Excise to launch special operation in Colombo City during Avurudu dry days

The Department of Excise is planning to launch a special operation in Colombo during the two festive dry days targeting illegal booze sellers and to implement law strictly during the Sinhala and Tamil New Year period. A senior Excise official overseeing the Colombo City told the Daily Mirror yesterday that a joint operation has been organised in collaboration with four main Excise stations in Kesbewa, Padukka, Battaramulla and Colombo City.

Fuel distributors warns of trade union action after April 20

Despite the Ceylon Petroleum Corporation (CPC) implementing a VAT on discounts for Petroleum Dealers, Vice President Kusum Sandanayaka of the Sri Lanka Petroleum Private Tank Owners’ Association stated they’ll ensure uninterrupted fuel distribution until April 20. Addressing the media, he highlighted that Petroleum Dealers are burdened with an 18 percent VAT on the CPC’s three percent discount. Despite their willingness to pay VAT, he emphas

President restricts foreign travel for Govt. members

Ahead of the presidential election, President Ranil Wickremesinghe has instructed the government members to restrict foreign travel as much as possible because their presence is required to undertake political work, an informed source said. The United National Party (UNP) led by the President is planning to ramp up political work in view of the election after the May Day rally. The party is planning to conduct the rally on a grand scale thi

Former Senior DIG Gamini De Silva passes away

Retired Senior Deputy Inspector General of Police P.G.S. Gamini De Silva passed away at the age of 70 on Monday while receiving treatment at a private hospital in Colombo due to illness. Born on September 3,1953, De Silva joined the Sri Lanka Police as an Apprentice Sub-Inspector on 20.08.1974. The final rites of the late senior DIG will be held at Eldeniya cemetery in Kadawatha on April 10.

SLFP faces conspiracy: Prof. Piyadasa

Senior Vice Chairman of the Sri Lanka Freedom Party Prof. Rohana Laxman Piyadasa said a conspiracy against the SLFP was being hatched by the government and that its main object was to lure the SLFP to become a constituent party of the government at the upcoming presidential election and the general election. He told the media in Kandy yesterday that the prevailing crisis in the party was just one episode of that conspiracy to absorb the SLFP

Sports instuctor arrested

The sports instructor of a school in Buttala education zone was arrested in connection with the alleged rape of a 15 year old school girl. The 33 year old suspect was a resident of Udaganawa colony in Buttala, Investigations revealed that he had been in love with the girl since November 2022 and first raped her at midnight on March 29 and April 04, 2024 in a hut behind her house. When her father came to know about her relations with the

Vehicle imports possible next year if economy improves

If the country’s economy improves by next year, there can be optimism regarding the import of vehicles, Finance State Minister Ranjith Siyambalapitiya said. Addressing the media at an opening event in Dematagoda, he said Rs. 13 billion was paid additionally for the increase in state employee salaries. Accordingly, Rs. 107 billion was paid for state employee salaries for the month of April.

Jaffna resident who paid 7,000 Euros for forged Polish visa nabbed at BIA

A resident from Jaffna who paid Euro 7, 000 to get a forged Polish visa affixed to his Sri Lankan passport was nabbed by the Immigration and Emigration Department officials at the Bandaranaike International Airport (BIA), whilst trying to leave the country. The passenger was about to board a SriLankan Airlines flight UL 217 bound for Doha, Qatar on Monday evening, when he was intercepted by the Immigration officials at the BIA departure counte

Sri Lanka Law College Alumni Association established

By Lakmal Sooriyagoda In a bid to promote close relations between the Sri Lanka Law College and its alumni, coinciding with the college’s 150th-anniversary celebrations, the Sri Lanka Law College Alumni Association was officially established in 2024. The association’s inaugural meeting was held on April 3, 2024, in the Main Hall of Sri Lanka Law College, with several esteemed alumni in attendance. This marks the first time in the 150-year history

