WNL Sponsors illumination of Thanthirimale Temple

Wijeya Newspapers Ltd will sponsor the illumination of the Thanthirimale Temple and the Chaithiya to mark the Poson festival this year.

W. M. Mendis and Co. remains shut for three months Fin. Min. rejects Excise proposal to bring Mendis back on track

The Department of Excise, the competent authority managing the liquor industry is left with no other option but to seek the Attorney General’s assistance to deal with the Rs.5.8 billion tax evading W. M. Mendis and Co.,

Underworld criminals suspected in killing of ex-prison superintendent

Sidath Dhammika, the former superintendent of Boossa Prison, was shot and killed yesterday in the Thalagaha area of Akmeemana, Galle, allegedly by underworld criminals.

Apeksha Hospital director clarifies Only two linear accelerators dysfunctional

Responding to claims made by the Government Radiology Technologists Association regarding the malfunction of three out of the five linear accelerators at the Maharagama Apeksha Hospital, the hospital management clarified the situation.

Sri Lankan company among entities designated by US over supply of Iranian oil to China

According to the US embassy, Marshall Islands-registered Celestite Maritime Inc. and Sri Lanka-based Marine Solution Pvt. Ltd. serve as the registered owner and technical manager of Barbados-flagged SHANNON II, which was designated for shipping Iranian oil.

Aussie man survives 100 days with Artificial heart in world’s-first success

An Australian man with heart failure has become the first person in the world to walk out of a hospital with a total artificial heart implant, The Guardian reported.

CID searches Sagala’s house to locate Ex-IGP Tennakoon

Officers from the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) conducted a search at the house of former Parliamentarian Sagala Ratnayaka in Morawaka, Matara, on Tuesday as part of ongoing efforts to locate former Inspector General of Police (IGP) Deshabandu Tennakoon.

Police probe whether rape of lady doctor pre-planned

The suspect, who has a criminal history, was previously a disrobed Buddhist monk and an army deserter.

Health Professionals Up In Arms Over Alternative To ‘Kasippu’

Medical professionals have strongly opposed the Excise Department’s plan to introduce a lower-priced alcohol product calling it a move that will fuel consumption rather than curb illicit alcohol use.

Court of Appeal to rule on March 17 on Deshabandu’s arrest

The Court of Appeal yesterday fixed for March 17 to deliver its order on whether or not to issue an interim order preventing the arrest of Inspector General of Police (IGP) Deshabandu Tennakoon in connection with the Weligama hotel shooting incident.

Proposal to offer cash to people who capture toque monkeys

Opposition MP Sujith Sanjaya Perera yesterday proposed the government to offer at least Rs. 500 or Rs. 1,000 in cash to people who capture toque monkeys as a solution to the crop damage caused by animals. >>A2

Dy. Minister says Relocate toque monkeys to an island, feed them similar to an alms-giving tradition

Deputy Minister of Vocational Education Nalin Hewage has proposed relocating toque monkeys to an island and feeding them daily, similar to an alms-giving tradition, as a solution to the ongoing toque monkey menace that is causing significant crop damage across the country.

Authorities yet to locate Royal Park convict - AG

The Attorney General informed the Supreme Court yesterday that authorities have yet to trace the whereabouts of Jude Shamantha Jayamaha, who was sentenced to death in connection with the Royal Park murder case. Therefore, the CID has launched an investigation to locate him.

No procurement guidelines followed when purchases made for MR’s official residence renovation

Startling revelations have now emerged how building materials for the renovation of Mahinda Rajapaksa’s official residence have been purchased from selected suppliers on the direction of the Project Engineer Lt. Com. Aravinda of the Sri Lanka Navy.

Sri Lanka to develop two digital systems to register and authenticate its citizens

Sri Lanka is to get into a joint project with India to design and implement its own digital identity system to register and authenticate its citizens while there will be a second project to develop an electronic national identity card, it was revealed in Parliament yesterday.

