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.

‘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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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 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.

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.

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

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

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.