Customs achieve over 80% by end October: Spokesman

Sri Lanka Customs, one of the three main revenue generating arms of the Treasury, had achieved more than 80% of the stipulated revenue target of Rs.1.53 trillion for the year 2024 by end of October, with positive hopes of surpassing the aim before 2025, the Daily Mirror learns.

Some politicians, media institutions spreading false news to create anarchy: President

Some politicians and media institutions are spreading false news to create anarchy in the country with an intention to create instability without giving the new government strong power, President Anura Kumara Dissanayake said yesterday.

Over half of drugs failing quality tests are Indian

More than half of the drugs that have failed quality tests so far in 2024 originated from India, according to the Medical Supplies Division of the Health Ministry.

Rice prices average above rate stipulated by Govt

Despite the government regulating prices for Nadu rice at Rs. 220, prices have averaged to Rs.235 a kilo in the market, according to recent reports.

Ex-President misled state employees on salary hike says Prime Minister

Prime Minister Harini Amarasuriya recently claimed that the former President deliberately misled state employees by promising them a salary hike.

Ranil slams Harini, asks her if she knows SL’s constitution

One wonders as to where Prime Minister Harini Amarasuriya has learnt the constitution, Former President Ranil Wickremesinghe said.

People in possession of pork to face legal action

In light of the rapid proliferation of African Swine Fever (ASF) among pigs, Sri Lank has temporarily banned slaughtering pigs, selling or distributing pork and pork products.

November 14 is a ‘Shramadhana’ to clean up Parliament: President

President Anura Kumara Dissanayake said over the week end that people must make it a point to fill Parliament with National People’s Power (NPP) members while calling the November 14 general election as a “Shramadhana” to clean up Parliament.

Adviser to current Prez was a member of salary hike committee: RW

Duminda Hulangamuwa was a member of Udaya Seneviratne committee which recommended a salary hike for the public servants during the previous regime, former President Ranil Wickremesinghe said yesterday.

PTA will not be repealed immediately: Government

Claiming that the government is not expecting to repeal the Prevention of terrorism Act (PTA) right now, Cabinet Spokesman Vijitha Herath said yesterday the matter related to repealing the PTA would be taken up in Parliament once it is formed.

Arugam Bay incident suspects held for 90 Days under Detention Order

Two suspects arrested in connection with security threats to foreign tourists in the Arugam Bay area are being detained for 90 days for further questioning, under the Prevention of Terrorism Act (PTA), investigators informed the court.

Govt. to review AG’s directive halting CID action in Mahara Prison Case

The government is expected to make a decision in the coming days regarding the Attorney General’s directive to the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) to cease further action on the deaths of 11 inmates during the 2020 Mahara Prison incident, Minister Vijitha Herath said.

Govt. rules out any influence behind recent US travel advisory

Ruling out any influence behind the recent US travel advisory, Cabinet Spokesman Minister Vijitha Herath said yesterday the US Ambassador to Sri Lanka had informed him and the security forces in advance before issuing the travel advisory.

Central Bank refutes money printing claims

The Central Bank of Sri Lanka (CBSL) said yesterday that claims on money printing are inaccurate and baseless. It clarified that the liquidity (money) injected through Open Market Operations (OMOs) is a routine central banking function and should not be grossly misinterpreted as “money printing.”

Security Council discusses bomb threats to passenger aircraft

The National Security Council, led by President Anura Kumara Dissanayake, yesterday discussed a series of bomb threats targeting Indian passenger aircraft and their potential impact on Sri Lanka’s tourism industry.

Three-wheeler driver arrested for transporting 11 students and a teacher

A three-wheeler driver transporting eleven children and a teacher to a school in Beruwala has been apprehended by the traffic department of the local police.

Strong opposition needed to prevent country from sliding towards Marxism under NPP Govt.: Ruwan

A strong opposition with experienced people is needed in Parliament to safeguard the nation as National People’s Power (NPP) might even try to introduce Marxism otherwise, UNP Deputy Leader and National Democratic Front (NDF) Gampaha District candidate Ruwan Wijewardene said yesterday.

Udaya Gammanpila vows to impeach President in next Parliament

Pivithuru Hela Urumaya (PHU) leader Udaya Gammanpila said an impeachment motion would be brought against President Anura Kumara Dissanayake in the next Parliament unless Public Security Ministry Secretary Ravi Seneviratne was not removed from office over his alleged negligence of duty during the time of Easter Sunday attack in 2019.

Rs. 10 million contract killing averted

An individual suspected of preparing to murder a woman on a contract of Rs. 10 million was taken into custody by the Organised Crime Investigation Unit of the CID during a raid in Habaraduwa area.

2016 court case against Wimal Weerawansa postponed due to health issues

The trial against National Freedom Front (NFF) leader Wimal Weerawansa, facing charges relating to causing disturbance to the people and the normal traffic movement during a protest held in 2016 was yesterday postponed as he failed to appear in court due to illness. According to his legal team, the former Parliamentarian Weerawansa is suffering from a viral flu, rendering him unable to attend the scheduled hearing.

Budget deficit to increase upto Rs 2.5 trillion : President should explain the fate of Sri Lanka’s economy: RW

Whilst highlighting that Sri Lanka’s economy is slated to stumble with a budget deficit of Rs 2.5 trillion if the new budget is introduced with new proposals of National People’s Power (NPP) government are implemented, former President Ranil Wickremesinghe yesterday said incumbent President Anura Kumara Dissanayake should inform the nation on the real situation.

Sharp rise in social media hacking since 2019: SL CERT

Sri Lanka Computer Emergency Response (CERT) Team in its recent statistics indicates an increase in social media hacking from 3,556 cases in 2019 to 20,628 cases last year.

Fraud in North Central Provincial Council: Contractor decamps with Rs.14Mn

A missive fraud of Rs. 14 million in the North Central Provincial Council has been disclosed by the National Audit Office.

No travel ban, U.S. advisory for Sri Lanka similar to popular destinations, says Envoy

U.S. Ambassador to Sri Lanka Julie Chung said there is no travel ban on Sri Lanka, and the security advisory for Sri Lanka remains at Level 2, similar to other popular destinations such as France, Italy and the Maldives.

No decline in tourist arrivals at Arugam Bay - Residents

Residents of the area and those engaging in tourism in Arugam Bay tourist zone point out that there is no unusual decline in foreign tourist arrivals in the area but there is a decline since this is off season.

Prez vows to scrap perks for former presidents once again

President Anura Kumara Dissanayake vowed once again that the perks and benefits of the past heads of state would be scrapped completely, no matter what.

Ambanpola residents up in arms over liquor shop established amidst schools, temples

The residents of Ambanpola are protesting and complaining of an illegal liquor shop established amidst five schools, Dhamma schools and temples in the town, saying the bar rigorously violates Excise laws.

Policeman in a fix for sexually harassing three new constables

A police constable attached to the Tissamaharama Police has been arrested in connection with the sexual abuse of three newly recruited police constables in their single quarters, in addition to subjecting them to ragging as freshers to the service.

Disease spreading among pigs raises eyebrows

The highly contagious viral disease previously known as ‘Porcine Reproductive and Respiratory Syndrome’ (PRRS), which is spreading among pigs, hogs, and boars in Sri Lanka, has been identified as the African Swine Disease.

Alliance for People’s Struggle calls for a fresh probe on passport issue

The Alliance for People’s Struggle yesterday called for a fresh probe on what they called the passport scandal stating that the truth of the claim made by Epic Lanka that it had signed an agreement with Department of Emigration and Immigration on printing passports is true or false.