Light of the star and birth of Christ make the world shine: PM

It is up to the people to see that this year’s Christmas is used to bring new light and hope to the world which is hit by a pandemic, Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa said in his Christmas message.

Crude oil to be purchased on credit for 180 days

The Ceylon Petroleum Corporation (CPC) has secured a steady supply of crude oil on credit from a supplier in Singapore for 180 days, Daily Mirror learns. Six consignments of crude oil will arrive in the country under this facility – one for each month on credit for 30 days.

Update: Four policemen killed as cop opens fire in Thirukkovil

Four police officers were shot dead when an officer assigned to the Thirukkovil Police station opened fire at a group of officers on duty at the police station.

Bangladesh launch fire kills at least 38

At least 38 people have died in Bangladesh after a deadly fire swept through a launch on the Sugandha River in Bangladesh, an official said on Friday.

No request for IMF funding during visit

Sri Lanka had not sought financial support from the International Monetary Fund (IMF) during a just concluded staff team visit to Colombo. IMF’s mission chief for Sri Lanka, Masahiro Nozaki told Daily Mirror via email that the staff is still ready to discuss the option if requested. Nozaki said a staff team from the IMF visited Colombo from December 7–20 to conduct the 2021 Ar

IGP orders action against police officer after civilian attack goes viral

The Inspector General of Police (IGP) has instructed DIG in charge of the Sabaragamuwa Division to immediately conduct an investigation after a video of a police officer assaulting a person on the side of the road in Kegalle went viral on social media.

CBSL adds merry to season with further incentives for workers’ remittances

The Central Bank of Sri Lanka (CBSL) announced today its decision to extend additional incentives for inward workers’ remittances following requests made by Sri Lankans employed abroad.

Four including father, mother, sister arrested over murder of 12-year old

The Puthukudiyiruppu Police who conducted investigations into the murder of 12-year old girl have arrested four suspects including the victim’s father, mother, sister and brother-in-law in connection with the murder.

GMOA strike action suspended

The Central Committee of Government Medical Officers Association (GMOA) has decided to suspend the ongoing strike action with immediate effect considering three factors, GMOA Assistant Secretary Dr Samantha Ananda said.

Railway suffers heavy loss as result of ticket non-issuance: Station Masters’ Union

The Railway Department is incurring a loss of between Rs. 8 and 9 million per day due to the trade union action launched against the non-issuance of tickets by the Station Masters this morning, the Sri Lanka Railways Station Masters Union (SLRSMU) said.

Vikum Kaluarachchi sworn in as Court of Appeal judge

Justice Vikum Athula Kaluarachchi was sworn in as a Court of Appeal judge before President Gotabaya Rajapaksa at the Presidential Secretariat this morning (24), President’s Media Division (PMD) said.

Shortage of chicken, eggs possible: AIEPA

If the government does not intervene and protect the production of chicken and eggs, people will move away from this business. Therefore, it could lead to a shortage of chicken and eggs in the country in the future, the All Island Egg Producers Association (AIEPA) said.

Reconsider decision to shut down Consulate in Cyprus: Hadunnetti

Former JVP MP Sunil Hadunnetti today urged the government to reconsider the decision to shut down the Sri Lankan Consulate in Cyprus claiming that Sri Lankan expatriates in Cyprus had faced difficulties due to the decision.

COVID may affect fertility by reducing men’s sperm counts, study finds

Couples hoping to become pregnant have another reason to take precautions against COVID-19 – the virus might reduce sperm counts, making it harder to conceive a baby, according to a new study.

Omicron up to 70% less likely to need hospital care

People catching Omicron are 50% to 70% less likely to need hospital care compared with previous variants, a major analysis says.

Chinese company says would complain to international rating agencies

While asserting that its product was cleared of harmful bacteria including Erwinia, the Chinese company that is involved in the fertilizer dispute with Sri Lanka said it would complain to the international rating agencies against Sri Lankan state banks over the default of payment, a spokesman said.

Around 3,000 chicken perish when fire gutted Pannala poultry farm

Around 3,000 chicks died when a fire broke out at a poultry farm in Pallegama, Pannala early this morning, the Police said.

Woman apprehended for attempting to flee to Italy with forged visas

A 39-year-old woman was arrested by the Immigration and Emigration Border Surveillance Unit at the Katunayake International Airport last night for attempting to flee to Italy via Doha, Qatar, using a forged Italian visa.

Pakistan’s Sialkot factory hires another Sri Lankan in place of lynched GM

In a bold move, a factory in Pakistan’s Sialkot has hired another Sri Lankan national in place of his slain compatriot who was lynched earlier this month by supporters of a radical Islamist party on the allegations of blasphemy.

Three men arrested for forging PCR reports to travel overseas

Three persons have been arrested by the STF during a raid in Kochchikade in connection with forging PCR reports and selling them for cash.

Appoint honest politicians to overcome prevailing crisis: Vidura

State Minister Vidura Wickramanayaka said the only way to overcome the prevailing crisis was to appoint a cabinet comprising honest, intelligent and well-experienced personalities or else the government of President Gotabaya Rajapaksa will not have a forward march.

Removed Agriculture Secretary says he stands by his statement on food shortage

While saying that he is not aware of the exact reason for his removal as the Secretary to the Ministry of Agriculture, Prof. Uditha K. Jayasinghe affirmed that he still stands by his previous comments with regards to an imminent food shortage in the country.

JVP dismisses any possibility of aligning with SLFP

Amids claims of some Sri Lanka Freedom Party (SLPP) politicians of a possible aligning with the Janatha Vimukthi Peramuna (JVP) in a future election, the JVP today dismissed any such possibility claiming that they were not ready to align with the two main parties or anyone who had been part of them.

Sensitive groups warned as Colombo air quality turns unhealthy

The air quality in the Colombo city is to remain unhealthy and thus, sensitive people are warned to be cautious of this situation, National Building Research Organisation (NBRO) Senior Scientist H.D Sarath Premasiri said.

China donates medical equipment worth Rs. 20mn to hospitals in North, Eastern provinces

Chinese Ambassador Qi Zhenhong handed over a donation of eight lifesaving Kidney Dialysis Machines worth of Rs. 20 million to needy hospitals in the Northern and Eastern Provinces upon a request by Opposition Leader Sajith Premadasa.

Jacqueline’s expensive gifts to be seized

The valuables presented to Bollywood celebrities Jacqueline Fernandez and Nora Fatehi by multimillionaire conman Sukesh Chandrashekhar are to be seized soon by the India’s Enforcement Directorate (ED).

MR leaves for India on personal visit

Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa left the country today morning for a two day visit to India, which political sources termed as a ’private visit’, the Daily Mirror learns.

School van fees to increase

With the increase in recent fuel prices, the All Island School Van Operators Association (AISVOA) today said they will be compelled to increase the school van fees from the beginning of the first term next year.

Minister instructs authorities to find alternatives to continue Galle Fort ‘Crazy Dive’

Tourism Minister Prasanna Ranatunga has instructed the Archeology Department to introduce an alternative plan for youth to continue engaging in adventurous sea diving activities which is also popularly known as “Crazy Dive” from Kodigala in Galle Fort.

Plan of action to make Parliament go paperless: Amaraweera

The Environment Ministry has decided to launch a plan of action to reduce the use of paper in Parliament under the theme ’’Paperless Parliament’’.