Sri Lankan journalists among countries receiving USAID funding for LGBT causes

The Trump administration revealed details of how the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) funded various projects in several countries including Sri Lanka that it deemed ’’ridiculous’’ over the years including $7.9 million allocated to teach Sri Lankan journalists how to avoid ’’binary-gendered language.’’

Mahinda Rajapaksa’s FR petition challenging security reduction to be heard March 19

A Fundamental Rights petition filed by former President Mahinda Rajapaksa challenging the government’s decision to reduce his security detail without conducting a proper security assessment was today fixed for support on March 19 by the Supreme Court.

Commotion in Parliament after members use unparliamentary language

A commotion broke out in Parliament after the ruling party accused the Opposition of using unparliamentary language during the sessions today.

US begins deportation of illegal immigrants

The United States has started deporting migrants who entered the country illegally, with more than 3,000 Sri Lankans among the over 1.4 million individuals scheduled for removal under the Trump administration’s new policy.

Easter Attacks: Elusive Mastermind and Political Chessboard

Sri Lanka was shocked when a series of bombings ripped through on Easter Sunday in April 2019 since it had been lulled in a sense of complacency after the end of 30-year-old cruel war against the LTTE in 2009 and did not have any experience of Islamic terrorism.

DMK MPs to protest at Parliament against arrest of fishermen by Sri Lankan Navy

DMK MPs, along with other opposition MPs will be protesting on February 7 (Friday) at Parliament premises against the detainment of Tamil Nadu fishermen by Sri Lankan Navy.

“Maulana is fabricating stories ”- Pillayan

Meanwhile, the Daily Mirror contacted Sivanesathurai Chandrakanthan alias Pillayan who is accused of conspiring the Easter attack. He said that Maulana, who is seeking permanent residency in a foreign country in the guise of receiving life threats, is levelling baseless allegations.

“Please read the Presidential Commission report”- Gotabaya Rajapaksa

In response to a text message forwarded to former President Gotabaya Rajapaksa by this newspaper regarding the allegation Maulana has leveled against him for conspiring in the Easter Sunday attack to come into power, the former President claimed that he doesn’t know anything regarding these allegations.

AG’s opinion to discharge three suspects linked to driver’s abduction, not Lasantha’s murder

The Attorney General’s (AG) legal opinion on discharging three suspects, which recently sparked outrage on social and in mainstream media, was not related to the killing of Sunday Leader editor Lasantha Wickrematunge.

Maximum temperature recorded in Ratnapura

The Meteorology Department reported that Ratnapura recorded the highest temperature in the country yesterday, reaching 34.4°C.

Alert issued on rising unhealthy air quality levels

The Vehicular Emission Test Trust Fund of the Department of Motor Traffic (DMT) has reported a slightly unhealthy air quality level for the second consecutive day in most cities, while moderate levels were recorded in Nuwara Eliya, Batticaloa and Hambantota.

Protesters set fire to ex-Bangladesh PM’s family home

Protesters in Bangladesh have vandalised and set fire to the former family home of deposed prime minister Sheikh Hasina, as well as those of other members of her party.

Defence authorities begin probe based on Moulana’s narrative

A senior defence official, conducting a probe into the Easter Sunday attack told the Daily Mirror that according to Azath Maulana, former Coordinating Secretary to Pillayan has alleged as to how Pillayan arranged the Easter Sunday attack from the Batticaloa jail whilst serving a jail term for the murder of MP Joseph Pararajasingham.

SL upgrades CRVS system

The Digital Economy Ministry, in partnership with the United Nations Development Programme, Asian Development Bank and key partners, launched a civil registration and vital statistics (CRVS) system, in efforts to improve Sri Lanka’s digital public infrastructure.

Govt. to fast-track long-delayed IP amendments for Madrid Protocol accession

The government has decided to present the long-delayed amendments to Intellectual Property Act No. 36 of 2003, to access the protocol relating to the Madrid Agreement that is administered by the World Intellectual Property Organisation (WIPO).

Tourism sector hits new milestone with strong January arrivals

Sri Lanka’s tourism sector, having overcome multiple challenges over the past five years, has reached a new milestone, with tourist arrivals in January hitting an all-time high for the month.

Honour election promises made on journalist killing probes: Media Orgs. urge President

Media rights groups going up in arms against the Attorney General’s recent recommendations on releasing three key suspects of the journalist Lasantha Wickrematunge murder, urged President Anura Kumara Dissanayake today to honour the promises he made on election stage by an NPP government to probe multiple journalist killings and abductions.

C.B. Ratnayake ordered to pay Rs. 250 mn to Sujeewa Senasinghe

The Mount Lavinia District Court today ordered former Minister C.B. Ratnayake to pay a compensation of Rs. 250 million to Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB) MP Sujeewa Senasinghe for defaming him.

Azad Maulana should be questioned: Catholic Church

Whilst highlighting that Criminal Investigation Department (CID) should be allowed to carry out investigations on the Easter Sunday attacks independently, Member of the Communications Committee Archdiocese of Colombo Fr. Cyril Gamini Fernando today said onetime Secretary of MP Sivanesathurei Chandrakanthan Azad Maulana should be probed.

MPs begin paying Rs. 2,000 for daily meals in Parliament

Members of Parliament began paying the increased amount of Rs. 2,000 for their daily meals from today, February 5 2025.

Court summons Namal Rajapaksa over Krrish deal

The Colombo High Court today issued summons to Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna (SLPP) Parliamentarian Namal Rajapaksa, ordering him to appear in court on February 18 in connection with the Krrish deal case filed by the Attorney General.

Taliban raids, suspends Afghanistan’s only women’s radio station

The Taliban suspended the operation of Afghanistan’s only women’s radio station after raiding its premises on Tuesday, deepening the exclusion of women from public life and society since the group took power in 2021.

Ministers need to arrange their own transport amid economic challenges: Cabinet Minister

Amid the current economic situation in the country, the government has decided not to import vehicles for Ministers

Antonio Marceglia arrives in Colombo

Italian Naval Ship Antonio Marceglia arrived at the port of Colombo on a replenishment visit this morning.

Vehicle trader arrested over illegal import of Land Cruiser

A vehicle trading businessman has been arrested by Bribery Commission officers for illegally importing a Land Cruiser jeep and registering it with the Motor Transport Department.

Ramanathan Archchuna creates commotion in Parliament

Independent MP Ramanathan Archchuna created a commotion in Parliament today, resulting in Speaker Jagath Wickramaratne deciding to expunge various statements he made.

Cabinet approves 24/7 passport issuing programme

The Cabinet has approved a programme to issue 4,000 passports per day by operating the Immigration and Emigration Department 24/7 with the recruitment of additional staff, including pensioners on contract basis.

Three held for smuggling pigeons, African love birds, flying squirrels

Three suspects were arrested in Pesalai, Mannar during a joint operation by the Sri Lanka Navy and Police, for smuggling pigeons, African love birds and flying squirrels into the island.

Cabinet approves Lufthansa Technik for SriLankan Airlines engine repairs

The Cabinet has approved awarding the contract for repairing CFM 56-5B engines of SriLankan Airlines to Lufthansa Technik (LHT)/Hamburg for four years.

Govt. to import coconut kernel equivalent to 200 Mn coconuts

The government has approved the import of coconut kernels and other coconut-related raw materials equivalent to 200 million coconuts to address the ongoing shortage in the country.