U.S. embassy warns against birth tourism

The U.S. Embassy in Colombo has issued a warning to Sri Lankan nationals and other foreign travellers, cautioning that those who travel to the United States on tourist visas with the intention of giving birth to secure U.S. citizenship for their child, risk being denied future visas.

Hundreds of vehicles stranded as Sri Lanka Customs enforces decade-old import rule

Hundreds of vehicles are stranded at the port, with hundreds more on the way, after Sri Lanka Customs abruptly halted the clearance of vehicles imported under cross-border Letters of Credit (LCs) starting May 26 this year.

Govt. secures clearance for casino machine imports

The Committee on Public Finance (COPF) have given the nod for the importation of casino machines, citing that the move will help the country to earn revenue in the form of taxes.

Middle East on the edge as Iran launches attack on Qatar

Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) officially confirmed that it launched a retaliatory missile attack targeting the American al-Udeid Air Base in Qatar, Iran’s Tasnim news agency reports said.

Iranian Parliament votes to close

Iran’s Parliament, the Majlis, has reportedly approved the closure of the Strait of Hormuz in response to the attacks by the U.S. on Iranian nuclear facilities, the country’s state-owned media PressTV reported yesterday, the Hindu reported.

Prince William’s heart beats for Sri Lankan elephants

Prince William and The Royal Foundation’s United for Wildlife programme have released the newest episode of its groundbreaking docuseries, Guardians, highlighting the individuals at the forefront of wildlife protection and

FAO ship will come to Colombo for replenishment

The Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO) research vessel ‘Dr. Fridtjof Nansen’ will arrive in Colombo only for replenishment but not for any research activity, despite the initial plan, Daily Mirror learns.

Fertiliser import from China Conflicting lab reports under scrutiny - Namal Karunaratne

Investigators probing the controversial Chinese fertiliser deal will focus on conflicting laboratory reports, particularly how the National Plant Quarantine Services (NPQS) detected the microorganism Erwinia in samples from Qingdao

UN research vessel visit not barred, but no green light for research yet – Minister

While asserting that there is no restriction on the UN research vessel visiting Sri Lanka, Foreign Minister Vijitha Herath yesterday clarified that no final decision has been made regarding granting permission to carry out marine research in Sri Lankan waters.

Think twice before buying EVs: Vehicle importers Asso.

The Vehicle Importers Association of Lanka (VIAL) has urged the public to carefully consider their options when purchasing electric vehicles (EVs), warning that the market value of many such vehicles drops by several million rupees within just a few months.

German lab finds immunoglobulin drug contains harmful bacteria - AG

The Attorney General informed the Maligakanda Magistrate yesterday that laboratory tests conducted at a German chemical laboratory revealed the immunoglobulin drug contained only saline and lethal harmful bacteria, with no medicinal substances.

73,489 new vehicles registered this year, total count rises to 8.5 Mn: DMT

Following the recent easing of import restrictions, the country has recorded 73,489 new vehicle registrations so far this year, bringing the total vehicle population to 8,528,002, the Department of Motor Traffic said.

11.6 percent youngsters addicted to smoking, 18 percent to drinking-survey

A recent study reveals that 11.6 percent of youngsters aged 15 to 21 in Sri Lanka are actively smoking and 18 percent actively drink alcohol.

Supreme Court orders Rs. 2 Mn compensation to victim of police torture

In another landmark ruling reaffirming the Constitutional protection against torture and arbitrary detention, the Supreme Court ordered two police officers attached to the Uragasmanhandiya Police Station to personally pay Rs. 2 million in compensation to a man who was illegally arrested, detained and tortured in 2019.

