PM to make a special statement on IGP today

Prime Minister Dinesh Gunawardene is expected to make a special statement in Parliament today on the order issued by the Supreme Court barring the IGP Deshabandu Tennakoon from functioning.

Religious leaders call for withdrawal of three Bills

Religious leaders who are up in arms over three Bills namely Gender Equality Bill, Women Empowerment Bill and the Penal Code Amendment yesterday called for their withdrawal.

Constitutional Council will decide on SC judgement on IGP: Susil

Mixed opinions transpired in Parliament yesterday over the appointment of an acting IGP following the injunction order issued by the Supreme Court on IGP Deshabandu Tennakoon where Leader of the House Susil Premajayantha said a decision would be taken regarding the matter by the Constitutional Council headed by the Speaker.

12 centres distorting Sri Lankan history and Buddhist doctrine identified - Parliamentary Caucus

Twelve centres that distort Sri Lankan history as well as Buddhist doctrine are currently operating in the country, while 85 people who are perverting the Buddhist Dhamma have been identified so far, it was revealed at the Parliamentary Caucus functioning towards safeguarding National Heritage.

Abduction in 1987-1989 insurrection: Five-year jail term affirmed against fmr. SSP Douglas Pieris

The Court of Appeal yesterday affirmed the convictions and five-year jail terms imposed on four accused, including controversial former police officer SSP Douglas Pieris, in connection with an abduction incident that took place during the 1987-1989 insurrection. The five accused including former SSP Douglas Peiris were indicted in the Gampaha High Court on seven counts including abducting one Rathnachandra Liyanage in order to murder him on7th J

SF and Wijeyadasa to run for Presidency

As the Daily Mirror exclusively reported on May 22, 2024, the current Chairman of the Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB) Field Marshal Sarath Fonseka has formally declared his candidacy for the upcoming Presidential election yesterday.

SC prevents Deshabandu from functioning as IGP

The Supreme Court yesterday issued an interim order restraining Deshabandu Tennakoon from exercising the powers, functions and responsibilities of the office of Inspector General of Police (IGP).

SC interim order against IGP Deshabandu Tennakoon: Police Department in dilemma as two top officers barred from services

Sri Lanka Police is facing a dilemma at present as its two top officers including IGP Deshabandu Tennakoon have been barred from serving in their posts owing to the Supreme Court ruling on the latter, whilst Senior DIG Lalith Pathinayake was tipped to be the acting police chief likely to be appointed by the President, the Daily Mirror learns.

Police probe social media video of youth accusing cops of planting cannabis in car

The police launched an investigation into an incident where a video went viral on social media showing a group of youth accusing police officers on road duty of planting cannabis in the car they were travelling in.

Two prison officials hospitalized following assault by prisoner in transit

A detainee remanded in the Dumbara Prison on murder charges assaulted two prison officials causing serious injuries to them when they were taking him to the Batticaloa courts in connection with another case.

Divorce law to be totally scrapped: Justice Minister

“The government is planning to totally scrap the divorce law and introduce a new law named ‘no fault divorce’,” Justice Minister Wijeyadasa Rajapakshe said yesterday.

GR govt. made wrong decision to cremate COVID dead, study reveals

The Gotabaya Rajapaksa government made a wrong decision to forcefully cremate the COVID dead, after recent research found that the virus had not spread in the surface water.

Govt. owes more than Rs. 8Bn to medicine suppliers: Minister

The Medical Supplies Division has not settled a payment of Rs. 8.1 billion to the suppliers of medicines, Minister of Health Ramesh Pathirana said yesterday.

Govt. approves lease of Kurulu Uyana Island to Sri Jinarathana Bhikshu Training School

The government yesterday approved handing over the plot of land at Beira Lake, known as Kurulu Uyana Island, to the Sri Jinarathana Bhikshu Training School Committee for development under a long-term lease.

Vegetable prices soar amid rising inflation

The prices of vegetables have seen a significant increase, contributing to the overall rise in inflation. According to official data, several vegetables have experienced noticeable price hikes, both in the wholesale and retail markets.

Nap off protest...

A woman carried a child dozing off during the demonstration organised in front of the Bangladeshi High Commission in Colombo by the Inter University Students’ Federation (IUSF) in solidarity with Bangladeshi university students protesting the controversial job quota system introduced in that country.

Jeevan Thondaman the non-law-abiding lawmaker

Water Supply and Estate Infrastructure Minister and General Secretary of the Ceylon Workers’ Congress Jeevan Thondaman and several others are to be arrested for entry by force into the Pedro Tea factory of Kelani Valley Plantations on May 30, 2024.

