Disaster risk management Developed countries not doing enough for developing countries: JICA representative in SL

Yamada Tetsuya, Chief Representative of Japan International Coordination Agency (JICA) in Sri Lanka, answering a question on the effects of climate change on disaster risk management at a recent event, argued that developed countries are not doing enough to support developing countries and ought to create an agreement on subsidies and credit mechanisms that can offset their historical contribution to climate change. He made these remarks at an e

Navy arrests 27 Indian fishermen, takes five trawlers into custody for poaching in SL waters

Sri Lanka Navy took into custody five Indian trawlers, along with 27 Indian nationals poaching in Sri Lankan waters on the seas off Mannar, Delft and Kachchatheevu Islands in Jaffna. These arrests were during special operations in

AKD sues Sagara Kariyawasam, Kuttiarachchi and Derana media network

JVP leader Anura Kumara Dissanayake has filed lawsuits in the Colombo District Court claiming Rs.20 billion as damages from Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna (SLPP) General Secretary Sagara Kariyawasam, Parliamentarian Tissa Kuttiarachchi and Power House Limited for allegedly making defamatory statements and publishing them. During a public meeting held in Colombo on August 19, SLPP General Secretary MP Sagara Kariyawasam and MP Tissa Kuttiarachchi h

‘My father breathed on ventilator donated by our relatives’: Sajitha Anthony

Sajitha Anthony, son of late Jackson Anthony said his father was breathing with the help of a ventilator donated to the hospital by his relatives until his last breath. He said this while speaking at the funeral of Jackson Anthony. He said people took to social media criticizing his father being ventilated for such a long time just because a few people who had a row with his father wanted that to happen.

Suspect wanted in connection with double murder in Avissawella arrested

One of the suspects wanted in connection with the double murder at Thalduwa in Avissawella on September 20 was arrested yesterday by the STF (Special Task Force). The gunmen had shot four passenge

RDA to expedite landslide identification programme

The Road Development Authority has initiated an expedited programme to promptly identify areas prone to landslides throughout th

Free Visas for Tourists from China, Russia, India, Thailand, and Indonesia

Sri Lanka is among 20 nations which China had recommended its citizens to visit

OHCHR concerned about Anti Terrorism Bill, Online Safety Bill

Says the Anti-Terrorism Bill includes an overly broad definition of terrorism and grants wide powers to the police and military without adequate judicial oversight

Two-kilo pepper theft; Rs. 27.4 million spent to recover Rs.400

In what appeared to a startling revelation, the Committee on Public Enterprises (COPE) unearthed an incident in which Rs.27.4 million had been spent on litigation related to the case involving the theft of just two kilos of pepper valued only Rs.400 at Elkaduwa Plan

SL Housemaid suffers severe burns in Saudi Arabia, appeals for help

She requests authorities to make arrangements for her to return

Expulsion of Rathana Thera from Ape Janabala Pakshaya not valid in law: SC

The Supreme Court yesterday determined that Ape Janabala Pakshaya’s decision to expel Ven. Athuraliye Rathana Thera from the party membership is not valid in law. With this Supreme Court judgement, there is no legal impediment for Rathana Thera to function as a Member of Parliament follow

Reservoirs on the brink of spilling over

Castlereagh and Maussakele reservoirs had stood very close to the spillover level yesterday morning. The engineers in Charge of the reservoirs said the water level in Castlereagh reservoir stood seven feet below the spillover level, and that of Maussakele reservoir four feet below spillover level. They said the capacity of the two reservoirs had i

Leopard carcass recovered from tea estate

The carcass of a hill country leopard was recovered yesterday from a tea estate in the Hatton Police area. It was a well-grown animal, a

Rising Sea Levels Threaten Sri Lanka 6,110 Hectares to Vanish by 2025 25,000 by 2100 - Warns Expert

The sea level rise, triggered by climate change, will deprive Sri Lanka of 6,110 of land by 2025, and 25,000 hectares by 2100,

SL Housemaid suffers severe burns in Saudi Arabia, appeals for help

I complained to the police regarding the incident, but that woman made a false statement that I set myself on fire. All my expectations to build a house and to help her mother has been shattered. Instead, I have been rendered an invalid,” she said. She requeste

