an informed source said.

Jewellers fined for importing gold illegally

Five leading jewellers who imported gold illegally hav been fined, State Minister of Finance Ranjith Siyambalapitiya said yesterday. The total fine amounted to Rs 1,243 million according to the minister.

KDU lecturer released on bail after false statements on ISIS arrests

Dr. Punsara Amarasinghe, a lecturer at the General Sir John Kotelawala Defence University (KDU), who was arrested for making false statements to the media regarding the ISIS members arrested in India, has been released on bail.

Daily Mirror, Lankadeepa article on poverty stricken mother gets tremendous response

Following a report in the Daily Mirror of a mother of four children from Kebithigolleva, who was struggling after her husband’s sudden death, numerous donors reached out to the Daily Mirror office, offering their support to the family.

Ranil faction making controversial remarks to confuse society: AKD

President Ranil Wickremesinghe faction was coming up with various controversial remarks from time to time such as going for referendum so as to create confusion in the society just because they have no plans or vision for elections, National People’s Power (NPP) leader Anura Kumara Dissanayake said yesterday.

Govt. trying to hoodwink estate sector workers

The government is planning to deceive the estate sector workers by using the daily wage increase as a tool to attract voters, SJB Pasara organizer Letchumanar Sanjay said.

Mother injured in Easter Sunday bomb attack succumbs to injuries

Tilina Harshani who was seriously injured in the blast that took place in Katuwapitiya on Easter Sunday five years ago succumbed to her injuries on Monday night.

AG decides not to defend Nilantha Jayawardane

The Attorney General’s Department has informed the Court of Appeal that the Attorney General would not appear on behalf of Senior DIG Nilantha Jayawardane in a writ petition filed against him for his omission and serious dereliction of duty which led to the Easter Sunday attacks.

Teacher arrested for arson attack on Ranil’s private residence

The Criminal Investigation Department arrested a 36-year-old suspect in connection with the arson attack on President Ranil Wickremesinghe’s private residence on 09 July 2022.

Starlink Satellite Internet Services: SL seeks World Bank help to draft regulations

The government has sought the expertise of the World Bank to draft new telecommunication regulations for the introduction of Starlink satellite internet services , a Minister said yesterday. Elon Musk’s Starlink internet is now open for pre-order in Sri Lanka, with the public able to reserve Starlink by paying a fully refundable US $ 9 deposit.

No funds for addressing public sector salary anomalies: Minister

Cabinet Minister Bandula Gunawardana said yesterday that, under public financial management, the government is unable to allocate funds this year to address the salary anomalies demanded by trade unions in the public and government sectors. Addressing the media, he said several trade unions have requested that the president as well as the government consider their demands.

Triple tragedy for mother of four

In a distressing tale from Kebithigolleva, a 33-year-old mother of four found herself in dire circumstances as she laments enduring four months without electricity, two weeks of water scarcity, and the recent loss of her husband, the main breadwinner who supported the family through odd jobs.

Railway service is critical, requires significant investments to run efficiently: Govt.

The railway service in the country is currently in a critical situation, and efficient train usage requires significant investments, Cabinet Spokesman and Transport Minister Bandula Gunawardana said.

No debate after June 6: NPP gives ultimatum to SJB

The National People’s Power (NPP) said yesterday that if the Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB) is not ready for the debate between the two leaders Sajith Premadasa and Anura Kumara Dissanayake on June 6 as previously announced, there would be no further debate or discussions about a debate after June 6.

Boat capsizes in the sea off Balapitiya

A fisherman drowned and another disappeared when a fishing boat capsized in the sea off Balapitiya fishery harbour last morning.

SJB Lawyers Federation proposes legal reforms for system change

The SJB Lawyers Federation stated that they have proposed 116 measures for significant legal reforms aimed at affecting systemic change in the country. President’s Counsel Upul Jayasuriya, the President of the SJB Lawyers Federation, made these remarks while addressing a press conference in Colombo and mentioned that these proposals will be included in the SJB manifesto.