Sri Lanka remains open for positive role in dousing India-Maldives tension

Sri Lanka remains open to play a positive role in dousing tension between India and the Maldives in the greater interest of regional peace, Daily Mirror learns.

Anura vows to dissolve President’s security detail, vehicle fleet once elected

Claiming that a future NPP government would stop politicians’ misuse of public money, NPP leader Anura Kumara Dissanayake said today they will dissolve the large security detail of the President and the fleet of expensive vehicles used by politicians.

Acting IGP hands over list of 42,248 crime suspects to OICs

Acting IGP Deshabandu Thennakoon has handed over a comprehensive list of 42,248 suspects involved in crimes across the entire island to the Officers-in-charge of crimes of all the police stations, the Public Security Ministry said.

Health workers announce massive strike action next week

Non-doctor employees are gearing up for an island-wide strike on Tuesday, January 16, as declared by the trade unions representing the health sector.

MPs party on dredging vessel at taxpayers expense

A joy ride for the ruling party parliamentarians had been provided by Sri Lanka Ports Authority in two dredging vessels on Tuesday January 9 at the expense of the taxpayers.

US expresses concerns over Human Rights violations during Sri Lanka’s ’Yukthiya’ operation

The United States has echoed the concerns raised by the Human Rights Commission of Sri Lanka (HRCSL) regarding alleged human rights abuses during the recent ’Yukthiya’ Operation conducted by the Sri Lanka Police and the Ministry of Public Security.

Sri Lanka reports over 1,500 leprosy cases including children

Observing a significant increase in leprosy cases, a total of 1,550 leprosy cases were logged in 2023 with 173 cases being reported among school children.

Emergency declared at flood hit Yala National Park

An emergency disaster situation has been declared at the Yala National Park following the inundation of entrance points due to the spilling of minor tanks, an official said.

SJB Badulla District MP Chaminda Wijesiri resigns from Parliament

SJB MP Chaminda Wijesiri announced his decision to resign from Parliament a short while ago.

MPs can be suspended for three months if found guilty of any offence

The Attorney General has informed Speaker Mahinda Yapa Abeywardena that Members of Parliament can be suspended for a maximum of three months if they are found guilty of any offence.

Harassment of Civilians in the guise of ‘Yukthiya’?

On January 3, a WhatsApp message written by one Gerald De Saram revealed another incident of alleged police brutality on two teens. The incident had occurred when two youths, a boy and a girl were.....

IMF team expected in Colombo next week

The International Monetary Fund (IMF) would evaluate Sri Lanka’s economic progress next week, with a team of officials expected to arrive in the country, the Finance Ministry said.

Lawyers’ Collective urges AG to prosecute Deshabandu for torture

The Lawyers’ Collective, a prominent legal advocacy group in Sri Lanka has urged the Attorney General to immediately prosecute three police officers including Acting IGP Deshabandu Tennakoon for committing the offence of torture in view of the recently delivered Supreme Court judgment.

SL Navy conducts feasibility study for Red Sea deployment amidst Houthi concerns

The Sri Lanka Navy is currently conducting a feasibility study regarding the deployment of a ship in the Red Sea, contributing to the security of the region against Houthi activities, the Sri Lanka Navy said.

Persons with no TIN could face penalty up-to Rs. 50,000

With effect from 1 January, persons who have not obtained a Taxpayer Identification Number (TIN) will be subjected to a penalty not exceeding Rs. 50,000, the Department of Inland Revenue cautioned.

Health Ministry receives 600 complaints regarding medical negligence

Approximately 600 complaints are lodged annually, involving health staff, including doctors, Health Minister Ramesh Pathirana revealed.

King’s Honours for Sri Lankan-origin pioneer in tracking technology

A Sri Lankan-origin pioneer of location-tracking technology has been appointed OBE in the King’s New Year Honours.

No government can deviate from current IMF path: CB Governor

Central Bank Governor Dr. Nandalal Weerasinghe said yesterday any government could renegotiate the programme with the International Monetary Fund (IMF) but it would be required to follow the path chosen currently to get international support.

Colombo residents should be vigilant on COVID and other diseases: CMC

While assuring that there is no outbreak of COVID or any other infectious diseases in Colombo city at the moment, an official from Colombo Municipal Council (CMC) said residents of the city should take precautions to prevent any outbreak.

’’Minister asked me to do, I did it’’: Supplier tells court

Counsel appearing for the first suspect, owner of the company Isolez Biotech Pharma AG (Pvt) Ltd, involved in the substandard human immunoglobulin deal, told the court that he followed the instructions of the then Health Minister saying that ’’The Minister asked me to do, I did it’’.

Risk of new COVID variant spreading in Sri Lanka minimal: Health Ministry

The Ministry of Health asserted that the risk of the JN-1 sub-variant spreading in Sri Lanka is currently deemed very low.

Expressway records highest revenue

The Road Development Authority (RDA) has recorded more than a 40 percent revenue increase from the users of the expressways since last Friday (22), RDA Director General L.V.S. Weerakoon said.

SriLankan Airlines issues apology for travel disruptions

SriLankan Airlines today extended apologies to customers affected by recent travel disruptions involving a series of cancellations and delays.

Surge in police raids creates overcrowding chaos in Prisons

Prisons across the country are facing a serious problem of too many people crammed into limited space. The situation has gotten worse due to increased police operations, with over 10,000 suspects nabbed in a recent crackdown on drugs and underworld activities.

Government issues conditions for state employees to claim bonuses

The Government has announced that payment of bonuses to the staff of state institutions should be made for the year 2023 only if the particular institution has earned profits during the financial year 2022 and has paid at least 30% of the profit after tax as dividends to the Consolidated Fund.

Newly found COVID sub variant in Sri Lanka?

With the uptick of cases of influenza-like illnesses in Sri Lanka, medical experts reckon that JN.1 — an Omicron sub-lineage may be seen in the community.

List of VAT exempted goods and services issued

The Inland Revenue Department has issued the list of goods and services that would be exempted from the Value Added Tax (VAT) with effect from January 1, 2024.

Sri Lanka declares pause on foreign research vessels for one year

Amid geopolitical strain, Sri Lanka has decided to have a one-year moratorium in allowing foreign vessels in conducting research in the country’s territorial waters, a minister said.

Former Health Secretary arrested

Former Health Ministry Secretary Janaka Sri Chandragupta was arrested by the CID a short while ago.

Minister Alles sets deadline against drugs and underworld

Public Security Minister Tiran Alles said that a special operation targeting drug-related activities and the underworld is set to commence tomorrow.