Fuel supply: we are facing a challenging situation- Energy Minister

Energy Minister Udaya Gammanpila takes questions from Daily Mirror about the agreement with India to develop the Trincomalee oil tank farm and the foreign exchange crisis affecting the fuel supply. Excerpts:

A number of decisions on food security this year

President Gotabaya Rajapaksa, in his maiden address to the second session of the ninth Parliament, said the government would have to make a number of decisions regarding food security this year.

German navy ship now docked in Colombo port

The German frigate, Bayern, is now docked in the Colombo port It was commissioned on June 15. 1996 for the German Navy.

Black swans breed in Colombo

A pair of black swans has bred in the Dehiwala zoological garden, and is with their two chicks now. This is the second occasion of black swan births in Sri Lanka after five bred last year.

Buddhists mark Duruthu Poya

Buddhists participate in religious activities at Gangaramaya Temple in Colombo to mark Duruthu Poya today. This is a key religious and historic date in the Buddhist calendar since it marks the Buddha’s first visit to Sri Lanka nine months after attaining Enlightenment. The Buddha first visited Mahiyanganaya about 2,500 years ago according to the ancient texts.

Port City live with yacht service

Colombo Port City has come alive with a new yacht service by Sale Lanka which offers various packages.

Meerigama- Kurunegala stretch of Central Expressway commissioned

The Meerigama-Kurunegala stretch of the Central Expressway was commissioned for the public use today after a function graced by President Gotabaya Rajapaksa and Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa.

Kite flying to mark Thai Pongal

The Assistant High Commission of India organized kite flying in Nelligala, Kandy to mark Thai Pongal or Makar Sankranti.

Hindus bathed in Thai Pongal festivities

Sri Lankan Hindus mark Thai Pongal in keeping with traditional and religious rituals at Sivan Kovil (Sri Ponnambalam Vanesar Kovil) in Kochchikade, Colombo.

Meerigama- Kurunegala stretch of Central Expressway to be opened on January 15

The Meerigama-Kurunegala stretch of the Central Expressway will be vested with the public on January 15, a statement from the Highways Ministry said. Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa will attend the event to mark the opening of the expressway which is 40.91 kilometres.

Purchasing sugarcane for Thai Pongal

On the eve of Thai Pongal day, Hindus are seen purchasing sticks of sugarcane in Colombo. They are used in serving dishes on the auspicious day.

Sri Lanka, Hungary to broaden ties

Foreign Minister Prof. G.L. Peiris expressed Sri Lanka’s keen interest to transform Sri Lanka–Hungary bilateral ties into a results-oriented, Multi-faceted partnership at a bilateral meeting with the Hungarian Minister of Foreign Affairs and Trade Péter Szijjártó on Wednesday 12 January. Minister Szijjártó was on a working visit to Sri Lanka.

Station masters leave train commuters stranded

Passengers remain stranded as a result of the trade union action launched by the Railway Station Masters’ Union .

Easter Container Terminal construction kicks off

The construction work of the second phase of Eastern Container Terminal at the Colombo Port commenced this morning (12) under the patronage of President Gotabaya Rajapaksa and Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa.

Hungarian Foreign Minister lays foundation stone for Kohuwala flyover

Visiting Hungarian Trade and Foreign Minister Péter Szijjártó laid the foundation stone for the construction of a new flyover at Kohuwala junction today along with Highways Johnston Fernando

Staple food now a luxury for the poor

The prices of rice - both Samba and Nadu varieties - have increased exorbitantly in the retail market. Our videographer Samantha Perera filmed trade outlets selling Nadu rice at a price as high as Rs.160 a kilo, Samba at Rs.164 a kilo and Keeri Samba at 214 a kilo.

Philip Gunawardena’s birth anniversary commemorated

The 121st birth anniversary of founder leader of Mahajana Eksath Peramuna Philip Gunawardena was marked with paying floral tributes to his statue in Boralugoda, Avissawella. He is the father of Education Minister Dinesh Gunawardena and grandfather of ruling party MP Yadamini Gunawardena.

South Korean Speaker to visit SL

Foreign Minister Professor G. L. Peiris and Speaker of the National Assembly of South Korea Park Byeong-Seng held discussions recently at the Speaker’s Office, National Assembly in Seoul.

China donates medical equipments to Sri Lanka

The Chinese government donated a stock of medical equipments worth Rs.127 million upon request by the Sri Lankan government

Port City Marina Promenade now open to public

People walk leisurely in the Port City Marina Promenade. It is open to the public from today between 9.00 a.m to 6.00 p.m. The entrance is located in front of the Presidential Secretariat in Colombo. It was declared open to the public during the visit of Chinese State Councilor and Foreign Minister Wang Yi to Sri Lanka.

President asks China to restructure debt repayment

President Gotabaya Rajapaksa who met with visiting Chinese State Councilor and Foreign Minister Wang Yi said it would be a great relief for Sri Lanka in the midst of the economic crisis if debt payments could be restructured.

Vedda chief airs views on one country, one law

Leader of the Vedda Community Uru Warige Wannila Aththo made submissions before the Presidential Task Force for ‘One Country, One Law’ during its process of public consultation in the Uva province

South Korean PM requested for more jobs for Sri Lankans

Foreign Minister Prof. G. L. Peiris who made a courtesy call on South Korean Prime Minister Kim Boo-kyum sought increased employment opportunities for Sri Lankan workers.

Five distressed fishermen brought ashore

Sri Lanka Navy extended assistance to bring ashore five fishermen distressed after their vessel capsized due to the adverse weather conditions.

1000 National School programme begins

The programme to upgrade 1,000 schools into National Schools was launched yesterday .Marking the inauguration,

Tunnel bring machine on way to Sri Lanka

A giant tunnel-boring machine (TBM) made by a Chinese company for export to Sri Lanka rolled off the assembly line on Thursday, as reported by Xinhua news agency

Round the clock vaccination centre at BIA

Sri Lanka Air Force has established a round the clock Covid-19 vaccination centre at the Bandaranaike International Airport to administer Pfizer’s vaccines for Sri Lankans arriving from overseas.

Tuskers killed for pearls

An elephant pearl recovered from tuskers poached is examined.The police Special Task Force (STF) arrested two men for possessing three elephant pearls valued over Rs. 50 million in Ampara. (

President inspects Ehelepola Walauwa

President Gotabaya Rajapaksa inspected the renovation work of Ehelepola Walauwa (Aristocratic House) which is more than 400 years old, at Raja Veediya in Kandy this afternoon.

Gone are the days of Oodi Helei Heleiya!

Two tractors are used to drag a finishing net in hauling the catch in Maravila, Chilaw. Tractors have replaced the manual hauling of such large catches by the involvement of a large group of fishermen, at times, including their family members