Rs. 2.4 Mn spent on printing documents for wild animal census - Ministry

The Ministry of Agriculture, Livestock, Lands, and Irrigation has revealed that Rs. 2.4 million has been spent on printing documents related to the upcoming census of wild animals that damage agricultural crops.

President instructs Excise to effectively regulate alcohol industry

President Anura Kumara Dissanayake yesterday instructed the Department of Excise to effectively regulate the alcohol industry in the country to increase state revenue generation, thus supporting economic growth and countering illicit liquor.

Very special to have opportunity to work with Sri Lankan govt.: Aloe Blacc

Visiting American singer and entrepreneur Aloe Blacc said it is very special to have the opportunity to work with Sri Lankan government and the National Initiative for Research and Development Commercialisation (NIRDC).

Two-month old infant abandoned on the roadside

A two-month-old male infant who had been abandoned by the roadside at Devagoda in Madampe off Ambalangoda was recovered by Ambalangoda Police yesterday morning. The infant, wrapped in a piece of cloth and left near a garden wall, was crying when the police arrived.

What lies next ?

Four former presidents are at the state ceremony to confer the ‘Sannas Patra’ on the Supreme Mahanayake of the Sri Lanka Amarapura Maha Nikaya Venerable Karagoda Uyangoda Maithri Murthi Maha Thero which was held at the Bandaranaike Memorial International Conference Hall in Colombo under the patronage of President Anura Kumara Dissanayake.

House for MR in Kataragama sparks CID inquiry

A house built in Kataragama for former President Mahinda Rajapaksa has prompted an investigation by the Criminal Investigations Department (CID). Dishan Gunasekara, the Basnayake Nilame (chief lay custodian) of the Ruhunu Kataragama Maha Devalaya, was questioned by CID officers yesterday regarding the property.

Excise to introduce budget liquor to counter ‘Kasippu’

In a bid to attract over 40% of the country’s illicit liquor drinkers into a much safer drinking culture the Department of Excise is mulling to introduce a new ‘quarter’ bottle with a lesser strength of arrack for an affordable price to match ‘Kasippu’, the Daily Mirror learns.

American singer, entrepreneur Aloe Blacc to arrive in SL today

American musician and entrepreneur Aloe Blacc is arriving in Sri Lanka today to seek investment opportunities in Sri Lanka, a spokesman for the President’s Media Division (PMD) said.

Four leopards killed in Nuwara Eliya alone in 68 days

Four hill country leopards have been killed in various incidents in the Nuwara Eliya District alone within 68 days, officers of the Wildlife Conservation Department said.

Over 22,400 companies defaulted Rs 34.9 billion EPF payments

Some 22,450 institutions have failed to pay EPF to its employees since 2015 to date, it was disclosed in Parliament.

Fun flying can soar with no threat to flight paths

In the wake of demand for investment in recreational aviation activities such as baloon rides and para gliding, the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA )is planning for designation of areas so that fun flying does not pose obstruction to international and domestic air traffic in whatsoever manner , an official said yesterday.

Suspicious behaviour near Thalawila Church leads to arrest of two youth

The suspicious behaviour of two young men frequenting the entrance to Thalawila St. Anne’s Church in Kalpitiya during the vespers on Saturday evening (08) prior to the beginning of the Lent Season last morning led to their arrest.

Housing Purchases 26 MPs in last P’ment behind Rs. 220 million loss to Govt.

Government would explore the possibility of recovering the loss by charging the actual prices from the recipients of these houses

69 per cent women experience discomfort in public places due to others’ consumption of alcohol: ADIC

A recent survey in 2025 conducted by Alcohol and Drug Information Centre (ADIC) on the international women’s day reveals that 69 per cent of women face discomfort in public places due to the increase in consumption of alcohol by others.

Eight SSPs transferred in latest police reshuffle

Eight Senior Superintendents of Police (SSPs), including the Director of the Ministerial Security Division (MSD), have been transferred with immediate effect.