Frost and heavy rains hit tea and vegetable crops in Nuwara Eliya

Heavy rains combined with early morning frost have severely affected vegetable and tea cultivation in the Nuwara Eliya region, estate superintendents and local farmers report.

New flexible pension scheme launched for fishermen

The Department of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources, in collaboration with the Agricultural and Agrarian Insurance Board (AAIB), has introduced a new high-pension benefit scheme aimed at enhancing financial security for fishermen.

Frost hits central hills following Cyclone Ditwah

The western slopes of the central hills experienced frost this morning (21), following the passage of Cyclone Ditwah.

Speaker, Opposition MPs clash over points of order

Speaker Jagath Wickramaratne and MP Chaminda Wijesiri engaged in a heated argument in Parliament today over a point of order raised by the latter.

Malwatta Mahanayake Thero questions conflicting demand over education reforms

The Mahanayake Thero of the Malwatta Chapter, Most Ven. Thibbatuwawe Sri Siddhartha Sumangala Thero, yesterday questioned the demand for the immediate implementation of the proposed education reforms, noting that the Government itself has acknowledged shortcomings in the reform proposals.

Lankan man flies to London from Bengaluru airport using UK flyer’s boarding pass; both held

It’s a tale of two travellers with one ticket to London. Boarding pass to London secretly passed on to Singapore-bound passenger in airport loo. However, their UK plan fell flat, and both are now behind bars on charges of committing several violations at Kempegowda International Airport last week.

Tourist helicopter goes missing near volcano in Japan

A sightseeing helicopter carrying three people has gone missing near Mount Aso, one of Japan’s most active volcanoes.

STF arrests suspect with over 60kg of ICE in Nittambuwa

A man has been arrested in the Nittambuwa area by the Police Special Task Force (STF) in possession of more than 60 kilograms of ICE narcotics, with an estimated street value exceeding Rs. 900 million.

Serious environmental, legal issues raised over Mannar wind power project

The Wildlife and Nature Protection Society of Sri Lanka (WNPS) raises serious environmental and legal concerns regarding the recently commissioned wind power project on Mannar Island. WNPS has called for urgent executive intervention to address patent violations of environmental law and the grave risks posed to one of Sri Lanka’s most ecologically sensitive regions.

Police warn public against filming crime scenes for social media

Sri Lanka Police have warned the public against filming or photographing crime scenes and victims for the purpose of sharing content on social media, stressing that such actions can seriously undermine criminal investigations and violate the dignity of victims.

Consumers to bear Rs. 20 bn Cyclone Ditwah damage to CEB infrastructure

Electricity consumers are likely to be compelled to absorb the cost of nearly Rs. 20 billion in damage caused by Cyclone Ditwah to the infrastructure of the Ceylon Electricity Board (CEB), Daily Mirror learns.

StanChart sees SL’s rating outlook turning ‘positive’ this year

Sri Lanka is likely to see its sovereign rating outlook upgraded from ‘Stable’ to ‘Positive’ later this year, setting the stage for a potential full credit rating upgrade in 2027 as the island nation continues to outperform key fiscal and debt targets set by the International Monetary Fund (IMF), Standard Chartered Bank said.

Unit Trust industry surpasses Rs. 587bn as investor appetite shifts to growth

Sri Lanka’s unit trust industry ended 2025 on a strong note, with assets under management (AUM) rising 7.8 percent year-on-year to Rs. 587 billion, according to the Unit Trust Association of Sri Lanka (UTASL).

Daily Mirror sweeps Journalism Awards for Excellence 2024 bagging seven awards

The Daily Mirror won several top awards at the Journalism Awards for Excellence 2024, highlighting its strong presence across journalism platforms.

Singapore Airlines adds three new daytime flights to Colombo

Singapore Airlines has expanded its operations between Colombo and Singapore with the launch of three additional daytime flights, effective January 6, further strengthening air connectivity between Sri Lanka and the airline’s global network.

