Illicit gem miners arrested in Maha Eliya reserve

A group of illicit gem miners in Maha Eliya Forest Reserve in Bogawantalawa was arrested and their tools and equipment seized by Meepilimana STF in Nuwara Eliya last morning.

Digging up treasure on court order

Excavations were carried out amid torrential rain on court order in a location in Expressway road reservation near Wandurawa Rajamaha Vihara in Veyangoda on information that a treasure had been buried there, but it was postponed for yesterday after no evidence of a treasure was found.

United in art: Children collaborate to celebrate 35 years of CRC

Underscoring their commitment to creating a platform for children to express themselves, the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) is staging a one-of-a-kid art exhibition at the Viharamahadevi Park in Colombo, celebrating the 35th anniversary of the Child Rights Convention (CRC).

Renaissance begins...

President Anura Kumara Dissanayake arrives at the Parliament complex for the inauguration of the first session of the Tenth Parliament yesterday.

Jaffna MP stirs Parliament by claiming Opposition Leader’s seat

Jaffna District Independent MP Archuuna Ramanathan refused to move away after he sat on the Opposition Leader’s seat inside the chambers despite requests by Parliament staff to move.

Tenth P’ment meets for the first time with many firsts

The tenth Parliament met yesterday creating history with novel features seen for the first time. For the first time, first- timer Dr. Asoka Ranwala, was elected Speaker of the House uncontested.

Half of child population may be nearsighted by 2050 due to screen use

Thirty percent of children are nearsighted due to prolonged use of digital screens, and the World Health Organization predicts that this figure will rise to 50 percent by 2050, Lady Ridgeway Children’s Hospital (LRH) Ophthalmologist Dr. Anusha Thennekumbura said.

Special unit to address crop damage by toque monkeys and other animals

The Ministry of Agriculture, Livestock, Lands and Irrigation has established a special unit to address the issue of harmful animal populations causing significant damage to crops.

Will reach staff level agreement with IMF today: President

The government will reach a staff level agreement with the International Monetary Fund (IMF) today with regard to the IMF 3rd review of the Extended Fund Facility (EFF), President Anura Kumara Dissanayake said yesterday.

Katkolam Army Camp land in North disbanded

In a move under the Army’s restructuring plan, an 8-acre land of the Katkolam Army camp in the north will be returned to civilians, the Army said.

Young Voices, Big Impact: Children Take Over the Daily Mirror

To celebrate World Children’s Day and mark 35 years of the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child, the Daily Mirror turned over its reins to an extraordinary group of editors, writers, and creative minds—children! In collaboration with UNICEF Sri Lanka and supported by the National Institute of Education, this initiative showcased the power of children’s voices when given the platform to shine.

Army camps must not be withdrawn compromising national security: Namal

National Organiser of the Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna (SLPP) MP Namal Rajapaksa has expressed serious concern over the recent withdrawal of an army camp in the Northern Province and plans to dismantle several more camps in the coming months.

Four Member committee appointed to probe Ravi K

The allies of the New Democratic Front (NDF) who met yesterday together with Former President Ranil Wickremesinghe decided to appoint a four member committee to probe Karunanayake whom they accused of foul play in getting himself nominated from the national list.

Ceremonial opening of 10th Parliament to go down in history

The ceremonial opening of the tenth Parliament today will go down in history for a number of reasons as it is set to be different after more than a half a century. The tenth Parliament will see 160 new MPs who will be entering the House for the first time. It will also go down in history as the legislature with highest number of female MPs. The New Parliament comprises 22 female members.

Ranil to visit India today

Former President Ranil Wickremesinghe is to visit India on a personal tour today.

2012 shooting spree at JVP Meeting Death sentence affirmed on Julampitiye Amare

The Court of Appeal has upheld the death sentence imposed by the Tangalle High Court on Geeganage Gamage Amarasiri, alias ‘Julampitiye Amare,’ who was found guilty of killing two individuals and injuring another at a JVP meeting in 2012 at Katuwana, Hambantota

Government to import 70,000 tonnes of Nadu rice

The government has decided to import Nadu rice subject to maximum of 70,000 tonnes as a solution to the shortage of rice in the market, Minister of Trade, Commerce, Food Security and Cooperative Development Wasantha Samarasinghe said yesterday.

I got nominated for slot meant for NDF as per agreement - Ravi K

In response to controversy over National List nomination, Mr. Ravi Karunanayake said there is no moral issue here because the New Democratic Front (NDF) has been assured of one slot in accordance with the MoU signed among the alliance partners.

Ravi’s crisis beyond EC’s control

The controversy surrounding the nomination of Ravi Karunanayake as an MP on the National List representing the New Democratic Front (NDF) is beyond the control of the Election Commission, according to its chairman.

Perks announced for newly elected MPs

Parliamentary Secretary General Kushani Rohanadeera outlined the benefits newly elected Members of Parliament (MPs) will receive.

Three Sri Lankan women survive Hezbollah rocket attacks on Tel Aviv

Three Sri Lankan women survived the rocket and shelling attacks on Tel Aviv in Israel, by Hezbollah, the militant group based in southern Lebanon, according to Sri Lankan Ambassador to Israel, Nimal Bandara.

Kanchana likely to enter Parliament through National list

Former Minister and New Democratic Front (NDF) Matara District candidate Kanchana Wijesekera is to enter Parliament through the National list while the UNP is to deal with Ravi Karunanayake who is alleged to have engaged in an unethical move to enter the House through the National list.

Parliamentary traditions changed for Thursday’s opening

Some of the traditions involved in opening of a new Parliament has been changed, sources said yesterday. This has been done to make the opening ceremony as simple as possible.

Public Security Minister promises reforms to strengthen Police and tackle corruption

While assuring the public that tackling bribery and corruption would remain a priority, the new minister of Public Security and Parliamentary Affairs Ananda Wijayapala said yesterday that he is committed to restoring the independence of the Sri Lanka Police, which he noted had been politicized under previous governments.

Rise in fever, viral infections, dengue among children

A rise in cases of fever among children in Colombo and suburb have been observed in viral infections and a growing number of dengue cases, Lady Ridgeway Hospital (LRH) consultant pediatrician Dr. Deepal Perera said.

SJB must change to fit into new situation: Tissa

The Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB) has to change in line with the new political situation, its National Organizer Tissa Attanayake said yesterday.

UNP disputes Ravi’s nomination for National List slot, EC gazettes Ravi’s name

The United National Party (UNP) disassociated itself from the nomination of its member former MP Ravi Karunanayake on the National List to Parliament and vowed to institute disciplinary action against him.

Confusion surrounds SJB’s national list selections

Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB) seems to be facing a confusing situation as well in deciding who should enter the legislature through the national list with its General Secretary Ranjith Madduma Bandara stating that only his name has been finalised while former MP Sujeewa Senasinghe claims that his name has also been finalised.

Know your boundaries and limitations of authority; act with responsibility: President tells new Ministers

Claiming that MPs and Ministers have immense power, President Anura Kumara Dissanayake said yesterday he expects that all Ministers will know the boundaries and limitations of their power and act with responsibility. Addressing the new Cabinet, he said most of the Ministers are new, not only to the Cabinet but to Parliament as well.

Prez to visit India in mid-December: FM

President Anura Kumara Dissanayake is set to visit India in mid-December as his maiden state visit, Foreign Minister Vijitha Herath said yesterday. He told the media after the swearing-in ceremony that the President is scheduled to hold talks with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi during his visit.