Indian Navy’s submarine INS Vela in Colombo

Indian Navy’s submarine INS Vela, arrived in Colombo yesterday on a three-day visit. The submarine was accorded a ceremonial welcome by the Officer of the guard and band of Sri Lanka Navy, a statement from the Indian High Commission said.

Arisen Ahubudu commemoration

A great scholar, poet, linguist, composer and patriot the Late Kalasuri Arisen Ahubudu will be commemorated for the 13th year at 3.00 on November 21 at the Sri Lanka Foundation Institute in Colombo 07.

Heavy rain causes havoc in the Up-Country

Much havoc has been caused by heavy rain experienced at present in the Badulla District.

Shortage of meteorologists hits weather department

The Meteorology Department lacks a sufficient number of duty meteorologists, Deputy Director of Forecasting and Early Warning M.M.P. Mendis said.

Govt. warns social media users to be vigilant sharing OTPs to prevent hacking

The Government Information Department has warned WhatsApp users not to share any one-time passwords (OTP) with third parties, as this can lead to account hacking.

Probe reveals Lohan’s use of unregistered luxury car since 2020

Investigations into the recovery of an illegally assembled, unregistered luxury car from the home of former State Minister Lohan Ratwatte’s wife in Mirihana have revealed that Ratwatte had been using the vehicle since 2020 with a fake number plate.

Eradicated Measles returns to haunt youth, infants

The health authorities announced that eradicated Measles had resurfaced with over 1000 cases reported among youth aged 20 to 30 years and infants under 9 months since May 2023.

Visiting US delegation calls on Defence Secretary

A US National Defence University (NDU) delegation led by Admiral (Retd.) Harry Harris called on the Sri Lankan Defence Secretary Air Vice Marshal Sampath Thuyacontha (Retd.) at the Defence Ministry in Sri Jayewardenepura, Kotte yesterday (Nov 07).

Lakdinu wins prestigious Speak Out for Engineering Global finals

Lakdinu De Silva, a mechanical engineering undergraduate from the University of Ruhuna, won the Speak Out for Engineering (SofE) Global finals at the competition organized by the Institution of Mechanical Engineers (IMechE) on November 5, 2024, in Dubai.

Uncertainty and challenges on the cards: Ruwan

Uncertainty looms as Sri Lanka is to face unforeseen challenges as a group which tried to capture Parliament by force has entered the race to gain control of it, UNP General Secretary and Democratic Front candidate Ruwan Wijewardene said yesterday.

Two arrested with ten rare Rath-Dothalu flowers in Ratnapura

Two individuals were arrested by the Wildlife Conservation Department’s Emergency Raid Unit while attempting to sell ten rare Rath-Dothalu flowers in the Moragahayata area of Ratnapura. According to wildlife officials, these flowers are often used as offerings to the Buddha.

SLAF earns $130Mn through Peacekeeping missions

Another contingent of the aviation unit, consisting of 20 officers and 88 airmen of the Sri Lanka Air Force, is scheduled to depart for the Central African Republic in the first week of December for peacekeeping mission.

No double standard on PTA: Government clarifies

In the wake of concerns raised by some parties over the government’s stance on the Prevention of Terrorism Act (PTA), Minister Vijitha Herath said yesterday the government had not changed its stance on the need to amend or abolish PTA while stating that the PTA will be taken up for discussion in the new parliament.

Karu Jayasuriya congratulates US President-elect Donald Trump

Karu Jayasuriya, former Speaker of the Parliament of Sri Lanka and President of the National Movement for Social Justice congratulated US President-elect Donald Trump on his return to the prominent role in global leadership.

Sri Lanka sees surge in multiple diseases

Sri Lanka is witnessing an alarming increase in multiple diseases, including waterborne disease cases over the last few days.

Four Customs officials sentenced to 35 years for largest bribery scandal in Sri Lanka’s history

Four former senior customs officials found guilty in connection with the largest-ever recorded bribe nabbed by the Bribery Commission in Sri Lanka were sentenced yesterday to 35 years of rigorous imprisonment by the Colombo High Court.

