No Cabinet approval to cultivate Cannabis; Minister refutes Diana’s claims

Refuting claims by State Minister Diana Gamage that Cabinet approval has been granted to cultivate Cannabis for export, Cabinet Spokesman Bandula Gunawardane said yesterday no such decision has been taken to cultivate Cannabis.

Narcotics valued at Rs. 7.7 Billion seized in ‘Yukthiya’ operation

A total of 56,541 suspects have been arrested during the 50-day period from December 17 last year as part of the ongoing anti-drug op

Death becomes a costly affair for Colombo dwellers

CMC has increased the charges for a grave of two square feet to Rs 180,000

Thermal power generation increased to 57% : CEB Engineers’ Union

With the advent of dry weather conditions and insufficient rainfall in hydro catchment areas, thermal power generation has risen to 57 percent, leading to a reduction in hydropower generation, the Ceylon Electricity Board Engineers’ Union (CEBEU)

Keheliya resigns as Cabinet Minister

Rambukwella has reportedly cited his decision to step down from the Cabinet portfolio until he is proven innocent and cleared of the ongoing case

Tree falls at International School in Gampola killing five year old child

A five-year-old student was killed and three other students were injured when a tree collapsed on them at an international school in Gampola. Police said

Sri Lanka likely to adopt Singaporean house detention method for minor offenses

Sri Lanka will soon likely adopt the Singaporean method to implement house detention for suspects who are charged with minor offenses. House detention, also known as home confinement, aims to reduce recidivism and alleviate prison overcrowding. The Mini

Sri Lanka raises fine for supplying substandard drugs

In the wake of the former Health Minister and top officials being found to have been embroiled in the import of substandard Immunoglobulin injections, the authorities have decided to increase the penalty for the act of supplying or selling substandard medicines, sources said. Accordingly,

Clarification

In reference to the page one photo caption in our edition published yesterday, the Defence Ministry has sent the following clarification:

SJB MPs contradict each other over action against Keheliya

Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB) MPs contradicted each other on the party’s position with regard to the action that has to be taken against Minister Keheliya Rambukwella who is in remand prison at the moment. Though

Beliatta killings: Another suspect arrested

Another suspect wanted in connection with the recent murder of five people near Southern Expressway in Beliatta was arrested in the early hours of yesterday by Habaraduwa Police. Matara Special Crime Investigation Unit arrested and handed over him to Tangalle Police for further action. The 25-year-o

Immunoglobulin scandal a massacre: Janaka Ratnayaka

Says immunoglobulin injections imported without following any procedures

Wildlife Officer trampled to death by wild elephant

A wildlife officer had been trampled to death by a wild elephant during a raid to drive away a herd that roamed into Daladagama in Kirinda. He had received

Jailed VIPs enjoy in Prison Hospital; GMOF accuses prison hospital medical officer

Complaints made to Health Ministry, Human Rights Council, and internal doctors, but no action taken

SF justifies his action to criticize SJB leadership

Justifying his earlier verbal attack on Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB) Leader Sajith Premadasa, the party Chairman S

Negombo Lellama now in Church’s grip

The Negombo District Court had issued Interim Orders for the appointment of a ‘Receiver’ to take over the management and administration of the premises known as the Negombo Fisheries Market, commonly referred to as “Lellam

Sri Lankan migrant worker in Saudi Arabia faces brutal abuse

Suffered physical assault, burns from acidic liquid, and a fractured leg, requiring hospitalization

Fowzie urges Bribery Commission to withdraw his Corruption case

It transpired before Colombo High Court that Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB) parliamentarian A.H.M. Fowzie has requested

Anura meets Jaishankar, Ajit Doval in India; discusses economic challenges and regional security

NPP leader Anura Kumara Dissanayake, who is in India on an official invitation by the Indian government, held a discussion with Indian External Affairs Minister Dr. S. Jaishankar at the Ministry of External Affairs in New Delhi yesterday mo

Government rusheS to amend Online Safety Act amidst pressure

Amidst concerns by the industry stakeholders about the possible impact on digital economy, the government has already worked out fresh amendments to be incorporated into the recently introduced Online Safety Act. Speaker Mahinda Yapa

Pakistan, B’desh seek advice from President on economic stabilization, yet NPP attacks him : Ruwan

Both Pakistan and Bangladesh have sought advice of President Ranil Wickremesinghe on stabilizing their economies though he is often attacked by National People’s Power (NPP) and Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB) , UNP Deputy Leader Ruwan Wijewardene said yesterday. “World

Tissa Attanayake conferred with “Deshakeerthi Sri Shasanabhimani”

SJB MP Tissa Attanayake, who was the founder of the concept “Sadaham yathra”, was conferred with the honourary title “Deshakeerthi Sri Shasanabhim

Keheliya Rambukwella arrested

Former Health Minister Keheliya Rambukwella has been arrested by the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) yesterday o

SLPP demands Resolution of Issues before Pledging to President at Elections

In a recent meeting with President Ranil Wickremesinghe, the Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna (SLPP) emphasized the necessity of addressing key issues before committing to support him in the upcoming presidential election, accordin

Displaying weight, price of a loaf of bread made mandatory

It has been made mandatory for those engaged in the preparation, packaging, storage and wholesale as well as retailing bread to ensure that bread displayed for sale contains the specified weight and to clearly display the price

CBK back in the fray to lead SLFP-led People’s Alliance

Sri Lanka Freedom Party (SLFP) has reinstated the membership of former President Chandrika Bandaranaike Kumaratunga enabling her to lead the party-dominated Podujana Eksath Peramuna (People’s Alliance), Daily Mirror learns.

SJB infighting Escalates Sarath Fonseka Faces Party Backlash Over Public Critique of Leadership Decision

Party General Secretary MP Ranjith Madduma Bandara took a firm stance, urging Fonseka to exercise greater responsibility when communicating with the media

President Wickremesinghe’s Independence Day Message

President Ranil Wickremesinghe, in his Independence Day message said, “As we commemorated the 75th year of our nation’

Young man who died in police custody: Specimens to be referred to Government Analyst

Specimens of the body of young man who had died in custody of the Anuradhapura Police are to be referred to the Government Analyst for further tests to confirm the cause of death. Police said Judicial Medical Officer - Anuradhapura teaching hospital Dr. Sampath Senatunga who performed the postmortem examination on the orders of Anura

Health strike ends, potential resumption looms

The trade unions representing the health sector have decided to suspend the two-day strike action from 6.30 am yesterday .