International driving licence issuing counter at BIA prevents large scam: Minister

The international driving licence issuing counter at the Bandaranaike International Airport (BIA) prevents a large scale scam where certain persons who claim to be brokers charge around USD 100 from foreigners for mediatiing to obtain international driving licences, Minister Bimal Ratnayake told Parliament today.

SLMA opposes Govt move to allow cannabis cultivation

The Sri Lanka Medical Association (SLMA), the academic body representing the nation’s medical professionals, has strongly opposed the government’s recent decision to allow foreign companies to cultivate cannabis in Sri Lanka.

Nuwara Eliya’s beauty threatened as waterfalls face decline

It has become a matter of serious concern that waterfalls in Nuwara Eliya - once described as “torrents of foreign exchange” for their tourism value - are now drying up.

Gambling Bill defines school raffles, funeral card games, temple auctions as ‘gaming’

In response to a question raised by an opposition MP, Deputy Minister of Finance Anil Jayantha informed Parliament yesterday that activities such as school raffle draws, playing cards during funerals, and the auctioning of flower trays offered at temples are included under the definition of ’’gaming’’ in the proposed Gambling Regulatory Authority Bill.

Sri Lanka declined to let burning ship to be towed to Hambantota Port: Minister

Sri Lanka declined to allow the ship that caught fire off the coast of Kerala, India, to be towed to a Sri Lankan port, fearing possible marine pollution from hazardous wastes, a Minister said yesterday.

Finnish MP, 30, dies inside Parliament building

An MP from Finland’s Social Democratic Party, Eemeli Peltonen, has died in Finland’s Parliament building on Tuesday at the age of 30, the assembly’s communications office said.

New political alliance underway to challenge govt., strengthen opposition

In order to revive a weak and ailing opposition, a major move is underway within the opposition parties to form a broader political alliance to take on the NPP government and address key national and economic issues in the country.

National Gymnasts Caught in Sports Ministry Power Play

Suspension of Olympian and National coach to protect powerful insider stuns gymnastic fraternity

Sri Lanka could top 2.7million tourist arrivals with promotion: Janaka Rathnayaka

Sri Lanka has the potential to exceed 2.7 million tourist arrivals this year if the country is strategically promoted and positioned as a global travel destination, former Public Utilities Commission of Sri Lanka (PUCSL) Chairman Janaka Rathnayaka said.

Several medical professionals threaten TU action

All supplementary medical professionals attached to 31 hospitals under the Western Province have decided to launch trade union action from Tuesday (19).

Minister urges calm ahead of hartal in North, East

Cabinet Media Spokesman, Minister Dr. Nalinda Jayatissa appealed to the people of the Northern and Eastern Provinces not to be misled by what he described as distortions and false propaganda aimed at the government and the security forces.

3 dead, 8 wounded in Brooklyn lounge shooting

Three people are dead, 8 others wounded after a shooting at the Taste of the City lounge in Crown Heights, Brooklyn early Sunday.

Pakistan name squad for upcoming Asia Cup

Salman Ali Agha will lead Pakistan for the upcoming UAE tri-series and the subsequent Asia Cup also to be played in the UAE.

At least 150 still missing in Pakistan after deadly flash floods

More than 150 people are missing in northwest Pakistan, the head of the provincial disaster authority said Sunday, after flash floods that have killed at least 344 people in the country.

SCAP-SL holds AGM and Convention 2025

The Society of Companion Animal Practitioners Sri Lanka (SCAP-SL) successfully held its Annual General Meeting and Convention 2025 last week at Cinnamon Grand, Colombo.

Passengers complain of long queues at BIA

Passengers at the Bandaranaike International Airport (BIA) raised complaints last night over severe congestion, with long queues reported at both check-in counters and immigration.

Plastic debris from sunken MSC Elsa 3 continues to wash ashore in Sri Lanka

The Marine Environment Protection Authority (MEPA) said that plastic debris from the MSC Elsa 3, which sank off the coast of India, continues to wash up along Sri Lanka’s coastline.

Sri Lankan, two Malaysians nabbed in heroin bust

Police arrested three men, including a Sri Lankan national, and successfully dismantled a heroin processing laboratory, operated by a drug distribution syndicate, in two raids in the Bukit Tambun area here on Tuesday.

Canada orders striking Air Canada flight attendants back to work

More than 10,000 Air Canada flight attendants who went on strike early Saturday will be ordered to return to work by the Canada Industrial Relations Board (CIRB), said Jobs Minister Patty Hajdu.

257 drownings reported so far this year: Police

Police said that 257 people have died in drowning-related incidents across the country so far this year.

Daily Mirror Brief: Daily News Recap, Top Headlines & Must-Read Stories - 16th August

Daily Mirror Brief is your daily news digest—bringing you the top headlines, key updates, and essential stories you may have missed across politics, tech, culture, and global affairs. Quick, clear, and curated—your trusted news recap, whenever you’re ready.

WiLAT Walk 25 held

Premier League 2025–26 Transfers: Big Guns Reload – What Sri Lankan Fans Need to Know

The Premier League 2025–26 season is back, and the summer transfer window has delivered drama, big-money deals, and bold gambles.

USS Santa Barbara arrives

U19 Men’s Cricket World Cup: Line-up locked in for 2026 edition

Joining Zimbabwe in automatic qualification included Sri Lanka, Australia, Bangladesh, England, India, Ireland, Pakistan, New Zealand, South Africa and the West Indies.

Another District Court Judge interdicted; total reaches 10 in a month

The Judicial Service Commission (JSC) has interdicted another District Court judge on charges of misconduct, bringing the total number of judicial officers interdicted this month to 10.

Sri Lanka Muslim Congress backs ITAK hartal

The Sri Lanka Muslim Congress (SLMC) declared its support for the hartal organised by the Illankai Tamil Arasu Katchi (ITAK) in the Northern and Eastern Provinces on Monday (18), in protest over the alleged killing of a man by Sri Lanka Army personnel.

US envoy urges Sri Lanka to cut non-tariff barriers to boost trade

Sri Lanka should enhance trade facilitation and create a more conducive business environment by reducing non-tariff barriers, US Ambassador Julie Chung said.

’No deal until there’s a deal’: Trump-Putin talks yield no breakthrough on Ukraine

A highly anticipated summit between U.S. President Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin yielded no agreement to resolve or pause Moscow’s war in Ukraine, although both leaders described the talks as productive before heading home.

Govt. braces for possible rice shortage by year end

Minister of Commerce and Trade, Food Security, and Cooperative Development Wasantha Samarasinghe said the government plans to import 40,000 metric tons of rice to address any possible rice shortage created by large-scale rice mill owners.