SANASA ‘Idiriya’ programme inaugurated

SANASA ‘Idiriya’ (future) programme was inaugurated recently at the Nagoda Divisional Secretariat under the auspices of Galle District Parliamentarian and Chairman of the District Coordinating Committee Sampath Atukorala. As per the programme, 3,750 chicks and 150 egg hatcheries are expected to be distributed among 3,750 members of 150 SANASA Societies selected from 22 Divisional Secretariats. Head of SANASA Society Development and Business

Public officers delayed the Beira Lake cleanup project: Ashu

The billion rupee project to clean up Beira Lake was deliberately delayed by public officers attached to few state institutions, Senior Presidential Advisor Ashu Marasinghe said yesterday. Professor Marasinghe said public officers attached to few institutions such as the Central Environment Authority and Colombo Municipal Council took a long time to grant the final approval for the project. “We wonder as to why the approval was delayed for su

IGP urges heightened security for upcoming religious and cultural events

Inspector General of Police Deshabandu Tennakoon emphasized the need for heightened security measures in light of the upcoming Ramadan festival and Sinhala and Hindu New Year celebrations. Speaking at an event held at the Minister’s Security Division, the IGP highlighted the global threat of extremist terrorist attacks stressing the importance of focusing on VIP security and national security. “Extremist and terrorist attacks occur worldwide

Digital Litha made available by Soorya

40-year-old heritage brand Soorya honours the tradition and spirit of togetherness this season by presenting the new year auspicious times once again for everyone’s convenience so the public can find out the Nakath times in advance. An individual can access by simply using a smartphone to scan any Soorya matchbox. This enables access to the AR filter to view the Litha on the social media applications, Facebook and Instagram. The Digital Lith

Ramadan festival today

Muslims in Sri Lanka will celebrate the Eid-Ul-Fithr (Ramadan) festival today, as the new moon for the Islamic month of Shawwal was sighted yesterday. The Colombo Grand Mosque announced the decision last night after a meeting at the Colombo Grand Mosque attended by the representatives of All Ceylon Jamiyyathul Ulama (the Supreme Council of Muslim Theologians of Sri Lanka), Department of Muslim Religious and Cultural Affairs and Colombo Grand M

Prof. Marasinghe says RW likely to contest presidential election under a new symbol

Incumbent President Ranil Wickremesinghe is likely to contest the presidential election under a whole new symbol other than the elephant or flower bud, Senior Presidential Advisor and UNP senior Ashu Marasinghe said yesterday. Professor Marasinghe told journalists that Mr. Wickremesinghe will represent a number of parties as a national candidate. “People such as Minister Prasanna Ranatunga had said man

Immigration head office yet to fix CCTV cameras purchased six years ago

A Parliamentary Committee has revealed that CCTV camera equipment that had been purchased at a cost of Rs. 2.1 million to be fixed at the internal premises of the Immigration and Emigration head office had been stored for six years without being fixed. This was revealed when the Immigration and Emigrations Department was summoned before the Committee on Public Accounts (COPA) recently. It was further revealed that the equipment had been purch

PHI Union gripped by fear following Treasurer’s death

In the wake of the tragic death of Treasurer of the Public Health Inspectors’ Union, Roshan Kumara Vithanage, the Public Health Inspectors are in cold sweat hindering their ability to carry out responsibilities effectively. Roshan Kumara was shot dead at his house in Elpitiya in February leaving doubts of the motive behind his death. Speaking to Daily Mirror, PHI union Head Upul Rohan said a significant number of PHIs feel insecure and fear

Streets bustle with New Year shoppers

The streets of Colombo and its suburbs bustl

Expressway debts could take over 160 years to settle

Despite earning a yearly profit of Rs. 5 billion from expressways, Minister Bandula Gunawardana revealed that it might take at least 160 years to fully pay off the Rs. 800 billion loan used to build them. Gunawardana explained that even if someone lived for 80 years, it would still be impossible to settle the debt. He emphasized that even if someone reincarnated multiple times and worked throughout each lifetime, the debt would persist. To pre

Govt. to consider registering higher engine capacity motorcycles

A meeting was held recently at the Transport Ministry to explore the feasibility of registering motorcycles with higher engine capacities. Commissioner General of the Department of Motor Traffic Nishantha Weerasinghe informed Daily Mirror that a decision was made to draft a cabinet paper seeking approval from the cabinet of ministers.

