Sun directly over Sri Lanka for 10 days

The sun is expected to be directly over Sri Lanka from April 5 to April 15, as a result of its apparent northward relative motion, the Forecasting Division of the National Meteorological Centre said.

Hill country leopardess killed

The killing of another hill country leopardess was reported yesterday from Rockwood estate in Norwood in the Nallathanniya wildlife range.

CBK blocks Maithri from ruining SLFP

The Colombo District Court yesterday issued an enjoining order preventing former President Maithripala Sirisena from functioning as the chairman of the Sri Lanka Freedom Party (SLFP).

First application under Online Safety Act filed before Court

The first application under the newly enacted Online Safety Act was made to the Colombo Chief Magistrate’s Court and the Court issued a conditional order preventing respondent parties from communicating alleged false information against former Chairman of the Public Utilities Commission (PUCSL) Janaka Ratnayake.

100 intelligence officers reassigned for security in Colombo

Around 100 Intelligence Officers from the police in the Western Province have been discharged from their duties and reassigned to security duties in Colombo.

24 suspects died in police custody last year

Police officer among three arrested in Jaffna

A police officer and two others were arrested in the early hours of last morning by the Police Special Task Force (STF) in Jaffna on suspicion of transporting cattle for slaughter by a van for transport of schoolchildren.

Attempt to dissolve Parliament for snap General Election fails

The attempt by some MPs to dissolve Parliament by passing a resolution has proven to be a futile exercise as the required number of 113 MPs cannot be mustered, a parliamentarian who wished to remain anonymous said.

MP Herath inflates president’s budget

In parliament, MP Vijitha Herath made two claims about expenditure allocations related to the president: (1) the budget line item titled president’s expenditure head (to discharge duties as the head of state) has increased to LKR 3,779 million, and (2) seven ministries headed by the president have been allocated 66.7% of the total budget expenditure.

Only one container intended for unloading at Colombo port: Minister

Only one container out of the 56 containers listed as dangerous cargo on board the ‘Dali’ cargo vessel that collided with the Baltimore Bridge in US recently, intended for unloading at the Colombo port, Minister Nimal Siripala de Silva said yesterday.

Weak prosecution case clears police OIC charged for bribery

The Colombo High Court Judge Navaratne Marasinghe yesterday acquitted the former OIC of Mount-Lavinia Special Crime Investigation Bureau (SCIB) Inspector of Police Samaraweera Gunarathne from all the charges of bribery as the prosecution failed to prove the charges beyond reasonable doubt.

Accidents on expressways caused by driver negligence: Minister

The report from the committee assigned to investigate into State Minister Sanath Nishantha’s recent accident on the Katunayake Expressway shows that 56 per cent of accidents on the expressway are caused by driver negligence.

Maithripala decides not to provide a statement in court

Former President Maithripala Sirisena has informed Maligakanda Magistrate’s Court that he will not provide a confidential statement before the Magistrate in connection with his controversial revelation regarding the Easter Sunday attacks.

Colombo schoolchildren at higher risk of road accidents: Minister

Children attending school face a greater risk of road accidents in the densely populated city of Colombo compared to other areas of the country, Education Minister Susil Premajayantha said, addressing an event organized at the Ministry for the official launch of the ‘School Road Safety Club’.

Sri Lankan-born Dr. Patrick Mendis appointed to US National Security Education Board

A former U.S. diplomat of Sri Lankan origin, Dr. Patrick Mendis, has been appointed as an advisor to the U.S. National Security Education Board by President Joe Biden.

Corruption taints operations on drugs, underworld criminals

In response to mounting concerns over reports of several police officers being in contact with leading drug lords, some of whom operate from overseas while others are imprisoned following recent crackdowns on underworld gangs, intelligence officers have been deployed to identify the police officers collaborating with organized criminals and drug traffickers with their assets to be probed, the Daily Mirror learns. Police have received informati

Tourist hit by wild elephant

A Canadian tourist couple on a visit to Sigiriya came under attack by a wild elephant on their way to the summit of the Sigiriya rock to watch the sunrise in the early hours of last morning. The 36 year old woman received serious injuries in the attack. They were walking through the sanctuary when the wild elephant hit the female tourist. However, a tourist guide who heard their cries rushed to the scene, scared away the elephant and saved

