Bail refused to Keheliya and others

The Maligakanda Magistrate’s Court yesterday rejected bail applications filed on behalf of former Health Minister Keheliya Rambukwella and five others in connection with the alleged import of substandard Immunoglobulin injections. Accordingly, eleven suspects including former Health Minister Keheliya Rambukwella, former Additional Secretary Saman Ratnayake were further remanded till March 28 by the Maligakanda Magistrate Lochani Abeywickrema f

Drought risk looms large

Amidst growing concerns over an anticipated drought, the Defence Ministry has announced plans to mitigate potential damages, according to an official statement released yesterday. Forecasts from the Meteorological Department indicate that while there may be sporadic rainfall expected towards the end of March and into April, it is projected to be of diminished volume, exacerbating the looming drought conditions.

Dry weather affects reservoirs

Water levels in the reservoirs used for hydropower generation have been dwindling fast due to the prevailing dry weather. Engineers in charge of Maussakele and Castlereagh reservoirs said water levels in both reservoirs had receded by 25 percent. They said the water level in Castelreagh reservoir stood at 24.5 feet below spill level and that of Maussakele reservoir 22.8 ft below spill level. They pointed out that the reservoirs would be furth

Fixing different interest rates for CBSL employees challenged in SC

Parliamentarian Gevindu Cumaratunga yesterday filed a Fundamental Rights petition in the Supreme Court challenging the fixing of different interest rates for the account balance of the Provident Fund maintained for the officers of the Central Bank of Sri Lanka. The petitioner stated that he found that the rate of the interest fixed in terms of Section 14(1) of the Employees Provident Fund Act No. 15 of 1958 for the year 2022 as 9% whereas the in

Second edition of ‘SIRIMAVO - Steering the Destiny of a Nation’ published

The Bandaranaike Museum Committee has taken steps to publish the second limited edition of the Pictorial Biography; ‘SIRIMAVO - Steering the Destiny of a Nation’ in collaboration with the Sarasavi Bookshop and it is now available for sale, the Bandaranaike Museum Committee said. It said the book was published due to various requests from the public here and abroad. The first edition of the book showcasing rare archival photographs depicting t

IGP calls on General Silva

Inspector General of Police (IGP) Deshabandu Tennakoon paid a courtesy visit to the Chief of Defence Staff General Shavendra Silva at the Chief of Defence office in Colombo yesterday.

security is India’s only concern: Moorthy

India’s main concern with China’s involvement in Sri Lanka is security related, a prominent political commentator said. Policy analyst N. Sathiya Moorthy told Daily Mirror the issue arose only after Chinese submarines arrived in Colombo in 2014. He noted that till then, India had not raised major concerns on China’s involvement in Sri Lanka.

Egg prices pegged to drop below Rs. 25

All Ceylon Egg Producers’ Association have forecast that egg prices are expected to come down below Rs.25 after the month of May as production is currently in full swing. This was revealed in a discussion held between the Agriculture Minister and representatives of the All Ceylon Egg Producers’ Association yesterday (13) ahead of the forthcoming festive season. During the meeting, discussions centered on addressing the escalating costs of eg

Latest report by US Intelligence Community China pursuing a military base in SL- US claims

China is reportedly exploring the possibility of establishing military facilities in various countries, including Sri Lanka, in a bid to bolster their power projection capabilities and safeguard national interests, a latest report by US Intelligence Community revealed. The People’s Liberation Army (PLA) will continue to pursue the establishment of overseas military installations and access agreements in an attempt to project power and protect C

Sri Lanka failed to ‘meet’ 33% of IMF commitments due by end-Feb

Sri Lanka verifiably failed to meet 33% of the commitments due by end-February 2024 in its International Monetary Fund (IMF) programme, according to the February update of Verité Research’s ‘IMF Tracker’.

Tragic murder of Sri Lankan family Canada to Strengthen Mental Health Safeguards

In the wake of a Sri Lankan family killed in Canada and a 19-year-old Sri Lankan national being charged for it, the Canadian authorities will pay more attention to safeguards already in place on the mental health of students, according to a diplomatic source. Febrio De-Zoysa, who is believed to be in Canada as a student, was charged with six counts of first-degree murder and one count of attempted murder, Ottawa police said in a post on X. Six

Liquor bottles seized with forged security stickers in North, East After deal went sour between Excise and liquor manufacturers: Harsha

The series of raids made in the North and East over the weekend to seize a large stock of liquor bottles with forged security stickers was over a deal that went sour between the Excise and liquor manufacturers, Opposition MP Harsha de Silva said.

IGP holds critical meetings with senior officers in South amidst surge in shootings

In the wake of a surge in shootings within the Southern Province recently, IGP Deshabandu Tennakoon convened a critical meeting with senior police officers yesterday to address the escalating violence that has resulted in multiple fatalities and injuries. Police said the IGP met senior officers of Galle and Elpitiya Police Divisions yesterday. Recent incidents include the tragic shooting of a public health inspector in the Elpitiya police are

Chinese mother abandons child with Sri Lankan nanny and flees

A Chinese woman who attempted to leave her daughter with a Sri Lankan nanny and flee the country was arrested at the Katunayake International Airport by the airport police on Tuesday night (12) when she was about to board a plane. Investigations revealed that the 35 year old Chinese woman had been living with her mother and two daughters in a rented house in Dubai and earned her living as a dancer in night clubs. The Sri Lankan nanny emplo

15th Annual Research Symposium - Faculty of Agriculture, Rajarata University

The Faculty of Agriculture (FoA), Rajarata University of Sri Lanka (RUSL) held its 15th Annual Research Symposium throughout the day on Thursday, February 08, 2024 at its faculty premises at Puliyankulama, Anuradhapura. The theme for this year’s symposium was ‘Towards Food Sovereignty Through Sustainable Agriculture’. This occasion was graced by the presence of Prof. (Ms.) G.A.S. Ginigaddara, Vice Chancellor of RUSL as the chief guest; Prof. G.V.

