Poultry producers agree to reduce price of chicken by Rs. 100 per kilo

The local poultry producers agreed to reduce the local selling price of one kilogramme of chicken by Rs. 100. The decision was announced following a discussion held at the Agriculture Ministry last morning with the aim of protecting the local poultry production industry and providing an opportunity for consumers to buy chicken

SJB to bring in resolution calling for dissolution of Parliament?

Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB) yesterday hinted at bringing in a resolution to dissolve Parliament and hold a snap General Election and urged other parties to support the endeavour. SJB official spokesman and Member of Parliament S. M. Marikkar told media that all parties in the House including the SLPP and others should be ready to sign it calling for the dissolution of Parliament and hold a General Election. “SLPP MP and former Minister Johns

SJB MPs’ unannounced visit to NMRA sparks controversy

An unanticipated visit by a group of opposition MPs to the National Medical Regulatory Authority (NMRA) has stirred controversy with Speaker Mahind Yapa Abeywardena insisting on the procedure to be followed. Led by Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB) MP Kavinda Jayawardana, the impromptu visit has garnered mixed reactions from both government officials and opposition leaders. According to reports, MP Jayawardana and his group paid an unannounced v

Health Secretary adamant on not receding controversial circular

Health Ministry Secretary Janaka Sri Chandragupta has categorically stated that the circular issued advising public employees not to release information to media, would not be withdrawn under any circumstances. His remarks come in the context where the health trade unions have warned of a massive strike action this week in protest of the circular.

Not too long before another journalist is killed – Ex-newspaper editor

At the rate atrocities against media personnel are taking place, it is not too long for another journalist killing to be reported, was the opinion of senior English newspaper editor Lakshman Gunasekara who condemned the assault and arrest of Journalist Tharindu Uduwaragedara.

Possible power cuts due to low water levels in many hydropower generating reservoirs

The water levels in hydropower generating reservoirs are receding rapidly due to the current severe dry weather conditions affecting the country and if the drought continues, there may be power cuts due to the inability of producing enough electricity, officials sources said yesterday.

Sri Lankan executed in Kuwait; relatives refuse to accept body

The relatives of the Sri Lankan who was executed in Kuwait after being convicted for drug trafficking have refused to accept his body for funeral rites, an official said.

Medical specialists question legality of SLMC President, Legal Officer

Medical Specialists have raised serious concerns with regard to the legality of the Sri Lanka Medical Council (SLMC) President and its Legal Officer in the context of where they enjoy high posts simultaneously against the Establishments Code. According to informed sources, Prof. Vajira H.W. Dissanayake who is the incumbent SLMC President is also currently serving as the Dean of the Faculty of Medicine of the University of Colombo and the Regis

National Anthem distortion at LPL opening stirs controversy Legal action contemplated

The 2023 Lanka Premier League (LPL) opening ceremony took an unexpected turn when a video surfaced on social media, capturing a prominent singer, Umara Sinhawansa, mispronouncing a word during the rendition of the National Anthem. The incident has triggered widespread outcry and discussions among people, leading to a trending hashtag “Mahatha” on various social media platforms. In response to the escalating brouhaha, Buddha Sasana, Religious,

Justice Iddawela declines to hear Maithripala’s writ petition

Appeal Court Judge Neil Iddawela has recused himself from hearing the writ petition filed by former President Maithripala Sirisena, challenging the magisterial inquiry and issuance of summons against him in connection with the Easter Sunday attack incidents. Court of Appeal (President) Justice Nissanka Bandula Karunaratne announced that Justice Iddawela, a member of five-judge-bench nominated to hear this case, has declined to hear the petition

Next year to be a year of elections : Ruwan

Next year will be an election year where three kinds of elections will be held, UNP Deputy Leader and Senior Presidential Advisor Ruwan Wijewardene said over the weekend. “We will have to face a Presidential, General and a Provincial Council election next year and thus it will be an election year,” Mr. Wijewardene said at the UNP Dompe Bala Mandala meeting.

Beating and arrest of Journalist Tharindu Uduwaragedara HRCSL to summon everyone linked for inquiry

Saying that they had immediately intervened in the incident of Journalist Tharindu Uduwaragedara being beaten and arrested by police, the Human Rights Commission of Sri Lanka (HRCSL) yesterday said they will summon everyone linked to the case for inquiry.

SL envoy’s stint in Beijing ends, but asked to stay extra 12 days

Sri Lankan Ambassador in Beijing Dr. Palitha Kohona whose stint ended last Friday has been asked to stay there for another twelve days since the government is yet to find a replacement, Daily Mirror learns. He is now supposed to return to the country on August 12 as a result. According to informed sources, the Foreign Ministry is trying to post a career diplomat in Beijing ahead of President Ranil Wickremesinghe’s visit in October.

Russian man, SL woman killed in accident

A foreign tourist and a Sri Lankan woman died and two others were seriously injured when a car transporting them veered off the road and fell into a 50ft deep precipice at Pussella in Ududumbara on Saturday afternoon (29).

Woman allegedly killed by husband Body exhumed after two and a half years

The body of a woman who had allegedly been killed by her husband was to be exhumed after submitting a report to court. The deceased was a resident of Yakahalpotha in Rideemaliyedda. Police said that investigations had revealed that she had been assaulted to death by her husband, and the body dumped in a toilet pit with the help of her son, both of whom have been arrested.

Businessman arrested over fatal accident in Kiriella

A 24-year-old businessman has been arrested by the Kiriella Police for reckless driving after a jeep he had been driving collided with a car and a motorcycle, resulting in the death of one person and injuries to five others in Kiriella on Saturday night.

Following recent executions in Kuwait and Singapore UN urges moratorium on capital punishment

The United Nations on Friday denounced the recent executions carried out by Singapore and Kuwait and called for the nations to impose a moratorium on carrying out the death penalty

Cannot rule country with 1980s suppressive mindset: AKD

President Ranil Wickremesinghe should realize that he can no longer rule the country with a suppressive mindset like in the 1980s and if he resorts to such suppressive moves, it will be a complete failure, National People’s Power (NPP) leader Anura Kumara Dissanayake said.

Over 150 fuel stations fail to place orders anticipating price revision: Minister

More than 150 fuel station dealers have not maintained 50 percent capacity stock and placed adequate orders to maintain stock requirements anticipating a fuel price revision next month. Power and Energy Minister Kanchana Wijesekera said the Ceylon Petroleum Corporation (CPC) has informed that 101 fuel station dealers have not placed their orders for Octane 92 Petrol and 61 dealers for Lanka Auto diesel to maintain their stock requirements as o

GMOA calls for impartial inquiry over child’s death at LRH

The Government Medical Officers’ Association (GMOA) urged the health authorities to immediately conduct an impartial investigation into the death of a three-year-old boy, who died following a kidney operation at the Lady Ridgeway Children’s Hospital (LRH). GMOA Media Spokesman Dr Chamil Wijesinghe told Daily Mirror, “It’s unfair for both parties namely victims and medical officers to draw early conclusions on the incident without a comprehensiv

ndia’s FM calls on China to join debt relief efforts for SL

As a large creditor to Sri Lanka, China is welcome to join the effort steered by Japan, India and France to help the island nation cope with its debt distress, Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman said on Saturday. She also called upon the International Monetary Fund (IMF) and the World Bank to speed up relief measures for countries facing debt vulnerabilities.

Debt restructuring France ready to engage China for common agreement

French President Emmanuel Macron, during his meeting with the Sri Lankan counterpart, is reported to have said that his country will strive to engage China for a common agreement on Sri Lanka’s debt restructuring. Mr. Macron arrived in Sri Lanka on July 28 night, following his trip to the South Pacific region, to mark the 75th anniversary of diplomatic relations between the two nations. He held talks with President Ranil Wickremesinghe.

Destroying two documents relating to a land case Lady Lawyer remanded till August 2

She had torn off the two documents from a file in the court record room and chewed them

Fingerprint mandatory for all executive staff at Health Ministry

All Staff Grade Officers should mark their daily arrival and departure with effect from August 01

Amarakeerthi Athukorala assassination 32 accused released on bail

Former Parliamentarian and his security officer had been killed during a civil commotion last year

Father who allegedly raped his daughter arrested after nine years

An individual who had raped his elder daughter nine years ago when she was 13 years of age was arrested last Thursday, the police said. Her mother had deserted t

Rs. 12.25Bn circulated via Pastor Jerome Fernando’s bank accounts: AG

Petitioners are seeking an order directing the IGP to immediately arrest Pastor Jerome

Tamil MP suggests setting up of a community police service under PCs

Education and health have already been devolved to PCs

There was genocide in Canada: Canadian envoy

We are trying to bring about reconciliation with indigenous people

Canada has no right to discuss genocide here: NPF

The party also criticized the Canadian High Commissioner’s recent interventions in the internal affairs of Sri Lanka