Road crashes claim over 12,000 lives in five years

Senior Professor of Forensic Medicine at Karapitiya Hospital U.C.P. Perera said it was a matter of serious concern that the fatalities in road accidents have been increasing at a large proportion every year and that 118,240 road accidents had occurred in Sri Lanka for the last five years up to December 2024 claiming 12,140 human lives. “The number of accidents reported in 2020 was 23,704, and 2,363 fatalities were reported. In 2021, there were

Shootings linked to organised crimes claim 66 lives in 2024-2025

A troubling rise in shootings linked to organised crime has left 66 people dead in over 100 incidents reported across the country since January 2024. Of these, 13 deaths occurred in organised crime-related shootings involving the underworld in the last three months alone.

Government refutes spending Rs. 7 million for ‘Clean Sri Lanka’ inauguration

Only Rs. 900,000 approved as payments for the event

Decades-old Elephant Pass saltern to be activated fully to address salt shortage

In a bid to address the salt shortage, chairman of National Salt Limited Gayan Wellala said plans are underway to fully activate the saltern including one in Elephant Pass in the north by March, this year to increase production of salt in the country.

Father, son sent to the gallows over murder after ten years

Two accused who stood indicted with murder were sentenced to death by Chilaw High Court Judge Nayomi Thamara Wickremasinghe yesterday.

High Court Judge appointed as Director General of Bribery Commission

High Court Judge Ranga Srinath Dissanayake has been appointed as the new Director General of the Commission to Investigate Allegations of Bribery or Corruption by President Anura Kumara Dissanayake.

Heavy rains cause tank spillovers and flood warnings in Anuradhapura

Although much rain is not experienced in Anuradhapura area, heavy rainfall in the catchments resulted in the spillover of tanks and reservoirs.

Ministerial bungalows in Colombo to be used for tourism instead of politics

The government has decided to call for tenders to develop the state bungalows which were used by ministers of the previous governments for tourism related projects, a Minister said.

Any Sri Lankan behind smuggling Rohingyas? Probe begins

Following Rohingya arrivals and intelligence reports about plans for further 100,000 such cases, the police have begun investigations to ascertain whether any Sri Lankan is involved behind this human smuggling racket, a Minister said yesterday.

More than 100 turtles found dead

More than 100 turtles had been found dead in the sea off the North, much to the anxiety of the fisherfolk and environmentalists.

State expenditure for 2025 increased to Rs 4.2 trillion

State expenditure for the year 2025 has approximately increased up to Rs 4.2 trillion compared to Rs 3.8 trillion allocated for 2024, as per the Appropriation Bill for this year which was presented to Parliament yesterday.

Total expenditure of Rs. 36,564 million spent for MRIA not utilised effectively: National Audit Office

The National Audit Office has revealed that the total expenditure of USD 247.7 million (equivalent to Rs. 36,564 million), including price increases and variances, for the construction of the Mattala Rajapaksa International Airport (MRIA) has not been utilised effectively.

Intelligence reports reveal: 100,000 illegal migrants could arrive in SL in the coming days: Public Security Minister

In the wake of over 100 Rohingya entering Sri Lanka recently, Public Security Minister Ananda Wijepala said yesterday that the intelligence services have revealed that there was a plan that some 100,000 illegal migrants could arrive in Sri Lanka during the coming days.

President to meet his Chinese counterpart Xi Jinping on January 15

President Anura Kumara Dissanayake will hold talks with Chinese President Xi Jinping on January 15 in Beijing during his state visit to China, Daily Mirror learns.

Recent Rohingya arrivals in Sri Lanka: UNHCR commend life-saving action by Sri Lanka

On the recent Rohingya arrivals in Sri Lanka, UNHCR has commended the life-saving actions taken by the Sri Lankan authorities and people to rescue and safely disembark people distressed at sea.

Supreme Court to be temporarily relocated to MCC building

The Supreme Court will be temporarily relocated to the New MCC Building situated on Adhikarana Mawatha in Colombo 12 from January 15, 2025, due to the refurbishment of the Superior Courts Complex building.

