Wild elephant rescued from toilet pit at Moragoda

A wild elephant which had fallen into a toilet pit in a home garden at Moragoda in Huruluwewa was rescued and released into the Huruluwewa forest reserve by a team of wildlife officers from Ritigala.

Allow people to consume liquor if you want high tax revenue: MP

The government should enable the people to consume liquor in order to meet the desired tax revenue targets, opposition MP Chamara Sampath Dassanayake told Parliament yesterday.

Green achievements spotlighted at Presidential Environment Awards 2025

The prestigious “Presidential Environment Awards 2025” will be held today (23), at the Bandaranaike Memorial International Conference Hall (BMICH), under the patronage of President Anura Kumara Dissanayake.

Drug traffickers should be hanged - Commissioner of Prisons

Commissioner of Prisons and Media Spokesman Jagath Weerasinghe stressed that drug traffickers sentenced to death should be hanged.

Customs confiscating consignment of Holy Quran copies

Prime Minister Harini Amarasuriya has called for a report from the Department of Customs on confiscating a consignment of the Holy Quran written in Tamil for more than a year.

Pharmacists’ Assn. warns of dispensing medicines without prescription

The practice of dispensing medicines to patients without a prescription or the supervision of a qualified pharmacist is putting lives at risk, the Government Pharmacists Association has warned.

AG to decide on Catholic Church’s request on the Chapel at Wilpattu Park

As the Catholic Church in Sri Lanka is yet to confirm that there has been a traditional monthly service at Pallakandal Church located within the Wilpattu National Park, the Attorney General will have to decide on the request made by the church authorities.

President transfers key agencies following Cabinet reshuffle

A special gazette issued by President Anura Kumara Dissanayake has redefined the functions and institutional responsibilities of several ministries following the recent Cabinet reshuffle.

All Ceylon YMMA 75th Annual Convention at Cinnamon Life

The 75th Annual Convention of the All Ceylon Young Men’s Muslim Association (YMMA) was held at the Cinnamon Life City of Dreams in Colombo recently under the patronage of the YMMA National President Amhar Shariff.

The George Keyt Foundation’s ‘Young Contemporaries 2025’ celebrates overwhelming success and reveals winner

The George Keyt Foundation’s ‘Young Contemporaries 2025’ exhibition culminated with tremendous success at the Barefoot Gallery, drawing over 300 attendees on the first evening and achieving extraordinary sales of artworks. The event, inaugurated by the British High Commissioner to Sri Lanka, H.E. Andrew Patrick, showcased the creativity of 12 emerging artists from around the island.

Court extends interim order on arrest of ex-Army Intelligence Officer

The Court of Appeal yesterday further extended its interim order preventing the arrest of a former member of the Army Intelligence Service without obtaining the advice of the Attorney General, in connection with a CID investigation.

Audit urges fair pricing, stricter rules for private hospitals

An audit report has called for an urgent overhaul of Sri Lanka’s private healthcare system, recommending a fair and affordable charge structure and the grading of all private medical institutions across the country.

Drug samples since 1981 ordered to be destroyed

The Judicial Service Commission (JSC) has instructed all magistrates to take immediate steps to remove drug samples weighing less than one kilogramme that have been stored at the Government Analyst’s Department since 1981.

Audit flags wasteful ticket printing at National Museums

The Department of National Museums has been criticized in a recent audit for printing tickets in bulk without considering actual demand, resulting in uneconomical spending. The audit revealed that ticket books were printed in batches ranging from 500 to 2,000 tickets, regardless of the average annual requirements of other museums over the three-year period from 2022 to 2024.

If eviction orders implemented properly, about a third of Colombo would be homeless – Justice Minister

If all pending eviction orders were to be implemented, about a third of Colombo’s population would be left homeless, Justice Minister Harshana Nanayakkara said. He made these remarks in response to controversy surrounding a recent statement made by National People’s Power (NPP) MP Lakmali Hemachandra over her recent remarks on a court-ordered eviction.

