We must show world Sri Lanka is capable of celebrating Independence anniversary: RW

President Ranil Wickremesinghe said today that Sri Lanka must celebrate the 75th Independence Anniversary, if not, the world would say that Sri Lanka is not capable of celebrating even its independence.

EC member Charles resigns from post

Member of Election Commission P. M. S. Charles resigned from her post while Chairman of the commission Nimal Pumchihewa is also expected to follow suit, a spokesman from the President’s office said.

No power cut until end of A/L exam: HRCSL

The Human Rights Commission of Sri Lanka (HRCSL) said today that the parties that gathered at the HRC had agreed not to impose power cuts until the end of the Advanced Level Examination from today.

CB chief signals end to debt moratoria

As businesses across diverse sectors are still hoping for some relief by way of debt moratoria, the Central Bank yesterday indicated that it does not encourage the continuity of such packages as that could take a heavy toll on the banking sector.

Boyfriend forces young girl sitting A/L exam to drink acid

A schoolgirl sitting for the GCE Advanced level Examination at an examination center in Kegalle town was hospitalised with burn injuries when a young man waylaid her and forced her to drink acid.

IMF confirms India’s assurances on Sri Lanka debt needed for bailout

India has committed to help ease the debt burden of its crisis-stricken neighbor Sri Lanka as part of a possible International Monetary Fund-supported program, the IMF said on Monday.

Magistrate says cause of death yet to be determined by court

The Colombo Chief Magistrate’s Court today informed that the cause of death into the death of businessman Dinesh Schaffter has not yet been determined by the court.

Filing B report against lawyers by Keselwatta Police: IGP calls report from WP Senior DIG

The Inspector General of Police (IGP) has called for a report from the Senior DIG in charge of the Western Province about the actions of Keselwatta Police for filing a B report before Colombo Chief Magistrate’s Court against a group of lawyers.

LG Polls to be held on March 9

The Local Government election will be held on March 9, the Election commission announced a short while ago.

UPDATE - Seven dead, several people injured in Thurstan College bus accident

An accident has been reported on the Nanuoya road in Nuwera Eliya between a bus, three wheeler and a van and seven bodies have been recovered while several people have been reported injured. The bus had been carrying students from Thurstan College in Colombo who had been on an educational tour.

Sri Lanka’s creditors must take proactive steps to facilitate its recovery: Jaishankar

Indian External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar said today that India has extended financing assurances to the IMF to clear the way for Sri Lanka to move forward because India felt strongly that Sri Lanka’s creditors must take proactive steps to facilitate its recovery.

Fitch downgrades seven Lankan insurers’ National IFS ratings; maintains Watch Negative

Fitch Ratings has downgraded the National Insurer Financial Strength (IFS) Ratings of seven Sri Lankan insurers, following the recent sovereign downgrade and recalibration of the agency’s Sri Lankan National Rating scale.

Race Course murder: Probe reveals boyfriend murdered girl fearing she would love someone else

Initial investigations revealed that a science faculty student of the Colombo University was murdered by her fellow student at the Race Course Ground in Colombo yesterday, fearing that she would love someone else after breaking up the love affair.

Colombo Uni. female student found murdered at Race Course Ground in Col. 7

The body of a female, suspected to be murdered was found at the Race Course Ground in Colombo 7 a short while ago. Police said the body was found near the scoreboard at the Ground.

I have no funds to pay Rs 100mn, will collect from friends: Maithripala

Former President Maithripala Sirisena said today that he will collect and pay the compensation to the victims of Easter Sunday attacks, as ordered by the Supreme Court, with the help of his close friends.

Woes of country mounting with bailout delay, Sri Lanka tells international forum

As Sri Lanka continues to face delays in securing the much sought-after bailout from the International Monetary Fund (IMF), the government admitted this week that the situation is becoming increasingly difficult for the people of the country.

Election Commission tells Supreme Court it has taken all steps to hold LG Election

The Election Commission today informed Supreme Court that it has taken all steps to hold the Local Government Election in accordance with the law.

Easter Sunday attack: Supreme Court orders Maithripala Sirisena to pay Rs.100 mn as compensation

The Supreme Court today ordered former President Maithripala Sirisena to pay a sum of Rs.100 million as damages to the victims of Easter Sunday attacks.

Egg producers say Minister’s move to import eggs similar to what Johnston did

The government’s move to import eggs will be an utter failure and will be a waste of foreign exchange as the present shortage of eggs will be rectified in two months, the All Island Egg Producers Association (AIEPA) said today. Sources within the industry also alleged that the decision to import eggs was done with ulterior motives best known to those in charge.

Sri Lanka registers strong protest against Canadian sanctions

Foreign Minister Ali Sabry summoned the Canadian Acting High Commissioner Daniel Bood today and expressed the deep regret of the Government on the announcement of unilateral sanctions brought against four individuals including two former Presidents of Sri Lanka by the Government of Canada based on unsubstantiated allegations, the ministry said.

Foreign Ministry to summon Canadian envoy over sanctions

The Foreign Ministry will summon the Canadian envoy today to register its strongest protest over the issuing of targeted sanctions on four Sri Lankan officials including former leaders Mahinda Rajapaksa and Gotabaya Rajapaksa.

Cause of Dinesh Schaffter’s death still uncertain; probe continues

The investigation into the death of businessman Dinesh Schaffter has not yet ruled whether it was a suicide or murder and the probe is still underway to ascertain the cause of death, the police said.

Moneragala SSP arrested with Ganja plants at his residence

Moneragala Police SSP Sisira Kumara had been arrested by the Special Task Force of Police (STF) with over 600 of Ganja plants at his official residence.

Sajith says foreign donors trust him more than others

Leader of Opposition Sajith Premadasa said today that foreign donors trust him more than others.

Sri Lanka on alert for new XBB.1.5 COVID variant from USA

Sri Lanka’s health authorities are on alert for the new XBB.1.5 variant which has emerged in the USA and now seems to be rapidly spreading in the countries it has been detected in, senior health officials told Daily Mirror yesterday.

Government, main opposition tussle on private members Bills on electoral reforms

Government and the opposition are in for a battle to see that the private members Bill on the local government election reforms are debated in Parliament next week.

Politicians of this country should be rehabilitated first: SF

Referring to the proposed Bureau of Rehabilitation Bill, SJB MP Field Marshal Sarath Fonseka in Parliament yesterday said it is the politicians of this country who should be rehabilitated first as they are the ones who are responsible for the country’s sorry state of affairs today.

GR concludes holiday in Dubai and returns to SL

Former President Gotabaya Rajapaksa and his wife Ayoma Rajapaksa arrived at Bandaranaike International Airport from Dubai this morning, the Airport Duty manager and the spokesperson of the Airport Immigration Department confirmed.

Media barred from reporting on Dinesh Schaffter’s death

The Magisterial inquiry into the death of Janashakthi Insurance Company director Dinesh Schaffter was scheduled to be taken up in open Court before Magistrate Rajindra Jayasuriya of Court No 2 today.

LG polls: Nominations to be accepted from Jan. 18

The Elections Commission has announced that nominations for the Local Government Election will be accepted from January 18 to 21.