Evasion of Rs.5.5Bn tax revenue to government: Excise suspends production licence of W. M. Mendis and Co.

Despite several warnings issued over a span of one year, which were not being adhered to, the Department of Excise yesterday suspended the production licence of local liquor giant W. M. Mendis and Co. Limited for evading tax arrears of Rs.5.5 billion to the government, the Daily Mirror learns.

Ten instances of Mahaviru commemorations with LTTE logos this year: Govt.

Ten Mahaviru Day commemorations out of 244 in the country were found to have displayed LTTE flags and logos, Minister of Public Security and Parliamentary Affairs Ananda Wijepala told Parliament yesterday.

A group of 60 SL asylum seekers arrive in UK from Diego Garcia

A group of 60 Tamil migrants from Sri Lanka, who had been living in precarious conditions for over three years on the remote island of Diego Garcia, has been relocated to the United Kingdom, news agencies reported.

NPP Govt. should probe killings of Wijeweera, Vijaya - MP

The NPP government should probe the killings of its founder leader Rohana Wijeweera and actor turned politician Vijaya Kumaratunga in keeping with the pledges made by President Anura Kumara Dissanayake during his policy statement, opposition MP Chamara Sampath Dassanayake told Parliament yesterday.

Australian dies after jumping from Crescat in Kollupitiya

51-year-old Australian national has reportedly committed suicide by jumping from the Crescat apartment complex in Kollupitiya last morning.

Govt. to revise electricity tariff soon, refutes 3-year claim

The government will take measures to revise the electricity tariff by a certain margin, and it will not take three years as claimed by Trade Minister Wasantha Samarasinghe, Cabinet Spokesman and Minister Dr. Nalinda Jayatissa said.

Military Intelligence chief removed

Director of Military Intelligence Brigadier Chandika Mahathanthila has been removed from his post, effective yesterday, military sources said. Following his removal, Brigadier Mahathanthila has been assigned to the Security Force Headquarters – West.

Female SSPs to lead CID, SIU

For the first time in Sri Lanka’s police history, several female officers have been appointed to senior positions in key divisions, including the Criminal Investigations Department (CID) and the Special Investigation Unit.

Rice shortage; Govt lifts import restrictions

While urging the large-scale rice millers to release their rice stocks to the market, the government yesterday announced that as an alternative solution to the rice shortage in the country, a decision has been taken to allow the import of rice without import control permits until December 20, 2024 with immediate effect.

Public authorities must be accountable and open to public scrutiny - Appeal Court

In another judgement broadening the scope of the applicability of the Right to Information Act, the Court of Appeal recently held that any amount of money spent by a public authority must be accountable and made available for scrutiny when requested by a member of the public.

Coconut cream in place of coconuts to address shortage

Coconut cream which is now only an export product will be released to the local market to address the coconut shortage in the market, an official said.

Police to use drones for monitoring traffic congestion in Colombo

Sri Lanka Police will begin using drone cameras to monitor traffic congestion in Colombo and its surrounding suburbs.

General Election: EC issues ultimatum to candidates over expense reports

The Election Commission has announced that all candidates must submit their income and expenditure reports by December 6, with the deadline set at midnight. According to the Commission, this includes the candidates on the National Lists, secretaries of the parties and the leaders of the independent groups.

Government decides not to re-conduct Grade 5 Scholarship Exam: AG tells SC

The Attorney General’s Department yesterday informed the Supreme Court that the Cabinet of Ministers has recommended not to re-conduct the Grade 5 Scholarship Examination, taking into consideration the mental stress students would undergo and the adverse effects it would have on the scheduled examination calendar.

Russian Embassy responds to reports of Jaffna youths forced to fight against Ukraine

In response to reports that some young men from Jaffna were allegedly forced to fight in the war against Ukraine while attempting to travel to France and Belgium on visit visas, the Russian Embassy in Colombo said yesterday that it had not received any official information about the recruitment of Sri Lankan citizens by unscrupulous local travel agencies.

Harini going to supermarket, Prez walking to work: time to stop grandstanding: Opposition MP

Referring to the recent actions of President Anura Kumara Dissanayake and Prime Minister Harini Amarasuriya which has gained much publicity, Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB) MP Nalin Bandara Jayamaha yesterday said both should stop grandstanding

First debate of 10th Parliament today

The first debate of the 10th Parliament will begin at 9.30 am today, where the MPs will speak on the policy statement presented to the House by President Anura Kumara Dissanayake on November 21.

World Aids Day walk

World Aids Day walk organised by National Aids Control Programme was held with the theme ‘take the right path’ with participation of Prime Minister Dr. Harini Amarasuriya and Minister of Health Dr. Nalinda Jayatissa yesterday. The march began from Galle Face Green and proceeded towards Town Hall.

Special teams to assess damage to crops caused by flooding

The Agricultural and Agrarian Insurance Board has appointed a special team to assess the damage to crops caused by flooding.

Bureaucratic delay puts over 200 specialists at risk of retirement

A delay in issuing a crucial circular/ Gazette has put over 200 specialist doctors in Sri Lanka at risk of premature retirement, threatening the country’s public health service, Daily Mirror learns.

Government to get tough on unauthorised structures?

The Government is to get tough on unauthorised structures which have become a hindrance to the flow of rainwater, Minister of Urban Development, Construction and Land Anura Karunatilaka said yesterday.

MPs, Ministers refuse luxury vehicles due to low fuel efficiency: Speaker

Claiming that there is a large fleet of unused luxury vehicles, Speaker Dr. Ashoka Ranwala said yesterday most MPs and Ministers refuse to use luxury vehicles due to their low fuel efficiency.

W. M. Mendis and Co. fails to pay tax arrears on deadline, face legal charges

Controversial liquor giant W.M.Mendis and Co. will face imminent legal action by the Department of Excise with revoking of its production license, having failed to settle a staggering tax arrears of Rs.5.5 billion to the government before the deadline on November 30th.

Navy officer killed by wild elephant

A senior Navy official, on his way back to the Punewa Naval Camp after a visit to Colombo on an official assignment, had been trampled to death by a wild elephant as he alighted from the bus near the camp.

Beware of Whatsapp hackers; CERT

The Computer Emergency Response Team (CERT) yesterday cautioned the public on a scam which is involved in hacking of whatsapp accounts.

ABBA Tribute Show: Yes, we attended, enjoyed it as people with a palate for enjoyment: Tilvin

In response to criticism on social media over attending in ABBA Tribute Show at Mount Lavinia Hotel, JVP General Secretary Tilvin Silva said he, along with others, attended and enjoyed it as people with a palate for enjoyment.

‘Deega Danthu 1’ the majestic elephant in Kalawewa National Park electrocuted

Deega Danthu 1, widely regarded as the most majestic elephant in the Kalawewa National Park, was found dead yesterday after becoming entangled in an illegal electric fence, the National Park Warden confirmed.

Sri Lanka records highest HIV cases in single quarter: Close to 250 cases so far this year

Sri Lanka has experienced a dramatic surge in HIV/AIDS cases during the second half of 2024, marking the highest number of cases logged in a single quarter since 2009.

SL safe from cyclonic storm: Met. Dept.

Sri Lanka will not be affected by the cyclonic storm as it is moving away from the island, the Department of Meteorology said yesterday.

A/L recommencement date to be announced after weather assessment:Govt

The Examinations Department will announce the date of the recommencement of the Advance Level (A/L) examination after assessing the weather situation after November 29, Defence Secretary Air Vice Marshal Sampath Thuyacontha said.