Inaction on recommendations made by committees: P’ment finds fault with police and Bribery Commission

Parliament yesterday found fault with the police and the Bribery Commission for their failure to take action on recommendations made by various committees.

Trade union alliance concerned about re-emergence of drug shortage

Trade Union Alliance of Doctors for Civil Rights expressed concern about the re-emergence of a shortage of drugs in government hospitals.

‘Tactile ballot paper’ for visually-impaired voters in Presidential poll for first time

A special ballot paper called ‘tactile ballot paper’ would be introduced for the benefit of the visually-impaired voters in the upcoming Presidential election for the first time, Chairman of the Elections Commission Saman Sri Rathnayake has informed a Parliamentary Committee.

Shoe smuggling in collusion with Customs ruins local industry: Manufacturers

Five errant businessmen in Pettah who are engaged in smuggling foreign shoes into the country are out to destroy the local shoe industry, the Sri Lanka Shoes and Leather Products Manufacturers’ Association alleged yesterday.

Kataragama Esala Festival concludes with water-cutting ceremony

The Kataragama Esala Festival, which lasted for 16 days, concluded after the final Randoli procession on Sunday night (21), followed by the water-cutting ceremony at Jeewamali ferry on Menik Ganga in the early hours of the following morning.

Land officer arrested for allegedly accepting bribe from businessman

A land officer in the Kekirawa Divisional Secretariat was arrested yesterday by the Investigation Officers of the Commission to Investigate Allegations of Bribery or Corruption.

Trade Minister welcomes producers’ decision to reduce egg prices

Minister of Trade Nalin Fernando who welcomed the decision made by egg producers to reduce the price of an egg to Rs 42 yesterday hinted that he would abandon his original plan to import eggs.

Hirunika released on bail, pending the determination of her appeal

Former Parliamentarian Hirunika Premachandra, who was sentenced to a three-year jail term in connection with an abduction case in 2015, was granted bail yesterday by the Colombo High Court, pending the determination of her appeal against the conviction and sentence.

Prince of Wales College 2008 Batch Reunion set for August 10

The 2008 batch of Prince of Wales College, Moratuwa, will host their grand reunion, titled “Power of the Cambrians,” on August 10. The event will commence at 6:30 p.m. at Randiya Hotel, Moratuwa.

Electors have been reduced to consumers - Election Commissioner

Director General of the Elections Commission Saman Sri Ratnayake said the politicians holding Dansalas and distributing dry ration and other consumer goods had reduced the voters to the position of consumers. Addressing a seminar for government officers, representatives of election monitoring organizations and the media personnel in the Southern Province to create awareness on Act No.3 of 2023 to regulate the election expenses, he pointed out

Cash rewards fail to overcome citizen fears in reporting illegal firearms

Despite repeated offers of cash rewards by the police to encourage the public to report illegal firearms used by organized criminal gangs, there is significant reluctance among citizens to come forward, fearing reprisals from the underworld, Daily Mirror learns. Public Security Minister Tiran Alles said that illegal weapons are entering the country from external sources, exacerbated by firearms that proliferated following the conclusion of the

Sri Lankan students in Bangladesh safe amidst unrest - Foreign Ministry

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs yesterday assured the safety of Sri Lankan students studying in Bangladesh. A ministry spokesman confirmed that the students residing in university hostels are secure amidst the unrest triggered by protests over the government job quota in Bangladesh. Furthermore, the spokesman informed that nine students have returned to Sri Lanka following the escalation of tensions. The High Commissioner of Sri Lanka in Bangla

HIV infected patient arrested with ICE

Investigations revealed that a 41 year old suspect, a resident of Dodamwala in Kandy. arrested by the Police Anti-Narcotics Bureau in Kandy for having in his possession 10.200 grams of ICE, was an HIV infected patient. He told police that he was arrested earlier in connection with a similar offence by Kegalle police. A senior official of the Anti-Narcotic Bureau responsible for the arrest s

Twenty-five Midshipmen commissioned in Trincomalee

The commissioning of 25 Midshipmen of the 36th and 37th intakes (Technical) of General Sir John Kotelawala Defence University was held at the Naval and Maritime Academy (NMA), Trincomalee on July 18. At the invitation of Commandant NMA, Commodore Rohan Joseph, the ceremony was graced by Commander of the Navy, Vice Admiral Priyantha Perera, as the Chief Guest. The Guest of Honour of the occasion was Brigadier Michael Rosette, Chief of Defence Forc

Sapugaskanda refinery premises to be converted into an economic zone?