SL aims for ‘transformative acceleration’ in post-crisis growth

As Sri Lanka has managed to brave through what was the worst economic crisis faced in history and moving towards normalcy, the island nation’s financial sector regulator yesterday said that its focus this year would be on achieving a “transformative acceleration” in the growth trajectory.

Acting IGP directs action against 1,000 candidates, for election expenditure violations

The Acting Inspector General of Police has directed senior officers to initiate investigations into over 1,000 candidates from the previous General Election who failed to submit their income and expenditure.

Harsha quotes Daily Mirror on red rice shortage

Quoting the Daily Mirror news article on “Queues are back”, SJB MP Harsha De Silva yesterday questioned the government on the shortage of red rice and selling red rice exceeding the controlled price.

Puppy abandonment continues irresponsibly: Veterinarians

Although over 60% of community dogs have been sterilized and more than 80% vaccinated against diseases, including rabies, people continue to irresponsibly abandon puppies on the streets, Association of Veterinarians for Humane Management of Animal Population, Dr. Chamith Nanayakkara said.

Daily Mirror shines at Journalism Awards

The Daily Mirror newspaper secured four accolades at the ‘Journalism Awards for Excellence 2023’ held last night at the Mount Lavinia Hotel. The award winners were: (from left to right) Deputy Features Editor of the Daily Mirror Kamanthi Wickramasinghe (Subramaniam Chettiar Award for Reporting on Social Issues), Awantha Artigala (Best Cartoonist of the year - Sinhala and English), Pradeep Pathirana (Best Photojournalist of the Year) and Namal Am

Only orangutan at Dehiwala Zoo dies

The only orangutan at the Dehiwala Zoo has died yesterday, the Department of National Zoological Gardens said.

HMPV is no cause for alarm: Pulmonologists

Pulmonologists yesterday assured that there is no cause for undue alarm over the Human metapneumovirus (HMPV), currently spreading in China.

Trishaw operators in Dambulla stage protest against NPP candidate

The members of Trishaw Operators Associations in Dambulla, Sigiriya, and Habarana areas yesterday staged a massive protest against the arrest of six trishaw drivers on charges of assaulting a car driver transporting a tourist and over robbery of a gold chain.

Nalinda says Cabinet decision on One-China principle not connected with President’s visit

The Cabinet decision to continue adhering to the One-China principle has no connection with the President’s upcoming visit to China, Cabinet Spokesman Dr. Nalinda Jayatissa said yesterday.

‘Lankadeepa’ shines at People’s Pinnacle Awards 2024

Our sister paper ‘Lankadeepa’ has won seven awards at the People’s Pinnacle Awards 2024 ceremony, which took place last evening at the Taj Samudra Hotel in Colombo. The ‘Lankadeepa’ received the following honours: Newspaper Brand of the Year, Most Popular Cinema News Page, Best Newspaper Editorial, Most Popular Weekend Newspaper (Irida Lankadeepa), Best Cartoon Artist (Dasa Hapuwalanage), Best Provincial Editor (Niroshana Godallage), and Most Pop

Rohingyas rescued in SL are victims of human trafficking: Minister

The Public Security Ministry believes that over 100 Rohingya rescued while adrift on a fishing trawler are victims of a human trafficking scandal, bound for another destination

Burst pipeline causes water supply disruption in Galle

The water supply in many areas of Galle and its suburbs has been disrupted due to a pipeline burst that occurred yesterday morning. Officials from the National Water Supply and Drainage Board (NWS&DB) reported that efforts are underway to restore normal supply as quickly as possible.

Parliament tea party expenses higher due to increased costs: Parliament clarifies

The expenses for the tea party hosted during the inauguration of the 10th Parliament were higher as the cost of the goods and services had gone up in the market, Parliament said while clarifying reports on expenses for the tea party hosted during the inauguration.

Families of victims forcibly conscripted into Russian Army protest outside Presidential Secretariat

Families of victims trafficked into Russia and forcibly conscripted into the Russian army, alongside activists, gathered outside the Presidential Secretariat on January 6, 2025, urging authorities to intervene and bring their loved ones home.