SJB NPP public debate becoming a non-event?

The proposed public debate between Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB) and National Peoples Power (NPP) seemed to be becoming a non-event with the former sending mixed signals whilst the latter says its economic specialists are ready for a debate if Opposition Leader Sajith Premadasa avoids its leader Anura Kumara Dissanayake. SJB MP Dr. Harsha de Silva told the media that two separate debates should take place. “Myself, MPs Kabir Hashim and Ear

New legislation to be introduced to allow individuals to decide on their final rites; President

President Ranil Wickremesinghe said new legislation will be introduced to allow individuals to decide on their final rites. He said a new committee would also be established to coordinate arrangements for the last rites of individuals in accordance with their religious customs or final wishes, including those within the Muslim community. He also expressed his commitment to enacting relevant legislation in this regard. These remarks were made du

Trade deals with India and China will benefit Sri Lanka: Sajith

Sri Lanka should make use of its proximity to India and get into trade deals with the nation as it will be beneficial to our people, Leader of Opposition Sajith Premadasa said. Speaking during a meeting of Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB) intellectuals, Mr. Premadasa said trade deals with India will help Sri Lanka to get into bigger markets. “The brain drain that is in existence in our society will end only if you make the right reforms,

Trade Ministry to issue price ranges to curb middlemen profits

The Trade, Commerce, and Food Security Ministry is to issue price ranges on essential items to curb excessive profits by middlemen in the retail market. After a meeting held at the ministry, Minister Nalin Fernando said that the increase in commodity prices was a result of the economic crisis and inflation. In 2022, Sri Lanka faced the challenge of being one of the countries with the highest commodity prices globally, primarily due to soari

Invasive plant found spreading in Sri Pada mountain range: Minister

In areas where the plant has spread, native plants have been completely overwhelmed and destroyed. Researchers at Sabaragamuwa University have discovered that a particular plant, typically found growing 6 to 8 feet tall near mountainous areas, gradually weakens the stability of its root system. This weakening contributes to an increased risk of landslides occurring at the mountain peaks. It has also been confirmed that this invasive plant h

Health guidelines issued ahead of festive season

As Sri Lanka gears up for the Sinhala and Tamil New Year season, health authorities have released a set of guidelines aimed at safeguarding participants and spectators during sporting events. The guidelines, titled “Guidelines for Prevention of Injuries and Acute Medical Conditions Related to Sports Events Organized During Festival Seasons in Sri Lanka,” address the unique challenges posed by combining festivals and sporting activities. Whether

Chandrika not a member of SLFP: Acting Secretary

MP Mithrapala, emphasized that Ms. Chandrika was not involved in the activities of the Sri Lanka Freedom Party and accused her of attempting to create a new party under the guise of the SLFP Acting Secretary of the Sri Lanka Freedom Party MP Sarathi Dushmantha Mitrapala, said that Mrs. Chandrika Bandaranaike is not a member of the Sri Lanka Freedom Party and has recently been associated with the New Lanka Freedom Party. Addressing a press confer

Fathers now welcome in delivery room in state hospitals

Separate rooms prepared for each mother within the maternity ward

Temple Chief Incumbent, Civil Security Guard arrested over Ex-Soldier’s death

The Chief Incumbent of Diyakapanathota Temple in Getambe and a Civil Security Guard were arrested yesterday in connection with the death of an individual who had been assaulted and tied to a tree. The deceased C

SLAF Corporal allegedly involved in Moragahahena shooting killed

He had reportedly ignored an order to stop at the checkpoint