House Arrest system proposed to alleviate Prison congestion

In response to the dire issue of prison overcrowding, the government is in the process of formulating laws to introduce a house arrest procedure, as revealed during a session in Parliament.

’’Heart to Heart: $12.8M Cancer medicine donation to Sri Lanka

Heart to Heart International, a global humanitarian organization, has donated $12.8 million worth of cancer medicines to Sri Lanka.

Bike ride expedition along Buddhist circuit from India to Colombo

Plans are afoot to organise a bike ride expedition along the Buddhist circuit from the birthplace of Buddha in Nepal, through the sacred places of Buddhist worship in India to Colombo.

Uproar in Parliament over Speaker’s ruling on judiciary

Speaker Mahinda Yapa Abeywardena today dismissed the request made by Opposition MPs to withdraw his ruling given on the domestic debt restructuring programme (DDR) despite the uproar created by them.

Civil Security Force designated as attrition force; no recruitments for nearly four years

The Civil Security Force has now been designated as an attrition force where no recruitment has been done in three-and-a-half years, the Committee on Public Accounts (COPA) revealed.

ICFS to offer spot admission for students seeking higher education abroad

The International Centre for Foreign Studies (ICFS) has introduced an initiative titled the Spot Admissions Program for students aspiring to pursue higher education opportunities in foreign countries such as Australia, the UK, Canada, New Zealand and Ireland.

Reservoir water levels decrease drastically: Irrigation Department

The water levels in the 73 reservoirs controlled by the Irrigation Department have decreased drastically and only 900,000 acre-inch of water capacity is available for use, the Department said.

I don’t think there are many who personally like me: President

President Ranil Wickremesinghe said that he is aware that not many in the political circles are fond of him personally. The President made these remarks addressing the 36th Annual Conference of the Organization of Professional Associations (OPA) of Sri Lanka at the Kingsbury, Colombo.

EP governor orders to halt construction of Boralukanda Rajamaha Vihara

Eastern Province Governor Sendhil Thondaman yesterday issued an order to the Chief Incumbent of Boralukanda Rajamaha Vihara to temporarily halt the ongoing construction and clearing activities at the temple premises.

Sri Lanka allows Chinese Warship, navigates Indian concerns

Sri Lanka finally allowed a Chinese warship to make a port of call in Colombo for replenishment yesterday despite India’s initial resistance, Daily Mirror learns.

Customs destroy Rs.748Mn worth counterfeit fags at CTC compound

Sri Lanka Customs yesterday destroyed a large stock of smuggled counterfeit cigarettes worth over Rs.748 million at the crushing machines of the Ceylon Tobacco Company (CTC) compound in Kotahena.

Minimum Room Rate for hotels starting from Oct.1

Sri Lanka’s hotel sector will no longer be able to slash prices as they see fit to lure foreign tourists because the hotly contested Minimum Room Rate (MRR) will come into effect from October 1, 2023.

Indira Gandhi government gave Katchatheevu Island to Sri Lanka: PM Modi

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday blamed the Congress for the partition of India and also said it was the Indira Gandhi government which gave the Katchatheevu Island to Sri Lanka in 1974.

SLC surplus does not reflect correct picture: Hesha Withana

Continuing his attacks on Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC), Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB) MP Hesha Withnage alleged that SLC has tried to mislead the public by creating a wrong picture of its financial position by manipulating its accounts for 2022.

Lawyer disbarred by Supreme Court after found guilty of forgery

The Supreme Court today issued a rule for the removal of a lawyer from the position of the Attorney-at-Law after he was found guilty of forgery in attesting a deed.

Asked to strip for ’’Body Checks’’: Miss Universe Indonesia Finalists

Six finalists in 2023’s Miss Universe Indonesia beauty pageant have lodged police complaints accusing the organizers of making them strip for “body checks” and topless photographs, CNN reported.

Increasing use of QR codes will move country toward digitalization

If the use of QR codes is promoted in the country, it will be easy to move the country toward digitalization, Consultant, Master Card Sri Lanka/Maldives, and former Assistant Governor of the Central Bank, Dr. Dharmasiri Kumaratunga said.

Chinese warship arrives in Colombo

The Chinese People’s Liberation Army Navy warship HAI YANG 24 HAO arrived at the port of Colombo on a formal visit this morning, the Navy said.

Murali’s Ceylon Beverages to set up plant for cans in India

Sri Lankan beverages company Ceylon Beverage Can Pvt Ltd, promoted by Muttiah Muralitharan, will set up a full-fledged plant in Mummigatti off Dharwad in Karnataka, Deccan Herald (DH) reported on Thursday.

Police disperse IUSF protesters

Police fired water cannons to disperse the protest march organised by the Inter-University Students’ Federation (IUSF) near Viharamahadevi Park in Colombo.

TNA - Public Security Minister discuss reasons behind TNA’s request for Police powers

A crucial meeting aimed at addressing concerns and explore potential solutions regarding the division of police powers in the 13th Amendment was held among a group of MPs of the Tamil National Alliance and Public Security Minister Tiran Alles and the Inspector General of Police.

No trains for three days on Matale-Kandy line

The Railways Department today announced the temporary closure of the railway line between Kandy and Katugastota for three days on the Matale-Kandy railway line.

Sri Lanka frees 9 jailed Iranian sailors after FMs talks

According to the agreement between the foreign ministers of Iran and Sri Lanka, 9 Iranian sailors imprisoned in Sri Lanka have been released and will return home soon.

Wildlife Ministry unaware of any plans to export toque monkeys: Pavithra

Wildlife and Forest Resources Conservation Ministry is unaware of any plans to export toque monkeys to China, Wildlife and Forest Resources Conservation Minister Pavitha Vanniarachchi said today.

Sri Lanka’s High Commissioner to India concludes term, set to return home in October

Sri Lanka’s High Commissioner in New Delhi, Milinda Moragoda, is poised to conclude his term and return to Sri Lanka during the first week of October, informed sources said.

Total damages to Galle Face by Aragalaya estimated at nearly Rs. 6 million

The total damages caused to Galle Face Colombo by the Aragalaya protests last year have been estimated at Rs. 5.9 million, Parliament was informed today.

Sri Lanka to initiate negotiations to establish FTAs with ASEAN countries: President

President Ranil Wickremesinghe said Sri Lanka is hoping to join the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP) following the conclusion of credit optimization initiatives.

Pakistan parliament dissolved to hold national election

Pakistan’s parliament was dissolved by the president on Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif’s advice late Wednesday night, the president’s office said, setting the stage for a national election amid political and economic crises.

Football Sri Lanka election on Sept. 16, FIFA and AFC to supervise

The election of office bearers of Football Sri Lanka, that is expected to pave the way for FIFA to lift its international suspension of Sri Lanka, will take place on September 16 under the supervision of FIFA and the Asian Football Confederation (AFC).

Elephant ’Agbo’ getting weaker: Wildlife Minister

With regard to the elephant Agbo which had caught the attention of many lately, Minister of Wildlife Pavithra Wanniarachchi told Parliament today that the animal is getting weaker by the day.