Veteran business personality Thilak Godamanna bids adieu

Founder member and past President of National Chamber of Commerce of Sri Lanka and Chairman of Ninehearts Group of Companies Mr. Thilak Godamanna passed away on Thursday following a brief illness. Godam

Nine Iranians sentenced to life imprisonment

Colombo High Court yesterday imposed life imprisonment to nine Iranians after a lengthy trial on charges of trafficking heroin. Colombo High Court Judge Amal Ranaraja imposed life imprisonment to the nine Iranians after observing that the nine Iranians were found guilty for trafficking heroin within the territory of Sri Lankan High Seas at Akurala.

Mannar, Madurai identified as Indo-Lanka grid connectivity points

Mannar in north-western Sri Lanka and Madurai in southern India have been identified as the connecting points of the proposed electricity transmission line between the two countries, a source familiar with the process said. The detailed report has a

Outbreak of eye disease raises concerns in Colombo

Redness in one or both eyes, itching, excessive tears, headaches, sensitivity to light, and dry eyes are the symptoms

Rare deep-sea fish found in Nainamadama sea

A rare species of deep-sea fish has been caught by a group of fishermen engaged in fishing in the sea off Nainamadama. The fish had been netted by a multi-day trawler belonging to the Wellamankaraya Fishery Harbour in Nainamadama. The harbour manager said this was the first time that they saw a

No change in UNP office bearers despite earlier reports

United National Party ( UNP) Central Committee yesterday decided not to change office bearers of the party despite earlier reports that the General Secretary ‘s post would be changed. The Central Commitee which met at President’s office with party leader Ranil Wickremesinghe at the chair decided not to change the office bearers as the party had become a steady force under current leaders. A proposal to appoint former

Two solar and lunar eclipses to occur this month

Two eclipses will occur this month. The Solar Eclipse is not visible to Sri Lanka but the Lunar Eclipse will be visible this month, Director of the Astronomy and Space Science Unit of the Colombo University, Prof. Chandana Jayaratne said. He said the annular solar eclipse will occur on October 14 and a partial lunar eclipse will occur during the night on October 28. The annular solar eclipse is viewable from the USA, followed by par

Council members question Medical Council Chairman’s arbitrary behaviour

Several members of the Sri Lanka Medical Council (SLMC) have raised concerns over its President, Professor Vajira Dissanayake, who has come under criticism for his arbitrary decisions. According to council members, Dissanayake is said to have been overseas on several occasions during the last few months without informing the council and requesting the Vice President to cover up his duties. Even at pre

Road to World’s End closed

The Ambewela-Raindapola road in Welimada leading to World’s End was closed in the wake of a massive earth slip last morning at the 3km post.

“Long colds” are a thing,like long covid say experts

“Long colds” can be a thing in the same way that “long Covid” is, with some people experiencing prolonged symptoms after an initial infection, according to a UK study. Common long cold symptoms included a cough, stomach pain and diarrhea. The findings come from 10,171 adults who completed questionnaires.

Motorcycles with high engine capacities valued at Rs. 30 million smuggled

A consignment of BMW motorcycles of high engine capacity smuggled to the country was seized and a suspect arrested by Mount Lavinia Police Crime Investigation Branch yesterday during a raid on a garage in Batakettara in Piliyandala.

Evacuation of Sri Lankans in Israel considered in Cabinet

The Cabinet yesterday discussed at length the evacuation of Sri Lankan workers from Israel if an emergency arises due to the ongoing conflict between Israel and Hamas, according to informed sources.

Seventeen petitions filed against Online Safety Bill

Seventeen (17) Special Determination petitions have been filed so far before Supreme Court challenging the constitutionality of the Online Safety Bill. These petitions are to be taken up for hearing on October 18.

Will the Exe. Presidency be abolished before the polls next year?

If this happens, the Presidential Election which is expected to be held in November 2024, is likely to be postponed till the necessary amendments are made to the legislation

Boy who kicked unidentified object injured

A 16 year old school boy who had kicked an unidentified object similar to a golf ball lying on a road at Ullandupitiya in Aladeniiya, received serious injuries when it exploded. He was admitted to the Kandy National Hospital where he was schedu