Ranil-Modi talks India, Sri Lanka set to establish land connectivity

During bilateral discussions between President Ranil Wickremesinghe and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi yesterday, the two sides agreed to conduct a feasibility study to establish land connectivity between the two countries for developing access to the ports of Trincomalee and Colombo, according to the joint statement. In the past, a proposal

Merrill: Flame in the island’s tea business no more

The founder of Dilmah Tea, Merrill J. Fernando, passing away on July 20 (Thursday) leaves a ‘thirst’ in those connected with the tea industry and people who cherish this beverage to know more about this man. He was 93 years old when death put out this ‘flame in the tea business’ who till then kept the industry going. We already know much about Dilmah Tea and its wide assortment of products ranging from tea bags to tea formats; all done to meet

Health Ministry admits quality issues in 63 drugs in 2023 Majority from India

The Health Ministry has acknowledged that a total of 63 drugs have failed quality tests in 2023, additional Secretary to the Health Ministry, Dr. Saman Rathnayake, disclosed during a news briefing held at the Ministry auditorium yesterday. Dr. Rathnayake emph

President’s visit to India Key decisions on maritime, air, energy, trade connectivity expected

India to announce grants in different sectors for Sri Lanka

Shooting incidents continue; man injured in Thalangama

A 41-year-old man was injured after he was shot at in a house at Thalawathugoda in Thalangama yesterday. Police said two men had arrived on a motorcycle and opened fire at the victim. The injured was admitted t

Health Ministry provides adequate stock of essential drugs to Kalutara Hospital

Following the Daily Mirror’s report on the suspension of elective cesarean section surgeries at Teaching Hospital Kalutara due to a shortage of the anesthetic drug Marcaine Spinal Heavy, the Health Ministry has taken action to addr

Drug used in Peradeniya hospital causes allergic reaction to another patient

A 57-year-old man has died after he developed an allergic reaction at the Teaching Hospital Kegalle following the administration of the antibiotic used in the Peradeniya hospital resulting in the death of the 21-year-old girl.

Man remanded for sending threatening messages to State Minister

the suspect had sent threatening messages to the mobile phone of State Minister Pramitha Bandara Tennakoon on May 10, 2022

Central Bank Bill Third reading passed with amendments in Parliament, without a vote

Some 134 members were absent during the time of voting

Onmaxdt collected Rs.29.2 mn even after ban

Rs. 30 million had been halted in the accounts of Onmaxdt while Rs. 300 million had been taken out of the country so far

Decision taken to settle Esala Perahera electricity bill

A decision was taken to reduce the estimated bill for the electricity supply to the Esala Perahera after considering certain facts, Sri Dalada Maligawa Diyawadana Nilame Pradeep Nilanga Dela said.

Hatch Cover crushes truck at Colombo Port: driver injured

A container truck driver was injured when a hatch cover fell on the truck at the Colombo Port yesterday morning, an official at the Port said. He said the accid

Penalise those who robbed public property if you are not Ranil Rajapaksa: Sajith

The President should penalise those who have robbed public assets if he is not Ranil Rajapaksa, Opposition Leader Sajith Premadasa said yesterday. Mr. Premadasa who was speaking during the debate on the Central Bank Amendment Bill referred to the remark made by the President on Wednesday that he is Ranil Wickremesinghe not Ranil Rajapaksa a

President’s visit to India Sri Lanka to ditch US Dollar for Indian Rupee in landmark MoU with India

Two more MoUs on electricity, Trincomalee development

Thank you card from royal family

A young man of Kanthale has received a thank you card from Buckingham Palace for wishing King Charles iii, and his wife, Princess Camila on the occasion of his coronation.

