Urgent antigen kits to be imported

The Ministry of Health is set to import additional stocks of COVID-19 antigen test kits as a precautionary measure amidst growing concerns over a new global variant of the virus, Daily Mirror learns.

SVAT repeal expected to add Rs.191bn annually to VAT coffers

The upcoming repeal of the Simplified Value Added Tax (SVAT) regime is projected to significantly bolster Sri Lanka’s Value Added Tax (VAT) revenue, with an estimated additional Rs.191 billion expected to flow into state coffers annually.

Candidates declaring LG Polls election expenses at an exceptionally pleasing rate – EC

Declaring campaign finances of the contestants of the recently concluded Local Government polls 2025 is at an exceptionally pleasing rate where over 66, 000 out of 75, 500 candidates have submitted their election expenses thus far, a senior election commission official said.

Pakistan teen TikTok star shot dead

A 22-year-old man has been arrested in Pakistan and confessed to the murder of 17-year-old social media influencer Sana Yousaf, according to the Pakistan police.

Dayasiri testifies before CID on seeking assistance from President’s Fund

Opposition MP Dayasiri Jayasekera today testified before the CID on seeking assistance from the President’s fund.

Public can now verify imported vehicles via new Customs portal

In line with the government-declared National Tax Week aimed at raising public awareness on taxation, the Sri Lanka Customs Department has officially launched a new ’Vehicle Verification Portal’ to enable the public to access details of vehicles imported into the country.

Navy ambushed by mob during sea operation in Trincomalee: Three injured

At least three individuals, including two Sri Lanka Navy personnel were injured following a clash between an organised group of individuals and the Sri Lanka Navy during an anti-illegal fishing operation in the Kuchchaveli sea area of Trincomalee.

Several current Ministers will end up in jail under future Government: Chamara

Parliament witnessed heated exchanges yesterday after MP Chamara Sampath Dassanayake alleged that several ministers in the current government would face jail time under a future opposition-led administration.

Sri Lanka receives USD 650 million FDIs in first quarter: Handunnetti

The country has recieved Foriegn Direct Investments (FDIs) amounting to USD 650 million in the first quarter of this year, Industry and Entrepreneurship Development Minister Sunil Handunnetti said today.

Kataragama Esala Festival to commence on June 26

The Esala festival at the Ruhunu Kataragama Maha Devalaya will commence on June 26 and continue till July 11, concluding with the traditional water-cutting ceremony at the Jeewamali ferry in the Menik Ganga, Basnayake Nilame Dishan Gunasekara announced today.

Human skeletal remains found in Chemmani, Jaffna

The skeletal remains of seven human bodies have been recovered as of yesterday morning during ongoing excavations at Sittupatthu in Chemmani, Jaffna.

ETF board employees protest over salary issues

Catastrophe during RCB victory parade; 11 dead, more than 25 seriously injured in stampede

The high élan over Royal challengers Bengaluru’s maiden IPL quest turned into grief after 11 people died in a stampede during a victory parade in Bengaluru. More than 25 are feared to be seriously injured with children included in the list. The death toll is likely to rise.

Initiative launched to appoint coastal caretakers in areas adjoining tourist hotels

A special initiative to appoint individuals as caretakers of coastal areas adjoining tourist hotels was launched this morning at the premises of the Habaraduwa Divisional Secretariat.

Man falls to death from five-storey building in Wellawatte

A man died after falling from a five-storey building in Ramakrishna Place, Wellawatte, the Wellawatte Police said.

Land next to JVP headquarters purchased by former Minister under his driver’s name: Handunetti

The land adjoining the Janatha Vimukthi Peramuna (JVP) headquarters in Pelawatte belongs to a former Minister who had purchased it under his driver’s name, Minister Sunil Handunetti revealed in Parliament today.

Six subcommittees appointed to address key issues in education sector

In response to concerns raised regarding the education sector at the recent Parliamentary Advisory Committee meeting, Prime Minister and Education Minister Harini Amarasuriya announced the appointment of six dedicated subcommittees to address pressing issues and propose reforms.

Supreme Court grants leave to hear FR petitions over demolition of Soul Beach Hotel

The Supreme Court today granted leave to proceed with three Fundamental Rights petitions challenging the legality of the demolition of Soul Beach (Pvt) Ltd., a beachside hotel in Dehiwala, as part of the former government’s Yukthiya anti-narcotics operation.

Circular issued advising government employees to wear face masks withdrawn

The circular issued by Western Province Deputy Chief Secretary B.N. Damminda Kumara advising heads of all government institutions to advise their employees to wear face masks, has been withdrawn.

No need to issue common advice to wear facemask in government institutions: Health Secretary

In the wake of the circular issued by Western Province Deputy Chief Secretary advising all government employees to wear facemasks, Secretary to the Health Ministry Dr. Anil Jasinghe said no need has arisen at the moment to issue any common advice to wear facemasks in government institutions.

Achieving economic success alone is not sufficient for nation’s development: President

Claiming that achieving economic success alone is not sufficient for a nation’s development, President Anura Kumara Dissanayake said today that economic progress must be accompanied by social development and a transformation in political culture.

Internal Affairs Unit established at the Presidential Secretariat

An Internal Affairs Unit has been officially established within the premises of the Presidential Secretariat to facilitate the public in submitting inquiries and complaints related to the services provided by the Secretariat.

New airport–Colombo luxury bus service now in operation

In a welcome move aimed at enhancing passenger convenience, the Route 187 Luxury Air-Conditioned Bus Service is now officially operational between Bandaranaike International Airport (BIA) and Colombo Fort via the Colombo–Katunayake Expressway.

Health Ministry to launch Cluster Health Information System tomorrow

In a landmark move set to transform the country’s primary healthcare landscape, the Health Ministry will officially launch the Cluster Health Information System (CHIS) tomorrow (5) at the Thambuttegama Base Hospital.

All government employees advised to wear masks

Heads of all government institutions have been instructed to advise their employees to wear face masks as a precautionary measure against the potential spread of Influenza and COVID-19.

SriLankan Airlines welcomes first wide-body aircraft in seven years

Protest at Fort against VAT cheats

South Korea’s new president Lee Jae-myung pledges to ’unite’ country

Just hours after winning the South Korean presidency, Lee Jae-myung has pledged to ’’unite the people’’ in his inauguration speech on Wednesday.

SC orders Excise chief to submit details on liquor licenses issued ahead of 2024 Presidential poll

The Supreme Court on Tuesday (04) ordered the Commissioner General of Excise to provide comprehensive details to the court on liquor licenses issued over the past year, specifically including the period starting from the declaration of the 2024 Presidential election.

Musk calls Trump’s tax bill a ’disgusting abomination’

Elon Musk has hit out at President Donald Trump’s signature tax and spending bill, describing it as a ’’disgusting abomination’’, in a widening rift between the two allies.