New passport office to Jaffna soon

The Department of Immigration and Emigration announced plans to establish a new office in Jaffna and decided to increase the number of passports issued daily.

Missing Alaska plane found with three confirmed dead - US Coast Guard

The US Coast Guard has said the wreckage of a small plane that went missing in Alaska on Thursday has been found, with three people confirmed dead.

Flags hoisted to kick off ‘AMAN-25’ multi-national maritime exercise

The opening ceremony of the ninth edition of ’AMAN’, the multinational maritime exercise, kicked off at the Pakistan Navy Dockyard in Karachi on Thursday (February 7).

Moderate level air quality indicated in most cities

The Sri Lanka Air Quality Index (SL AQI) recorded moderate air quality levels in most cities yesterday.

AG’s decisions in criminal matters should not be reviewed by political authorities- BASL tells President

The Bar Association of Sri Lanka (BASL), in a letter to President Anura Kumara Dissanayake, strongly emphasised that decisions of the Attorney General in criminal matters should not be subject to review by political authorities, including the Cabinet of Ministers. Such interference, the BASL argued, would undermine the independence of the Attorney General’s office, which is crucial for upholding the rule of law.

Five Senior DIGs, including STF Commandant, transferred

Five Senior DIGs, including Senior DIG Attorney-at-Law Waruna Jayasundara, who served as the Commanding Officer of the Police Special Task Force, and Senior DIG Ajith Rohana, have been transferred.

Govt. paddy purchasing move flopped, farmers not ready to sell produce to PMD

Although the storage facilities of the Paddy Marketing Board (PMB) remain open for paddy purchases at the maximum support price announced by the government, farmers are reluctant to sell their produce to the state because private traders offer better rates even for paddy with high moisture content.

AG dept. clarifies release of suspects over Lasantha investigation

Referring to recent reports suggesting that three suspects were released in connection with the murder of journalist Lasantha Wickrematunge, the Attorney General’s (AG) Department clarified that the decision was related to a separate case involving the abduction of Wickrematunge’s driver.

Hasitha Jayawardena appointed as Melstacorp Chairman

Hasitha Jayawardena, son of late business tycoon Harry Jayawardena, has been redesignated as the Executive Chairman of Melstacorp and Distillaries Company effective 6 February.

Rugby held hostage by legal battles and power struggles

Sri Lanka Rugby (SLR) finds itself mired in yet another administrative turmoil, a crisis emblematic of the wider governance issues plaguing sports in the country.

Sri Lanka Foreign Service Association flays Govt. over political appointments

In the wake of the Daily Mirror report over political appointments to diplomatic Missions, the Sri Lanka Foreign Service Association (SLFSA) expressed deep concern that several recent appointments to Head of Mission (HOM) positions have been made from outside the Sri Lanka Foreign Service (SLFS), disregarding the established norms of professionalism, meritocracy, and diplomatic expertise.

Two dead as plane crashes into bus in Brazil city

Two people have died after a plane crashed into vehicles on a busy road in the Brazilian city of Sao Paulo.

Sri Lanka could adopt Singaporean model when it comes to MPs perks: PM

While the Opposition came out with allegations against the ruling National People’s Power (NPP) on the steps it had taken with regard to Ministerial and MPs’ perks, Prime Minister Harini Amarasuriya indicated that Sri Lanka should adopt the Singaporean model where high remuneration is paid for MPs to make politics an attractive profession, though it would take some time.

Specialists demand allowance for extra duty, transport

The Association of Medical Specialists (AMS) met Deputy Finance Minister Prof. Anil Jayantha Fernando today (07) to demand a fixed allowance for extra duty payments and discuss specialist remuneration for Budget 2025.

Stasshani Jayawardena appointed as Aitken Spence Chairman

Stasshani Jayawardena, daughter of late business tycoon Harry Jayawardena, has been appointed as the new Chairman of Aitken Spence PLC.

Labour Department warns of fake job posts on social media

The Labour Department denied social media posts claiming employment recruitments by the department.

Nippon Foundation keen on supporting educational development in Jaffna

A meeting between President Anura Kumara Dissanayake and the Chairman of the Nippon Foundation, Mr. Yōhei Sasakawa, was held today (07) at the Presidential Secretariat, the President’s Media Division (PMD) said.

Rare twin elephants attract tourists in Sri Lanka

Rare twin elephants, who were born at the Pinnawala Elephant Orphanage in Sri Lanka on August 31, 2021, have now become a major tourist attraction.

Hydrated lime with high content of chromimum not released to water purification plants: Minister

The imported hydrated lime with a high content of chromimum has not been released to any water purification plants in the country, Minister of Urban Development Anura Karunathilake informed Parliament today.

Shooting reported in Minuwangoda

An individual was reported dead following a shooting incident near a school in Minuwangoda earlier today.

US lady donates ICU beds to hospital after life-saving treatment

An US lady who was admitted to Anuradhapura Teaching Hospital when she developed a heart ailment and recovered after treatment donated a set of beds for use of the Intensive Care Unit.

Two police OICs remanded

OIC Giriulla Police CI Priyajanaka Alwis and OIC Crime Investigation Branch IP Charith Maduranga were produced before Kuliyapitiiya Addl Magistrate U.B. Kulatunga and remanded on suspicion of changing the lorry seized with a stock of illicit timber.

Police reveal charges against three suspects repatriated from Dubai

The Criminal Investigation Department (CID) officers today repatriated three wanted criminals including Nadakandage Upali alias ’ Rotumba Upali’ from Dubai to Sri Lanka this morning.

59 Sri Lankans in Russian Army killed: Minister

Foreign Minister Vijitha Herath said today that 59 Sri Lankans who enlisted in the Russian army had died as of January 20, 2025.

Fresh indictments will be issued on Lasantha’s killers if necessary: PM

he government would refile indictments against suspects in the 2008 killing of journalist Lasantha Wickramatunge if necessary, Prime Minister Harini Amarasuriya said in Parliament today.

Strict security arrangements in Parliament for budget

Strict security arrangements will be in place for the presentation of the budget on February 17, 2025, Deputy Speaker Rizvy Salih announced today.

Kazakhstan tourist dies, four Russians rescued in drowning incidents

A Kazakhstan national died, while four Russian nationals were rescued after separate drowning incidents in the Southern Province yesterday.

Plane goes missing with 10 passengers on board

Authorities are searching for a Bering Air passenger plane with 10 people on board that was reported missing while en route from Unalakleet to Nome, Alaska’s Department of Public Safety said on Thursday.

Man taking lunch for ailing mother electrocuted by wire set to prevent dogs

A 34-year-old man was electrocuted by an unprotected electric wire, which had been installed around a house at Nelumwewa in Sewanagala to prevent dogs from entering the garden.

Air quality worsens; public advised to wear masks

The Vehicular Emission Test Trust Fund of the Department of Motor Traffic (DMT) has issued a warning regarding the deterioration of air quality to a slightly unhealthy level.