Immigration extends validity of expired passports by one year until e-passport issuance

The Department of Immigration and Emigration has extended the validity of all passports that expire from June end by one year until the issuance of the e-passport project takes off in January next year.

Wild elephants damage Divisional Secretariat building

A herd of wild elephants that raided the Mahakumbukkadawala area in the early hours of yesterday morning caused extensive damage to the Divisional Secretariat and a nearby shop.

Sri Lanka hosts 2nd BIMSTEC subgroup on Human Trafficking

Sri Lanka has hosted the Second meeting of the Bay of Bengal Initiative for Multi-Sectorial Technical and Economic Cooperation (BIMSTEC) subgroup on Human Trafficking which was held on 26th and 27th of June, 2024 in Colombo, stated the Ministry of Defence. The Keynote Address was delivered by Major General JR Kulatunga, the Chief of National Intelligence and the Head of the Official Committee of National Anti-Human Trafficking Task Force of Sri L

Over 60 Indians netted in major online financial scam

The Criminal Investigation Department (CID) has cracked down on a widespread online financial fraud network in Thalangama, Madiwela, and Negombo areas, apprehending at least 93 suspects, including foreigners involved in the scam. Police Spokesman SSP Nihal Thalduwa told Daily Mirror that the raids resulted in the seizure of 192 mobile phones, 60 laptops, and 13 computers. The crackdown follows a complaint from a victim who was lured into a

President Warns Considers designating teaching as an essential service

Fulfill needs of schools before declaring school education essential service

While condemning the President’s statement on declaring the services of teachers and principals as essential services, Ceylon Teachers’ Union (CTU) General Secretary Joseph Stalin said that before declaring these services as essential, the essential needs of schools must be fulfilled in the first place. He told the Daily Mirror that no essential needs are provided to schoolchildren. The weight of the education of children has fallen on the par

SC fast-tracks hearing on judicial appointments petition

The Supreme Court (SC) yesterday decided to expedite the hearing of the fundamental rights petition filed to challenge the Constitutional Council’s decision to reject the President’s recommendation to fill the vacancy in the Supreme Court with the incumbent President of the Court of Appeal, Nissanka Bandula Karunaratne.

Two found dead inside toilet at N’Eliya bus stand

The public male toilet at Nuwara Eliya main bus stand on Mosque Road was sealed off by health authorities yesterday in the wake of the death of two individuals who went into the toilet. HQI Nuwara Eliya Police CI Premalal Hettiarachchi said the police initiated a formal investigation into the incident. Police said the deceased were Mohamed Imtiaz Fhasal (71) of Mosque Road and Ajith Nissanka (27) of Bagawanthalawa. The former had died when

Debt restructuring agreement Sajith raises concern

Sajith Premadasa, the leader of the Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB), raised concerns yesterday regarding the debt restructuring agreement signed by the government with official creditor countries, citing specific issues with the terms negotiated. “We would have welcomed the agreement if it benefited the nation but there are certain issues, Mr. Premadasa told a public gathering. “The IMF report talks of a grace period till 2033 while the governmen

President strikes optimism on commercial debt restructuring too

In the wake of completion of debt restructuring with bilateral creditors, President Ranil Wickremesinghe sounded optimistic for the future of the country and said the agreement with International Sovereign Bondholders could be reached soon as the next step.

Economists see silver lining as SL seals debt deals

Sri Lanka solidified long-awaited agreements with its lenders yesterday, a move economists believe will foster positivity and help the nation emerge from selective default.

Health Ministry convenes emergency meeting amid Bird Flu fears

The officials from the Ministry of Health and the Department of Animal Production and Health convened an emergency meeting yesterday (25) at the Ministry of Health to address the current bird flu situation. The meeting, chaired by Health Secretary Dr. Palitha Mahipala, focused on the potential threat of bird flu.

Ex-LTTE combatants among those seeking common Tamil presidential candidate

The party formed by ex-LTTE militants is in the political amalgam that seeks to field a common Tamil presidential candidate at the upcoming elections, Daily Mirror learns.

Indian poaching trawler’s aggressive maneuvering kills sailor: Navy

A sailor sustained fatal wounds and a Navy Dvora damaged due to the aggressive maneuvering of a poaching Indian bottom trawler during a pre-dawn operation by the Sri Lanka Navy to seize the intruding vessel in the seas off Delft Island in Jaffna yesterday, the Navy said.

