MPs’ security is to be beefed up:Speaker

Following the request made by a number of MPs to beef up their security after the shooting incident inside Magistrate’s Courts Hulftsdorp, Speaker Jagath Wickramaratne yesterday announced in Parliament that he had requested the Acting IGP to beef up the security of all MPs.

People should not be wary of details provided to Census and Statistics Department: Official

The Census and Statistics Department is seeking exact details of people including the conditions of their housing and collected data remain confidential and are inaccessible to any third party, a senior official from the department confirmed.

Prevailing dry weather boosts solar energy output

The output of solar energy has increased due to the high level of sunlight in the country, and if the trend continues, the national grid will find it difficult to support it, an official said yesterday.

Police in collusion with crimes in Middeniya, Hulftsdorp -Public Security Minister Ananda Wijepala

In the wake of reports about some police personnel being involved in recent murders, Public Security Minister Ananda Wijepala said yesterday he would take tough action regarding such incidents. The Minister told Parliament that it is clear that some state institutions, especially the police were aiding underworld activities.

Housemaid returning from Saudi Arabia dies on plane

A Sri Lankan woman on her way back from Riyad in Saudi Arabia had breathed her last on the flight last morning. Airport police investigating the incident said she could have been a housemaid employed in Saudi Arabia The victim Menik Appulage Mangalika (49) had been on board the Sri Lankan flight that arrived last morning from Riyad. Her body was referred to the Negombo General Hospital.Airport police are conducting investigations to find further

Intense heat leaves school students unconscious during sports practice

A group of students from a school in Galaha, Gampola, became seriously ill and fainted when exposed to intense heat during sports practice outdoors. They were admitted to Galaha Hospital, and two of them who were in critical condition were transferred to Peradeniya Teaching Hospital.

Sheriffdeen family files motion over injustice

A motion has been filed at the Colombo Magistrate’s Court, stating that the wrongful identification and public reference to Mohammed Azam Sherifdeen in relation to the murder of underworld figure Ganemulla Sanjeewa on Wednesday has caused significant injustice to his family.

Opposition to question on the real identity of Hulftsdorp court complex killer?

The Opposition is expected to question the real identity of the killer who shot Ganemulla Sanjeewa inside Hulftsdorp Courts, an opposition MP told Daily Mirror yesterday.

Underworld activities have infiltrated public security institutions - President

Vows to completely eradicate the underworld in the future Investigations have revealed that elements of the underworld have infiltrated official institutions tasked with maintaining public security, President Anura Kumara Dissanayake said yesterday.

Our elephants are dying, no solution up to now

The tragic deaths of elephants due to train collisions continue to be a major concern, with authorities acknowledging the failure of previous preventive measures.

Measures taken to prevent future elephant collisions with trains

Following the death of six elephants at the 141-mile post on the Gal Oya-Hingurakgoda railway line last night, a special discussion was held in Parliament by the Transport, Highways, Ports,

Party has not barred me from talking to media: Kottahachchi

NPP MP Nilanthi Kottahachchi yesterday refuted that she was advised by the party to refrain from making statements to the media. When contacted by the Daily Mirror she said neither JVP General Secretary Tilvin Silva nor party leader President Anura Kumara Dissanayake had forced her to stop talking to the media.

Shooter revealed as ex-Army Intel?

The main suspect arrested over Ganemulla Sanjeewa’s murder has reportedly been identified as a former Intelligence member of the Sri Lanka Army, the Daily Mirror learns.

BASL calls on Lawyers to support courthouse security measures

Following the shooting incident inside a courtroom at the Colombo Magistrate’s Court, the Bar Association of Sri Lanka (BASL) yesterday urged its members to cooperate with authorities in implementing security measures within courthouses to ensure the safety of all, including its members. In a statement, the BASL announced that there may be enhanced security measures imposed throughout all court houses across the country.

Woman and gunman disguised as lawyers in Hulftsdorp Court shooting of gangster: Suspected Gunman Arrested in Puttalam

Two persons including a woman disguised as lawyers were involved in the shooting at the Colombo Hulftsdorp Court Complex yesterday, which resulted in the death of notorious underworld figure ‘Ganemulla Sanjeewa’ Police spokesman SSP Buddhika Manathunga said that a gunman, disguised in a lawyer’s attire, carried out the attack, targeting Sanjeewa in the chamber.

Rs. 135 bn defence allocation raises transparency concerns - top economist

A top economist yesterday raised concerns over a potential procurement corruption process or gross misrepresentation in the government’s 2025 budget, particularly regarding public sector salaries and defence expenditure.

Govt. has got its policies mixed up: Harsha

Whilst quoting an interview conducted by Daily Mirror Associate Editor Kelum Bandara with JVP General Secretary Tilvin Silva where a question was raised as to whether the party has given up socialism, Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB) MP Harsha de Silva yesterday questioned as to whether the NPP (JVP) has got its ideologies mixed up.

Local Government polls 2025 : Don’t call for nominations till budget debate is over - Opposition

A group of opposition parties including the Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB), Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna (SLPP), and Illangi Tamil Arasu Kachchi (IATAK) members who met with Election Commission members yesterday urged them not to call for nominations for the Local Government polls until the budget debate is concluded.

Public urged to take precautions amid rising temperatures

Heat felt on the human body is expected to increase up to ‘Caution Level’ today (19) in the Northern, North-Central, North-Western, Western, and Southern Provinces and in Moneragala and Ratnapura districts, the Meteorology Department said.

Budget 2025: Trade unions up in arms over salary issues

The maiden budget of the NPP government came under fire by the trade unions representing the state institutions yesterday with some unions claiming that their take home salaries have been reduced for the first time.

Vehicle imports very risky due to higher prices: Harsha

Vehicle imports will be very risky as prices of vehicles have gone up remarkably, SJB MP Harsha De Silva said yesterday.

For the public sector Basic salary increased after 2016

Claiming that some people were spreading various rumours about the public sector salary increase, Deputy Minister Mahinda Jayasinghe said yesterday basic salary of the lowest category of the public sector PL1 will be increased by Rs. 5,975 from April this year as the first stage.

Paediatrician gone missing

A paediatrician of the Mannar General Hospital has gone missing much to the concern of the hospital management.

Budget bodes well for economic improvement in the long run: Economist

Economist Talal Rafi said the budget presentation of the new government has positive aspects which can improve the economy in the long term.

Budget 2025: Key Takeaways

Budget 2025 sets out a total government expenditure of LKR 7,190 billion, marking a 17% increase from the LKR 6,131 billion allocated in 2024.

Public - private partnerships an option mulled by Govt. to revive state ventures

The government remains open for public - private partnerships as an option in reviving loss making state institutions, an informed source said.

Don’t let school children be exposed to sun: Ministry Secretary

Do not send school children out in the sun as they should not be exposed to hot weather conditions prevailing today, Secretary Ministry of Education Nalaka Kaluwewa said yesterday. Mr. Kaluwewa said the Ministry will issue a circular which comprises guidelines on holding inter-house sports meets.

I am subjected to threats and humiliation from those in my own party: Tissa

Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB) National Organizer Tissa Attanayake yesterday said he is been subjected to threats and humiliation by those in his own party.

Sri Lanka Army personnel below rank of Major to surrender passports

All Sri Lanka Army personnel below the rank of Major have been instructed to hand over their passports to their respective regiments.

Final touches to the budget

President Anura Kumara Dissanayake in conversation with Secretary Ministry of Finance Mahinda Siriwardana