‘Podi Lassie’ to be brought back from India

Sri Lanka Police said they would take steps to bring back underworld figure Arumahandi Janith Madushanka Silva, alias ‘Podi Lassie’ who was arrested in India.

Excise Dept. decides to renew liquor licenses sans Tax clearance certificate

The Department of Excise being the sole competent authority in issuing and renewing licenses to sell liquor in Sri Lanka, has decided to go ahead with the renewal of licenses for 2025 sans a tax clearance certificate, the Daily Mirror learns.

Money laundering case: Court slaps Rs. 220 Mn fine, confiscates assets worth millions belonging to Wele Suda

The Colombo High Court yesterday imposed a fine of Rs. 220 million on three accused, including alleged drug dealer Gampola Vidanage Samantha Kumara, alias Wele Suda, and his wife. This is considered one of the largest fines imposed in Sri Lanka’s judicial history for offences under the Money Laundering Act.

Students return to streets

Students of Sri Jayewardenepura medical faculty held a protest calling the government health authorities to halt the project to sell off state hospitals to private medical colleges. This project they said was planned by the previous regime. It was organized by the Medical Faculty Students Action Committee.

China has played vital role in Sri Lanka’s social and economic development for decades: AKD

The People’s Republic of China has played a vital role in the social and economic development of Sri Lanka for decades,President Anura Kumara Dissanayake, who is on an official visit to China, said yesterday.

Govt. to continue with Trinco Petroleum Terminal (Pvt) Ltd to develop oil tanks

The government will continue to utilise Trinco Petroleum Terminal (Pvt) Ltd which is a joint venture company established under the Ministry of Power and Energy to develop the Trincomalee Oil Tank Farm as a source of earning foreign exchange, the Ministry of Energy said.

Good to see govt. pressing ahead with my initiative: Gammanpila

Pivithuru Hela Urumaya (PHU) leader Udaya Gammanpila who was the subject minister when Lanka Indian Oil Company (LIOC) and the Ceylon Petroleum Corporation (CPC) formed the joint venture called ‘ Trinco Petroleum Terminal Ltd ‘said he is happy to see the new government taking steps to press ahead with what was initiated at that time.

Males continue to dominate in HIV/AIDS cases in Sri Lanka

During the first nine months of 2024, 74 cases have been reported among males in the 15-24 age group while only five female cases were reported in this age group, according official data.

Salary increments of teachers and principals: Govt. should grant salary increments as promised: General Secretary CTU

General Secretary of Ceylon Teachers’ Union claims that the decision to appoint committees to increase salaries of teachers and principals at this stage was absurd and that the government should grant the salary increase with effect from January 2024 as promised.

Stinking Beira to get attention finally; Joint cleaning project to kickoff today

The stinking odour and the garbage mounting problem of the Colombo’s tourism hotspot Beira Lake near the Gangaramaya Seema Malaka, which repulses hundreds of foreign and local tourists that visit every day to witness a mesmerizing sunset, has finally won attention of the authorities to kickoff with a cleaning project today, the Daily Mirror learns.

Accommodation reserved at closed hotel

An Italian tourist who made an online reservation at a hotel at Sethavadiya in Kalpitiya was severely inconvenienced when he arrived at the hotel to find that it had been closed for more than five years.

Premier at Gangaramaya Temple

Prime Minister Dr. Harini Amarasuriya paid a courtesy call to the Gangaramaya Temple in Colombo last evening. She is seen here in conversation with the Chief Incumbent of the Temple Ven. Dr. Kirinde Assaji Thera.

Thai Pongal celebrated on grand scale in North and upcountry

The people in the North celebrated Thai Pongal festival on a grand scale. Ceremonies were held at the Hindu Kovils in Jaffna, Vavuniya, Mannar, Kilinochchi and Mullaitivu districts. The main ceremony was held at the Kandasamy Hindu Kovil in Vavuniya.

‘Clean Sri Lanka’ yet to start: Govt.

Amid uncertainties over the ‘Clean Sri Lanka’ project which has received both positive and negative feedback, a Deputy Minister clarified that the project is slated to be implemented on February 01.

Life inside a Myanmar cyber slave camp: A Sri Lankan recalls her experience

Sri Lankans who were lured into cyber scamming operations in Myanmar were rescued by government authorities in April, September and December 2023.

