Efforts underway to contain Watawala forest fire

The Hatton Forest Conservation Officer said efforts are underway to contain the fire that broke out in the Watawala Pinus Forest Reserve yesterday.

Robust data system essential for strong food security policy framework: Minister

Minister of Trade, Commerce, Food Security and Cooperative Development Wasantha Samarasinghe, along with members of the Food Policy and Security Committee, convened for the second time yesterday (10) at the Presidential Secretariat.

Musk-led group makes $97.4bn bid for ChatGPT maker OpenAI

A consortium of investors led by Elon Musk offered $97.4bn to take over OpenAI, the maker of ChatGPT.

Trump signs executive order to rename ’Gulf of Mexico’ as ’Gulf of America’

US President Donald Trump has officially renamed the Gulf of Mexico as the ’’Gulf of America’’ and designated February 9 as ’’Gulf of America Day’’ through an executive order.

Fair weather prevails, isolated showers expected in some areas

While fair weather prevails over most parts of the island, a few showers may occur in the Uva Province and in the Batticaloa, Ampara, Matale and Nuwara Eliya districts, the forecasting division of the National Meteorological Centre said.

Wickramasinghe takes charge as new Chief of Staff of Sri Lanka Army

Major General Chandana Wickramasinghe of the Gajaba Regiment formally assumed duties as the 66th Chief of Staff of the Sri Lanka Army at the Army Headquarters.

Sajith criticises government’s handling of power outages

Opposition Leader Sajith Premadasa criticised the government’s response to the recent power outages, claiming that the ongoing electricity disruptions result from a fragile national grid that is incapable of supporting both solar energy growth and periods of low demand.

Moderate air quality recorded in most cities

A moderate level of air quality was recorded in most cities yesterday, while slightly unhealthy levels were observed in Galle, Ratnapura, Embilipitiya and Hambantota, according to the Vehicular Emission Test Trust Fund of the Department of Motor Traffic (DMT).

Dan Priyasad arrested at BIA

Sinhale’ national organiser and convenor Dan Priyasad has been arrested at the Bandaranaike International Airport (BIA) this morning upon his arrival in the country, Police Media Spokesman Buddhika Manatunga said.

Fugitive constable’s parents arrested

The parents of a police constable attached to the Mount Lavinia Police Station, who fled to Dubai, after escaping with a T-56 firearm and 30 rounds of ammunition, have been arrested.

Power cuts till Friday

Short power cuts are expected to be imposed in several districts of the island at least till Friday, February 14, till the Norochcholai Power plant is repaired and connected back to the main grid, sources from the Ceylon Electricity Board (CEB) told the Daily Mirror last night.

Coal power plant failures behind islandwide blackouts: Expert

If a countrywide power outage occurred and took longer to restore, the primary cause of both recent and past islandwide blackouts would be the failure of the country’s three coal power plants, energy expert, advisor and former member of the Renewable Energy Ministry, Asoka Abeygunawardana said.

New govt. initiative to ease land access for industries and investors soon

The government is set to establish a national level initiative ‘very soon’ to replace the existing inefficient land allocation mechanisms, which have been identified as a key impediment to industrial development and export growth.

Malaysia ready to offer visa-free travel to increase tourist arrivals from SL

While expressing keenness to extend possible visa-free travel for Sri Lankan tourists visiting Malaysia,

Sri Lanka embarassed in Galle after strange selections

Galle has been a fortress for Sri Lanka in the longest format with the island nation registering so many famous victories against top Test nations, but on Sunday not only the fortress was breached, it was destroyed, demolished and bulldozed by a thoroughly professional Australian team led by Steven Smith.

Norochcholai will be back in operation by Friday: CEB

The Norochcholai Power Plant will be back in operation by Friday (14) and the power supply will return to normalcy, Ceylon Electricity Board (CEB) media spokesman Dhammika Wimalaratne said today.

Referee Rankothge no more

Former Sylvester’s, Kandy Sports Club and one of the senior referees, Aruna Rankothge passed away in Kandy today (10).

Discussion to ensure uninterrupted supply of essential food items during New Year

The Food Policy and Security Committee discussed measures to ensure the uninterrupted supply of essential food items during the Sinhala and Tamil New Year season and on maintaining price controls on these goods, the President’s Media Division (PMD) said.

SLPP to propose appointment of PSC to probe NGOs - Namal

The Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna (SLPP) has called for the appointment of a Parliamentary Select Committee (PSC) to investigate both registered and unregistered non-governmental organizations (NGOs) operating in the country, following concerns about their funding and transparency.

Scheduled power cuts approved only for today: PUCSL

The Public Utilities Commission of Sri Lanka (PUCSL) claimed today that it has approved the scheduled power cuts only for today, categorised under four groups.

Sri Lanka receives brown bears, hyenas, and meerkats from UAE

Sri Lanka has received a pair of brown bear, a pair of Hyenas and three pairs of Meerkats from the United Arab Emirates (UAE) to be displayed in zoological gardens in Sri Lanka.

Following Test series defeat, Sri Lanka name strong squad for Australia ODIs

Sri Lanka take on Australia in two ODIs in Colombo on February 12 and 14 respectively.

Special sitting of Parliament on Friday

A special sitting of Parliament has been convened on Friday (14) at 9:30 a.m to inform Parliament of the Supreme Court’s determination on the petitions filed against the Local Authorities Elections (Special Provisions) Bill, the Communications Department of Parliament said.

Government to establish Independent Prosecutor’s Office

The Ministry of Justice and National Integration has decided to establish an Independent Prosecutor’s Office as stated in the election manifesto of the National People’s Power (NPP).

Do not put blame of blackout on monkey to cover up Govt’s inefficiency: Small Industrialists

The Small Industrialists’ Association urged the government to provide compensation for damages incurred by the sector due to the recent islandwide power outage.

PUCSL approves CEB’s power cut request

The Public Utilities Commission of Sri Lanka (PUCSL) has approved the Ceylon Electricity Board’s (CEB) request for scheduled power cuts under four categories today (10) and tomorrow (11).

Rs.4.5 Mn worth illicit fags seized at BIA

Police at the Bandaranaike International Airport (BIA) thwarted an attempt to smuggle in a stock of illicit cigarettes worth over Rs. 4.5 million last night and took an inbound passenger returning from Dubai into custody.

Court halts Basnayake Nilame election at Sabaragamuwa Saman Devalaya

he Court of Appeal today issued an interim order preventing the election to select the Basnayake Nilame of the Sabaragamuwa Maha Saman Devalaya, which was scheduled to take place tomorrow (11).

Sri Lanka records over 300,000 pregnancies: Physicians

A total of 341,745 pregnancies were recorded in 2019, resulting in 319,010 live births. However, not all newborns were healthy, the College of Community Physicians of Sri Lanka (CCPSL) said.

CEB announces power cuts today and tomorrow

The Ceylon Electricity Board (CEB) has announced a one-and-a-half-hour power cut today (10) and tomorrow (11).