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The Animal Welfare Coalition (AWC) has raised concerns over the outdated legal framework governing animal cruelty offences in Sri Lanka, calling for swift legislative reforms to better protect animals.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

Health Ministry prioritises dog culling, halts rabies vaccination, sterilisation

The Animal Welfare Coalition (AWC) has raised concerns over the Health Ministry’s approach to controlling the spread of rabies in the country, alleging that the Ministry is steering the government towards culling dogs instead of entrusting the Department of Animal Production and Health (DAPH) to manage both the rabies vaccination and sterilisation programmes.

Sri Lankan ambassador to Turkiye recalled

The Foreign Affairs Ministry has recalled Sri Lankan Ambassador to Turkiye S. Hasanthi Urugodawatte before term ends. She is supposed to end her three-year stint by Octobetr. However, she has been asked to return by July 6.

Aftermath of Kotahena child’s suicide Cabinet nod for multi-stakeholder intervention against child abuse incidents

In the aftermath of the suicide incident involving 15-year old Dilshi Amshika from Kotahena, the government had taken certain steps in response to the public outcry that followed. The Cabinet nod to establish a multi-sectoral caucus to

Nearly one year on: Irregularities mar elephant census results

Despite the lapse of nearly one year, the results of the elephant census are yet to be determined due to complaints about irregularities in the process.

Fool-proof, tight conditions for prisoners’ release in future

Following malpractices involved in the release of prisoners, the Justice Ministry will introduce fool-proof, tight conditions for remission of jail terms of those behind bars in view of national events such as Independence Day, Vesak

Separate probe to arrest fraud convict released under pardon - Minister

While investigations continue into the illegal release of inmates under a Presidential Pardon, a separate probe has been launched to arrest Athula Tilakaratne, a convict in a financial fraud case at Anuradhapura Prison who was also

Upuldeniya’s lawyer wants to name Secretaries to President and Justice Ministry as suspects

The lawyer representing suspended Prison Chief Thushara Upuldeniya told the Colombo Magistrate’s Court yesterday that if any wrongful release of inmates has occurred, both the Secretary to the President and the Secretary to the

Lankadeepa Aloka Pooja

The ‘Lankadeepa Aloka Pooja’ at the Thanthirimale Temple, organised annually by Wijeya Newspapers Ltd. (WNL) to mark Poson Poya, commenced on Monday. This event is being held for the 22nd consecutive year.

68 more inmates illegally freed under Presidential Pardon - ASG Peeris

A total of 68 more inmates were illegally released under the guise of a Presidential Pardon during Christmas in 2024 and on Independence Day this year, despite not meeting the required criteria, Additional Solicitor General

Presidential pardon for prisoners marred by oversights, corruption

Serious lapses and possible corruption involved in securing presidential pardons for prisoners has surfaced with the latest controversy surrounding the release of prisoner W.H. Athula Tilakaratne in view of Vesak.

Local Pharma industry sounds alarm on potential drug shortage

In light of the acute shortage of essential medicines, the Sri Lanka Chamber of the Pharmaceutical Industry (SLCPI) is urging the Ministry of Health to act immediately and to rethink its reliance on Government-to-Government (G2G) procurement warning that it may come too late to meet urgent needs.

Exotic Beauty kidnapped from Zoo

A Blue and Yellow Macaw at the Dehiwela Zoo which is said to cost Rs 500,000 has been stolen few days ago.

SriLankan operates relief flight after emergency landing in Indonesia

A special relief flight, UL 302, operated by SriLankan Airlines departed Bandaranaike International Airport (BIA) for Medan International Airport in Sumatra, Indonesia to transport 101 passengers and crew members stranded following

Coconut harvest to drop further this year, imports to continue

The Coconut Research Institute has forecast a further decline of 250 million nuts crop for the first half of 2025 harvest during the first half of this year compared to last year, the current harvest stands at 1,407 million nuts for the first half

Former Chief Justice Jayantha Jayasuriya presents letters of credence to UN

Former chief justice Jayantha Jayasuriya presented his Letters of Credence as Sri Lanka’s Permanent Representative to the United Nations, the Foreign Ministry said yesterday.

Indian CJ , colleagues publicly pledge to refuse post-retirement jobs

Chief Justice of India BR Gavai has said that he and his colleagues in the Supreme Court have publicly pledged to not undermine the public’s trust in judicial integrity by accepting post-retirement roles or positions from the government.

Obtaining old aircraft on lease will not do any good to national carrier: Opposition MP

Obtaining an old aircraft on lease and making it fly around the country will not do any good to the national carrier which is already hampered with heavy losses, Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB) MP Nalinda Bandara Jayamaha said in response to Leader of the House Bimal Ratnayake who claimed that people are impressed with the new aircraft.

Chaos at Colombo National Hospital as Director vacancy continues

The Colombo National Hospital, the largest and most vital medical institution in Sri Lanka, has been operating without a permanent director for over three months.

I am not disappointed that I did not enter the top 40. I was realistic about it: Anudi

Miss Sri Lanka for Miss World 2025, Anudi Gunasekara who recently returned back to the country after participating in the pageant in India said she was not disappointed for failing to enter the top 40 and had been realistic about this throughout the competition.

World Bank identifies Sri Lanka too hot for people to work 6 hours a Day

Sri Lanka is among a few South Asian countries identified with a temperature level that is considered too hot for people to be able to work safely outdoors for an average of six hours a day, according to a report compiled by the World Bank.

Sri Lankan to fly high with A330-200 refurbished airbus

An Airbus A3330-200, to be added to SriLankan Airlines’ fleet today, is an aircraft which is only a dozen years old and obtained on dry lease as part of re-fleeting efforts, an official said

Heart attacks in the young: A Cardiologist’s perspective on a growing crisis

As a cardiologist practising for over 25 years, I have seen a disturbing rise in heart attacks among young adults—especially in Sri Lanka and other South Asian countries. What was once rare in people under 40 has now become

Mechanism in place to release containers without any checking If importers track record good: Minister

In the wake of controversy over the release of 323 containers, Cabinet Spokesman Minister Nalinda Jayatissa said yesterday that it is not a big issue and claimed that there is a mechanism to release containers to ease the

Not expecting to take part in any other pageants, says Anudi

Anudi Gunasekara, who represented Sri Lanka at the 72nd Miss World Festival Grand Final, said she was not expecting to take part in any other pageants.

Battle for CMC supremacy continues, date for first session to be announced today

A tough tussle is going on between the ruling National People’s Power (NPP) and the opposition parties, including Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB), to gain control of the Colombo Municipal Council (CMC).

SriLankan Airlines’ new A 330 to perform low fly-past over colombo and katunayake tomorrow

SriLankan Airlines’ latest Airbus A330-200 aircraft is set to arrive in Sri Lanka tomorrow (4), with a special low-altitude fly-past over Colombo and Katunayake before landing.