Sri Lankan eye donations restore vision to recipients in 57 countries

Eyes donated by Sri Lankans have restored vision to individuals from 57 different countries, including Yemen, Egypt, Japan, and Korea, providing them with the opportunity to see again, according to the Sri Lanka Eye Donation Society.

Over 10 private institutions are eager to rent former ministerial bungalows

Following the government’s decision to invite tenders for the development of state bungalows previously used by ministers for tourism-related projects, over ten private institutions have shown interest in renting these properties, according to official sources.

Elephant closes Tempitiya-Mahaoya road for three days

The Tempitiya-Mahaoya road in Ampara has been closed for traffic and pedestrian movement for the past three days due to an injured wild elephant frequenting the road. Residents of the area said the closure of the road had disrupted civilian life. Range Wildlife Officer Kithsirimewan said the wild elephant has been severely injured by a locally made explosive device “ Hakka Patas” and that the Ampara Veterinary Unit was providing treatments.

Vehicle taxes may rise up to 600 percent in some cases, by 400 - 500 percent in others - importers

The taxes on vehicles may increase by up to 600 in some cases and some vehicles being subject to taxes as high as 400% or 500%, the Vehicle Importers Association of Sri Lanka (VIASL) said.

Catholic Church demands a fresh probe on All saints Church “bomb drama”

The Catholic Church of Sri Lanka yesterday urged the government to carryout a fresh probe on the “bomb drama” at All Saints Church Borella which took place exactly three years ago and bring the perpetrators to book.

SLAF rakes over Rs. 56 Mn, providing Air transport to Presidential candidates

The Sri Lanka Air Force (SLAF) reported earning over Rs. 56 million by providing air transport services to presidential candidates during the 2024 election campaign.

Police hunt for girl abducted in Daulagala

Three police teams have launched investigations to locate a girl abducted by a group of individuals who arrived in Daulagala.

Falsely convicted in police breathalyzer test: Motorist with rare diabetic condition seeks justice

In a bizarre turn of events a motorist who is suffering from a rare diabetic condition has been falsely convicted in a breathalyzer test that became positive at the Kirindiwela Police is seeking justice as he had not touched alcohol for the past ten days at the time of the arrest, the Daily Mirror learns.

Sexual harassment of female p’mentary employees; external investigation to be conducted

An external investigation is to be conducted into allegations of sexual harassment of some female employees of the parliamentary staff, a source said.

Another flood threat to rice production in North Central Province

Hot on the heels of heavy rains and floods destroying a large swathe of paddy fields in North Central Province last month several tanks and reservoirs in the Anuradhapura District had reached spill over level by yesterday morning due to the heavy rain experienced in the catchment areas.

Sri Lankan brides seek justice after foreign husbands abandon them

A concerning trend of young Sri Lankan women being abandoned by foreign husbands shortly after marriage has come to light following a recent submission made by a lawyer before a Colombo court.

Clean Sri Lanka spirit at the feet of the Avukana Buddha statue

Apparently inspired by Clean Sri Lanka programme, a foreign national sweeps at the feet of ancient Avukana Buddha statue in the Anuradhapura District. He is Josef Autser, an Austrian national and an engineer by profession. The statue, an artwork of stone sculpture, embodies timeless artistry.

Traders up in arms against mill owners not providing rice at affordable rates in view of Thai Pongal

The traders in several areas of the upcountry yesterday demonstrated demanding the supply of adequate stocks of Nadu and Red rice varieties in view of the Thai Pongal festive season. A number of Sinhala, Tamil and Muslim traders from Agarapathana, Manrasi and Dayagama in the Nuwara-Eliya District participated.

Clean Sri Lanka Programme: Rs.7Mn in limbo over procedural lapses : Opposition MP

Striking a note of criticism on the Clean Sri Lanka Programme, New Democratic Front (NDF) MP for the Badulla District Chamara Sampath Dasanayake charged in Parliament that the government had earmarked Rs.7 million to be spent for the inaugural ceremony but the accounting officer of the Presidential Secretariat had found it difficult to authorise the release of money due to procedural lapses.

Another jumbo knocked down by moving goods train

A wild elephant had been knocked down to death at Karadipuwal area between Puttalam and Eluwankulama Railway Stations in the early hours of last morning by a goods train transporting limestone to the Palaviya cement factory in the Puttalam District.