President Ranil Wickremesinghe yesterday hinted on a move to convert the Sapugaskanda refinery premises into an economic zone. “This land would be vacant when we construct a large refinery in Trincomalee. We can then use this land to set up an economic zone,” The President told a rally in Kadawatha. “Gampaha was an under developed area when I first became an MP in the district. People were engaged in sack making and produ

Digital literacy for children with special needs

The open school programme, led by the National Institute of Education with technical and financial support from the Korean UNESCO Institute, is implemented in many vocational training institutions under the Department of Social Services. This programme enhances literacy and mathematical skills for children with special needs. Recently, it was digitized to develop digital literacy and mathematical skills for children at the Gampaha Amunukumbura Vo

No punitive action will be taken against police officers on confession video: Alles

Public Security Minister Tiran Alles said that no punitive action will be taken against senior police officers, including Western Province (South) Deputy Inspector General of Police Gayantha Marapana, for their interrogation of a tattoo studio owner in the presence of the media.

Minister joins Satyagraha demanding closure of liquor shop in Homagama

Minister of Transport and Mass Media Bandula Gunawardana said he would strongly protest against the foreign liquor shop opened recently at Pitipana in Homagama town and that he was prepared to forego his position as a minister and a parliamentarian if the liquor shop was not closed within a week.

Teacher under interdiction

The combined Maths teacher of Niwanthkachethiya Maha Vidyalaya who conducted fees levying private tuition classes during duty hours was interdicted with immediate effect by the North Central Province Education Department.

Gnanasara Thera granted bail after serving four months of his four year sentence

On March 28, Gnanasara Thera, was sentenced to four years of rigorous imprisonment by Colombo High Court for making a hate speech by insulting the religious beliefs of the Muslim community.

Rice Dansala in Galle

The rice Dansala organized by the Wathawana Friendship Society in Galle will be held in a grand scale for the 20th year on July 20, near the Wathawana interchange of the Southern Expressway. The Wathawana Friendship Society cordially invites the public to attend.

NPP urges EC to declare Presidential polls soon

Commission to declare the dates for the presidential election sooner as the government is still attempting to create confusion among the people and the people have a doubt about the election commission as well.

Diana withdraws expulsion case against SJB

The Expulsion Petition filed by former State Minister Diana Gamage challenging the Samagi Jana Balawegaya’s (SJB) decision to expel her from party membership was yesterday withdrawn by her before the Supreme Court.

Sacred relics deposited at Neelagiri Maha Seya

The sacred relics and treasures were ceremoniously deposited at the historic Neelagiri Maha Seya under the auspices of the Secretary to the Ministry of Defence, General Kamal Guneratne (Retd.), on Monday. The SLAF undertook the restoration of Neelagiri Maha Seya, located in Lahugala, following instructions from the Ministry of Defence.

Wessagiriya originally part of Isurumuniya - Archaeologists

Archaeologists claim that Wessagiriya in Anuradhapura had originally been a part of Isurumuniya which is in close proximity.

Call for ban on bringing mobile phones to cinemas

These are the reasons why taking of mobile phones to cinemas should be banned,” he said. Dissanayake came out with these ideas in addition to his emphasis on illegal recording and uploading of movies over social media

We won’t strike work, but no suspension on other trade union activities - NPP

The National People’s Power (NPP) will suspend strike actions by workers loyal to it but there will be no bar on other forms of trade union actions, a party official said.

Japanese couple smuggling gems worth millions nabbed at BIA

A foreign couple attempting to smuggle gems worth millions of rupees out of the country was arrested by the AASL security manning the Departure Terminal of the Bandaranaike International Airport (BIA) yesterday morning.

Earth tremor of magnitude 2.7 reported in Anuradhapura

A minor earth tremor measuring 2.7 on the Richter Scale was reported last evening in the area between Anuradhapura and Kantale.

22nd Amendment Bill an attempt to manipulate election process - Lawyers’ Collective

The Lawyers’ Collective, a prominent legal advocacy group in Sri Lanka criticized the proposed Twenty-Second Amendment to the Constitution Bill, as an attempt to manipulate the electoral process.