PTF to prevent spread of drugs among University, schoolchildren: Bandula

Cabinet of Ministers yesterday approved a proposal to appoint a Presidential Task Force (PTF) to prevent the widespread use of dangerous drugs including ICE among university and schoolchildren, Minister Bandula Gunawardena said today.

Nihal Nelson no more

Sri Lankan veteran baila singer Nihal Nelson passed away this morning at the age of 76 (1946 -2022), President of Sri Lanka Singers’ Association Keerthi Pasquel said.

CID officer arrested along with Shani Abeysekera reinstated and given full salary: AG

The Attorney General’s Department yesterday informed Supreme Court that Sub Inspector Sugath Mendis who was arrested and interdicted along with former CID Director Shani Abeysekera has now been reinstated and he will be given his full salary.

Wildlife photography

An image of a 3-month-old lion cub falling out of a tree has been named the overall winner of this year’s Comedy Wildlife Photography Awards. As well as providing some light-hearted fun, organizers want to raise awareness around wildlife conservation. 10% of net revenue will be donated to the Whitley Fund for Nature -- a UK charity that supports conservation leaders working in their home countries across the Global South. (CNN)

Mercedes driver involved in Kollupitiya fatal accident arrested at BIA

The 26-year old driver of the Mercedes car, Mohammad Ryzul Rizzaq, who fled the scene after the fatal accident in Kollupitiya on Saturday morning was arrested last night at the Katunayake airport when he returned from Dubai, police spokesman SSP Nihal Thalduwa said.

Six Peradeniya Uni students arrested over attack on fmr VC

Six students of the Peradeniya University have been arrested last night over the attack on former Vice Chancellor of the Peradeniya University Prof. Athula Senaratne and his son.

Weaker rupee to lead swift tourism industry recovery

Driven by the country’s growing appeal as a low-cost tourist destination, following the steep depreciation of the rupee, Sri Lanka’s tourism industry is expected to make a swift and steady recovery in this winter season, with tourist arrivals surpassing pre-crisis levels in 2024.

Permit issued to Prasanna Money Exchange cancelled

The Central Bank yesterday announced the permanent revocation of the money changing permit issued to Prasanna Money Exchange (Pvt.) Ltd, for the violation of the country’s foreign exchange laws.

Indian Navy Chief begins four-day Sri Lanka visit

Indian Navy Chief Admiral R Hari Kumar will begin a four-day visit to Sri Lanka on Tuesday with an aim to bolster overall bilateral maritime cooperation amid concerns in India over China’s persistent attempts to expand influence over the island nation.

Nominations for LG polls between 26-30 December: EC Chairman Punchihewa

The Election Commission (EC) will issue the gazette notification calling nominations to elect 8,327 members for 24 Municipal Councils, 41 Urban Councils and 276 Pradeshiya Sabhas within 5 working days of the final week of December, its Commissioner General S.G. Punchihewa said today.

1,660 cows, buffaloes, goats in northern, eastern provinces died of cold weather: Ministry

The extreme cold weather that swept the North Eastern Provinces in the recent days, as many as 1660 cows, buffaloes and goats reported to have died in the northern and eastern provinces in the recent days.

Parliament to meet on January. 5

The Committee on Parliamentary Business decided today that following the sitting of Parliament to be held tomorrow, Parliament will meet again on January 5, Secretary General of Parliament Dhammika Dasanayake said.

Nora Fatehi sues Jacqueline Fernandez for defamation

Actor-dancer Nora Fatehi has filed a defamation suit of Rs 200 crore against the Sri Lankan actor Jacqueline Fernandez.

12 undergrads suspended over attack on Fmr. Pera Uni VC

Twelve students of the Peradeniya University have been suspended over the assault on former Vice Chancellor of the Peradeniya University Prof. Athula Senaratne and his son.

Public advised to be vigilant on scam calls, text messages, emails via social media platforms: FIU

The Financial Intelligence Unit (FIU) of the Central Bank of Sri Lanka (CBSL) urges the public not to deposit money to the bank accounts of unknown parties or remit money through other means based on the above information without proper verification.

Enrollment for grade one, A/L only done by schools: Ministry

The Education Ministry announced today that the admission of children to grade one is done only by the respective schools and not through the Ministry.

Power cut schedule until Friday announced

The Public Utilities Commission of Sri Lanka (PUCSL) today approved a 2-hour and 20 minute powercut until Friday (16).

Close slaughterhouses, meat stalls for one week from today: EP Governor

The Eastern Province Governor’s Office has ordered closure of all slaughterhouses, butcheries and meat shops (except chicken stalls) for one week starting today.

Merc driver involved in Kollupitiya fatal accident flees to Dubai hours after accident

The driver of the Mercedes car, a 24-year-old businessman Mohammad Ryzul Rizzaq, who was involved in a fatal accident in Kollupitiya on Saturday morning while returning from a night club, had left for Dubai hours after the accident, police said.

Pollution still blankets Colombo

As the air quality in several districts deteriorated today compared to Sunday (11), according to the MBRO reports, the pictures taken of far-off areas from Lotus Tower are still gloomy. Pix courtesy - Daily Mirror Web

Dasun Shanaka fined USD 3,000 for showing dissent to on-field umpire

The captain of the Dambulla Aura, Dasun Shanaka, has been fined for showing dissent to the on-field umpire during a LPL game played between the Dambulla Aura and Colombo Stars on December 8 at MRICS, Hambantota.

Chennai-Jaffna flights resume after nearly three years

India’s Alliance Air flight touched down at Palali International Airport this morning resuming direct flights between Jaffna and Chennai after a lapse of nearly three years.

Court of Appeal orders AG to draft contempt of court charges against Sanath Nishantha

The Court of Appeal to issued an order directing the Attorney General to draft contempt of court charges against State Minister Sanath Nishantha before before January 17, in connection with the alleged contemptuous statement made by him recently.

Diana Gamage’s citizenship issue to be heard on January 26 by Court of Appeal

A writ petition filed seeking an order declaring State Minister of Tourism Diana Gamage is disqualified to be a Member of Parliament since she is a British citizen was today fixed for hearing by Court of Appeal.

STF raids on underworld gangs continue: 50 illegal firearms seized since 2020

The Special Task Force of Police (STF) has seized two firearms from three accomplices of underworld gangster ’Minuwangoda Mahesh Malli’ who is operating from Dubai.

Polgahawela-Kegalla railway crossing closed for four days

Vehicular movements on the main line near the Polgahawela railway station on A-19 road, will be suspended for four days from Thursday (15), the Railway Department said.

SLPP to initiate talks with UNP for electoral alliance

Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna (SLPP) intends to hold talks with the United National Party (UNP) led by President Ranil Wickremesinghe to explore the possibility to forming an electoral alliance in view of the elections pending , an official said .

Rome seeks Sri Lanka’s support for Expo

Italy begins campaign in Asia for Rome Expo 2030

Postal workers on strike today

The employees of the Postal Department around the country have launched a token one-day strike over several issues, including handing over proposed privatization of the Postal Department, and including a reduction in overtime hours, United Postal Trade Unions Front (UPTUF) convener Chinthaka Bandara said.

Sri Lanka number one in searching sex on google

Latest statistics released from Google had revealed that Sri Lankans are at the top when it comes to searching for sex.