Court prevents SJB from axing Fonseka

Colombo District Court yesterday issued an enjoining order preventing the Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB) from removing Field Marshal Sarath Fonseka from the party membership and positions, on the basis of remarks he made against

Sri Lanka’s debt restructuring

French Ambassador Jean-François Pactet said yesterday that the Official Creditor Committee (OCC) of Paris Club is working hard with the hope of concluding an agreement on Sri Lanka’s debt restructuring soon. He said China, as a bilateral

Sri Lanka’s recovery praised by US Official

Sri Lanka’s recovery is one of the greatest comeback stories, US Assistant Secretary of State for South and Central Asian Affairs Donald Lu has said. During a panel discussion organized by the US Institute of Peace (USIP) in Washington, Mr. Lu took Sri Lanka as an example to explain economic recoveries.

French inputs to resolve India–Sri Lanka fisheries issue

Proposes guidelines on IUU fishing within IORA

Kotakethana ‘Serial Killer’ to the gallows

House where murders committed set on fire to destroy evidence

Rise in Russian tourists engaging in prostitution sparks concerns

In the wake of an influx of tourists particularly from Russia following the implementation of a visa-free entry programme, concerns have been raised regarding the involvement of some Russian female tourists, engaging in illegal activities such as prostitution during their stay in Sri Lanka, the Daily Mirror learns. In recent mon

AKD in powwow with Amul, but party-affiliated trade unions up against its plan in Sri Lanka’s dairy sector

Despite JVP leader Anura Kumara Dissanayake’s recent overtures to India and a visit to Amul in Gujarat, the JVP-affiliated All Ceylon Agrarian Federation demonstrated against the proposed partnership between Amul and Milco. The Federation, a collective of dairy farmer associations and trade associations, staged the demonstration in Anuradhapura last Saturd

Completing seven years of agony Relatives of enforced disappearances to hold mass procession in Kilinochchi today

In completion of seven years of truth-seeking agony to learn the whereabouts of their missing kith and kin during the war, the family members of the enforced disappearances are to stage a mass procession in Kilinochchi this morning.

Hospitals face dearth of critical medical equipment

A significant shortage of medical equipment including stent items can be observed in the ‘Swastha’, the information management system of the availability of drugs. According

Health unions withdraw threat of strike as talks succeed

Following successful discussions between representatives of the health sector trade unions and Health Minister Dr. Ramesh Pathirana, a satisfactory solution to the grievances has been reached. Ravi Kumudesh, convener of the Health Trade Union Alliance, has confirmed that the discussions with the Health Minister have resulted in a commitm

Sri Lanka, India set to conclude ETCA in April

Hot on the heels of signing the Free Trade Agreement ( FTA) with Thailand , Sri Lanka is now planning to conclude talks on the Economic and Technology Cooperation Agreement (ETCA) with India with

President seeks tourists’ views on developing tourism industry

President Ranil Wickremesinghe on Saturday embarked on an observation tour in the Tangalle and Galle areas, underscoring the government’s commitment to enhancing tourist facilities. The President visited tourist hotspots such as Seenimodara, Dikwella, Nilwella, Hiriketiya, Weligama, and Habaraduwa, as well as the Weligama Surf School along the south coast, where he assessed activities there first hand. He engaged in brief conversations with forei

Blacklisting corrupt contractors SL falls behind other South Asian countries: Verité Research

Sri Lanka has the worst record among South Asian countries in blacklisting corrupt contractors in public procurement, according to a new report by Verité Research. The report shows that Sri Lanka is the only country in South Asia that 1) does not recognise engaging in corrupt and fraudulent activities during procurement as a valid reason for blacklisting 2) has not blacklisted contractors that have defaulted on contractual obligations despite hav

Ranil is not a crafty man as claimed

Ranil was able to become the President just because Sajith Premadasa refused

Court orders release of vehicles seized under ‘Yukthiya’

A fleet of vehicles valued more than Rs.100 million allegedly owned by Malalage Sudath Kithsiri alias “ Welivita Sudda” , a suspect involved in underworld activities, and seized and retained for about two months by the Illegal As

Prison hospital congestion reaches critical levels

It has been revealed that the current capacity at the prison hospital has been exhausted raising grave concerns among authorities. Speaking to Daily Mirror, media spokesperson of the Prisons

Land dispute resolved after half a century court process

The Supreme Court has delivered a judgement in favour of the plaintiff party over a land dispute relating to a 90-perch plot of land in Kurunegala, which traversed the halls of the courts for 52 years.

800 traffic offenders identified through CCTVs in Colombo since Feb. 1st

A total of 793 motorists who violated traffic rules have been identified through the CCTV system in Colombo. Police Spokesman DIG Nihal Thalduwa said video evidence of relevant offenses captured

Former Kotikawatta PS member arrested in raid linked to Shiran Bhasik

The Police Special Task Force arrested a former member of the Kotikawatta Pradeshiya Sabha, known to be closely associated with notorious drug dealer Shiran Bhasik, at an apartment complex in Wellawatta. Police said Nadeen Bhasik, son of Shiran Bhasik, managed to evade capture during the raid. Based

4 arrested for shooting and robbery at Meegoda Economic Centre

The main suspect and three others involved in the shooting and robbery at the Meegoda Economic Centre last week have been taken into custody. Two of them including a businessman who aided and abetted the shooting had been arrested on Saturday (17) by Meegoda police and on information provided by them under interrogation, the gunman and the rider of the motorcycle were arrested by the STF during a raid in Tissamaharama. Police said the tw

Mahanayake Theras express concern on restructuring SOEs

Mahanayake Theras of the four chapters, in a memorandum to President Ranil Wickremesinghe have expressed their concern regarding the ongoing restructuring process of state owned enterprises.

GRAPHIC OF THE DAY

Customs TUs call off work-to-rule action after immediate transfer of ADG, Director HR

Transferred officials blamed for incompetent work culture and delays

Dr. Rukshan Bellana held hostage in office amid tensions

Dr. Rukshan Bellana, the Deputy Director of the Colombo National Hospital, found himself held hostage yesterday within his own office by minor staff workers, hospital sources said. Tensions e

Three arrested for gang rape of girl

Meegoda Police, investigating a complaint of gang rape involving a 12-year-old schoolgirl from Galwalamulla in Meegoda, arrested three suspects, including a young man, an elderly person, and his son, on suspicion yesterday. Investigations re

Russian tourist fined Rs. 1.78Mn for damaging train in railway crossing mishap

Railway engine and colour signal system extensively damaged

Young woman saved from drowning in Upper Kotmale reservoir

A young woman, who fell into the Upper Kotmale reservoir in Talawakelle, was saved by the police with the help of the residents of the area. Police said the area

Income of the Dehiwala Zoo on the rise

The income of the Dehiwala Zoo has been on the increase, and it has received an income of Rs.52 million for the first 40 days of the year from 16,000 visitors. Director Operations H.A. Anoma Priyadarshani said the heavy influx of visitors was mainly due to the innovative programme

Alleged use of SPC funds to pay Keheliya’s mobile phone bill: Order on Keheliya’s objections postponed

The delivery of the order pertaining to the objections raised by former Health Minister Keheliya Rambukwella in connection with

Scores of SJBers from provincial and local level to join UNP: Range Bandara

Scores of Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB) members from both provincial and local government level are to join UNP shortly, UNP General Secretary Palitha Range Bandara said yesterday. Mr. Range Ba