Maithri leaves SLFP in CBK’s hands

16 Jun 2025

18

Former President Maithripala Sirisena is reported to have requested Ms. Chandrika Bandaranaike Kumaratunga to take charge of the Sri Lanka Freedom Party (SLFP) and rebuild it.

Sri Lankan economy to be hit badly if Israel - Iran tension escalates

16 Jun 2025

2

Sri Lanka is closely observing the current development of tension in the Middle-East since instability in the region involves greater implications for the country’s economy recovering from the crisis, a source from the Foreign Ministry said.

Temporary halt on dispatching Sri Lankans to Israel due to tension

16 Jun 2025

1

The dispatch of Sri Lankans for work in Israel had come to a temporary halt because of tension flaring up in the Middle-East with Iran launching a barrage of ballistic missile attacks on the Israeli territory in retaliation, an official said.

Sri Lanka continuously maintains aviation safety standards - official

13 Jun 2025

17

Sri Lanka always maintains the highest possible standards of aviation safety in accordance with the guidelines stipulated by the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) which is a specialized United Nations agency which helps 193 countries to cooperate together and share their skies to their mutual benefit, an official said.

Sri Lanka’s pharma ambitions take shape, the largest plant set to take off

13 Jun 2025

2

In the post-independence era, Sri Lanka achieved a lot in terms of social development compared to other countries in the region. Sri Lanka is way ahead of countries such as India, Pakistan, Bangladesh and Nepal in South Asia in this regard. The country can be proud of its achievements in terms of its progress in quality healthcare and high literacy level.

Half the year gone, 8 SL missions still headless

12 Jun 2025

11

The new government which recalled all 16 Sri Lankan heads of mission in December, last year is yet to fill up eight of them despite the lapse of half of the year now, the Daily Mirror learns.

Fool-proof, tight conditions for prisoners’ release in future

11 Jun 2025

9

Following malpractices involved in the release of prisoners, the Justice Ministry will introduce fool-proof, tight conditions for remission of jail terms of those behind bars in view of national events such as Independence Day, Vesak and Christmas, a Minister said.

Nearly one year on:

Irregularities mar elephant census results

10 Jun 2025

3

Despite the lapse of nearly one year, the results of the elephant census are yet to be determined due to complaints about irregularities in the process.

SriLankan Airlines plans to fly from turbulence to clear skies

10 Jun 2025

30

In its plan for increasing the fleet to 25, SriLankan Airlines, the national carrier, is pressing ahead with its plan for the acquisition of two-more wide-body aircraft by the end of this year in a bid to increase frequency of operations on the existing routes while resuming operations on routes currently on hold, an official said.

Months lapse for Govt, state bungalows still lie idle

09 Jun 2025

15

State bungalows which were assigned to Cabinet Ministers as their official residences in the past currently remain idle under the current government even after months despite its pre-election promise to repurpose them for economically viable activities.

Former Presidents to think twice in attending state ceremonies over disrespect

07 Jun 2025

47

The former Presidents remain disappointed over seating arrangements made for them at a recent function at the BMICH, and have decided to think twice in accepting invitations extended by the government for state events in the future as a result, Daily Mirror learns.

Sri Lanka drugged to the hilt

03 Jun 2025

12

The geographic location of Sri Lanka has invariably positioned the country as a pivotal conduit in the international drug supply chain, linking the East to the West. Illicit drug use in Sri Lanka indicates a significant shift in consumption patterns from cannabis as the predominant drug consumed, particularly by those residing in urban townships to methamphetamine use, according to a study done by Pathfinder Foundation.

Mattala airport operation to open up for private investments

02 Jun 2025

18

Despite its previous stand regarding privatization of state assets, the government, led by the National People’s Power (NPP), is seeking to call for Expression of Interest (EoI) to open up the Mattala International Airport (MIA) for private investors for operation of its services in different categories, an official said.

NPP’s anti corruption blitz

Over 20 more ex-MPs under probe

30 May 2025

62

Following the imprisonment of former Ministers Mahindananda Aluthgamage and Nalin Fernando, it came to light that the government has instructed for the expedition of investigations into well over 20 more similar cases involving former MPs and officials.

Central Expressway

Govt. considers pact termination with over US $ 40 million compensation for fresh deal

28 May 2025

29

The government mulls termination of the current project for the construction of the Kadawatha - Mirigama stretch of the Central Expressway with a payment of over US $ 40 million as compensation to the project company, and renegotiate a new deal under fresh terms for execution, an official said.

Germany to press Sri Lanka on PTA repeal during President visit

24 May 2025

16

Germany will ask President Anura Kumara Dissanayake about steps being taken by his government for the repeal of the Prevention of Terrorism Act (PTA), reconciliation and addressing wartime accountability issues during his upcoming visit there, the Daily Mirror has learnt.

Labour Department to probe NEXT Manufacturing closure amid worker rights concerns

23 May 2025

11

The closure of operation by NEXT Manufacturing, a factory owned by UK group, in the Katunayake industrial zone over high operating costs, will come under probe by the Labour Department over possible violations of the law related to workers’ rights, a Minister said yesterday.

Top Norwegian experts warn against investment in petroleum exploration

22 May 2025

35

In the wake of the Sri Lankan government preparing for offshore petroleum exploration , a leading Norwegian expert in the field , said that it is a risky investment when the world is moving towards renewable energy sources more and more.

Another foreign loan project gathering dust in SL

20 May 2025

39

The Oluvil Port, another loan project implemented in the Eastern Province of Sri Lanka, has now turned out to be another white elephant remaining idle for a dozen years, and the current government is now at a loss to determine ways to make it economically viable somehow, the Daily Mirror learns.

SL should do more for social, economic development: Top Chinese scholar

20 May 2025

0

Senior Fellow and Director of Centre for South Asian Studies Prof. Liu Zongyi, in an interview with Daily Mirror, shared his views on the current regional developments, China – Sri Lanka relations. He is a leading Chinese scholar who heads this think-tank funded by the Chinese government and based in Shanghai, China. Excerpts: