Cribs and nativity sets..

Cribs and nativity sets have become popular in Wattala, with predominantly Catholic population, showing a strong interest in these items during the Christmas season. A man is seen producing cribs at his residence in Wattala. Pix by Nisal Baduge

6.2 million people in SL facing moderate acute food insecurity: FAO

Four in every ten households experienced a reduction in their incomes, as a result of the unprecedented economic crisis Sri Lanka is currently experiencing, the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) in its response overview from June to December 2022 said.

Monks in universities are like Taliban

Mihintale Raja Maha Vihara Chief Prelate Valahagunawewa Dhammarathana likened monks in universities to the Taliban.

Galle Face agitation site turns into festive site

The special Christmas Carol concert and carnival organized by the Tourism Development Board, the armed forces and the police in the vicinity of the Presidential Secretariat premises was declared open by President Ranil Wickremesinghe yesterday afternoon.

Sri Lanka to sell plots in Colombo Port City for bunkering: Minister

Sri Lanka is to sell four plots of land in Colombo Port City for an investor to establish a facility for bunkering, a Minister told journalists.

Committee on High Posts approves appointments of four Ambassadors

The Committee on High Posts has approved the appointments of Four Ambassadors and two Permanent Representatives recently, Secretary General of Parliament Dhammika Dasanayake said.

Amaraweera calls for death penalty

Minister Mahinda Amaraweera said that the death penalty should be brought back to deal with the rise of drug abuse in Sri Lanka.

Thailand navy ship sinks stranding more than 100 sailors

A Thai naval ship capsized during a storm in the Gulf of Thailand on Sunday night, leaving more than 100 sailors needing to be rescued.

Rohan Seneviratne assumes duties as CEB’s new GM

Rohan Seneviratne has assumed duties as the new General Manager of the Ceylon Electricity Board (CEB).

Air quality drops again in some places

The Air quality in Colombo and Kegalle districts have dropped again today, as per the data put out by the National Building Research Organization (NBRO).

Shanaka undergoes finger surgery

Sri Lanka and Dambulla Aura captain Dasun Shanaka underwent finger injury surgery on Monday, it is learnt.

Tourists having fun near Nine Arch bridge

Tourists are having fun near Nine Arch bridge in Ella. These were among the tourists that have arrived giving some life to declining tourism industry in Sri Lanka. Pix Nisal Baduge

Messi says he will not retire from Argentinian national team

Argentina’s World Cup-winning captain Lionel Messi has quashed speculation and pledged to continue playing for his country, despite realising his lifetime ambition of winning the sport’s biggest prize.

Upcountry Tamil party requests Eric Solheim to play peace building role again

A key upcountry Tamil party is now courting the President’s International Climate Advisor Eric Solheim who previously worked as the peace facilitator between the government and the LTTE to play a role in achieving a lasting solution to the ethnic conflict in Sri Lanka .

LG polls in late February

As exclusively reported by Daily Mirror on last Tuesday (13), the Elections Commission (EC) will issue the gazette notification calling nominations for the Local Government (LG) polls after Christmas and or before the 30th December, Chairman of the EC,S.G.Punchihewa reiterated yesterday.

Food vendor shot dead inside shop in Hanwella

A 46-year-old man was shot dead at a food parlour by two unidentified gunmen in Hanwella last night, police said.

Alcohol and tobacco taxes not a cow that can be eternally milked: Jafferjee

The government must take a scientific approach focusing on revenue elasticity when deciding taxes on alcohol and tobacco to collect an....

Construction sector suffers worst contraction in 3Q 

The slump in construction sector activities deepened in the third quarter of 2022, declining for the fifth quarter in a row, according to the Gross....

Argentina crowned champions after epic final

Argentina have won the 2022 World Cup after an extraordinary 3-3 thriller of a Final with France, as Kylian Mbappé scored a hat-trick to force Lionel Messi and Angel Di Maria into victory on a penalty shoot-out.

Argentina beat France on penalties to win FIFA World Cup

Argentina have won the 2022 World Cup after an extraordinary 3-3 thriller of a Final with France, as Kylian Mbappé scored a hat-trick to force Lionel Messi and Angel Di Maria into victory on a penalty shoot-out.

FIFA World Cup 2022 Final: ARG lead 2-0 at half time, Messi and Di Maria score

Argentina got off to a promising star, with Lionel Messi converting a penalty in the 23rd minute to give Argentina a 1-0 lead over France at the Lusail Stadium. Angel di Maria then doubled the lead for La Albiceleste with a brilliant finish in the 36th minute.

Schaffter’s death: Statement recorded from Chamuditha Samarawickrame

A statement has been recorded from journalist Chamuditha Samarawickrame in connection with the death of businessman and director of Janashakthi Group Dinesh Schaffter, a high ranking Police officer said.

Seized drug consignment brought to Colombo

Two local fishing trawlers filled with ICE and Heroin which were intercepted by the Navy along with six suspects following a special operation in coordination with the State Intelligence Service and Police Narcotic Bureau, brought to Colombo. The haul of illegal drugs included over 128kg and 327g of crystal methamphetamine (ICE) and 106kg and 474g of heroin. Pix by Nimalsiri Edirisinghe

Ocean Odyssey ship arrives with America’s richest tourists

The super luxury pasenger ship ’’Ocean Odyssey’’ carrying 108 of America’s richest tourists arrived at the Colombo Port today.

Getting ready for Christmas

Christmas trees have become the centre of attraction with natural trees being stacked for sale along roadsides these days. The picture shows a customer picking out a tree to take home at Havelock Town. Pix by Nisal Baduge

Free zoo entrance on Dec. 23, 24, 25 for children and senior citizens

The zoological department has decided to grant free entrance to the zoo to children and elderly persons on December 23, 24 and 25, a Department senior official said.

Koththu & short eats prices to be reduced by Rs. 10

The price of a pack of Koththu & other short eats will be reduced by Rs. 10, the All Island Canteen Owners’ Association Head Asela Sampath said.

SL Navy rescues 105 Rohingya refugees in SL waters

A group of 105 Rohingya refugees fleeing to Malaysia by sea had been rescued by the Sri Lanka Navy when their trawler lost its course and drifted away to the Sri Lanka’s waters about 3.5 nautical miles north of Veththalakerni.

Admiral Nishantha Ulugetenne bids farewell, Vice Admiral Priyantha Perera new Navy Chief

Vice Admiral Priyantha Perera was appointed new Commander of the Sri Lanka Navy after Admiral Nishantha Ulugetenne relinquished command of the Sri Lanka Navy on completion of his tenure today.

World’s largest free-standing cylindrical aquarium bursts in Berlin, flooding street

A giant aquarium containing a million litres of water in the lobby of the Radisson Blu in Berlin has burst, flooding the hotel and nearby streets.