Happy to be called ’father of brown sugar’: Handunnetti

Claiming that social media has started to call him ’father of brown sugar’ after the opening of a brown sugar outlet in Nugegoda recently, Industries Minister Sunil Handunnetti said today he is happy to be called the ’father of brown sugar’ rather than ’father of white sugar’.

6 Blasts in Delhi-NCR on December 6: ’Doctor Module’ had babri revenge plan

Investigators probing the blast near Delhi’s iconic Red Fort have unearthed a chilling plan: the suspected terror module involving doctors allegedly linked to Jaish-e-Mohammad had planned blasts at six locations in the National Capital Region on December 6.

Daily mirror report on plantation workers’ payments comes to limelight in Parliament

The story published by the Daily Mirror yesterday (November 12, 2025) under the title ’SJB MP seeks bribery. Audit inquiry into Rs. 56 billion allocation for estate workers’’ came to the limelight in Parliament today when Deputy Minister Sugath Thilakaratne quoted it.

Gold prices rise sharply following global spike

Gold prices in Sri Lanka have recorded a sharp increase, mirroring a significant surge in the global market where prices crossed US$ 4,212 per ounce today.

Arrest warrant issued against former National Lotteries Board Director

The Colombo Additional Magistrate, Lahiru Silva, today issued an arrest warrant against former Director of the National Lotteries Board, Thusitha Halloluwa.

Dayasiri, Marikkar brawl with Minister Vidyaratne

Opposition MPs S.M. Marikkar and Dayasiri Jayasekera engaged in a heated argument with Minister Samantha Vidyaratne in Parliament today over privilege issues.

Bangladesh braces for disruptions as former ruling party calls for lockdown to protest Hasina trial

Classes and transportation in Bangladesh were seriously disrupted Thursday as ousted Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and her former ruling Awami League party called for a nationwide “lockdown” in protest against her trial over last year’s protests that left hundreds dead.

Sri Lanka’s construction industry faces sharp GDP decline

The contribution of Sri Lanka’s construction industry to the national Gross Domestic Product (GDP), which once stood at 9%, has now fallen to between 3.5% and 6%, Sri Lanka Construction Association Chairman Susantha Liyanarachchi said.

Committee submits report recommending repeal of PTA

A committee report containing recommendations for the repeal of Sri Lanka’s Prevention of Terrorism Act (PTA) has been submitted to Minister of Justice Harshana Nanayakkara.

Trump signs spending bill to end longest shutdown in US history

President Donald Trump has signed a spending bill to reopen the government and end the longest shutdown in US history.

‘Vanasurekuma’ hotline records over 500 public complaints

The Environment Ministry announced that more than 500 public complaints have been received through the 1995 short number of the “Vanasurekuma” center, which operates under the Ministry’s “Vanaspathi” environmental protection program.

Keeri Samba shortage created by large-scale mill owners: Minister

Large-scale mill owners have hidden stocks of Keeri Samba rice, thus creating a shortage in the market, Minister of Trade Wasantha Samarasinghe told Parliament today.

Sri Lanka records birth of conjoined twin girls

A pair of conjoined twin girls have been born at the Castle Street Hospital for Women in Colombo earlier this week (10), hospital officials confirmed.

Plans underway to relocate Galle prison for urban development

Preparations are underway to remove the Galle Prison from its current location following a proposal made at the recent Galle District Coordination Committee meeting.

Sri Lanka launches digital Shrimp Industry Information System to boost aquaculture sector

The Shrimp Industry Information System (SIIS) was officially launched a short while ago by Fisheries Minister Ramalingam Chandrasekar, marking a major step in the digital transformation of Sri Lanka’s shrimp farming sector.

Clarification

With reference to the Daily Mirror lead story dated 12th November 2025 titled “Rs.200 allowance for estate workers – President’s Budgetary Proposal deemed unlawful - CoPF” the Parliament Secretariat has sent the following clarification.

SJB MP seeks bribery, audit inquiry into Rs.5B allocation for estate workers

Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB) MP for the Matale district Rohini Kaviratne has sought the intervention of the Bribery Commission and the Auditor General to intervene to ensure whether the allocation of Rs. 5 billion in the budget for the payment of Rs.200 each to estate workers belonging to private plantation companies.

A wave of doctors’ strikes around the corner?

Sri Lanka’s public health sector is showing signs of deep unrest, with two major doctors’ unions warning that continued government inaction could soon lead to nationwide protests or even strikes.

Over 2700 govt. buildings lie idle

In what appeared to be another instance of multi-billion rupee waste of taxpayers’ money, more than 2700 government buildings, constructed in the past, remain abandoned or not being used properly, according to the budget speech delivered by President Anura Kumara Dissanayake.

Sri Lankan team to continue Pakistan tour; ODIs on Nov. 14 & 16 in Rawalpindi

The Sri Lankan cricket team has agreed to remain in Pakistan and continue their ongoing tour, the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) said.

Air Force Target Top-Four Finish

Air Force Sports Club is eyeing a top-four finish ahead of the inter club league rugby tournament which gets underway on Friday and play their first match against Army Sports Club at Ratmalana on the following day.

Sri Lankan players touring Pakistan raise safety concerns; seek to return home

Several Sri Lankan cricket players touring Pakistan have sought permission to return home, expressing concern for their safety following a bomb blast in Islamabad.

SJB still undecided on attending Nugegoda rally

The Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB) is still undecided on attending the Nugegoda rally on November 21, party General Secretary Ranjith Madduma Bandara said today.

Nugegoda rally will highlight govt promises: Namal says

Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna (SLPP) Parliamentarian Namal Rajapaksa said the upcoming anti-government rally in Nugegoda on November 21 aims to remind the government of the promises it made to the people.

Why Montessori teachers failed to do it: Minister responds to Sajith on state revenue collection

Refuting claims of opposition leader Sajith Premadasa that the government has collected record state revenue by overly taxing people, Minister Anura Karunathilake said no new tax was imposed in 2025 and that state revenue was collected due to proper management of existing taxes and by strengthening the tax net.

SLPP, UNP discuss upcoming Nugegoda rally

Several Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna (SLPP) representatives held a special discussion with United National Party (UNP) leaders regarding the anti-government rally scheduled to be held in Nugegoda on November 21.

World oil and gas demand could grow until 2050, IEA says

Global oil and gas demand could grow until 2050, the International Energy Agency said on Wednesday, departing from previous expectations of a speedy transition to cleaner fuels following U.S. criticism about its climate focus.

Los Angeles 2028 Olympic Games schedule revealed

The 2028 Los Angeles Olympics competition schedule was unveiled on Wednesday by organizers, including a showcase spot for the women’s 100 meters and a Super Saturday session.

Street dog population in Sri Lanka rises to over 2 million: Animal Welfare Association

The Sri Lanka Animal Welfare Association has warned that the number of street dogs in the country has increased to between two and three million.

Wolves appoint ex-defender Edwards as manager

Wolves have appointed Rob Edwards as their new manager on a three-and-a-half-year contract following the sacking of Vitor Pereira.