The Nation’s pride

Women in the military have also become the pride of the nation as they rehearsed yesterday for Sri Lanka’s 77th independence day celebrations in Colombo.

Dogs used as bait to lure Leopards for tourists: AWC raises alarm

The Animal Welfare Coalition (AWC) has reported a disturbing trend in which dogs are being used as bait to lure leopards, making the big cats more visible to tourists in national parks.

Price of imported salt to be increased

Chairman of Lanka Salt Company T. Nandana Tilaka said the price of salt imported from India will have to be increased when being released to the market.He said a 400grm, packet of table salt will be Rs.180, one kilogram packet of crystalized salt Rs.180.

EC Warns of Fraudulent Job Scam Circulation on WhatsApp

The Election Commission has alerted the public about fraudulent messages offering jobs at the Commission circulating on WhatsApp.

Payment platform ‘Government Pay’ to be introduced: President

The government is planning to complete the digitalisation of government institutions within three years where a payment platform called ‘Government Pay’ will be introduced enabling people to make all payments due for the government from the mobile phone, President Anura Kumara Dissanayake said.

New controlled price for rice will be announced this week : Minister

The New controlled price for rice will be announced this week Minister of Trade, Commerce, Food, security and Cooperative Deverlopment Wasantha Samarasinghe said yesterday.

Prez can do whatever he likes about my father’s official residence: Namal

President Anura Kumara Dissanayake can do whatever he wants about my father’s official residence as we are ready to move out of it any time if we are asked to do so, SLPP MP Namal Rajapaksa said.

Two persons with vested interests out to prevent proper UNP, SJB political alliance: Ravi K

There are two people with vested interests who are out to prevent a genuine alliance between the United National Party (UNP) and Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB), opposition MP Ravi Karunanayake said yesterday.

Trump’s America First Policy hits NGO projects worth Rs.21 billion in Sri Lanka: Official

After the new U.S. administration paused foreign aid under President Donald Trump’s America First foreign policy , NGO- operated projects worth Rs.21 billion have come to a standstill in Sri Lanka in addition to leaving their employees in the lurch, an official said.

Deputy Fisheries Minister confronted by fishermen at Mirissa

Deputy Minister of Fisheries Ratna Gamage who visited the Mirissa Fisheries Harbour was verbally confronted by the fishermen who demanded a fair price for fuel.

If you’re a pilgrim, behave like one – SL Hajj Committee tells 2025 Hajj pilgrims

Assuring the safety and comfort of thousands of Hajj pilgrims who are to take part in this year’s pilgrimage with new measures, Sri Lanka Hajj Committee asked the travellers to behave like pilgrims and refrain from engaging in unlawful activities such as smuggling.

Controversial Jaffna MP Archchuna remains interdicted from service as a medical doctor: AG tells court

The Court of Appeal granted additional time for the respondent parties, including Dr. Archchuna, to file objections to the petition

Opposition raises red flag over release of red-flagged containers

Controversy over the release of 323 red-flagged containers swirls around further, with the opposition intensifying its demands for transparency. The Freedom People’s Congress, led by Dullas Alahapperuma insisted that mere statements from the Director General of Customs and government spokespeople are insufficient to resolve the issue.

Organised crime wave takes its toll on another three in Galle

Shooting occurred at around 11 p.m. while the victims were drinking

Eleven sent to the gallows for murder

The case had been pending for more than 20 years, and the case proceedings ran to 75 pages

Diverse opposition groups seek common front under RW to take on Govt.

The opposition parties, with diverse views, met with former President Ranil Wickremesinghe and explored possibilities to work as one team to take on the government.

Another Chairman resigns

N.B.M. Ranatunga has resigned as the Chairman of the Board of Directors at the National Housing Development Authority (NHDA).

UNP SJB talks, initial discussions successful but still a long way to go

Initial discussions between the United National Party (UNP) and Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB) which is aimed at a political alliance is positive but there is a long way to go, General Secretaries of both parties said yesterday. UNP General Secretary Thalatha Athukorala told media that initial discussions between the two parties have been a success. However, she said there is still a long way to go. “We will have to discuss many matters. Bo

Land disputes in Northern Province under review Will expedite process of returning land in North to rightful owners: President

President Anura Kumara Dissanayake said the issue of land disputes in the Northern Province is under review and that steps are being taken to expedite the process of returning land to their rightful owners.

Sri Lanka’s transport sector to be modernized with new fleet

Sri Lanka’s public transport sector is to be modernised with the introduction of 1,000 new buses including low-floor and super luxury buses to the fleet of Sri Lanka Transport Board (SLTB), Deputy Minister of Transport Dr. Prasanna Gunasena said.

Detainees use mobile phones unchecked in Galle prison

Police said the use of mobile phones among prisoners in the Galle prisons has been on the increase and going on unchecked and that 546 mobile phones used by the detainees had been seized for the last three months.

UNP - SJB seek to contest LG polls under common symbol

The United National Party (UNP) and the Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB) are trying to work out arrangements to contest the upcoming local government elections under a common symbol, said UNP General Secretary, Thalatha Athukorala.

40 govt. sites vulnerable to cyber-attacks due to weak passwords, outdated technology - SLCERT official

Around 40 government sites are found with outdated technology, weak passwords and vulnerable to cyber-attacks, and they will come under the monitoring and protection of the National Cyber Security Operations Centre, under an initiative of Sri Lanka Cyber Emergency Readiness Team (SLCERT), SLCERT’s Senior Information Engineer Charuka Damunupola, said.

Unemployed graduates plan for protest during President’s visit to Jaffna

The Jaffna Magistrate Court gave the go-ahead for unemployed graduates of the Northern Province to demonstrate when President Anura Kumara Dissanayake visits Jaffna.

Govt. to tone down Independence Day celebrations

The government has made significant changes to the 77th Independence Day celebrations where the usual mechanized column of the Army and usual Independence fly- past of the Air Force will not be held this time, Secretary to the Ministry of Defence Air Vice Marshal (Retired) Sampath Thuyacontha said yesterday.

Rising demand for newer imports may boost Japan’s auction prices: Importers

Other than importing vehicles that are between five and seven years old from their manufacturing dates, importing vehicles under three years old will increase auction values in Japan due to their effect on import costs, the Japan-Sri Lanka Business Council Chairman Jagath Ramanayaka said.

Rice imports to end, Finance Ministry officials inform COPF

Rice importation is no longer necessary as adequate stocks are expected from the Maha harvest which is shortly due, officials of Finance Ministry had informed Committee on Public Finance (COPF), a statement from Parliament communication unit said yesterday.

Madiwela parliamentarians’ housing complex: Assess rent value, demands SLPP executive committee member

General Secretary of the Professionals’ Alliance for the Protection of Rights of the Public Ravindra Jayasinghe who is also a executive committee member of the Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna said the monthly rent payable for the parliamentarians’ official residences in Madiwela should also be re-assessed under the government policy.

Colonial Governor Gregory forewent Galle residence for N’Eliya President’s House- his great, great granddaughter

British Governor of Ceylon (1871- 1875) Sir William Gregory’s great, great granddaughter Belenda Hund who was in Sri Lanka with her husband on a visit said she was pleased to see the President’s House in Nuwara-Eliya built by her great, great grandfather.

Don’t panic over foggy conditions, advices medical specialist

In light of the foggy conditions prevailing in many parts of the country, Consultant Respiratory Physician Dr. Neranjan Dissanayake urged the public not to panic, noting that such phenomena is not abnormal and usually transient.