Honour election promises made on journalist killing probes – Media Orgs. urge President

Media rights groups going up in arms against the Attorney General’s recent recommendations on releasing three key suspects of the journalist Lasantha Wickrematunge murder, urged President Anura Kumara Dissanayake yesterday to honour the promises he made on election stage by an NPP government to probe multiple journalist killings and abductions.

Dip in quality failures of drugs in 2024

The quality failures of drugs reported in 2024 was comparatively lower than the quality failures recorded in 2023, according to the Medical Supplies Division of the Health Ministry.

Open visitation day organised by Prisons Department

An open visitation for inmates was organized by the Prisons Department in commemoration of the 77th Independence Day, observed yesterday.

Employment agent arrested

The owner of a foreign employment agency in Batticaloa who is alleged to have cheated 12 job seekers and charged from them between Rs. 1.6 – 2.00 million on the promise of providing them employment abroad was arrested by an investigation team of the Sri Lanka Foreign Employment Bureau.

JVP makes historic debut at independence day celebrations says chief opposition whip

It appears that the Janatha Vimukthi Peramuna (JVP) and National People’s Power (NPP) have participated in the Independence Day celebrations for the first time Chief Opposition Whip Gayantha Karunathileka said yesterday.

D.S. Senanayake Commemorated

The first Prime Minister of Independent Sri Lanka, formerly Ceylon, who gained the reputation as the “Father of Independence” for gaining freedom to the country without shedding a single drop of blood was commemorated last morning at the Meerigama Pradeshiya Sabha grounds to mark 77 years of the country’s independence.

Jaffna University Students Protest

Students of Jaffna University yesterday staged a protest in front of the Jaffna University against Independence Day celebrations.

Perahera to mark 73rd Jubilee of Isipathana Vidyalaya

A Perahera was held to mark the 73rd anniversary of Isipathana Vidyalaya Colombo in Havelock Town recently. An all-night Pirith ceremony was also held to mark the occasion.

Schoolboy escapes kidnappers

A 12 year old schoolboy who had been kidnapped by a group of individuals had managed to escape while he was being taken in a van.

Namamala Presented to the Karaka Maha Sangha Sabha Prelates of Asgiriya and Malwatte Chapters in Kandy

Milinda Moragoda, Founder of the Pathfinder Foundation, was invited to present copies of the reprint edition of the Namamala, a Pali-Sinhala grammar book, to the senior Prelates of the Malwatte and Asgiriya Chapters at their respective Karaka Maha Sangha Sabha meetings. Copies of the book will also be distributed to other Sangha Sabha’s including the Amarapura and Ramanna Nikayas, as well as to selected Temples, Pirivenas, Libraries, and other ce

Rotary District Governor Elect Delvin Pereira to attend Rotary International Assembly in USA

Delvin Pereira, the Rotary District Governor Elect, is set to travel to the United States to represent Rotary District 3220, which encompasses Sri Lanka and Maldives. He will participate in the Rotary International Assembly scheduled from February 9 to 13, 2025, at Rosen Shingle Creek in Orlando, Florida.

Heavy rain in Central hills

Heavy rainfall from early hours of last morning has been experienced in the eastern slopes of the Central hills. This has resulted in earth slips bringing traffic on the Nuwara Eliya – Udapussellawa main highway to a standstill..

Scholarships for Hindi learning

The Ministry of Human Resource Development, Government of India is offering scholarships to Sri Lankan nationals to study Hindi at the Kendriya Hindi Sansthan (Central Institute of Hindi), Agra, for the academic session 2025-2026. The scheme is a fully funded scholarship wherein selected candidates will be provided return airfare, stipend, hostel accommodation and an annual book grant.

Divorced woman entrusts children to another woman

A woman who divorced her husband has vested the guardianship of her two children of school going age by Power of Attorney to another woman living in the house on rent and gone abroad and her husband sought a court order through Galle police to handover the guardianship of the two children to him.