First school term begins tomorrow

The second phase of the first school term for the 2026 academic year in government and government-approved private schools will commence tomorrow (21), the Education Ministry announced.

Market ends mixed as investors await earnings clarity

The Colombo Stock Exchange closed the session on a mixed note, with the ASPI edging lower while the S&P SL20 posted marginal gains, highlighting the lack of a clear market direction.

BASL calls for protection of Attorney General’s independence

The Bar Association of Sri Lanka (BASL) has strongly emphasised that it is the duty of the Government and law enforcement agencies to ensure that there is no unwarranted interference with the exercise of the powers of the Attorney General.

Two Sri Lankans remanded over brawl in Velana airport

Criminal Court has remanded two Sri Lankan nationals arrested for alleged violence in Velana International Airport (VIA) in Maldives in custody for 15 days on Monday.

Trump says UK’s Chagos Islands deal with Mauritius is an act of ’great stupidity’

US President Donald Trump on Tuesday criticised the UK’s deal to hand sovereignty of the Chagos Islands to Mauritius, calling it an ’’act of great stupidity’’ and ’’total weakness.’’

Scotland could replace Bangladesh at T20 World Cup after ICC ‘issues ultimatum’

Cricket’s international governing body has reportedly issued an ultimatum to Bangladesh to confirm their T20 World Cup participation in India by Wednesday or risk being replaced by another team.

President issues gazette to award 75th Anniversary Navy Medal

President Anura Kumara Dissanayake has issued a Gazette Extraordinary to award a commemorative medal to all ranks of the Regular and Volunteer Forces of the Sri Lanka Navy, as well as civil employees of the approved cadre, to mark the 75th Anniversary of the Sri Lanka Navy.

CPSL condemns US arms sales to Taiwan province, affirms One China policy

The Communist Party of Sri Lanka (CPSL) strongly condemns the recent announcement by the United States of an unprecedented US$ 11.1 billion arms sale to China’s Taiwan province. This reckless escalation – encompassing advanced rocket systems, artillery, missiles, loitering munitions and associated equipment – constitutes a grave interference in China’s internal affairs and a direct provocation against peace and stability in Asia.

Southern Province launches ‘SP Bus’ mobile app for passengers

The Southern Provincial Road Passenger Transport Authority has introduced a new mobile application to provide passengers with real-time information on bus services, including arrival times at bus stops across the Southern Province.

Cabinet approves resumption of Baseline Road Extension Project phase III

The government has approved the resumption of Phase III of the Baseline Road Extension Project, which involves the construction of a six-lane road from Kirulapona Junction to Dutugemunu Street on the Colombo-Horana Road.

Trump threatens 200% tariff on French wines as Macron reportedly snubs ‘Board of Peace’ seat

U.S. President Donald Trump on Tuesday threatened to impose 200% tariffs on French wines and champagne after French President Emmanuel Macron was reported to be unwilling to join his “Board of Peace” on Gaza.

Vehicle imports generate Rs. 904 billion: Deputy Minister

The government has collected a total income of Rs. 904 billion from vehicle imports, more than double the initially projected target of Rs. 441 billion, Deputy Minister of Economic Development Nishantha Jayaweera told Parliament today (20).

DM lead story comes to limelight in Parliament

The lead story of today’s Daily Mirror titled ’AI to threaten 23.8 percent of employed people in Sri Lanka’ came to the limelight in Parliament when Opposition MP Harsha de Silva quoted it while highlighting that AI has already affected some jobs.

1,000 Sri Lankan nurses to work in Israel next year

The Sri Lanka Bureau of Foreign Employment (SLBFE) plans to send 1,000 Sri Lankans to Israel for home-based nursing jobs in 2026.

Mahindananda’s appeal against conviction and sentence fixed for hearing

The Supreme Court today fixed 9 March for the hearing of the appeal applications filed by former Sports Minister Mahindananda Aluthgamage and former Lanka Sathosa Chairman Nalin Fernando, challenging the legality of the High Court judgment that convicted and sentenced them over the controversial carrom board case.