Priyantha Weerasuriya appointed as new IGP

President Anura Kumara Dissanayake has appointed Senior Deputy Inspector General of Police, Attorney-at-Law Priyantha Weerasuriya, as the new Inspector General of Police (IGP).

NPP government will complete full term, seek next mandate: Bimal Rathnayake

Transport, Highways, Ports and Civil Aviation Minister Bimal Rathnayake assured that the National People’s Power (NPP) government will not collapse and will remain in power till the end of its five-year term.

NIMH Deputy Director arrested over bribe

The Commission to Investigate Allegations of Bribery or Corruption (CIABOC) today arrested Dr. Nayanajith Hemantha Ranasinghe, Acting Deputy Director of the National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH), over a bribery case dating back to 2024.

Probe into incorrect data provided to PM on ‘Chichi’s Rocket’

Minister Wasantha Samarasinghe has announced an investigation into the inaccurate information supplied to Prime Minister Harini Amarasuriya regarding the Supreme SAT project, widely known as ‘Chichi’s rocket’.

Major gem and jewellery exhibition planned in Ratnapura - Deputy Minister

Sri Lanka’s gem and jewellery industry has suffered a significant downturn over the past two years, Industry and Entrepreneurship Development Deputy Minister Chathuranga Abeysinghe said today (28).

Government targets $36bn in export earnings by 2030

The Government has set a target of increasing Sri Lanka’s export earnings to US $36 billion by 2030, with strategies and challenges discussed at the second meeting of the Export Development Council of Ministers (EDCM) held yesterday (12) under the patronage of President Anura Kumara Dissanayake at the Presidential Secretariat.

US Rights report flags extrajudicial killings, media harassment in Sri Lanka

The United States has raised serious concerns over alleged human rights violations in Sri Lanka, citing extrajudicial killings, custodial deaths, intimidation of journalists, and restrictions on free expression, in its 2024 Country Reports on Human Rights Practices.

Sri Lanka approves first legal cannabis cultivation by foreign investors

The government has granted permission to seven foreign investors to legally cultivate cannabis in Sri Lanka for the first time, under strict conditions, former Commissioner General of the Ayurveda Department Dr. Dhammika Abeygunawardena said.

Police launch WhatsApp line to reach IGP

The Sri Lanka Police has launched a dedicated WhatsApp number to enable the public and police officers to report crimes and other concerns directly to the Inspector General of Police (IGP) Priyantha Weerasooriya.

PSC under fire for reinstating officer under probe

The medical fraternity has called on the Public Service Commission (PSC) to rescind its decision to reinstate a senior medical officer who, despite being recently cleared in court cases, remains under investigation over an alleged financial fraud.

Six-Year-old girl swept away at Madilla beach in Tangalle

A six-year-old girl was swept away by strong waves this morning while walking along the Madilla Beach in Tangalle, police said.

Wife of South Korea’s jailed ex-president arrested

The wife of South Korea’s jailed former president, Yoon Suk Yeol, has been arrested over a raft of charges, including stock manipulation and bribery.

Over 50 % of Uni graduates migrate and never come back

More than 50 percent of students who earn degrees at state universities in some disciplines using taxpayers’ money are leaving the country and never coming back, a study reveals.

Sri Lanka makes bold pitch to global investors

Sri Lanka yesterday stepped on to the global stage with a few key strong messages for investors; that its crisis-hit economy has turned a corner, its stock market is among the best-performing in Asia, and sweeping reforms have set the stage for sustained growth.

Sri Lanka targets US$ 1.8bn AI sector by 2030

Sri Lanka has set an ambitious goal for its artificial intelligence (AI) sector contributing US$ 1.5 to US$ 1.8 billion, or 10-12 percent, of the nation’s projected US$ 15 billion digital economy by 2030.

Veterinary shortage deepens as no new recruitment so far this year

Sri Lanka’s Department of Animal Production and Health (DAPH) has not recruited a single new veterinarian so far this year, worsening an existing shortage in the sector, officials revealed.

