Govt. to name politicians who recommended issue of liquor licences

The government today assured that the list of politicians who recommended the issuance of liquor licences will be released after investigations, Chief Government Whip and Minister Dr. Nalinda Jayatissa said yesterday.

Concerns raised over shortage of several drugs in hospitals

The Health Ministry is grappling with a shortage of multiple drugs, including several essential drugs, a senior official said.

Dr. Chamal Sanjeewa claims shortage of 300 drugs

Government hospitals across the country are facing a severe shortage of more than 300 types of essential medicines, according to Medical Specialist Dr. Chamal Sanjeewa.

Half a coconut selling at Rs. 120

Due to a shortage of coconuts in the country, it is reported that half a coconut is being sold at a price between Rs. 100 and Rs. 120.

A Sri Lankan Buddhist monk enters Oxford University after 105 years

St Cross College which is under the Oxford University England has enrolled Venerable Wadigala Samitharathana thus making him the first Buddhist monk to become a student of the university after 105 years. Venerable Samitharathana has been enrolled to pursue a MPhil degree in Buddhist Studies at the college.

Rs.10 coin found during autopsy of Digadanthu 1

During the post-mortem examination of Digadanthu 1, wildlife officers found a Rs. 10 coin in its abdomen, Wildlife Conservation Department veterinary surgeon Dr. Chandana Jayasinghe said.

Evasion of Rs.5.5Bn tax revenue to government: Excise suspends production licence of W. M. Mendis and Co.

Despite several warnings issued over a span of one year, which were not being adhered to, the Department of Excise yesterday suspended the production licence of local liquor giant W. M. Mendis and Co. Limited for evading tax arrears of Rs.5.5 billion to the government, the Daily Mirror learns.

Ten instances of Mahaviru commemorations with LTTE logos this year: Govt.

Ten Mahaviru Day commemorations out of 244 in the country were found to have displayed LTTE flags and logos, Minister of Public Security and Parliamentary Affairs Ananda Wijepala told Parliament yesterday.

A group of 60 SL asylum seekers arrive in UK from Diego Garcia

A group of 60 Tamil migrants from Sri Lanka, who had been living in precarious conditions for over three years on the remote island of Diego Garcia, has been relocated to the United Kingdom, news agencies reported.

NPP Govt. should probe killings of Wijeweera, Vijaya - MP

The NPP government should probe the killings of its founder leader Rohana Wijeweera and actor turned politician Vijaya Kumaratunga in keeping with the pledges made by President Anura Kumara Dissanayake during his policy statement, opposition MP Chamara Sampath Dassanayake told Parliament yesterday.

Australian dies after jumping from Crescat in Kollupitiya

51-year-old Australian national has reportedly committed suicide by jumping from the Crescat apartment complex in Kollupitiya last morning.

Military Intelligence chief removed

Director of Military Intelligence Brigadier Chandika Mahathanthila has been removed from his post, effective yesterday, military sources said. Following his removal, Brigadier Mahathanthila has been assigned to the Security Force Headquarters – West.

Govt. to revise electricity tariff soon, refutes 3-year claim

The government will take measures to revise the electricity tariff by a certain margin, and it will not take three years as claimed by Trade Minister Wasantha Samarasinghe, Cabinet Spokesman and Minister Dr. Nalinda Jayatissa said.

Female SSPs to lead CID, SIU

For the first time in Sri Lanka’s police history, several female officers have been appointed to senior positions in key divisions, including the Criminal Investigations Department (CID) and the Special Investigation Unit.

Rice shortage; Govt lifts import restrictions

While urging the large-scale rice millers to release their rice stocks to the market, the government yesterday announced that as an alternative solution to the rice shortage in the country, a decision has been taken to allow the import of rice without import control permits until December 20, 2024 with immediate effect.

Public authorities must be accountable and open to public scrutiny - Appeal Court

In another judgement broadening the scope of the applicability of the Right to Information Act, the Court of Appeal recently held that any amount of money spent by a public authority must be accountable and made available for scrutiny when requested by a member of the public.

Coconut cream in place of coconuts to address shortage

Coconut cream which is now only an export product will be released to the local market to address the coconut shortage in the market, an official said.

Police to use drones for monitoring traffic congestion in Colombo

Sri Lanka Police will begin using drone cameras to monitor traffic congestion in Colombo and its surrounding suburbs.

General Election: EC issues ultimatum to candidates over expense reports

The Election Commission has announced that all candidates must submit their income and expenditure reports by December 6, with the deadline set at midnight. According to the Commission, this includes the candidates on the National Lists, secretaries of the parties and the leaders of the independent groups.

Government decides not to re-conduct Grade 5 Scholarship Exam: AG tells SC

The Attorney General’s Department yesterday informed the Supreme Court that the Cabinet of Ministers has recommended not to re-conduct the Grade 5 Scholarship Examination, taking into consideration the mental stress students would undergo and the adverse effects it would have on the scheduled examination calendar.

Russian Embassy responds to reports of Jaffna youths forced to fight against Ukraine

In response to reports that some young men from Jaffna were allegedly forced to fight in the war against Ukraine while attempting to travel to France and Belgium on visit visas, the Russian Embassy in Colombo said yesterday that it had not received any official information about the recruitment of Sri Lankan citizens by unscrupulous local travel agencies.

Harini going to supermarket, Prez walking to work: time to stop grandstanding: Opposition MP

Referring to the recent actions of President Anura Kumara Dissanayake and Prime Minister Harini Amarasuriya which has gained much publicity, Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB) MP Nalin Bandara Jayamaha yesterday said both should stop grandstanding

First debate of 10th Parliament today

The first debate of the 10th Parliament will begin at 9.30 am today, where the MPs will speak on the policy statement presented to the House by President Anura Kumara Dissanayake on November 21.

World Aids Day walk

World Aids Day walk organised by National Aids Control Programme was held with the theme ‘take the right path’ with participation of Prime Minister Dr. Harini Amarasuriya and Minister of Health Dr. Nalinda Jayatissa yesterday. The march began from Galle Face Green and proceeded towards Town Hall.

Special teams to assess damage to crops caused by flooding

The Agricultural and Agrarian Insurance Board has appointed a special team to assess the damage to crops caused by flooding.

Bureaucratic delay puts over 200 specialists at risk of retirement

A delay in issuing a crucial circular/ Gazette has put over 200 specialist doctors in Sri Lanka at risk of premature retirement, threatening the country’s public health service, Daily Mirror learns.

Government to get tough on unauthorised structures?

The Government is to get tough on unauthorised structures which have become a hindrance to the flow of rainwater, Minister of Urban Development, Construction and Land Anura Karunatilaka said yesterday.

MPs, Ministers refuse luxury vehicles due to low fuel efficiency: Speaker

Claiming that there is a large fleet of unused luxury vehicles, Speaker Dr. Ashoka Ranwala said yesterday most MPs and Ministers refuse to use luxury vehicles due to their low fuel efficiency.

W. M. Mendis and Co. fails to pay tax arrears on deadline, face legal charges

Controversial liquor giant W.M.Mendis and Co. will face imminent legal action by the Department of Excise with revoking of its production license, having failed to settle a staggering tax arrears of Rs.5.5 billion to the government before the deadline on November 30th.

Navy officer killed by wild elephant

A senior Navy official, on his way back to the Punewa Naval Camp after a visit to Colombo on an official assignment, had been trampled to death by a wild elephant as he alighted from the bus near the camp.