Three months has lapsed No guardian yet for the baby found abandoned in paddy field

Authorities have yet to locate the parents of an infant girl found abandoned in a paddy field in Sinhapura, along the Mawathagama, Paragahadeniya, Jakaduwa road, about three months ago, officials from the Department of Probation and Child Care Services said.

No decision to remove vehicle passes of doctors and lawyers: Nalinda

Refuting reports on a move to ban vehicle passes of doctors and lawyers, Health Minister Dr. Nalinda Jayatissa yesterday assured that no decision has been taken to remove vehicle passes of doctors and lawyers as reported.

Ven. Wimalatissa recalls ordeal with Deshabandu Tennakoon over parliamentary bonus seat

Deshabandu Tennakoon is yet again in the spotlight for aiding and abetting Ven. Athuraliye Rathana Thera to get the latter the parliamentary bonus seat by threatening the Secretary of the Ape Janabala Pakshaya (AJP) with death in 2020.

Wild elephant run over by train

The carcass of a wild elephant, run over by a train was recovered yesterday afternoon from Ruwanpitiya in Welikanda. Wildlife officials said the jumbo was about 8ft tall and between 35 and 40 years of age. It had been run over by the Maho bound parcel train from Batticaloa.

Over 360 receive free spectacles at eye care camp in Kuchchaveli

James Global Minerals, in collaboration with the Eye Donation Society, organised a free eye examination and glasses distribution programme at the Multi-Community Cultural Hall, Kuchchaveli Divisional Secretariat recently.

Inclement weather swells reservoirs

Several tanks and reservoirs have been rising due to the prevailing heavy rain experienced in several areas at present.

Breast cancer awareness programme in Kandy today

The Rajaputhra Foundation, in collaboration with Nawaloka Hospitals PLC, is organising a special Breast Cancer Awareness CSR Programme today in Kandy.

Museum gemstones locked for 60 years, unvalued: Audit calls for action

The audit of the Department of National Museums has highlighted delays in assessing the value of 271 gemstones held by the Geology Section. These gems have been deposited at the Metropolitan Branch of a state bank since 18 September 1964.

Russian arrested for Kush cultivation

A Russian tourist who had cultivated Kush at Ihalagoda in Akmeemana was arrested yesterday by the Galle Crime Investigation Division.The suspect had rented out a house and carried out the cultivation of Kush in one of the rooms. Investigations revealed that the suspect Russian tourist had rented out the house belonging to a doctor for Rs.150,000 per month to carry out the racket.

Government’s war on underworld and drugs a political exercise : Opposition

Coming up with fresh criticism on the programme launched by the government to control the underworld and to eradicate drugs from Sri Lanka, the opposition said it has become a mere political exercise.

Sri Lankan Citizen Honoured with Doctorate Award at National Crime Intelligence Agency Annual Meet in Kerala

The National Crime Intelligence Agency (NCIA), India held its Annual Strategic Meet in Kerala, focusing on key issues such as zero crime, anti-corruption measures, human rights, consumer rights, and the protection of women and children where M.N.Ebraham was conferred with an Honorary Doctorate Award.

Focus on our Trade Policy Review : WTO official

World Trade Organisation (WTO) Trade Policy Review head Zhanar Atizhanova Torebwyev has called up Sri Lanka to focus on WTO Trade Policy Review (TPR), stressing that it could play a major role in the countries’, trade reform

RDA to erect safety guard rails to prevent accidents in the hill country

The Road Development Authority (RDA) has taken steps to install safety guard rails along hazardous embankment points in the hill country, following a recent surge in road accidents.

Trishaw driver arrested for indecent exposure

A trishaw driver who exposed himself to a female tourist was arrested yesterday by the Habaraduwa Police. The 30-year-old suspect is a resident of Poddala, Galle.

BOI Toastmasters Club holds 3rd installation ceremony

The Board of Investment (BOI) Toastmasters Club held its 3rd installation ceremony on October 9, 2025, at the BOI Auditorium.