Elephant-train collisions gain attention after herd accidents: DWC

While claiming that 13 wild elephants have been killed by trains so far this year, the Department of Wildlife Conservation (DWC) today said that although several incidents of elephant-train collisions have been reported, they often draw heightened attention following accidents involving elephant herds.

Islandwide program to develop 1,000 young entrepreneurs expanded

A special program to brief District Secretaries and District and Divisional Productivity Development Officers on the National Program to Develop 1,000 Young Entrepreneurs was held recently at the Sri Lanka Foundation Institute (SLPI) under the patronage of Industry and Entrepreneurship Development Minister Sunil Handunnetti.

Leprosy in Moratuwa increasing

Several leprous patients have been reported from Egodauyana area in Moratuwa for the last six months much to the concern of the health authorities.

Forty AI cameras to be installed in SLTB, private buses to reduce accidents

Transport Ministry is set to install forty AI camera systems in Sri Lanka Transport Board (SLTB) and private long-distance buses as part of a new initiative aimed at reducing road accidents.

Opposition accused of shielding real masterminds behind Easter Attacks

Government spokesperson Minister Nalinda Jayatissa has accused the opposition of trying to protect the true perpetrators of the 2019 Easter Sunday attacks, likening their actions to those of the former Rajapaksa administration.

Apparel sector must brace for possible U.S. origin-based tariffs - Kananathan

Sri Lanka’s apparel sector — the country’s largest export earner — may soon face a significant challenge if the United States shifts to an origin-based tariff regime, said former Diplomat Kana Kananathan.

Police constable remanded over alleged Rs. 200,000 bribery attempt

Colombo Additional Magistrate Pasan Amarasekara refused bail to a Police constable attached to the Western Province North Crimes Division, who had allegedly attempted to solicit a bribe of Rs. 200,000 from a three-wheeler driver in exchange for refraining from filing charges based on a false allegation that narcotics were found in his home.

Daily Mirror Brief: Daily News Recap, Top Headlines & Must-Read Stories - 12th August

Daily Mirror Brief is your daily news digest—bringing you the top headlines, key updates, and essential stories you may have missed across politics, tech, culture, and global affairs. Quick, clear, and curated—your trusted news recap, whenever you’re ready.

President meets Canadian, Malaysian High Commissioners

President Anura Kumara Dissanayake today (12) held separate meetings with the Canadian and Malaysian High Commissioners at the Presidential Secretariat.

CID launches further probe into bank accounts linked to Rs. 70Mn allegedly misused by Namal Rajapaksa

The Financial Crimes Investigation Division (FCID) of the Criminal Investigation Department informed Colombo Chief Magistrate Thanuja Lakmali Jayatunga that a further investigation has been initiated into two bank accounts belonging to an individual named Nimal Perera, in which a sum of Rs. 70 million at the centre of a case filed against Parliamentarian Namal Rajapaksa for alleged dishonest misappropriation, had been deposited.

CSE closes on a positive note

The Colombo Stock Exchange (CSE) ended today’s trading session on an upbeat note, with the All Share Price Index (ASPI) recovering from an early decline of 78 points to close up 49.77 points (+0.25%) at 19,972.79. The S&P SL20 Index also posted a modest gain of 1.65 points (+0.03%) to end at 5,826.56.

Chandrika denies joining legal action over Presidents’ Entitlements Act repeal

Former President Chandrika Bandaranaike Kumaratunga has dismissed media reports claiming she joined other ex-presidents in challenging the repeal of the Presidents’ Entitlements Act.

About 62,000 public service recruitments approved: President

President Anura Kumara Dissanayake announced that the cabinet approval has been granted to urgently recruit about 62,000 individuals to fill essential vacancies in the public service.

International Telecommunication Union has no record of SupremeSAT - Nalinda

There is no satellite registered under the name of Sri Lanka in the records of the International Telecommunication Union (ITU), the United Nations agency responsible for global coordination of information and communication technologies, Minister Nalinda Jayatissa said today (12).