Scheduled train strike called off: LEOU

The 24-hour token train strike to be launched by the Locomotive Engine Operators’ Union (LEOU) since tonight over certain offensive statements by Minister Wimal Weerawansa, was called off with immediate effect when Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa intervened the matter this evening.

Govt. to discuss with EC

The government will speak to Elections Commission chairman Mahinda Deshapriya about his ruling that the government must not proceed with issuing appointment letters to unemployed graduates for job training, now that an election has been declared, cabinet spokesman and Minister Bandula Gunawardana said today.

I’m not behind it

Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB) leader Sajith Premadasa today refuted the claims made by the government that he had got the election commission to cancel the appointments given to 44,000 unemployed graduates in the state sector and said he will provide employment to them within a week if elected as the Prime Minister.

Don’t vote for anyone linked to Maithripala: Prasanna

People should not cast their vote for anyone, who has any connection with former President Maithripala Sirisena, who is contesting the forthcoming general election from the ‘Pohottuwa’, Minister Prasanna Ranatunga said.

“Wonder Crystal” by Sybil Wettasinghe sets World Record

The book “Wonder Crystal” authored by veteran children’s book writer and illustrator Kala Keerthi Sybil Wettasinghe has set a new Guinness World Record for the most number of alternate endings.

Hot weather to continue till Mid-April: Met. Dept.

The prevailing hot weather condition, which was forecast to disappear by mid-March with the onset of the Inter monsoonal rain, would last until mid-April, Director General of the Department of Meteorology Athula Karunanayake said.

113 Sri Lankans given Indian citizenship since 2014

India has granted citizenship to nearly 19,000 people from five neighbouring countries including 113 Sri Lankan citizens, the Rajya Sabha was informed on Wednesday.

70 students in Wariyapola Hospitalised Due to an Allergy

At least 70 students of a school in Wariyapola were hospitalised because of an allergy, Police said.

Minimum price for big onions up by Rs.20

The minimum price for big onions has been increased from Rs.60 to Rs.80 to ensure a reasonable price for big-onion cultivators.

Cabinet nod to extend emergency power purchases for 6 months

The Cabinet approved a 6-month extension for emergency power purchases as hydro power generation has been reduced to 20% because of the prevailing dry weather conditions, Power and Energy Minister Mahinda Amaraweera said.

Suspects, vessels escorted to Dikovita fisheries harbour

The 21 suspects, including 16 foreigners (eight Pakistani and eight Iranian) arrested along with the haul of 400 kgs heroin and 100 kgs ICE drug (Methamphetamine) worth around Rs. 6 billion in the deep seas about 600 nautical miles (1111km) away from Sri Lankan shores, would be detained for further questioning, Police said.

Uma Oya Project: SC orders State to file Report on Crop damage compensation

The Supreme Court today ordered the State to file a report on the crop damage compensation not paid to the affected farmers immediately in respect of a Fundamental Rights petition with regard to Uma Oya Project.

UNP ready to make maximum sacrifice to avoid any division: Vajira

The United National Party (UNP) today said it was ready to make a maximum sacrifice to avoid a division of the party.

Coronavirus death toll tops 3,000 in China as global costs mount

China’s official death toll from the novel coronavirus topped 3,000 on Thursday, a stark reminder of the outbreak’s heavy human cost as the economic impact and international disruption widen.

G.L., Cabraal, Sabry to enter Parliament on SLPP national list

Former Foreign Minister G.L. Peiris, former Central Bank Governor Ajith Nivard Cabraal and President’s Counsel Ali Sabry will enter Parliament through the National List under the ticket of the Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna (SLPP), government sources told Daily Mirror yesterday.

Two Russian Navy ships arrive at Colombo port

Two Russian Navy ships ‘Yaroslav Mudry’ and ‘Victor Konetsky’ arrived at the port of Colombo on a three-day goodwill visit yesterday.

Sajith boycotts UNP Working Committee meeting

Several UNP members including party deputy leader Sajith Premadasa boycotted its Working Committee meeting held yesterday.

SJB to go solo on nominations

Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB) yesterday announced the appointment of its nomination board. Commenting on this, former MP Harin Fernando told Daily Mirror the board comprised politicians and lawyers.

Two duty-free employees nabbed with gold worth more than Rs.20 mn at BIA

Two Sri Lankans duty-free shopping complex employees were arrested with some Gold Jewellery, Gold Biscuits worth more than Rs.20 million while they were smuggling them out to from the airport last morning, Customs Media Spokesman and Additional Director General Sunil Jayarathne said.

Crocodile may have entered expressway through drainage: Official

Commenting on the viral video footage of a crocodile crossing the southern expressway, a senior official attached to the expressway said animals had a chance of entering expressways through rainwater drainage systems.

Pohottuwa to remain symbol of SLPP-SLFP alliance?

SLFP spokesman former and State Minister Weerakumara Dissanayaka today said the SLPP and the SLFP had not yet decided on the party or the alliance under which the two parties and their constituent partners would contest the Parliamentary polls.

Two fractions of UNP to sign MoU to contest poll

Two fractions of the UNP which have expressed different views on the symbol which should be used for the general election are slated to sign an MoU to contest the poll in uniformity, former MP Rajitha Senaratne said today.

Hendala Leprosy Hospital declared island’s first quarantine centre

Health Ministry had declared the Hendala Leprosy Hospital as the first quarantine centre in the country, Director General of Health, Dr. Anil Jasinghe said today

Akila to resign as UNP General Secretary

UNP General Secretary Akila Viraj Kariyawasam said he had informed party leader Ranil Wickremesinghe that he had decided to step down from the post.

Travel ban on Ravi, Aloysius

The Fort Magistrate today imposed a travel ban on former minister Ravi Karunanayake, Perpetual Treasuries Ltd (PTL) owner Arjun Aloysius and 10 others in connection with the bond scam.

I will not let anyone lay eggs in my nest.: Maithripala

Referring to the Government’s attempts to make new appointments to China-gifted National Nephrology Hospital in Polonnaruwa, former President Maithripala Sirisena said it was a gift to him by China, and hence, he would not let anyone ’lay eggs’ there.

Who is it who wants me arrested: Ravi

Former minister Ravi Karunanayake said today he was curious to know as to whose political agenda it was in having an arrest warrant issued on him less than 12 hours after Parliament was dissolved though this case had been ongoing for almost five years.

China’s first lady thanks Devi Balika students for backing anti-coronavirus fight

Peng Liyuan, wife of Chinese President Xi Jinping, has written back to a group of students from Devi Balika Vidyalaya in Sri Lanka, expressing her appreciation for their support for China’s fight against the COVID-19 epidemic and encouraging them to make contributions to carrying forward China-Sri Lanka friendship.

Kapila Chandrasena, wife released on bail

Former CEO of SriLankan Airlines Kapila Chandrasena and his wife Priyanka Wijenayake, who were remanded in connection with the controversial Airbus deal, were released today on a cash bail of Rs.2 million with two sureties of Rs.20 million each by Colombo Fort Magistrate Ranga Dissanayake.

Champika’s travel ban temporarily lifted

The travel ban imposed on former minister Patali Champika Ranawaka was lifted from April 26 to May 12 by the Colombo Magistrate’s Court today after considering a motion filed by Mr. Ranawaka to leave for Australia on a personal matter.