House for MR in Kataragama sparks CID inquiry

A house built in Kataragama for former President Mahinda Rajapaksa has prompted an investigation by the Criminal Investigations Department (CID). Dishan Gunasekara, the Basnayake Nilame (chief lay custodian) of the Ruhunu Kataragama Maha Devalaya, was questioned by CID officers yesterday regarding the property.

Excise to introduce budget liquor to counter ‘Kasippu’

In a bid to attract over 40% of the country’s illicit liquor drinkers into a much safer drinking culture the Department of Excise is mulling to introduce a new ‘quarter’ bottle with a lesser strength of arrack for an affordable price to match ‘Kasippu’, the Daily Mirror learns.

American singer, entrepreneur Aloe Blacc to arrive in SL today

American musician and entrepreneur Aloe Blacc is arriving in Sri Lanka today to seek investment opportunities in Sri Lanka, a spokesman for the President’s Media Division (PMD) said.

Four leopards killed in Nuwara Eliya alone in 68 days

Four hill country leopards have been killed in various incidents in the Nuwara Eliya District alone within 68 days, officers of the Wildlife Conservation Department said.

Over 22,400 companies defaulted Rs 34.9 billion EPF payments

Some 22,450 institutions have failed to pay EPF to its employees since 2015 to date, it was disclosed in Parliament.

Fun flying can soar with no threat to flight paths

In the wake of demand for investment in recreational aviation activities such as baloon rides and para gliding, the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA )is planning for designation of areas so that fun flying does not pose obstruction to international and domestic air traffic in whatsoever manner , an official said yesterday.

Suspicious behaviour near Thalawila Church leads to arrest of two youth

The suspicious behaviour of two young men frequenting the entrance to Thalawila St. Anne’s Church in Kalpitiya during the vespers on Saturday evening (08) prior to the beginning of the Lent Season last morning led to their arrest.

Housing Purchases 26 MPs in last P’ment behind Rs. 220 million loss to Govt.

Government would explore the possibility of recovering the loss by charging the actual prices from the recipients of these houses

69 per cent women experience discomfort in public places due to others’ consumption of alcohol: ADIC

A recent survey in 2025 conducted by Alcohol and Drug Information Centre (ADIC) on the international women’s day reveals that 69 per cent of women face discomfort in public places due to the increase in consumption of alcohol by others.

Eight SSPs transferred in latest police reshuffle

Eight Senior Superintendents of Police (SSPs), including the Director of the Ministerial Security Division (MSD), have been transferred with immediate effect.

Piyumi Hansamali Files Motion in Money Laundering Inquiry, Alleges Harassment to her Customers

Piyumi Hansamali yesterday filed a motion before the Colombo Magistrate’s Court regarding the ongoing money laundering investigation against her.

Fuel price unchanged for 4 months despite formula price fluctuations

Since December 2024, the market prices of 92 Octane petrol and auto diesel have remained steady at LKR 309 and LKR 286 per litre respectively, despite fluctuations in the formula prices between January and March 2025. According to the Public Finance.lk fuel price tracker, the formula price of 92 Octane petrol increased from LKR 298.85 in January to LKR 310.14 in March—an overall rise of LKR 11.29 per litre. This resulted in the formula price bein

Police offer up to Rs. 1 Million for info on illegal firearms

The Sri Lanka Police decided to increase the reward offered for information leading to the recovery of illegal firearms and hand grenades.

