Let’s work together to build the country: Prez tells TNA

President Gotabaya Rajapaksa at a discussion with the Tamil National Alliance (TNA) has called for unity to build the country.

Former State Minister Pandu Bandaranayake arrested

Former State Minister Pandu Bandaranayake was arrested by the Special Task Force (STF) today in Ampara while attempting to sell three ivory pearls for Rs.10 million.

SJB to push for an election

The objective of Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB) is to push for an election by denying the majority enjoyed by the present government in Parliament, its MP Mayantha Dissanayake said today.

Prices of lunch packets go up due to ingredient price hike by 500%

Due to the increase in the prices of essential ingredients used to make lunch packets by 500% in the local market, the selling prices of lunch packets have been increased, All Island Canteen Owners’ Association (AICOA) Chief Asela Sampath said.

SL rupee hits Rs. 300 against US Dollar at Standard Chartered Bank

The Sri Lankan rupee touched a record low of Rs. 300 against the US Dollar today at the licensed Commercial Bank, Standard Chartered.

BASL files FR on present economic crisis

Two fundamental rights applications were filed in the Supreme Court today by the Bar Association of Sri Lanka (BASL) on the present economic crisis in the public interest.

Plans underway to give elephants to temples and acquire lands to Pinnawala

It is reported that plans are afoot to give three elephants to temples and Dewalayas and augment the adjacent lands which have issues with the Pinnawala Elephant Orphanage (PEO), that belongs to several close associates of the Wildlife Minister, Ministry sources said.

National Grid to get 200 MW from ’’ Sobadanavi’’ by next year: Pavithra

The Power Ministry is hoping to add 200 MW of electricity to the national grid through the 350 MW Sobadanavi Natural Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LNG) Power Plant by next year, Minister Pavithra Wanniarachchi said.

CWC loses confidence in President Boycotted APC over fertilizer issue

The Ceylon Workers Congress (CWC) led by State Minister Jeevan Thondaman has lost confidence in President Gotabaya Rajapaksa, party officials told Daily Mirror.

SL abstains on UNGA resolution on humanitarian consequences of Ukraine war

Sri Lanka abstained on the resolution adopted by the United Nations General Assembly on the humanitarian consequences of the aggression against Ukraine by Russia.

Two accomplices of gangster ’Beral Sanka’ shot dead in Kadawatha

Two accomplices of underworld gangster ’Beral Sanka’ have been shot dead last night at 9th miles post in Kadawatha on the Colombo-Kandy Main Road.

Air Force denies importing Land Rover for Commander

The Sri Lanka Air Force has denied claims that a Land Rover Defender has been imported for the personal use of Air Force Commander, Air Marshal Sudarshana Pathirana.

Govt. urgently allocates Rs. 100Mn to import 14 critical drugs

A sum of Rs. 100 million has been allocated for the import of 14 critical drugs in a bid to address the acute shortage of drugs in the country.

Health officials concerned as Pfizer vaccines set to expire in July

The Pfizer COVID-19 vaccines that are currently in stock will be expiring in July, an official said.

No revision in train fares from tonight: Dilum

From tonight, there will be no increase in the intercity and long distance special train fares, Transport Minister Dilum Amunugama said.

16 Sri Lankans among 38 migrants, hidden in semi-trailer truck, found at western border

Therty-eight migrants from Turkey, Syria, Sri Lanka and Iraq were discovered while trying to leave from Romania illegally hidden in a semi-trailer truck and two minibuses driven by Romanians and checked at the Nadlac II Border Crossing Point.

Govt. decides to close down some SL missions

The Government has decided to close down some Sri Lanka missions as a means of cutting down expenditure, State Minister of Regional Relations Taraka Balasuriya informed Parliament today.

Rs. 68Mn worth loans taken from SMIB fraudulently: COPE Report

Around 47 individuals have obtained Rs. 68 million worth loans from the State Mortgage & Investment Bank (SMIB) in 2017 by way of forged documents – The Committee on Public Enterprise (COPE) has observed.

Wijedasa proposes 21st Amendment which enable Parliament to elect new President

SLPP MP Wijedasa Rajapaksha has handed over the 21st Amendment to the constitution under which he proposed the transformation of executive powers of President Gotabaya Rajapaksa to the cabinet and to elect a new President by Parliament forthwith.

Special plan to supply rice at reasonable price during festive season: Minister

Refuting claims that the country was heading towards a food crisis, Agricultural Minister Mahindananada Aluthgamage said today special mechanism was in the making to supply rice at a reasonable price during the upcoming festive season.

Train fare up

While holding a special media briefing today, the Sri Lanka Station Masters’ Union (SLSMU) said that the Railways Department has increased the intercity and long distance special train fare from last night without prior notice.

Banking system is stable, assures CBSL

Responding to statements made by various parties with regard to the stability of the banking system, the Ministry of Finance and the Central Bank of Sri Lanka today assured the public and all other stake holders that the banking system was stable in the country.

Vigil on Indian coast to check influx of illegal SL migrants

The Kerala police have beefed up security along the coast, especially Vizhinjam, after central agencies issued an alert about the possibility of Sri Lankan citizens trying to illegally enter the country.

IMF Asia Director to retire in April, week after meeting GR, BR

International Monetary Fund (IMF) Asia Pacific Director Changyong Rhee who was in Sri Lanka last week to start negotiations with Sri Lanka over IMF assistance will retire from the IMF in early April.

Zoo must be brought under President’s purview: DG

Shermila Rajapaksa, Director General (DG) of the National Zoological Gardens, today said that if the Minister or the Ministry Secretary of Wildlife and Forest Conservation cannot implement the recommendations of the committee report, they should resign or bring the National Zoological Gardens under the purview of President Gotabaya Rajapaksa.

“Soththi Upali’s’’ son arrested over Nawala fuel station attack

Two suspects including the son of former notorious underworld gangster “Soththi Upali” have been arrested by the STF in connection with the recent robbery at a filling station in Nawala area.

Mahindananda lock horns with Sajith, Harsha

A heated cross talk in lighter vein took place between Agriculture Minister Mahindananda Aluthgamage and opposition members in Parliament today when Minister Aluthgamage mischievously remarked that a prominent MP from Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB) is ready to join with the government and some more SJB MPs will be backing Former Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe in two weeks time.

Expedite exploration to identify places of valuable mineral resources: Amaraweera

Environment Minister Mahinda Amaraweera has instructed to expedite the ongoing exploration activities to identify places of valuable mineral resources in Sri Lanka.

Zelenskyy calls for global protests; Biden travels to Europe

Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has called for global protests to demand an end to the Russian invasion.

Three die, one hospitalised in a fire at house in Katugastota

A father, daughter and her boyfriend have died after a fire broke out in a house at Menikkumburawatte in Katugastota this morning, Police said.