SL economy still vulnerable despite positivity – IMF

Despite positive developments and recovery expected this year, Sri Lanka’s economy is still vulnerable, and it is critical to sustain the reform momentum for long-term growth, a top International Monetary Fund (IMF) official said yesterday.

IMF warns Sri Lanka trade unions against strike over pay demand

Sri Lanka’s fragile economic recovery could be hampered by threatened trade union strikes over reduced benefits for government employees in this year’s budget, the International Monetary Fund warned on Tuesday.

Animal census to go ahead

Notwithstanding significant criticism from relevant stakeholders including environmentalists, the government has decided to go ahead with the proposed animal census covering the entire country.

Interfering in Police affairs NPC rejects Acting IGP’s allegations

In response to Acting Inspector General of Police Priyantha Weerasooriya’s criticism of the National Police Commission (NPC) over certain appointments, the NPC has addressed the issue, rejecting allegations of interference in the internal affairs of the Police Department.

Security Forces on high alert over Muslim extremist group in east - Govt.

The government confirmed yesterday that security forces remain on high alert following reports of a Muslim extremist group operating in the Eastern Province.

Man strips naked to feel free, rides motorbike along Kandy-Colombo Road

A young man riding a motorcycle along the Colombo-Kandy road while naked was arrested by the Kadugannawa Police last morning. He was a 23-year-old man from Ahangama.

Doctors on warpath with Govt.

Frustration in the medical community reached boiling point as doctors have warned of an island-wide strike starting from March 5 due to the reductions in additional duty and holiday allowances for government doctors.

Opposition politician charges: Intelligence services crippled, politicised under NPP Govt.

Pivithuru Hela Urumaya (PHU) leader Udaya Gammanpila said the intelligence services had been politicised, and an officer who was 13 in terms of seniority had been appointed head of the Directorate of Military Intelligence after transferring all the other seniors.

Cancer Patients defrauded, Rs.2.2Mn transferred from bank accounts; three suspects remanded

Three suspects, arrested for allegedly defrauding cancer patients by falsely promising financial assistance and fraudulently transferring over Rs. 2.2 million from their bank accounts using forged identity documents, have been remanded until March 17, 2025, by Colombo Chief Magistrate Thanuja Lakmali yesterday.

AKD’s govt raises concerns over inconsistent HR standards at UN Council

Sri Lanka has expressed concerns over the inconsistent application of human rights principles by the United Nations Human Rights Council, marking the first update on human rights from the country under the leadership of President Anura Kumara Dissanayake’s new government.

CPSTL undertakes special fuel distribution drive

Ceylon Petroleum Storage Terminals Ltd (CPSTL) undertook a special distribution drive yesterday Sunday March 2, 2025 to ensure availability of fuel in the wake of action taken by some distributors launching a stoppage of distribution.

Cardinal Malcolm Ranjith ignored Easter attack warning: Gnanasara alleges

Days after being released from jail, Bodu Bala Sena (BBS) General Secretary Galagoda Aththe Gnanasara set the stage for another controversy when he said that he informed Cardinal Malcolm Ranjith about the Easter Sunday attacks well in advance but it fell on deaf ears.

Sando dead or alive; no official confirmation yet

The wildlife authorities are still investigating whether the iconic tusker in the Yala National Park ‘Sando’ is dead, Daily Mirror learns.

Former presidents misused foreign visits: Prime Minister

Former Presidents have misused foreign visits, with former President Mahinda Rajapaksa having spent Rs. 3,572 million of public funds for foreign visits for four years during 2010 and 2014,

Against promotion cuts...

The Government Nursing Officers’ Association staged a protest in Colombo yesterday (27) demanding the government uphold designated promotions for nurses opposing any attempts to curtail them.

UN Human Rights Office following double standards :RW

Whilst highlighting that UN Human Rights Office is following double standards by treating Ukraine and Sri Lanka differently, Former President Ranil Wickremesinghe yesterday said both the current government and the rest of the political parties should take this matter seriously.

Police foil attempt to transport donkeys

An attempt to transport six donkeys was foiled and two lorries seized and the drivers arrested by Norochcholai police in the early hours of last morning during a raid at Narakalliya area.

More politicians will be summoned in the future:Govt

Claiming that there was no political victimisation behind the questioning of politicians, Public Security Minister Ananda Wijepala said today many more politicians will be summoned by law enforcement authorities daily in the future according to their investigations.

Finally, some rain!

Amidst dry weather conditions in some regions, bouts of rain are expected in several parts of the country, providing relief to affected areas.

Legal barrier hinders efforts in extraditing Arjuna Mahendran: Nalinda

The government yesterday admitted that a legal barrier has hindered efforts in brining down former Central Bank Governor Arjuna Mahendran to Sri Lanka. Cabinet spokesman Dr. Nalinda Jayatissa told the weekly briefing to announce Cabinet decisions that however, the government is making every effort to extradite him.

Camera developed to save elephants from being hit by trains

Engineering Faculty of Peradeniya University has developed a camera to save wild elephants from being run over by trains. The camera system based on Artificial Intelligence is to be fitted to the railway engine that signals the driver to identify any object 500 metres ahead of the train. Head of the Faculty of Engineering Prof. Lilantha Samaranayake said CCTV cameras that signals objects at a distance of 500 metres have not yet been invented and

Tussle over National Hospital Director post

With the Director post of the Colombo National Hospital falling vacant after the incumbent was assigned to the Health Ministry as an Additional Secretary, unrest has emerged at the hospital regarding the appointment of a new director.

Escalating shootings linked to underworld: Sri Lanka working closely with authorities to extradite wanted criminals operating overseas

Amid rising shootings and crimes involving underworld criminals, authorities have intensified efforts to bring down wanted criminals operating overseas, especially from the UAE. These criminals have been issued Interpol red notices, including those wanted for recent shootings in Sri Lanka.

COPF refutes economic growth claims in the budget

The Committee on Public Finance (COPF) which has gone through the budget proposals as per the Parliamentary procedure has said in its report which was submitted to the House that Sri Lanka’s economic growth remains vulnerable to global trade uncertainties, geopolitical risks and climate related disruptions.

Will provide security to MPs if required after threat assessment: Minister

Necessary action would be taken to provide security to the Members of Parliament, if required after receiving the threat assessment reports, Public Security Minister Ananda Wijepala said.

2000 Anandians to celebrate Silver Jubilee today

The millennium batch of the Ananda College, Colombo will celebrate its silver jubilee and the 25th Annual General Meeting today, February 25th at a gala event to be held at Courtyard by Marriot from 6.00pm onwards.

People begin to age in their 30s: Lifestyle Medicine Physician

Contrary to popular people’s belief that they start ageing later in life, Dr. Aruni Malwatta, a Lifestyle Medicine Physician, broke the misconception that the period of people beginning to age is as early as their 30s.

Let us decide on LG polls date independently: EC to political parties

The date for the declaration of the Local Government (LG) elections, followed by the call for nominations, will be announced only after the budget debate is concluded, the Election Commission (EC) stated.

Shooter linked to ‘Ganemulla Sanjeewa’ murder contacted by criminals via Facebook

The shooter responsible for the murder of ‘Ganemulla Sanjeewa’ at the Hulftsdorp Court Complex was reportedly contacted by criminals through Facebook messages, Police Spokesperson SSP Buddhika Manatunga said.

Deaths of two suspects in police custody: Bar Association urges IGP to launch inquiry

The Bar Association of Sri Lanka (BASL) yesterday announced that extrajudicial killings could never be a solution to addressing the rise in criminal activity and that crime could be best curbed when the State adhered to the rule of law.