Special Commodity Levy on imported potatoes extended for four more months

The Special Commodity Levy imposed on imported potatoes will remain in effect for an additional four months starting from September 8, State Minister for Finance Ranjith Siyambalapitiya said.

Sri Lanka eight wins away from breaking Australia’s ODI cricket winning streak record

After their triumphant start in the Super Four stage of the Asia Cup with a victory over Bangladesh, Sri Lanka has surpassed South Africa to claim the second-best winning streak in the history of One Day International (ODI) cricket.

Morocco quake death toll surpasses 2000

The death toll from a strong earthquake that struck Morocco on Friday night has surpassed 2,000, according to country’s interior ministry.

British woman living with local boyfriend falls to death in Mt. Lavinia

A 27-year-old woman, a UK citizen, who was in Sri Lanka on an invitation from a young man whom she had befriended through Facebook, was found dead after she had fallen from the 13th floor of an apartment at Alwis Avenue in Mount Lavinia yesterday.

Why the umpires were right to give ‘six’ despite fielder never touching ball and ground simultaneously

The ending of the Sri Lanka-Bangladesh Asia Cup thriller threw up a Laws of Cricket puzzler, with six awarded despite the fielder in question never being contact with the ball and the ground at the same time.

Man injured in shooting at Mount Lavinia

A 36-year-old man was injured after he was shot at Ratmalana Railway Station Road in ​​Mount Lavinia by a group of unknown persons who came on a motorcycle and a car.

Maldives election goes to run-off, with pro-China opposition leading

The Maldives appears headed for a run-off vote after the opposition candidate took a surprise lead over President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih but fell short of an outright majority in a hotly contested presidential election, the Al Jazeera reported.

Samarawickrama helps Sri Lanka beat Bangladesh in Asia Cup

Sadeera Samarawickrama smashed 93 to set up a 21-run win for Sri Lanka in their opening Super Four clash of the Asia Cup against Bangladesh on Saturday.

Plans afoot to establish first non-government medical faculty in SL: RW

Plans have been made to establish the first non-government medical faculty in Sri Lanka in a move to expand medical education opportunities and find solutions to the challenges posed by the shortage of doctors, President Ranil Wickremesinghe said.

Maldivian nationals in Colombo vote at polling centre in High Commission

Around 850 Maldivian nationals had been registered to cast their ballots in the polling centre at the Maldivian mission in Colombo, an informed source said.

Patients inconvenienced as specialist abruptly leaves Kahawatta Hospital

Patients are facing a significant setback in their healthcare as the ophthalmologist at the Kahawatta Hospital in Ratnapura has suddenly left the country, it is reported.

Morocco earthquake: Death toll climbs to 632

The death toll from the 6.8 earthquake that struck Moroccan cities amounted to 632 while more than 320 have been injured, damaging buildings and sending terrified residents fleeing their homes into the streets for safety.

Anti-Corruption Act effective from Sept.15; gazette issued

An extraordinary gazette notification has been issued declaring that the Anti-Corruption Act will come into operation from September 15, 2023.

Three children in Kurunegala abandoned, Mother stranded abroad, Father in Prison

In a poignant tale of adversity, three children from Pahala Giribawa in Pothanegama, Kurunegala, find themselves in a dire situation as their mother works abroad, their father serves a life sentence, and their humble home teeters on the brink of collapse.

Health Minister survives No-Confidence Motion despite crumbling health sector

Despite the seriousness of allegations regarding the deterioration of the health service in the country with the influx of subpar medicines, corruption and frauds, Health Minister Keheliya Rambukwella survived a no-confidence motion against him in Parliament yesterday.

Global shortage of medical professionals: Minister

Shortage of medical professionals and health care workers was not an issue faced only by Sri Lanka, but a global phenomenon faced by the whole world, Minister Nimal Siripala De Silva said yesterday.

Fairly heavy showers likely even today

Heavy showers of about 50mm are likely in the Western and Sabaragamuwa Provinces and in the Puttalam, Galle and Matara districts today, the Meteorology Department said.

Website announcing water levels launched: Irrigation Department

The Irrigation Department has launched an official website to announce the water levels of rivers that would cause possible floods, Irrigation (Hydrology) Director S.P.C. Sugeeshwara said.

Nearly 300 killed in Morocco earthquake

A powerful 6.8-magnitude earthquake struck Morocco on Friday night, killing nearly 300 people and forcing many residents to spend the night in the streets in what the United States Geological Survey (USGS) said was the strongest tremor to hit that part of the North African nation in more than a century.

Powerful earthquake hits Morocco causing deaths, damage

A powerful earthquake in Morocco’s High Atlas mountains toppled buildings and sent people fleeing their homes in several cities late on Friday, residents said, and a local official said dozens of people had been killed.

Ministry of Defence rebuts Channel 4’s Easter Sunday attack allegations

On behalf of the Government of Sri Lanka, the Ministry of Defence has categorically refuted the allegations by the UK’s Chanel 4 over the Easter Sunday attacks and reiterates the government’s unwavering commitment to the truth, justice, and the well-being of the nation, said a statement by Sri Lanka’s Ministry of Defence.

President to hold talks with Chinese President Xi Jinping next month

President Ranil Wickremesinghe will visit China on October 16, 17 and 17 and hold talks with Chinese leaders including President Xi Jinping, Daily Mirror learns.

Parliament grapples with overlapping Committee functions

MP Patali Champika Ranawaka has drawn attention to the issue of overlapping responsibilities among various parliamentary committees, raising pertinent concerns about its impact on the legislative process.

Sri Lanka look to keep Bangladesh batters 'under pressure'

Sri Lanka coach Chris Silverwood on Friday said their bowlers have made specific plans to keep the Bangladesh batsmen ’’under pressure’’ in their Super Four clash of the Asia Cup.

Reserve day for India-Pakistan a unanimous decision: Tournament Director

The decision to allocate a reserve day only for Sunday’s India-Pakistan Asia Cup Super 4 match was taken unanimously since it was deemed financially beneficial for all teams, the Tournament’s Director Ravin Wickramaratne told the Daily Mirror.

Inadequate rainfall persists in Hydro catchment areas- Irrigation Dept.

Despite recent rainfall in the South-Western areas of the country, the overall hydro catchment situation remains dire, with no substantial increase in rainfall observed in other districts, and reservoir water levels stagnating at just 26%, warns Irrigation (Hydrology) Director S.P.C. Sugeeshwara.

Rohit Sharma visits Uncle Percy

Indian captain Rohit Sharma visited Sri Lankan Cricket supporter Percy Abeysekera at his residence in Ekala.

Inland Revenue Act comes into effect from today

Speaker Mahinda Yapa Abeywardana today endorsed the certificate on the Inland Revenue (Amendment) Bill and Social Security Contribution Levy (Amendment) Bill, the Communication Department of Parliament said.

No-Confidence Motion against Keheliya defeated

The No-Confidence Motion brought against Health Minister Keheliya Rambukwella by the Opposition was defeated with a majority of 40 votes a short while ago.

New British envoy expresses commitment to bolstering UK-Sri Lanka relations

British High Commissioner Andrew Patrick met with Prime Minister Dinesh Gunawardena at Temple Trees to discuss bilateral ties and development cooperation between Sri Lanka and the United Kingdom.