Local universities foster entrepreneurship in industry sector

The Ministry of Industries has launched an initiative to cultivate entrepreneurship among university students focusing on the country’s industrial landscape and to bridge the gap between academic knowledge and industry demands. On a directive of Industries Minister Dr. Ramesh Pathirana spearheaded by Chairman of the Industrial Development Board Dr. Saranga Alahapperuma, the project aims to drive sustainable growth and prosperity within the countr

Tourists doing business Sri Lanka To Get Tough

The government will soon strengthen its laws to prevent foreign nationals from operating businesses in the country while they are under tourist visas and have already begun conducting raids in the south, the Daily Mirror learns. Earlier this month, the Daily Mirror exclusively reported that several foreign nationals including Russians, Ukrainians and Israelis who were in Sri Lanka under tourist visas were operating businesses in tourist hotspot

More schools to teach in English medium

The cabinet subcommittee appointed to draw up a national policy framework for education has decided to increase the number of schools which teaches children in the English medium. The decision was made by the committee which met with President Ranil Wickremesinghe at the chair on Monday.

New British envoy visits Gangaramaya Temple

Newly appointed British High Commissioner to Sri Lanka Andrew Patrick visited the Gangaramaya Temple yesterday (12) to invoke blessings on his new appointment. During the visit, Deputy Incumbent of the temple Ven. Dr. Kirinde Assaji Thera presented the High Commissioner with the book “Twentieth Century Impressions of Ceylon” published by the Gangaramaya Temple.

NPP warns foreign countries against purchasing state property

While urging the government to stop selling state property with a national election within sight, the National People’s Power (NPP) yesterday warned any interested parties to reconsider before purchasing state property as a future NPP government would have to take decisions against such deals.

GMOA raises concerns over establishment of medical faculty at NSBM

On the heels of the cabinet nod to establish a medical faculty at the National School of Business Management (NSBM), the Government Medical Officers’ Association (GMOA) has expressed reservations, questioning the necessity of the move as it appears unrealistic. Speaking to the Daily Mirror, GMOA Media Spokesman Dr. Chamil Wijesinghe emphasized the importance of conducting a proper feasibility study before making a final decision.

AG will not defend cops involved in Narammala police shooting incident

The Attorney General’s Department yesterday informed Supreme Court that the Attorney General would not appear on behalf of the respondent police officers who were involved in the Narammala police shooting. Senior State Counsel Shaminda Wickrema appearing for the Attorney General made these remarks when the fundamental rights petition filed by the widow of the carpenter who died in Narammala police gunfire was called before the Supreme Court thr

Shooting incidents claim over 20 lives in first two and a half months

In the first two and a half months of 2024, Sri Lanka has seen a troubling surge in shooting incidents with 30 reported cases resulting in 21 fatalities and 14 injuries. Police Spokesman DIG Nihal Thalduwa said that organized crime gangs were responsible for 17 of these shooting incidents while personal disputes accounted for the remaining 13 incidents. The most recent tragedies unfolded in the Southern Province on Monday night where two sepa

SJB to seek a nutrition package from IMF next week: Sajith

Whilst revealing that the Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB) will meet IMF officials next week, Leader of Opposition Sajith Premadasa yesterday said his party will request for IMF assistance for a nutrition package for women and school children. Premadasa who was speaking during a ceremony held at Malwana MV in Dompe said his party would focus on seeking assistance from IMF to get rid of malnutrition of Sri Lankan women and children. “A census con

Pets at risk: Heatstroke threatens pets in soaring temperatures

Following the current high temperature, pets, especially dogs and cats, face significant health risks from heatstroke as they primarily dissipate heat through panting, with limited sweating through paw pads and the nose, unlike humans, City Pet Animal Hospital Managing Director Dr. Sugath Premachandra said. He said pet animals regulate their body temperature by panting. When the panting is not sufficient to get their temperature down, they c

Immigration nabs 21 Indian nationals operating in online marketing centre

The Department of Immigration and Emigration took 21 young Indian nationals into custody yesterday for operating at an online marketing centre in Negombo by violating their tourist visa conditions. The department’s investigation division officials following a preliminary inquiry had raided a rented house in Negombo, which had been converted into an office space with computers and other devices installed.

Sniffer dog sniffs out burglary suspect for Rangala Police

In a gripping turn of events, the Rangala Police in Kandy deployed a sniffer dog to track down a suspect involved in a burglary case. Remarkably, the canine led the officers to the suspect’s hiding spot in the home of the complainant’s sister, situat

Air rifles issued to farmers to prevent crop damage by animals

Currently 30–40 per cent of crops are being damaged

Groundbreaking Surgery: Spinal Endoscopy without anaesthesia shines in Sri Lanka

Surgery carried out successfully on a 72-year-old woman

Harak Kata remanded till April 26

Notorious Criminal figure Nadun Chinthaka alias “Harak Kata’’ and another Police Constable who allegedly aided and abetted “Harak Kata’’ to escape from the CID custody on September 10, 2023 were remanded till April 26 by Colombo High C