Tea time turns tipsy in Kandy hotel

People passing by a hotel in the Kandy central market thought customers were enjoying their tea. However, these patrons of the hotel were sipping illegally brewed liquor in the guise of drinking tea to evade being nabbed by law enforcers.

UDA irked by CMC’s failure to act against unauthorised construction on sanctioned street line

Colombo Municipal Council’s (CMC) deliberate failure to take legal action against an unauthorised construction on a sanctioned street line in Colombo 6, has irked the Urban Development Authority (UDA).Despite several directives given by the UDA to take action against the unauthorised construction, the question arises as to why the CMC is dragging their feet and whether there is a hidden agenda over their silence.“We know why the CMC ignore

Mother, two daughters drown in Quarry Lake

A woman, 32, and her two daughters who went for a bath in a quarry lake in the Tissamaharama area have drowned, the police said.

Cost of transport, booze, tobacco increase for Sri Lankans

With Sri Lanka’s inflation increasing to 2.4 per cent in June from 1.6 per cent reported in May according to the national consumer price index, people appeared to have been compelled to spend more on transport, alcoholic beverages and tobacco.

I will announce my candidacy at the right time - RW

In response to Minister Prasanna Ranatunga’s plea for an immediate candidacy announcement, President Ranil Wickremesinghe assured yesterday that he plans to reveal his decision at the opportune moment. “An invitation was extended to me by Minister Ranatunga. You will have to respond whenever an invitation is extended to you. I will respond to Minister Ranatunga’s invitation at the right time,” President Wickremesinghe told a rally in Kadawath

MRI under fire for not performing sufficient testing

The Medical Research Institute (MRI), the apex institute which performs laboratory testing, laboratory diagnosis and consultations has come under fire for neglecting a significant number of its testing. This follows the allegations made by trade unions representing the health sector which claim that 50% of MRI investigations are currently not being performed. According to the trade unions the Rabies test, Candida Ab ELISA test, Mannan Ag fo

Alleged political intervention by Neluwa Divisional Secretariat Villagers oppose harming forest reserve to build road in Sinharaja

The villagers living around the Lankagama entrance of the world heritage Sinharaja forest strongly oppose the politically backed efforts of Neluwa Divisional Secretariat to harm the forest reserve to facilitate a road to a single domestic compound, when an alternative route already exists, the Daily Mirror learns. Both the residents as well as the tourist hoteliers in the sensitive ecological area that borders the world heritage rainforest dem

Asanga Abeyagoonasekera gets bail following arrest at BIA

Former Director of the Institute of National Security Studies, Asanga Abeyagoonasekera who was arrested upon arrival in the country at the Bandaranaike International Airport (BIA) had been released on bail. Police detained him while returning to Sri Lanka from Doha at the arrival terminal following the issuing of an arrest warrant taken by the Inland Revenue Department related to a case against him.

Former Australian PM says Sri Lanka achieves extraordinarily since economic crisis

Former Australian Prime Minister and Finance Minister Scott Morrison who arrived in Sri Lanka last week said that what Sri Lanka achieved since the economic crisis was extraordinary. He was here on the invitation of Don Susantha Katugampala, Chairman and Founder of Fairfields Lawyers, to further strengthen ties between Australia and Sri Lanka.

Joe Biden steps down from election race

U.S. President Joe Biden ended his reelection campaign on Sunday after fellow Democrats lost faith in his mental acuity and ability to beat Donald Trump, leaving the presidential race in uncharted territory, the foreign media reported. Mr. Biden, in a post on X, said he will remain in his role as President and Commander-in-chief until his term ends in January 2025 and will address the nation this week. It comes four months before Americans go to

Govt. rift deepens President overrides Justice Minister, clarifies 22A

In what appeared to be a conflict of opinion within the Cabinet, President Ranil Wickremesinghe defied Justice Minister Wijeyadasa Rajapakshe and went ahead with the publication of the ‘22 Amendment to the Constitution Bill ‘ in a gazette notification last afternoon.

No satisfactory bidder for SriLankan Airlines, Govt. looks for new strategy

The government scrapped plans to privatize the national carrier because no bidder came on satisfactory terms to buy it, a top source said.

Teachers, principals exploit schoolchildren with private tuition

The Education Ministry of the North Central Province has issued circular instructions to all principals and teachers of schools in the province to refrain from conducting fee-levying private tuition or holding educational seminars during duty hours or after school.