IGP Deshabandu’s bail denied: Magistrate orders action against those who aided his evasion

While denying bail for IGP Deshabandu Tennakoon, Matara Magistrate Buddhadasa Aruna yesterday directed CID to take immediate action against all those who assisted the suspect in hiding and evading arrest over the past 20 days.

High Court rejects Keheliya’s request to unfreeze bank account

The Colombo High Court has rejected a request made on behalf of former Health Minister Keheliya Rambukwella to lift the order freezing a bank account in the parliamentary branch of the former Minister. The account was frozen in connection with an investigation conducted by the Bribery Commission.

US Top Indo-Pacific head commend SL’s contribution to region’s security

Visiting Commander of the U.S. Indo-Pacific Command (INDOPACOM) Admiral Samuel J. Paparo stated that strategic positioning in the Indian ocean allows Sri Lanka to influence maritime activities crucial to the entire Pacific region. “Sri Lanka’s key position at the crossroads of the Indian Ocean is strategically vital.

Accident on Kelani Valley line

A Prado traversing the railway level crossing at Liyanwilla in Pannipitiya hit a moving train at about 7.30 am yesterday. causing injuries to the driver.

Gearing up for PC polls

The submission of nominations from the Colombo District for the Provincial Council elections scheduled for May 6 was held in Colombo on March yesterday. 165 parties and groups submitted nominations, of which 17 were rejected. The picture shows candidates checking their names.

Fatal accident on the central expressway

A lecturer of the Kelaniya University died and six others including his wife and children were seriously injured in a fatal accident at Boyawalana on the Central Expressway at midnight on Tuesday (18).

Foreigner dead -five injured at Pelwehera

A foreigner died and five others received serious injuries when two trishaws, a motorcar and a lorry transporting a consignment of cement collided together at Pelwehera on the Dambulla- Habarana road last morning.

Hakeem urges GoSL to speak up against Israel’s violation of International Law

Condemning Israel’s alleged violation of ceasefire with airstrikes, Sri Lanka Muslim Congress (SLMC) Leader Rauff Hakeem yesterday urged the Sri Lankan government to speak against its violation of international law.

Ceylon Workers Red Flag Union launches strike at Colombo Port

The Ceylon Workers Red Flag Union has launched a strike at Colombo Port protesting against the growing trend where companies in Sri Lanka’s tea and rubber plantation sectors are replacing informal labour systems for cost cutting purposes.

77th AGM of the Army Eng. Assn. on Sunday

The 77th Annual General Meeting and the get-together of the Sri Lanka Army Engineers Association will be held at the ‘SALEBA Hall’ of the Mattegoda Army camp on March 23 (Sunday) at 9.00 am.

Not possible to mete out justice on behalf of Easter attack victims in a month or two: Minister

“It is not possible to mete out justice for those who were affected by the Easter Sunday attacks within a month or two. We understood this fact only after we took over the government,” the Minister said,

Police caution media over ethical violations in sexual assault reporting

The Sri Lanka Police Department has raised concerns about media outlets violating ethical standards in their coverage of the recent sexual assault incident at Anuradhapura Hospital.The police statement highlighted several breaches, particularly the release of the victim’s private details, which caused unnecessary distress and harm.

Rape of medical doctor in Anuradhapura: Victim did not appear for identification parade

The suspect arrested in connection with the sexual assault and rape of a female doctor at the Anuradhapura Teaching Hospital has been further remanded until March 24 after being presented before the Anuradhapura Magistrate’s Court yesterday.

18 companies registered for coconut product imports

The budgetary allocation of Rs. 500 million for the development of coconut cultivation is to be used to purchase 2.5 million plants which will span across 40,000 acres of land, an official from the Coconut Development Authority said.

Indian couple in sophisticated smuggling attempt of Kush worth Rs.24Mn nabbed at BIA

An Indian couple using a ‘sophisticated smuggling’ attempt to transport Cannabis variety ‘Kush’ worth over Rs.24 million from Bangkok to Colombo was nabbed by Sri Lanka Customs at the Bandaranaike International Airport (BIA) yesterday morning.

Opposition to present three commission reports to Parliament

“The Batalanda issue is not the only incident that has to be probed. Some 16 SLFP organizers and 6300 supporters were killed during the insurrection of 1989.

Will Govt opt for private sector partnership for Srilankan Airlines?

SriLankan Airlines lost Rs.1.9 billion in the seven-month period up to October, last year , according to the finance report. In contrast, it recorded a profit of over Rs.4 billion the previous year.

Govt. turns down opposition’s request to postpone debate on Batalanda Commission report

The ruling National Peoples Power (NPP) has turned down a request made by the opposition to postpone the debate on report of illegal detention camp in Batalanda until after the local government election, Chief Opposition Whip Gayantha Karunathilleka said yesterday.

Gangarama Temple and Believers Eastern Church assist the needy

The Gangarama Temple at Hunupitiya Colombo and Believers Eastern Church came together in donating dry rations to pregnant mothers and stationery to needy school children yesterday.

Local govt polls 2025: Deadline for postal vote applications ends tonight

The deadline for submitting applications for postal voting for the local government election will end tonight March 17 2025.

Passenger arrested for sexual assault of two air hostesses

An air passenger who sexually harassed two air hostesses inside a plane flying from Singapore to Katunayaka was arrested yesterday by the Airport Police. The 38 year old suspect was a resident of Athurugiriya.

Animal census aims to estimate, not achieve 100% accuracy - Dy. Minister

The animal census is not being conducted with the aim of obtaining 100% accurate data but rather as a survey to estimate the number of monkeys, giant squirrels and peacocks living in these areas, Agriculture Deputy Minister Namal Karunaratne said.

All geared-up to conduct first-ever animal census

All arrangements have been made to conduct the first-ever animal census of crop-damaging animals tomorrow (15).

Heavy influx of pilgrims in Kataragama

A heavy influx of pilgrims was experienced at Kataragama’s sacred city. Thousands of devotees observed Sil at Kirivehera Rajamaha Vihara.

COPA to probe Kollupitiya Supermarket land deal in coming days

Committee on Public Accounts (COPA) is expected to probe the alleged fraudulent land deal behind the Kollupitiya Supermarket soon, Daily Mirror reliably learnt yesterday.

93% of consumers demand accountability from FMCG companies for plastic waste

A new Greenpeace South Asia report reveals that 93% of Colombo residents demand stronger accountability from Fast-Moving Consumer Goods (FMCG) companies for their role in plastic pollution.

Tenth Executive President of Sri Lanka will emerge from UNP before long: Wajira

The tenth Executive President of Sri Lanka will emerge from UNP before long, UNP Chairman Wajira Abeywardenea said yesterday.

CEA calls for applications for ‘Presidential Environment Awards – 2025

The Central Environmental Authority (CEA) yesterday called for applications for the “Presidential Environment Awards – 2025’ programme, which is currently underway, and invited interested parties to forward applications before April 30th.

Dearth of domesticated elephants looms

The Diyawadana Nilame of the Sri Dalada Maligawa Nilanga Dela who expressed concern about the shortage of domesticated elephants said that the number of domesticated elephants would reduce to ten by 2040.

Government to table Batalanda Commission report in Parliament this week

Amidst widespread discussion on the Batalanda Commission report after former president Ranil Wickremesinghe’s recent interview with Al Jazeera, the government announced yesterday that the Cabinet decided to table the Batalanda Commission report in Parliament within this week.