Blood donation campaign on February 2

Biyagama MMV past pupils together with Lions Club Kelaniya has organized a blood donation campaign on February 2 from 9 am to 3pm at the school premises. Lions Club has also organized an eye clinic at the same premises on the same day.

SLAF to expand global operations and UN peacekeeping efforts: New SLAF Chief

Air Marshal Bandu Edirisinghe, the newly appointed Commander of the Sri Lanka Air Force, has outlined plans to expand the SLAF’s global operations, with a particular focus on enhancing its contributions to UN peacekeeping efforts.

Black January 16th Commemoration; A leftist government should be more mindful of media freedom – media activists

A leftist government should be more mindful of media freedom prevailing in a country than any other political authority and it is high time probes into atrocities against journalists are performed, media activists commemorating ‘Black January’ movement opined yesterday.

Opposition parties united against Govt over lack of slots in parliamentary bodies

Opposition parties yesterday met to discuss ways and means to challenge the government. Leader of Opposition Sajith Premadasa chaired the meeting according to a statement released by the Opposition Leader’s office.

Sri Lanka turns to Indonesia for coconut product imports

The minister of Industry and Entrepreneurship Development Sunil Handunneththi and Minister of Plantation and Community Infrastructure K. V. Samantha Vidyarathna was to submit a joint cabinet paper this week which was delayed due to re-assessment of the current measures to import coconut products.

Another state institution chairman steps down , the second instance in a month

Last month, Dr. Senesh Bandara resigned as Chairman of the Sri Lanka Rupavahini Corporation (SLRC).

Veteran journalist Lakshman Jayawardene passes away

Veteran journalist Lakshman Jayawardene who had been involved in media for a long period of time passed away yesterday.

Air Marshal Udeni Rajapaksa promoted to the rank of Air Chief Marshal

President Anura Kumara Dissanayake in his capacity as the Commander in Chief of the Armed Forces has promoted Air Marshal Udeni Rajapaksa to the four star rank of Air Chief Marshal with effect from Tuesday (28).

Poor air quality due to polluted air from India: NBRO

Referring to the air quality in many parts of the island of having reached unhealthy levels, the National Building Research Organization (NBRO) said the poor air quality is caused by polluted air originating from India as well as locally generated pollutants.

LG polls in April, EC to announce date: Nalinda

The Local Government elections will be held in April and the Elections Commission will announce the date soon, Cabinet spokesman, Minister Nalinda Jayatissa said yesterday.

Suspension of Odyssey train affects tourism

Sithawaka Odyssey Special train service inaugurated with the object of promoting tourism in Sithawaka area has been suspended for about two months much to the anxiety of those engaging in tourism.

Academic staff of Jaffna uni resort to strike action

The academic staff of the Jaffna University has resorted to trade union action on five demands including stern disciplinary action against the misdemeanour of the students. The lecturers of all faculties have joined the strike led by the University Teachers’ Association.

Cases filed against Aragalaya activists; Govt. to provide reasonable solution: Minister

Claiming that there is an issue in filing cases with regard to Aragalaya activists who were arrested during the Aragalaya time, Cabinet Spokesman Dr. Nalinda Jayatissa said the government will intervene to provide them with a reasonable solution.

Mavai Senathirajah hospitalised

ITAK Constitutional Council Chairman and former parliamentarian Mavai Senathirajah who had a fall at his house last morning was admitted to Thellipalai Government Hospital and transferred to Jaffna Teaching Hospital last morning.

Indian poachers arrested in joint raids

A group of 34 Indian poachers in Sri Lankan waters have been arrested during joint raids carried out by the Sri Lankan Navy and the Coast Guard Department for the last two days.

Air Vice Marshal Edirisinghe appointed new SLAF Commander

Air Vice Marshal Vasu Bandu Edirisinghe has been appointed as the new Commander of the Sri Lanka Air Force (SLAF).