Rice mill vandalized by jumbo

A rogue elephant that rushed into a rice mill in Ethungoda in Kottukachchiya in the early hours of last morning had caused much havoc damaging the rice mill and gulping down paddy and rice.

Air Force Chief leads test landing in Hingurakgoda runway transformation

Air Force Commander Udeni Rajapaksa on Monday successfully piloted a Y-12 aircraft to land on the Hingurakgoda runway, which is undergoing transformation to meet international aviation standards and accommodate popular models like the A320 and Boeing 737.

Landslide danger in Matale

Several areas in the Matale District has been declared high risk locations of landslides and caving in of earth. He said several villages in Ukuwela, Rattota and Ambanganga Korale divisions have been identified as endangered areas.

Another suspect involved in Daulagala abduction arrested

Yet another suspect involved in abducting a schoolgirl in Daulagala in Gampola was arrested in the early hours of last morning during a raid in Jayamalapura in Gampola.

SL could face another economic crisis if unlimited importation of vehicles allowed - Senior Academic

Professor Wasantha Athukorala of the Economics Department at Peradeniya University told media that the government should be diligent in easing restrictions pertaining to vehicle importation.

Air Force charts the way forward for ‘Clean Sri Lanka’ national drive

The Sri Lanka Air Force (SLAF) hosted a key conference at Air Force Headquarters, outlining plans for three significant initiatives under the ‘Clean Sri Lanka’ National Drive.

Roads in Badulla District made impassable due to rock falls

Several areas in the Badulla district have been affected by earth slips, and rock falls brought on by the incessant rain experienced in the district. Traffic on several roads including main highways have come to a standstill .

Rice shortage not linked to free distribution: Wajira blames poor governance

United National Party (UNP) Chairman Wajira Abeywardena said that it is fallacy that free distribution of rice among low income families during the time of the last government led to the current shortage in market supply.

Modifying vehicles is not a crime: Namal

Referring to action taken by the police to remove certain parts from the vehicles under the ‘Clean Sri Lanka’ programme, SLPP MP Namal Rajapaksa yesterday said modifying a vehicle is not a crime.

IMF has no objection to public sector salary increment: Dy. Minister

Claiming that the International Monetary Fund (IMF) has not made any objections to the proposed public sector salary increment, Deputy Minister Mahinda Jayasinghe said yesterday the government will go ahead with the proposal and provide a significant salary increment in the upcoming budget.

Attempts to import red rice from India fails: Minister

The attempts to import red rice from India failed as red rice was not available in India, Trade, Commerce, Food Security and Cooperative Development Minister Wasantha Samarasinghe said yesterday. He told Parliament that the government had discussed with the Indian High Commission and Indian suppliers to import red rice to meet the shortage in the local market, but the attempt had failed.

Immediate electricity tariff reduction not possible: Minister

Energy Minister Kumara Jayakody said yesterday electricity tariffs will not be reduced soon but the government has decided not to increase electricity tariffs further in the future.

Ven: Galaboda Aththe Gnanasara thera imprisoned for nine months

The Colombo Chief Magistrate’s Court yesterday jailed Bodu Bala Sena (BBS) General Secretary Ven: Galaboda Aththe Gnanasara Thera for nine months simple imprisonment with an additional fine of Rs: 1500.

No HMPV case detected in SL: Nalinda

Claiming that no HMPV cases have been detected in Sri Lanka recently as reported by certain media, Health Minister Dr. Nalinda Jayatissa said yesterday that the Health Ministry is on alert and assured to inform the people if any person infected with the virus was detected in the country.

Legislation to call for fresh nominations for local government election presented to House

The Local Authorities Elections (Special Provisions) Bill which provides provisions to call fresh nominations and hold local government elections which was postponed was presented to Parliament yesterday.

IUSF stages protest in Fort

The Inter-University Students’ Federation (IUSF) staged a protest in front of the Fort Railway Station yesterday.

Opposition gearing up to bring in no faith motion against incumbent Speaker?

