U.S. stands ready to help stolen assets recovery efforts - Tilvin

The United States has offered to help the government in its bid to enact legislation for the recovery of stolen assets believed to be stashed overseas, an official said.

In spite of AKD - Modi talks: Indian fishermen poaching in Sri Lankan waters continue

The issue of Indian fishermen poaching in Sri Lankan waters remains a persistent challenge, as evidenced by the recent arrest of 33 Indian fishermen caught engaging in illegal fishing during the weekend.

Adani fiasco: Project intact; Govt. seeks tariff renegotiation

The government has taken no decision to revoke the Adani Wind Power projects in Mannar but has informed Indian officials that the tariff rates offered by the Indian conglomerate are too high whilst other companies have quoted far lower tariffs, the Daily Mirror learns.

Govt. braces for coconut products imports

In order to avert a major coconut crisis in the coming months, Minister of Industry and Entrepreneurship Development Sunil Handunneththi and Minister of Plantation and Community Infrastructure K. V. Samantha Vidyarathna will submit a joint cabinet paper next week to urgently import coconut-related products which will be a substitute for coconuts which are right now in severe shortage as well as relevant authorities to conduct a study on con

Mahinda Rajapaksa challenges security, perks reduction in Supreme Court

Says govt. made an arbitrary decision without conducting a proper security assessment

Massage parlour owner behind bars for hiring three foreign ladies as sex workers

A massage parlour owner who was found guilty of procuring three foreign women for prostitution after promising them job opportunities as massage therapists was sentenced yesterday to five years of rigorous imprisonment by the Colombo High Court.

Beira birds died due to high haemorrhage from poisoning, Vets suspect

Chemicals used to clean cesspits are suspected to be released into Beira Lake to kill the stench in stagnated water ultimately leading to bird deaths

Appointment of COPA Chairman: Govt. breaches earlier assurance, opposition seeks reversal of it

As the ruling National People’s Power (NPP) appointed its MP Aravinda Senarath as the chairman of the Parliamentary Committee on Public Accounts (COPA) despite earlier assurance that the opposition will be given the opportunity of heading it, Chief Opposition Whip Gayantha Karunathilleka said his party and others in the opposition will seek a revision of it.

Swiss government pledges support to reclaim Sri Lankan assets held abroad

Switzerland has assured its support in recovering assets that have been moved out of Sri Lanka, the President’s Media Division (PMD) said.

Fictional superhero ‘Batman’ inspires thefts in WTC

The Fort Police have arrested a man who, inspired by the fictional superhero Batman, committed a series of thefts at the World Trade Centre (WTC) in Colombo.

Parliament pays tribute late Minister Rukman Senanayake

Parliament yesterday paid tribute to late Minister Rukman Senanayake who passed away recently. Mr Senanayake is the grandson of Late Prime Minister D. S. Senanayake and a nephew of late Prime Minister Dudley Senanayake.

Vehicle prices increased due to IMF condition: Deputy Minister

Vehicle prices have gone up before their imports due to an IMF condition which required to match prices in relation to inflation, in order to control inflation, Deputy Finance Minister Prof. Anil Jayantha Fernando said yesterday.

Permits required to cut coconut trees

In order to address the acute shortage of coconuts in the country, the Coconut Development Board has announced a new policy requiring individuals to obtain permission from both the Divisional Secretary and the Board itself before cutting down coconut trees.

Gem dealer faces political threats over USD 400M Blue Sapphire

Gem businessman Thushara Perera said he has been facing political threats over a special blue sapphire which he received in 2017 and is valued at over USD 400 million. This gem is a 350-carat blue sapphire from the corundum family.

Minister says Online appointment for one day service passport possible only after five months

Public Security Minister Ananda Wijepala yesterday revealed that it takes five months for an applicant to make an online appointment to obtain a passport through the one day service.

Dozens of drifting duck carcasses found on Lake Beira Has anyone released poisonous cleaning chemicals into the water?

Suspicion surrounds dozens of duck and pelican carcasses found drifting along the surface of Lake Beira yesterday morning, which allegations lead to the release of a chemical into the water for cleaning purposes that had poisoned the water birds, the Daily Mirror learns.

New guidelines issued for ministerial support

The President’s Secretariat has issued a series of instructions to all Ministry secretaries outlining the facilities and services to be provided to Ministers.

Vehicle prices will rise initially, then gradually decrease: President

President Anura Kumara Dissanayake said yesterday that though there will be a price increase on resumption of vehicle imports in February, after a five-year pause, the prices will gradually decrease depending on market behaviour.

Gota,Ranil,Hema Premadasa not occupying govt. houses

President Anura Kumara Dissanayake said that only three past Presidents were occupying residences provided by the government whereas the others had left them.

Rice mills will be taken under army’s control, if they fail to comply to government mechanism: President

Claiming that no one will be allowed to sell rice beyond the control price, President Anura Kumara Dissanayake said rice mills will be taken under army control if they fail to agree to the mechanism of the government.

Pets reared at homes increased; rice used for feeding not calculated: President

FCID will be re-established next week: Minister

The Financial Crimes Investigation Division (FCID) will be re-established next week as a means to fight crimes, Minister of Public Security and Parliamentary Affairs Ananda Wijepala told Parliament yesterday.

Price drop in imported vehicles challenges market amid tax hike - Minister

There will be a price drop in certain vehicles, challenging the existing vehicle market prices, as vehicles are imported into the country following an increase in taxes, Foreign Affairs, Foreign Employment and Tourism Minister Vijitha Herath said.

EC debunks EU recommendation on voter education

In reference to one of the key recommendations made in the final report of the European Union Election Observation Mission on the Presidential Election, which highlighted that voter education on the use of preferential voting was insufficient, the Elections Commission (EC) stated that they did their best to educate voters on preferential voting.

Over 12,000 traffic violations identified via CCTV in Colombo

Since February last year, a total of 12,918 motorists have been identified for violating traffic rules through the CCTV system in Colombo.

Better if MR leaves his residence without waiting till asked to do so: Nalinda

It is better for former President Mahinda Rajapaksa to leave his residence without waiting till he is asked to do so, Cabinet spokesman Dr. Nalinda Jayatissa said yesterday.

Using force is one mistake we made during our regime: Namal

Highlighting that incumbent President Anura Kumara Dissanayake has allegedly expressed his desire to use force to evict his father former President Mahinda Rajapaksa from his official residence, SLPP MP Namal Rajapaksa yesterday said his party has suffered dire consequences of using force when in power.

MP Archchuna to be arrested for obstructing police duties

Controversial Jaffna District Parliamentarian Ramanathan Archchuna, who found himself in the latest episode of an altercation with Anuradhapura Police over a traffic offence is to be arrested for obstructing duties and the Speaker will be notified regarding the arrest, the Daily Mirror learns.

Magistrate rejects Police request to summon MP Archchuna over alleged traffic violation case

Anuradhapura Chief Magistrate and Additional District Judge Nalaka Sanjeewa Jayasuriya has rejected a request made by the Anuradhapura Headquarters Police to issue a notice to Jaffna District MP Dr. Ramanathan Archchuna to appear before the court in connection with the incident of obstructing the duties of police officers and threatening to use criminal force.

Cancer vaccine once sold at Rs.76,000 reduced to Rs.370

In the wake of statements about a cancer vaccine that was once sold for Rs.76,000 now being reduced to Rs. 370, medical sources confirmed the authenticity of the story to the Daily Mirror.