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.

Charmed conflict

President Ranil Wickremesinghe is seen engaged in a light conversation with Justice Minister Wijeyadasa Rajapakshe at the function to mark the opening of the new court complex in the Galle Beligala area, featuring modern technical facilities, built at a cost of Rs. 1.6 billion. It was inaugurated by the President yesterday. (Courtesy: President’s Media Unit)

Tusker Agbo shot in the eye with catapult, youth arrested

An individual who shot the tusker Agbo frequenting Tirappane area, in its eye with a catapult, was taken into custody by Tirappane Police yesterday. The suspect was a resident of Akkara Panaha in Ethungama, Tirappane in the Anuradhapura District.

Imthiaz to be appointed new SJB Chairman

In what seemed to be a significant change in Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB), the party is slated to appoint national list MP Imthiaz Bakeer Markar as its new chairman in place of Field Marshal Sarath Fonseka.

Trade Minister warns suppliers: reduce prices or face price controls

Whilst the government issued a stern warning to suppliers of essential goods emphasising that they must promptly pass on the cost reductions resulting from its recent policy decisions by next week, some producers said it is not possible to reduce prices due to the high cost of raw materials.

EU scotches social media reports on election poll survey in Sri Lanka

European Union scotched rumours on social media that it conducted an election poll survey in Sri Lanka.

Ruwanpura Expressway unrealistic in foreseeable future

The project initiated during 2005-2010 has only progressed to the land acquisition stage

Gazette on 22A - No hindrance to Presidential Election: EC confirms

In the wake of the gazetting of the 22nd Amendment to the Constitution, the Elections Commission (EC) has announced that there are no obstacles to declaring the Presidential Election which is due to take place at the end of this month.

Sri Lanka to balance biodiversity and agricultural economy with UNDP support

Sri Lanka, recognised globally as a biodiversity hotspot, hosts a diverse array of flora and fauna. Approximately 60 per cent of the nation’s endemic flora thrive in the lowland wet ecosystems, while 34 per cent are found in the highland montane regions, both of which also support the majority of Sri Lanka’s animal species, the UNDP said. Additionally, tea and rubber plantations cover 25 per cent of the land in these areas, underscoring their cri

Prof. W.M.T. Madujith appointed as Vice Chancellor Peradeniya

Prof. W.M.T. Madujith has been appointed as the next Vice Chancellor of Peradeniya University to succeed the incumbent Vice Chancellor Prof. M. D. Lamawansa whose term of office is due to expire on July 31.