The main opposition Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB) is contemplating taking action against incumbent Speaker Jagath Wickramaratne for his alleged failure to heed its request to increase the opposition representation in parliamentary committees and to come up with a proper seating arrangement in the chamber,

Govt. not against free trade agreements: Chaturanga Abeysinghe

Claiming that the government is not against free trade agreements, Deputy Minister of Industry and Entrepreneurship Development Chaturanga Abeysinghe said yesterday the government will negotiate with the Indian government on how to rectify the concerns raised against the Economic and Technology Co-operation Agreement (ETCA) which was originally proposed in 2018.

Red rice shortage due to free distribution of rice by previous government: Minister

The free distribution of 20 kilos of rice by the previous government before the presidential election has resulted in the shortage of red rice in the market, Trade, Commerce, Food Security and Co-Operative Development Minister Wasantha Samarasinghe said yesterday.

Two Sri Lankans awarded Yunnan Friendship Award in China

Lecturer Sugath Ratnayake of the Department of Sinhala Studies at Yunnan University and Professor Samantha Karunaratne of Qujing Normal University in China have been awarded the Yunnan Friendship Award.

Clean Sri Lanka programme will bring vast social reforms: Prime Minister

The Clean Sri Lanka programme will bring vast social reforms and a positive change to certain media institutions, Prime Minister Harini Amarasuriya told Parliament yesterday.

Fresh probe over Easter attacks: Statements recorded from 48 persons: Minister

Statements have been recorded from some 48 persons including 12 civil witnesses, 7 Army personnel and 26 police personnel under a fresh probe launched by the government in connection with the Easter Sunday bomb attacks, Public Security Minister Ananda Wijepala said yesterday.

Government to act tough on quacks: Health Minister

Admitting that there are unregistered doctors illegally practicing in the country, Health Minister Dr. Nalinda Jayatissa said yesterday the government will take legal action against them and requested people to inform them of such individuals.

Religious activities resume at Saman Devala after protests

Religious activities at the Sabaragamuwa Maha Saman Devala, Ratnapura have returned to normal as of yesterday morning, following a two-day protest by the Kapuralas against the appointment of an Acting Basnayaka Nilame. The resumption of services came in response to pleas from local residents and traders who had been adversely affected by the Devala’s closure.

Food waste habits cause for growing monkey population: Ecologist

The main cause of the growing monkey population in the country is the habit of leaving behind reasonable portions of food, instead of discarding large uneaten quantities, Ecologist, Herpetologist and master wildlife photographer Mendis Wickremesinghe said.

TRCSL urges public to buy phones with registered IMEI numbers

While implementing the International Mobile Equipment Identity (IMEI) Registration System, the Telecommunications Regulatory Commission of Sri Lanka (TRCSL) is urging the public to purchase only mobile phones with IMEI numbers registered with the Commission.

Several public service appointments given as political favours: Minister

Minister of Agriculture, Livestock Resources, Land and Irrigation K.D. Lal Kantha said several appointments to the public service of about 1.5 million employees had been given as political favours and that the International Monetary Fund had recommended reducing the excess staff.

Govt’s move to introduce a low-cost alcoholic beverage will create more alcoholics

The government’s decision to introduce an affordable alcoholic beverage in order to stop consumption of illicit liquor will create more alcoholics in the country and will give rise to more health issues, an opposition MP said yesterday.

Salochana Gamage and businessman further remanded in alleged bribery case

Two suspects, including former Provincial Councillor Salochana Gamage, who were arrested for allegedly accepting a bribe, were further remanded till January 17 by Colombo Chief Magistrate Thanuja Lakmali.

Embassy of Sri Lanka in Addis Ababa commences work for the New Year 2025

The Embassy of Sri Lanka in Addis Ababa hosted a New Year 2025 commemoration programme at the Chancery premises on January 01, 2025, bringing together the dedicated staff of the Embassy and their families in a heartfelt tribute to the dawn of the New Year.