Mihintale Prelate boycotts Poson committee

Chief Incumbent of Mihintale Rajamaha Vihara Ven.Walawahengunawewe Dhammarathana Thera boycotted the Poson Committee that met yesterday claiming that the government grant of Rs. 5 million allocated for Poson celebrations in Mihintale Rajamaha Vihara is not sufficient, The committee met under the chairmanship of Anuradhapura District Secretary Janaka Jayasundara. Ven. Thera said the grant of Rs.5 million is not sufficient for the illuminatio

Absence of MPs cause drama in Parliament

Absence of MPs yesterday created a drama in Parliament leading to the suspension of sittings for more than two hours while the voting on the order under Value Added Tax (VAT) ACT was low. Sessions were suspended around 1 pm last afternoon until 4 pm as more than 30 MPs who were to speak during the debate were absent. Some 21 members of the Opposition and 11 from the ruling party who were to speak during yesterday’s debate were absent. Later

Almost 60 percent of voters still undecided: Akila

Research conducted by the government has revealed that more than 60 percent of the voters in Sri Lanka are still undecided on whom they should vote for, UNP Assistant Leader Akila Viraj Kariyawasam said yesterday. Former Minister Kariyawasam told a press briefing that rumours of certain political parties expected to get a high percentage of votes is false. “Some political parties are living on illusions,” he said.

WB cautions possible slowdown in reform efforts due to elections

Sri Lanka has recovered faster than expected from the economic crisis it faced two years ago, however, the World Bank yesterday cautioned that this momentum might be lost due to a possible slowdown in the reform efforts as the island nation gears up for election this year. World Bank’s Senior Country Economist for the Maldives and Sri Lanka Richard Walker told journalists in Colombo that while Sri Lanka has made significant progress in the last

Private medical practice under lens as complaints mount

Hormone-disrupting chemicals found on raincoats can affect male fertility: Report

Research reports suggest that hazardous chemicals or chemical mixtures, known as endocrine disruptive chemicals (EDCs), which interfere with the body’s hormonal functions, have been found concealed within everyday consumer products like water-repellent textiles such as raincoats. EDCs have an effect on the male hormone testosteron, and a large number of young males have a reduced sperm count, and an increasing number are being born with defor

Do not consume toffee that bursts in mouth

National Dangerous Drug Control Authority (NDDCA) has pointed out that the toffee that bursts in the mouth, popularized among schoolchildren by racketeers would cause damage to the tissues in the mouth and the stomach. Media spokesman for NDDCA and Education Infor

Abolition of Commodity Levy can trigger corruption: Importers

In the absence of a mechanism to curb corruption at Sri Lanka Customs, the abolition of the Special Commodity Levy on imported goods can result in price hikes, according to the Essential Commodities Importers’ and Traders’ Association. The Cabinet has decided to repeal the 17-year-old tax law starting from January, next year. A spokesman for the Association told Daily Mirror that the levy was introduced way back at the insistence of its me

CEA investigating into ship carrying toxic wastes : Minister

While admitting that the Central Environment Authority (CEA) was unaware that a Singapore cargo ship carrying hazardous material was heading to Sri Lanka from the US, State Minister of Environment Janaka Wakkumbura said yesterday that the CEA has already launched a comprehensive investigation into the incident. He told Parliament that Sri Lanka Customs and the Colombo Port have been informed of the cargo ship and assured to provide a report to

Sri Lankan bank teller saves woman from losing $2000 to ’cunning’ romance scam

Melbourne, April 1 (9News) - A bank teller from Sri Lanka, working at the Melbourne branch of National Australia Bank,saved a woman who he said was “blinded by her love” from losing thousands of dollars to a “cunning” scammer.

Husband assaults wife coming with Kuwaiti employer

Sets house ablaze, resulting in his father’s death

Three men arrested over Easter Sunday attacks Cops tender apologies as per Sinhala tradition

Five policemen have tendered an apology as per Sinhala tradition during a Supreme Court hearing involving the arrest of thre

Katchatheevu Island a done deal, India has not expressed intention to reverse

India has no intention to reverse the agreement that ceded the Katchatheevu Island to Sri Lanka despite the political debate in India that is primarily meant for domestic consumption in view of the upcoming Lok Sabha elections, Daily Mirror learns.