Ceremony to honour students in Chinese Cultural Art Competition

The Chinese Embassy in Sri Lanka, in collaboration with the Association for Sri Lanka – China Social and Cultural Cooperation, will host a prize-giving ceremony at the Royal Institute International Auditorium in Kohuwala, Nugegoda, at 3 pm today (7), for students from 11 schools who participated in the “China Through My Eyes” Chinese Cultural Art Competition.

FMM urges govt. to ensure safety of journalist Tissa Ravindra Perera

The Free Press Movement (FMM) has strongly urged the government to fulfil its responsibility and take all necessary steps to ensure the safety of journalist Tissa Ravindra Perera, following a reported threat to his life.

Launch of book on Professor Gunapala Malalasekera

A special event marking the launch of the book ‘Professor Gunapala Malalasekera: A Photographic Portrait’, authored by Ven. Wetara Mahinda Thera, will take place on Saturday,

Thai woman smuggling Rs.100Mn worth ‘Meth’ in probiotic food packs stopped at airport

An attempt by an inbound female Thai national to smuggle a large stock of methamphetamine aka Ice worth over Rs.100 million concealed in probiotic supplement packs was seized by the Sri Lanka Customs at the Bandaranaike International Airport (BIA) on Monday night.

Heavy showers on the cards

The Department of Meteorology has predicted substantial rainfall above 100mm for most parts of the island in coming days.

Rajangana Reservoir, opens its spill gates

Anuradhapura Zonal Director of Irrigation, Engineer Jayantha De Silva, stated that due to the recent heavy rainfall in the North Central Province, two spill gates of the Rajangana Reservoir have been opened to a height of three feet since yesterday (05).

Health Ministry to assign experienced F&D Inspectors: Dr. Ananda Wijewickrama

The Ministry of Health has agreed to assign a few experienced Food and Drug Inspectors to revive the operations of the now-defunct law enforcement division of the National Medicines Regulatory Authority (NMRA), which is responsible for all the drug raids in the country, the Daily Mirror learns.

Trial date set for Diana Gamage in forged documents case

The case filed against former State Minister Diana Gamage for allegedly obtaining a national identity card by submitting forged documents despite knowing she is not a Sri Lankan citizen was fixed for trial yesterday by the Colombo High Court. High Court Judge Manjula Tilakaratne fixed the trial for January 9, 2025, with three prosecution witnesses summoned to appear before the court on that date.

Investigation underway into fatal Badulla bus accident

Badulla Division SSP Wasantha Kandewatta said a comprehensive investigation into the fatal bus accident on the Badulla-Mahiyangana Road last Friday (01) was underway.

Hitler type administration on the cards: Chamal

Hambantota District Former Parliamentarian Chamal Rajapaksa said on Saturday (2) they suspect the possibility of a dictatorship similar to that of Hitler would come up in Sri Lanka soon.

Incumbent President has bowed down to IMF -Sajith

The Incumbent President has bowed down to the IMF and accepted the instruction not to reduce taxes, Former Opposition Leader Sajith Premadasa said yesterday.

Nethinethera “ Media Day at Isipathana College, a Celebration of Talent and Excellence

The “ Nethinethera “ Media Day of Isipathana College was held last week and at the NIIBS Convention Centre Kelaniya recently. It was held under the patronage of Principal of the College D. P. Udawattage.

Excise Inspector arrested with Ethanol

An Excise Inspector attached to the brewery of Ethimale Sugar Factory was arrested by Monaragala police on suspicion of illegally transporting 135 litres of Ethanol in his car to Matara.

Borrowing from banks will shoot up prices of essential goods: Ruwan

The incumbent government’s move to borrow from banks for state expenditure will shoot up prices of essential goods, United National Party (UNP) Deputy Leader and New Democratic Front (NDF) Gampaha District candidate Ruwan Wijewardene said during the weekend.