AIATF chairman wants TN to clarify claim on LTTE chief

Reacting to Tamil nationalist movement leader Pazha Nedumaran’s claim that Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) leader Velupillai Prabakaran is still alive, All-India Anti-Terrorist Front (AIATF) chairman Maninderjeet Singh Bitta asked Tamil Nadu government to make its stand clear on the claim.

Postal ballot papers printed for seven districts: Government Printer

Postal ballot papers for the Local Government election in seven districts have already been printed, Government Printer Gangani Kalpana Liyanage said.

SLC election battle begins; announcement for nominations likely this week

Calling for nominations for the election of Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) members for the 2023-2025 period may commence this week, it is learnt.

US delegation in Sri Lanka for top level defence talks

A 20-member US delegation team comprising high-level defence officials arrived in the country in two special aircraft of the United States Air Force last night at the Bandaranaike International Airport (BIA), the Daily Mirror learns.

Italy govt. offers to support SL tourism sector

While appreciating Sri Lanka’s economic recovery measures, the Italian government said it will support Sri Lanka’s tourism sector by encouraging more Italian tourists to visit Sri Lanka.

Akshata Launches Fortified Rice

Rice consumption in Sri Lanka is forever changed with the introduction of fortified rice by Akshata, a brand renowned for its innovations.

Over Rs.30mn compensation paid for livestock perished due to extreme weather

Over Rs. 30 million has been paid yesterday as compensation for livestock that perished in many areas of the Northern and Eastern Provinces due to chilly weather conditions following ’Cyclone Mandous’ which swept across these provinces during the first week of December 2022.

Badulla General Hospital doctor arrested for selling narcotic capsules to schoolchildren

A 44-year-old doctor serving in Badulla General Hospital has been arrested by the STF for selling narcotic capsules among schoolchildren.

Mainly fair weather prevails over the island: Met. Dept.

The Meteorology Department announced today that mainly fair weather will prevail over most parts of the country.

Central Bank rejects money printing claims

The Central Bank rebuffed the claims of money printing in recent times to settle government bills or even for the payment of interest payments of previous borrowings and pointed at the mostly successful bill auctions in which it managed to raise the full amount offered from the market itself.

111-year-old Excise Ordinance to be replaced with new law

The Cabinet nod has been granted to replace the archaic colonial-era Excise Ordinance with a new law aligned with modern requirements.

Technology Ministry to make  electronic payment mandatory in State institutions

In an effort to make payment processes in public sector institutions convenient, the Technology Ministry has called on its officials to take immediate measures to make electronic payment facilities mandatory, a proposal made in the 2023 budget.

Final tariff system recommended by PUCSL rejected by three commission members: Chairman

The final tariff system recommended by the Public Utilities Commission of Sri Lanka (PUCSL) was approved today by the PUCSL chairman, but it was not approved by the other three members of the commission, PUCSL Chairman Janaka Rathnayake said.

Sri Lanka wicketkeeper found guilty of breaching ICC Code of Conduct

Sri Lanka’s Anushka Sanjeewani has been fined 15 percent of match fee for breaching Level 1 of the ICC Code of Conduct.

Govt. Printer influenced to stop printing ballot papers: Handunnetti

Claiming that the Government Printer has been influenced by the President to suspend printing of ballot papers, the National People’s Power (NPP) today urged the Elections Commission to summon the Government Printer and question regarding the matter.

EP farmers request fire arms to protect crops from elephants

The farmers in Gomarankadawala in the Trincomalee district requested today that Eastern Province (EP) Governor Anurada Yahampath should provide firearms to protect their crops from elephants.

On Valentine’s Day, a fresh red rose costs Rs. 600

The florists in the Ven Baddegama Wimalawansa Mawatha in Town Hall, Colombo, claimed today that they had received plenty of customers to buy roses for Valentine’s Day.

Sri Lanka set to import low quality drugs from India - Govt. Pharmacists

Unregistered and low-quality drugs are to be imported with the Sri Lankan government’s endorsement, Ajith Thennakoon of the Society of Government Pharmacists charged today.

Writ petition against holding LG Election: Army Colonel seeks earlier court date

The retired Army Colonel who filed a writ petition seeking an order quashing the decision of the Election Commission to hold the Local Government elections has sought an earlier court date from Supreme Court to further support his application.

Postal voting for LG polls postponed indefinitely

The postal voting for the 2023 local government election has been postponed until further notice, Election Commissioner General Saman Sri Rathnayake announced today.

If Deep Jungle festival is held, legal action will take against those responsible: CEJ

If the Deep Jungle festival is held as planned, the Center for Environmental Justice (CEJ) said that legal action will be taken against the organizers of the music festival, the police, the Wildlife and Forest Resources Conservation Department, and the District Secretariat.

Discussions between PUCSL, CEB regarding electricity bill ends inconclusive

The discussion on the electricity bill between the Public Utilities Commission of Sri Lanka (PUCSL) and the Ceylon Electricity Board (CEB) ended without agreement, the National Council said today.

Court orders to preserve body specimens of businessman Dinesh Schaffter

Colombo Chief Magistrate’s Court today ordered the Colombo Chief Judicial Medical Officer and Government Analyst to preserve the blood samples and body specimens of businessman Dinesh Schaffter.

Man has his testicles cut off due to land dispute

In a matter of serious concern, two men who got into a serious confrontation over a land issue in Badulla yesterday resulted in one of them cutting off the testicles of his opponent in anger, police said.

Sri Lanka bans single-use plastics including yoghurt cups, straws

Cabinet has decided to ban the importing, selling, using and distribution of 7 single-use plastic products effective from June 1st, 2023, Cabinet spokesman, Mass Media, Transport and Highways Minister Bandula Gunawardana said.

Match fees of each female cricketer increased from US$ 250 to US$ 750 per match

The match fees of the National Women’s Players for the year 2023 had been increased with effect from January 1, the Sri Lanka Cricket said.

Who is funding the NPP? Handunnetti says finances will be made transparent

The National People’s Power today said that the finances for its election campaigns would be made transparent soon following rising queries from the government and opposition MPs as to how it was pulling in so much funds.

Local Government polls to be postponed?

In what seems to be an indication that the local government election may be postponed, the Election Commission Chairman Nimal Punchihewa has informed Party General Secretaries that it will not be possible to distribute postal vote ballot papers from tomorrow (February 15).

Lithuanian Trucking Co. to recruit 600 drivers at 1mn LKR monthly salary

A leading transport service in Lithuania plans to recruit 600 truck drivers for its trans-Europe services and sought Prime Minister Dinesh Gunawardena’s intervention for a speedy training process for selected drivers.

Police on Valentine’s duty; Parents urged to be vigilant of minors’ whereabouts

The Police are on high alert for illegal activity such as organizing parties through Facebook targeting minors and youth on Valentine’s Day, Police Spokesman SSP Nihal Thalduwa said.