Prison officials meet Justice Minister

Minister of Justice and National Integration, Harshana Nanayakkara convened a special discussion this morning with Prison Commissioners and all prison superintendents islandwide at the Ministry of Justice.

Two tonnes of heroin, ICE seized within five months: Minister

Nearly two tonnes of heroin and ICE (Crystal methamphetamine) drugs have been taken into custody by the law enforcement authorities during the last five months, Public Security Minister Ananda Wijepala said today.

Arrest warrant issued against Sajin de Vass Gunawardena

Colombo Additional Magistrate Pavithra Sanjeewani Pathiraja today issued an arrest warrant against former Parliamentarian Sajin de Vass Gunawardena for failing to appear in court in connection with a case filed by the Commissioner General of Inland Revenue over unpaid income tax amounting to Rs. 36.9 million.

Harshana Suriyapperuma appointed Secretary to Finance Ministry

Dr. Harshana Suriyapperuma has been appointed as the new Secretary to the Ministry of Finance, filling the vacancy created by the recent resignation of Mahinda Siriwardana.

SJB secures Hambantota Municipal Council

The Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB) managed to secure the administration of the Hambantota Municipal Council, the office of party leader Sajith Premadasa said today.

Sri Lanka calls upon all parties to take concrete steps to de-escalate situation in Middle East

Sri Lanka has called upon all parties to take concrete steps to de-escalate the situation in the Middle East region, claiming that Sri Lanka is gravely concerned about the latest developments in the Middle East.

U.S. issues ‘worldwide caution’ security alert

The U.S. Department of State issued a Worldwide Caution Security Alert on Sunday, advising American citizens overseas to exercise increased caution due to escalating instability in the Middle East following intensifying conflict between Israel and Iran.

Drug shortage puts medical professionals in quandary

In the wake of Daily Mirror’s reports on the prevailing shortage of critical drugs, medical specialists have raised serious concerns over the lack of clear directives from the Ministry of Health regarding how doctors should act when essential medical items are not available within the public health system.

Traffic disruptions due to dense fog in the central hills

Traffic disruptions have occurred in the water catchment areas on the western slopes of the Central Hills since the early hours of the morning of (23).

Doctors’ Union calls for full probe into drug scandal under ex-health minister

The Doctors’ Trade Union Alliance for Medical and Civil Rights is calling for a full investigation into all officials involved in the substandard drug scandal that happened during the time of former Health Minister Keheliya Rambukwella.

Suicide bombing at Damascus church kills 22, Syrian authorities say

At least 22 people have been killed and 63 others wounded in a suicide bomb attack at a church in Damascus, Syria’s health ministry has said.

Russia and China push for a ceasefire as UN Security Council meets on Iran

The UN Security Council met on Sunday to discuss US strikes on Iran’s nuclear sites as Russia, China and Pakistan proposed the 15-member body adopt a resolution calling for an immediate and unconditional ceasefire in the Middle East.

Sri Lankans in Israel asked to be vigilant after US attacks on Iran

Sri Lankan Ambassador in Israel Nimal Bandara has requested the Sri Lankan expatriates to be vigilant and follow safety instructions issued by the Israeli government following missile attacks by Iran in the Northen and Central parts of Israel last morning.

Sri Lanka to turn to Nigeria for fuel imports amid global uncertainty

In the midst of escalation of tension in the Middle-East and concerns over further disruption in fuel supply chain , Sri Lanka has decided to explore the possibility of importing petroleum products from Nigeria, an official said yesterday.

SLTDA unlocks 3,000 acres for tourism development via new digital land bank

Sri Lanka’s tourism sector is set for a major investment drive with the launch of the ‘Land Bank Management Information System (LBMIS)’, an automated platform making over 3,000 acres of state and privately-owned land available for development.

Central Bank sounds alarm on misleading overseas property investment ads

The Central Bank (CB) has issued a stern warning to the public regarding advertisements promoting investments in overseas real estate, cautioning against potentially misleading claims and illegal financial arrangements.

Blocking of Strait of Hormuz will impact India’s energy procurement: Experts

New Delhi, Any blocking or disruption of traffic through the Strait of Hormuz -- a narrow passage connecting the Persian Gulf to the Arabian Sea -- will have significant global and regional impact including for India’s energy security, strategic affairs experts said on Sunday.

Iran vows payback for US strikes but leaves diplomacy door open

Iran has vowed to respond to US strikes on its nuclear sites but signalled on Sunday it is not shutting the door on diplomacy.

Former England fast bowler Lawrence dies aged 61

Lawrence, the first British-born black cricketer to represent England, was diagnosed with motor neurone disease (MND), external last year.

’’Get your facts right’’ – Namal tells President on FDI figures

Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna (SLPP) MP Namal Rajapaksa called on President Anura Kumara Dissanayake to provide a clear and accurate breakdown of the foreign direct investments (FDIs) received and those still pending, accusing the government of creating confusion over the actual figures.

Mid-air tragedy: Passenger suffers cardiac arrest, dies onboard Colombo-Chennai flight

A 45-year-old passenger travelling from Colombo to Chennai on a SriLankan Airlines flight died mid-air after suffering a sudden cardiac arrest on Friday.

Social media post claiming arrest of lone survivor in recent Air India crash is false and baseless

A week after the tragic Air India plane crash in Ahmedabad, Gujarat, which claimed 270 lives, a video surfaced on social media featuring a voice-over that claimed the lone survivor, Vishwas Ramesh Kumar, had been arrested at his home for allegedly lying about being on the ill-fated flight.

Recently increased meal prices for Parliamentary staff reduced again

The Parliamentary House Committee has decided to revise the recently increased prices of meals for the Parliamentary staff following requests from the Parliamentary staff, the Communications Department of Parliament said.

GMOA requests CID probe into forged letter

The Government Medical Officers’ Association (GMOA) has requested the Criminal Investigations Department (CID) to launch an urgent investigation into what it described as a deliberate attempt to tarnish the union’s image through forged documents and false social media content.

Airlines keep avoiding Middle East airspace after US attack on Iran

Airlines continued to avoid large parts of the Middle East on Sunday after U.S. strikes on Iranian nuclear sites, according to flight tracking website FlightRadar24, with traffic already skirting airspace in the region due to recent missile exchanges.

Sri Lanka thanks India for timely assistance to evacuate Sri Lankans from Iran

Sri Lanka has extended its sincere gratitude to the Government of India for the timely assistance to evacuate Sri Lankan nationals from Iran alongside Indian citizens.

Second ship sinking off Kerala coast revives fears in Sri Lanka of worst maritime disaster

Sri Lanka is once again facing a significant marine environmental crisis, as tiny plastic pellets, commonly known as nurdles, have begun washing ashore along the island’s northern coastline.

Iran must make peace to avoid further attacks, President Trump says

Iran must make peace to avoid further attacks, US President Donald Trump said after American aircraft bombed a key nuclear site in the country with ground penetrating ‘bunker buster’ bombs.

Gravely alarmed by use of force by United States against Iran: UN Secretary-General

Secretary-General of the United Nations António Guterres said he was gravely alarmed by the use of force by the United States against Iran, claiming that it is a dangerous escalation in a region already on the edge – and a direct threat to international peace and security.

Trump says US bombed three Iran nuclear sites, including Fordow

President Donald Trump said Saturday that the US military struck three sites in Iran, directly joining Israel’s effort to decapitate the country’s nuclear program in a risky gambit to weaken a longtime foe amid Tehran’s threat of reprisals that could spark a wider regional conflict.