Unknown flu-like disease kills at least 79 people in DR Congo

At least 79 people have died from an unknown disease that is causing flu-like symptoms in south-western Democratic Republic of Congo, the health ministry says.

Vote on Account presented to Parliament

The vote on account through which the government is seeking Parliament’s approval to spend Rs. 1,403 billion (Rs. 1,402,886,263,000) from January 1, 2025, to April 30, 201,4 was presented to Parliament by Deputy Minister of Economic Development Anil Jayantha a short while ago.

Sri Lanka and South Africa look to keep WT Final hopes alive

South Africa will take on Sri Lanka in the second Test of the twomatch series at St. George’s Park in Gqeberha, starting today.

CID arrests SLPP Administrative Secretary

The Criminal Investigations Department (CID) arrested Renuka Perera, the Administrative Secretary of the Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna (SLPP) this morning.

French government collapses in no-confidence vote

The French government has collapsed after Prime Minister Michel Barnier was ousted in a no-confidence vote.

Excise suspends production licence of W. M. Mendis and Co.

Despite several warnings issued over a span of one year, which were not being adhered to, the Department of Excise yesterday suspended the production licence of local liquor giant W. M. Mendis and Co. Limited for evading tax arrears of Rs.5.5 billion to the government, the Daily Mirror learns.

Political bribes - Govt. to investigate former MPs over liquor licences

The government is to carry out an investigation to determine whether any of the MPs who represented the previous Parliament or any one of their associates had received liquor licences as political bribes during the previous regime, a government spokesman said yesterday.

Rs.10 coin found during autopsy of Digadanthu 1

During the post-mortem examination of Digadanthu 1, wildlife officers found a Rs. 10 coin in its abdomen, Wildlife Conservation Department veterinary surgeon Dr. Chandana Jayasinghe said.

Special operations to target alcohol, drug use during Sripada pilgrimage

Special operations have been planned to arrest individuals and groups who bring alcoholic beverages and drugs during the Sripada pilgrimage season starting this year, Hatton Police Superintendent Pradeep Weerasekara said.

Fair weather across most areas, showers in North, East

Fair weather will prevail in most parts of the country today, but showers are expected in the Northern and Eastern Provinces as well as the Anuradhapura district, the Meteorology Department said.

Sri Lanka possibly losing two-thirds of border tax revenue due to corruption, says Shippers’ Council

The Sri Lanka Shippers’ Council claimed that the government coffers could be losing as much as two-thirds of potential border tax revenue, due to corrupt activities by the officials in key border agencies.

Cuba plunged into darkness as electrical grid suffers fresh collapse

Cuba’s energy grid has collapsed, leaving millions without power, the latest in a series of failures on an island struggling from creaking infrastructure, natural disasters and economic turmoil.

One million coconuts to be distributed through Sathosa outlets: Minister

Steps are being taken to distribute one million coconuts through Sathosa outlets at a price of Rs. 130 each within the next two weeks, Minister of Trade, Commerce, Food Security and Cooperative Development Wasantha Samarasinghe said today.

President meets ITAK MPs

President Anura Kumara Dissanayake met with Parliamentarians from the Illankai Tamil Arasu Katchchi (ITAK) today at the Presidential Secretariat, the President’s Media Division (PMD) said.

Government Policy Statement passed in Parliament without a vote

The resolution on the Statement of the Government Policy presented by President Anura Kumara Dissanayake in Parliament on November 21 was passed unanimously in Parliament today without a vote.

Half a coconut selling at Rs. 120

Due to a shortage of coconuts in the country, it is reported that half a coconut is being sold at a price between Rs. 100 and Rs. 120.

Contempt of court application against Hirunika terminated

A contempt of court application filed against former Parliamentarian Hirunika Premachandra was terminated today before the Court of Appeal, following her decision to withdraw the alleged contemptuous statement she had made regarding the ongoing proceedings before the Mount Lavinia Magistrate’s Court.

Phone conversation data on Thajudeen death received: Government

Following an allegation by SJB MP Mujibur Rahman claiming that the CEO of Dialog which had refused to produce the phone conversations of former police officer Anura Senanayake and others have been appointed as a Presidential advisor, Chief Government Whip Nalinda Jayatissa said that the data pertaining to the phone calls have been received by the investigation officers.

Only 23% have so far submitted expense reports: EC

Only 23% of the total candidates who contested the General Elections have so far submitted their income and expenditure reports to the Election Commission.

Heated arguments in Parliament over recent arrests

Heated arguments erupted in Parliament over a statement by SJB MP Dayasiri Jayasekara, who said that cases have been filed against recent incidents involving LTTE commemorations under two laws in the North and South.

List of MPs who obtained liquor permits to be presented to Parliament today: Nalinda Jayatissa

Claiming that investigations into MPs who had obtained liquor licenses had begun, Chief Government Whip Nalinda Jayatissa said today the list of MPs who obtained liquor permits will be presented to Parliament this afternoon.

Govt. to purchase 85,000 units of insulin this week to meet demand

Following reports of a shortage of Mixtard insulin, the Medical Supplies Division of the Health Ministry has taken measures to purchase 85,000 units this week to meet the immediate demand in hospitals across the country.

Experts convene to Colombo to discuss hate speech law reforms

A workshop titled “A Pathway to Reform: Examining Hate Speech Laws in Sri Lanka” was recently held at the Mandarin Hotel in Colombo, bringing together legal experts, academics, and stakeholders.

Highest temperature recorded in Anuradhapura

During the past 24 hours ending at 8:30 a.m, the highest temperature was recorded in the Anuradhapura District, the Meteorology Department said.

Meteorology department website hacked

The official website of the Department of Meteorology has been hacked for the second time in a short period.

Severe shortage imminent if rice not imported within next two weeks

The All Ceylon Small and Medium Scale Rice Mill Owners’ Association warned that the country could face a severe rice shortage unless the government imports the required stocks of rice within the next two weeks.

South Korean president faces impeachment calls after martial law debacle

South Korean lawmakers on Wednesday called on President Yoon Suk Yeol to resign or face impeachment after he declared martial law only to reverse the move hours later, triggering a political crisis in Asia’s fourth-largest economy.

Thailand National Day held

The National Day of the Kingdom of Thailand was celebrated this morning in Colombo to mark the birth anniversary of the late King Bhumibol Adulyadej and Thailand’s Father’s Day. Pix by Pradeep Pathirana

Legislations soon to recover stolen assets, deter money laundering: Justice Minister

The government is planning to present three Bills in Parliament within the first quarter of this year, aiming to recover stolen assets, deter money laundering, drug trafficking and related vices, Justice Minister Harshana Nanayakkara said today.

World Test Championship contender hit with points deduction

Points deductions for two Test nations sees the race to feature at next year’s Final thrown wide open.