The International women’s day will be celebrated today

A female vendor was spotted at her flower shop in Colombo Sri Lanka on March 7, 2025. The International women’s day will be celebrated today. Pic by Pradeep Pathirana

Tusker Sumedha loses one tusk in accident

A tusker, believed to be the one called ‘Sumedha’ had been hit be a moving lorry on the Habarana- Maradankadawala road yesterday morning , with one of its tusks broken off. The wildlife authorities have started operations to trace the injured animal . The broken part of the tusk had been found lying at the site of the accident. Veterinary Surgeon of the Anuradhapura Wildlife Range Dr.Chandana Jayasinghe told Daily Mirror such an injury could be f

Solar Industries Association (SIA) Urges Fair Policies to Protect SL’s Rooftop Solar Industry from Unjust Claims and Unstable Tariffs

The Solar Industries Association (SIA) representing over 1,000 companies and 40,000 workers in Sri Lanka’s rooftop solar sector in a media release mentioned that they strongly condemns recent developments that threaten the industry’s future and the nation’s renewable energy goals.

Poson Festival in Mihintale

The government has decided to provide state patronage to the Poson festival in Mihintale this year. A meeting to organize the Poson festival was held on Thurday(06) at Mihintale Rajamaha Vihara.

Magistrate Orders Investigation into the Deaths of Two Suspects Arrested for Kotahena Murder

The police later claimed that the suspects were killed in self-defense during the operation

Sri Lanka the Brussels of South Asia for New Zealand- High Commissioner

New Zealand’s High Commissioner to Sri Lanka David Pine who made elaborate comments on his country decision to open a mission in Colombo said that New Zealand may be looking at Sri Lanka as the Brussels of South Asia. He said that New Zealand sees great potential in this country.

Introducing Glyclapan MR 60, a milestone in SL diabetes care history SL won’t produce its own medicine to maintain diplomatic affairs : Pharma giant

Although Sri Lanka is capable of manufacturing over 15 varieties of essential molecules for significant diseases, it will continue to rely on importing some innovative brands from overseas merely to maintain certain diplomatic relationships, a pharmaceutical giant said.

Couple sentenced to death for brutal murder of two-year-old adopted child

The Colombo High Court yesterday sentenced a couple to death after finding them guilty of brutally assaulting and killing a two-year-old child who had been taken for adoption.

Wild elephant knocks on doors at night, turns aggressive if not opened

A wild elephant in the Kekirawa area is reportedly exhibiting unusual behaviour — knocking on doors at night and becoming aggressive when residents do not open them.

Bond scam : Govt. explores fresh avenues to seek Arjuna Mahendran’s extradition

Following Singapore’s rejection of extradition of former Central Bank Governor Arjuna Mahendran implicated in the bond fraud, the government is now exploring fresh avenues to bring him back for litigation, a minister said yesterday.

3% fine to be imposed if vehicles imported not registered within 90 days

Sri Lanka ranked 91st in latest Henley and Partners International Passport Index

Sri Lanka has been ranked 91st in the latest rankings of the world passports by Henley and Partners International Index for Passports 2025, thus gaining visa free access to 42 countries worldwide.

Health Min.’s halt on sterilization may lead to killing of stray dogs in future: Dr. Nanayakkara

The decision by the Health Ministry to suspend the sterilization programmes will lead to an increase in the number of stray dogs and may result in the killing of these dogs in the future, Association of Veterinarians for Humane Management of Animal Population said.

Ranil unhappy with Al Jazeera interview, questions integrity of panelists

Expressing his dissatisfaction with his interview with Al Jazeera which was broadcast yesterday, former President Ranil Wickremesinghe raised questions on the integrity of the panelists who were part of the interview.

IMF unhappy with recent electricity tariff reduction

The International Monetary Fund (IMF) is unhappy with the recent electricity tariff reduction by the new government because it hampers cost reflective pricing.

Authorities considering voting rights for prison inmates - AG tells SC

The Attorney General’s Department informed the Supreme Court yesterday that it is examining the possibility of implementing a programme to allow eligible prisoners and remand inmates to cast their votes at elections.

Stop your fishermen from destroying SL fishing industry; Bimal tells India

The Central government of India and the state government of Tamilnadu should enforce the law on its fishermen who are destroying the livelihood of Sri Lankan fishermen in the North, Leader of the House Bimal Ratnayake told Parliament yesterday.