Lost cup or poisoned chalice:

Commercial stakes, pride, egoism and influence could be conflicting with discipline at schools rugby in general which has now grown to the extent that players have become sought after celebrities having to cater to the whims and fancies of the demanding kind and the syndrome may even be taking its toll.

CSE ends trading session on mixed performance

The Colombo Stock Exchange (CSE) experienced a volatile trading session today, with both the All Share Price Index (ASPI) and the S&P SL20 Index reflecting mixed momentum. By market close, the ASPI posted a marginal gain of 2.71 points (+0.01%) to end at 19,975.50, while the S&P SL20 Index declined by 10.92 points (-0.19%) to close at 5,815.64.

Daily Mirror Brief: Daily News Recap, Top Headlines & Must-Read Stories - 13th August

Daily Mirror Brief is your daily news digest—bringing you the top headlines, key updates, and essential stories you may have missed across politics, tech, culture, and global affairs. Quick, clear, and curated—your trusted news recap, whenever you’re ready.

Minister Wasantha Samarasighe should be removed from Cabinet: Navin

Minister Wasantha Samarasinghe should be removed from the Cabinet for violating the collective responsibility of the Cabinet, Navin Dissanayake, a senior UNPer said today.

Foreigners can use train tickets purchased from agents till August 31: Deputy Minister

In the wake of the ticket controversy on the Ella Odyssey train, Deputy Minister of Transport Prasanna Gunasena said foreigners who had purchased tickets from agents at higher prices could travel in the train until August 31 after proving their identity and paying the due penalty.

All museums to remain closed on Mondays

All the museums under the purview of the Department of National Museums including the National Museum, Colombo will be closed on Mondays from September 1, 2025, the Department of National Museums announced.

Public invited to submit views on amending Online Safety Act

The Ministry of Justice has called on the public, including both local and international media, to submit observations, comments, recommendations and suggestions on proposed amendments to the Online Safety Act No. 09 of 2024.

July remittances hit record high at US$697.3 million

According to data from the Central Bank of Sri Lanka (CBSL), Sri Lankan migrant workers sent home US$697.3 million in July 2025, marking the highest monthly remittance in the first seven months of the year. The Sri Lanka Bureau of Foreign Employment (SLBFE) said this reflects a 19.5% increase compared to US$566.8 million in July 2024

Ravindra Padmapriya appointed new Railways General Manager

Ravindra Padmapriya has been appointed as the new General Manager of the Railways Department, the Transport Ministry said.

Proteas all-rounder penalised for ICC Code of Conduct breach

The incident involving the South African all-rounder occurred during the second T20I against Australia in Darwin.

Five Chinese nationals deported over suspected cyber fraud links

Five Chinese nationals involved in cyber fraud activities were deported by Immigration and Emigration officers at Bandaranaike International Airport (BIA) while attempting to enter Sri Lanka.

Former Prison Health Services Deputy Director remanded

Former Deputy Director of Prison Health Services, Dr. Hemanta Ranasinghe was today ordered to be remanded till August 19 by Colombo Additional Magistrate Manjula Ratnayake.

Priyantha Weerasuriya appointed as new IGP

President Anura Kumara Dissanayake has appointed Senior Deputy Inspector General of Police, Attorney-at-Law Priyantha Weerasuriya, as the new Inspector General of Police (IGP).

NPP government will complete full term, seek next mandate: Bimal Rathnayake

Transport, Highways, Ports and Civil Aviation Minister Bimal Rathnayake assured that the National People’s Power (NPP) government will not collapse and will remain in power till the end of its five-year term.

NIMH Deputy Director arrested over bribe

The Commission to Investigate Allegations of Bribery or Corruption (CIABOC) today arrested Dr. Nayanajith Hemantha Ranasinghe, Acting Deputy Director of the National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH), over a bribery case dating back to 2024.

Probe into incorrect data provided to PM on ‘Chichi’s Rocket’

Minister Wasantha Samarasinghe has announced an investigation into the inaccurate information supplied to Prime Minister Harini Amarasuriya regarding the Supreme SAT project, widely known as ‘Chichi’s rocket’.

Major gem and jewellery exhibition planned in Ratnapura - Deputy Minister

Sri Lanka’s gem and jewellery industry has suffered a significant downturn over the past two years, Industry and Entrepreneurship Development Deputy Minister Chathuranga Abeysinghe said today (28).

Government targets $36bn in export earnings by 2030

The Government has set a target of increasing Sri Lanka’s export earnings to US $36 billion by 2030, with strategies and challenges discussed at the second meeting of the Export Development Council of Ministers (EDCM) held yesterday (12) under the patronage of President Anura Kumara Dissanayake at the Presidential Secretariat.

US Rights report flags extrajudicial killings, media harassment in Sri Lanka

The United States has raised serious concerns over alleged human rights violations in Sri Lanka, citing extrajudicial killings, custodial deaths, intimidation of journalists, and restrictions on free expression, in its 2024 Country Reports on Human Rights Practices.

Sri Lanka approves first legal cannabis cultivation by foreign investors

The government has granted permission to seven foreign investors to legally cultivate cannabis in Sri Lanka for the first time, under strict conditions, former Commissioner General of the Ayurveda Department Dr. Dhammika Abeygunawardena said.

Police launch WhatsApp line to reach IGP

The Sri Lanka Police has launched a dedicated WhatsApp number to enable the public and police officers to report crimes and other concerns directly to the Inspector General of Police (IGP) Priyantha Weerasooriya.

PSC under fire for reinstating officer under probe

The medical fraternity has called on the Public Service Commission (PSC) to rescind its decision to reinstate a senior medical officer who, despite being recently cleared in court cases, remains under investigation over an alleged financial fraud.

Six-Year-old girl swept away at Madilla beach in Tangalle

A six-year-old girl was swept away by strong waves this morning while walking along the Madilla Beach in Tangalle, police said.

Wife of South Korea’s jailed ex-president arrested

The wife of South Korea’s jailed former president, Yoon Suk Yeol, has been arrested over a raft of charges, including stock manipulation and bribery.

Over 50 % of Uni graduates migrate and never come back

More than 50 percent of students who earn degrees at state universities in some disciplines using taxpayers’ money are leaving the country and never coming back, a study reveals.

Sri Lanka makes bold pitch to global investors

Sri Lanka yesterday stepped on to the global stage with a few key strong messages for investors; that its crisis-hit economy has turned a corner, its stock market is among the best-performing in Asia, and sweeping reforms have set the stage for sustained growth.

Sri Lanka targets US$ 1.8bn AI sector by 2030

Sri Lanka has set an ambitious goal for its artificial intelligence (AI) sector contributing US$ 1.5 to US$ 1.8 billion, or 10-12 percent, of the nation’s projected US$ 15 billion digital economy by 2030.

Veterinary shortage deepens as no new recruitment so far this year

Sri Lanka’s Department of Animal Production and Health (DAPH) has not recruited a single new veterinarian so far this year, worsening an existing shortage in the sector, officials revealed.

Elephant-train collisions gain attention after herd accidents: DWC

While claiming that 13 wild elephants have been killed by trains so far this year, the Department of Wildlife Conservation (DWC) today said that although several incidents of elephant-train collisions have been reported, they often draw heightened attention following accidents involving elephant herds.

Islandwide program to develop 1,000 young entrepreneurs expanded

A special program to brief District Secretaries and District and Divisional Productivity Development Officers on the National Program to Develop 1,000 Young Entrepreneurs was held recently at the Sri Lanka Foundation Institute (SLPI) under the patronage of Industry and Entrepreneurship Development Minister Sunil Handunnetti.