European Commission proposes 4-year extension to GSP+

The European Commission has proposed a four-year extension to the current GSP+ scheme until December 31, 2027, so that countries, such as Sri Lanka, do not lose their preferential access in the interim. The proposed extension is a result of ongoing negotiations between the co-legislators of the European Union regarding the new GSP+ arrangement, the Delegation of European Union to Sri Lanka said. The extension of the tariff facility will grant Sri

Money recovered inside President’s House: Bribery Commission to record statement from Gota

Statement expected to be recorded on July 27

Unavailability of essential drug All elective cesarean surgeries at Kalutara Hospital suspended

All elective cesarean section surgeries at the Teaching Hospital Kalutara have been halted in order to preserve the remaining 17 vials of an anaesthetic drug called Marcaine Spinal Heavy needed to carry out elective cesarean sections, Daily

Sakvithi and his wife plead guilty and agree to a repayment plan

Popular English teacher Sakvithi Ranasinghe and his wife pleaded guilty to the charges relating to committing a criminal breach of trust with regard to Rs. 1,628 million worth funds of the depositors at Sakvith

FR petition challenging Galle Face attack incident dismissed by SC

A public interest litigation filed challenging alleged violation of Fundamental Rights on May 9, last year following the attack on Galle Face protesters was yesterday dismissed by the Supreme Court. The Executive Director of the Right to Life Human Rights Centre, Phillip Dissanayake and another individual had filed this Fundamental Rights petition against alleged violations of Fundamental Rights on May 9, 2022 by the authorities.

Millionaire charged with sexual assault released

A millionaire who was arrested for sexually assaulting a woman who happened to be his employee was released by Colombo Magistrate on two sureties of Rs 300,000 each. The suspect had assaulted the victim at an auditorium of a five-star hotel in Colombo. The suspect who

Committing grave sexual abuse of an underage boy: CA affirms 12 years RI against tuition master

The Court of Appeal has affirmed 12 years rigorous imprisonment imposed by a High Court against an English tuition master for committing grave sexual abuse of a 10-year-old boy on three occasions. On May 20, 2022, the Emb

Anti-Corruption Bill approved by Parliament with major amendments

One of the major amendments proposed by the opposition was that the legislation should be effective from the date the UN charter on corruption was approved by the member states

Token strike called off LRH doctors warn of major strike if solutions not granted

Despite the 24-hour token strike by the Government Medical Officers’ Association (GMOA) at the Outpatient Department (OPD) of the Lady Ridgeway Hospital (LRH) being called off yesterday (19), GMOA Media Spokesman Dr. Chamil Wijesinghe warned of resuming the strike if solutions are not granted. The token strike was launched yesterday (19) in protest over Health Ministry’s failure to take necessary action against an ill-tempered consultant at th

SL foreign service crippled by dearth of career diplomats

The Sri Lankan Foreign Service is crippled without the adequate number of career diplomats triggered by non-recruitment for a long time, apparently to reserve vacancies for political appointments, Daily Mirror learns.

President says 13A will be implemented sans police powers

Ahead of the visit to New Delhi, President Ranil Wickremesinghe, in a meeting with the MPs from the North and the East outlined plans for the 13th Amendment with full powers, except police powers, to be implemented including specified functions in the provincial councils list, subject to agreement among political parties in Parliament. The President gave this assurance ahead of his visit to India on July 20. India is persistent that 13A should

Royal Park murder case Granting presidential pardon to convict cannot be challenged: AG

Granting pardon to a convict by the Executive President is an absolute power conferred on the Executive President that connote be challenged under a fundamental rights petition in the Supreme Court, said Deputy Soli

LRH Doctors to strike for the first time in history

The 24-hour token strike to be launched by the Government Medical Officers’ Association (GMOA) starting from 8 a.m. today (19) at the Out Patient Department (OPD) of the Lady Ridgeway Hospital (LRH) will go down

Thefts at railway yards, tracks on the rise, STF assistance sought: Bandula

Thefts of iron rods and iron nails at Dematagoda and Ratmalana railway yards and bridges are rampant at present and the assistance of the STF will be sought to provide security to these places, Transport Minister Bandula

CID permitted to inspect bank accounts of Jerome and his wife

The Colombo Fort Magistrate’s Court has issued an order permitting the CID to inspect the details of nine bank accounts maintained by Pastor Jerome Fernando, his wife, the Glorious Church and his company, as a part of ongoing inv