Air India crash “It’s a freak incident, as the Dreamliner is generally considered a reliable aircraft” - fmr. UL pilot

Days after the crash of an Air India flight, former SriLankan Airlines pilot Captain Sri Segaram said that those concerned can speculate on the possible reasons at this hour but the flight data recorder (FDR) and the cockpit voice

UNP’s CMC member assaulted by NPP supporters

UNP’s Colombo Municipal Councillor Sandamali Uluwitage has been hospitalized following an alleged assault by a group of National People’s Power (NPP) supporters on Monday night. Speaking to the media, Uluwitage said the

Tanks and reservoirs filled to capacity

Continual heavy rain experienced in the Central hills has resulted in the rise to capacity in the Maussakele and Castlereigh reservoirs.

Patients charged up to Rs. 250,000 for hospital-supplied item worth Rs. 17,500 - Bribery Commission

Patients were forced to pay between Rs. 120,000 and Rs. 250,000 for a medical item labelled EVD, used in surgeries at a government hospital in 2022 that had been officially procured and supplied to a government hospital at just Rs.

Small cars banned, only sedans allowed for airport pickups: App-based taxi services say

App-based taxi services at Bandaranaike International Airport (BIA) claimed that they are facing huge issues after airport authorities suddenly decided to limit the types of vehicles allowed inside the airport.

Covid variant NB.1.8.1 considered a regular respiratory infection- Expert

The new variant of Covid, NB.1.8.1, which has lost its potential to cause severe infection, since May 2023 is considered a regular respiratory infection, by the World Health Organisation (WHO) and Sri Lankan government, Dr. Athula Liyanapathirana, Consultant Epidemiologist, Epidemiology Unit, Ministry of Health, told the Daily Mirror.

Opposition suspects foul play in election of Vraie Balthazaar as Colombo Mayor legal action considered

In the wake of Vraie Cally Balthazaar’s election as Mayor of Colombo, the Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB) has raised suspicions of foul play and indicated that legal action may be pursued.

Chemical leak at Jayewardenepura Medical Faculty

A chemical leak was reported yesterday morning at the Faculty of Medical Sciences, University of Sri Jayewardenepura, prompting swift action from emergency services.

Maithri leaves SLFP in CBK’s hands

Former President Maithripala Sirisena is reported to have requested Ms. Chandrika Bandaranaike Kumaratunga to take charge of the Sri Lanka Freedom Party (SLFP) and rebuild it.

Is Sri Lanka on the verge of an acute drug shortage?

Sri Lanka’s public healthcare system is under growing strain as shortages of essential medicines continue to affect hospitals and central medical stores.

Sri Lankan economy to be hit badly if Israel - Iran tension escalates

Sri Lanka is closely observing the current development of tension in the Middle-East since instability in the region involves greater implications for the country’s economy recovering from the crisis, a source from the Foreign Ministry said.

Chikungunya strikes women, middle-aged hardest, study finds

Women appear more susceptible to chikungunya, with 58.6% of reported cases affecting females, compared to 42.6% among males, according to a recent situation analysis from the Ministry of Health’s Epidemiology Unit.

Animal census completed at cost of just Rs. 2.7 Mn - Ministry

Sri Lanka’s first-ever nationwide animal census has been successfully completed at a total cost of just Rs. 2.7 million, the Ministry of Agriculture, Livestock, Land and Irrigation announced yesterday.

Animal cruelty still punishable by Rs.100 fine - Animal Welfare Coalition

The Animal Welfare Coalition (AWC) has raised concerns over the outdated legal framework governing animal cruelty offences in Sri Lanka, calling for swift legislative reforms to better protect animals.

Bond scam Central Bank fails to submit records, senior official ordered before court

Colombo Chief Magistrate Thanuja Lakmali yesterday ordered a senior officer of the Financial Intelligence Unit (FIU) of the Central Bank of Sri Lanka (CBSL) to appear before court in connection with the ongoing investigations into the Central Bank bond scam, due to the failure to submit bank records as previously ordered.

Back to prison...

The suspended Commissioner General of Prisons Thushara Upuldeniya was sent back to prison until June 25 over aiding the illegal Vesak Poya pardon.