Champika Ranawaka clarifies

Parliamentarian Patali Champika Ranawaka yesterday clarified that there has been no move to accept ministerial portfolios.

Two academics move SC to remove bar on President appointing judges

Two Intervenient-Petitions have been filed in the Supreme Court (SC) seeking an order to rescind the interim order issued by the Supreme Court preventing the President from submitting any other nomination to fill the vacancies in the SC other than the vacancy of the position of Chief Justice. Dr. Mahim Mendis and Ven. Dambara Amila Thera

15,000 Bohra community members set to gather in Sri Lanka

Approximately 15,000 members of the Bohra community from various countries, including India, are expected to attend the Bohra community’s spiritual conference and annual convention in Sri Lanka, scheduled to be held from July 7 to 16.

Embracing, kissing, touching female clerk lands HR manager in jail for 7 years

The Court of Appeal has imposed seven years of rigorous imprisonment on a Human Resource Manager of a private company for committing the offence of sexual harassment against a female clerk by embracing, touching, and kissing her face and lips.

Complaints galore from cybercrime victims

Against the backdrop of continuous complaints from cybercrime victims, Sri Lanka CERT urges the public to be cautious of fake messages purportedly sent by various banks, commercial institutions, and international organisations.

Security beefed up at State Universities

The Education Ministry has requested the Secretary of the Public Security Ministry to ensure special security measures for the safety of state university lecturers, students and non-academic staff, as well as for the protection of public property.

Harin alleges opposition MP involved in match-fixing during last LPL league

An opposition MP is alleged to have been involved in match-fixing during the last league of the LPL tournament, Minister of Sports, Tourism and Lands Harin Fernando said yesterday.

Termites eat their way through dollar notes belonging to one-time presidential candidate

Termites have chewed their way through US dollar notes with an exchange value of Rs.250 million received by a certain opposition politician who was a presidential candidate at one time.

Father tortures four year old son, sends video to wife abroad

An individual tortured his four year old son and E-mailed videos of the scene to his wife employed abroad to compel her to return, was produced before the Welimada Actg. Magistrate and remanded till June 25

Lankadeepa Aloka Pooja continues with chanting by Maha Sangha

The Lankadeepa Aloka Pooja illumination at Thanthirimale sacred city organized by Wijeya Newspapers Ltd was commissioned for the second day on Saturday (22) by Editor in Chief of Sunday Lankadeepa Kanchana Dasanayake, Ajantha Kumara Agalakada of daily Lankadeepa, Divisional Secretary Nuwaragam Palatha East Sampath Rohana Dharmadasa and Divisional Secretary, Mahavilachchiya, Manjari C. Chandradasa

Optimism grows for SL’s bankruptcy exit

The government expressed optimism about the country’s potential to shed its ‘bankrupt nation’ label in the coming weeks, as a series of upcoming events are expected to assist in pushing the country into the next phase of recovery.

Former Hakmana Police OIC ordered to pay Rs. 150,000 compensation

The Supreme Court has ordered former OIC Kamal Amarasinghe of the Hakmana Police Station to pay compensation of Rs.150,000 to the former Coordinating Secretary of the UNP Hakmana electorate for violating his fundamental rights by assaulting him and breaking three teeth while engaging in the 2010-Presidential Election campaign in support of Sarath Fonseka.

Dengue intensifies as cases surge

The tally of dengue cases in Sri Lanka has surged past the 27,000 mark for the year, raising alarms among health officials and the public.

Sri Lanka bans animal imports from countries with bird flu reports

Animals or animal products will not be allowed to be imported into Sri Lanka from any country where bird flu has been reported, the Animal Production and Health Department announced.

Ox burdened to cushion cost burden

A boy sits merrily on a fuel tanker drawn by an ox . Despite modern modes of goods and fuel transportation , ox drawn tankers are rarely visible at times in congested Colombo roads .

Eight suspects detained for 48 hours for questioning

Homagama Acting Magistrate Priyanka Madduma Patabendi yesterday ordered the police to detain eight suspects arrested in connection with the incident in which a 17-year-old girl was gang-raped.