Rescuer killed in crocodile attack after saving friend in Gal Oya

A person who attempted to save his companion from a crocodile attack in the Gal Oya River in Periyapallakadu, Akkaraipattu, had fallen victim to it himself.

Elephant deaths gone up after Ditwah Cyclone: Minister

The elephant deaths due to human-elephant conflicts have increased after the Ditwah Cyclone as most of the habitats of the elephants have been destroyed, resulting in change of their movement, Minister of Environment Dammika Patabendi said yesterday.

Lankadeepa named most popular Newspaper of the Year

At the People’s Pinnacle Awards 2025 Awards Night, Lankadeepa Newspaper was honoured as the Most Popular Newspaper of the Year.

Vijitha comes to Harini’s rescue Says she need not resign

Minister of Foreign Affairs, Foreign Employment and Tourism Vijitha Herath has dismissed complaints and accusations directed at the Prime Minister, stating that all allegations against her are baseless.

Cabinet approval next week for private sector involvement in developing Mattala airport

A Cabinet Memorandum will be presented next week seeking approval to call for Expression of Interest (EOI) from local or foreign investors to develop the Mattala international airport under the public private partnership (PPP) model, Deputy Minister of Ports and Civil Aviation Janitha Kodituwakku said.

SriLankan Airlines debt to be restructured this month: Deputy Minister

The Government is expecting to complete the restructuring of the defaulted debt of SriLankan Airlines this month, Deputy Minister of Ports and Civil Aviation Janitha Kodituwakku said.

JVP condemns US military aggression against Venezuela

The Janatha Vimukthi Peramuna (JVP) strongly condemned the United States of America’s military aggression against the independent and sovereign state of Venezuela and the abduction of democratically elected President Nicholas Maduro and his wife.

Bill gazetted to scrap MPs’ pension scheme

A Gazette notification has been issued for the Parliamentary Pensions (Repeal) Bill, paving the way for the abolition of long-standing pension entitlements for Members of Parliament and their spouses.

Indian Army Chief to visit Sri Lanka to strengthen defence ties

General Upendra Dwivedi, Chief of the Army Staff (COAS), will visit the United Arab Emirates (UAE) and Sri Lanka from January 5 to 8 as part of India’s continued engagement to strengthen defence cooperation and military-to-military ties with friendly foreign countries.

All temporary driving licenses to be replaced by February 28

The Department of Motor Traffic said that by February 28, all temporary driving licenses currently issued will be replaced with official license cards for all eligible drivers.

Sri Lanka’s juvenile tusker population on the rise

Sri Lanka’s juvenile elephant population with tusks have seen a rise of 9.2 per cent during the period between 2021 and 2024, according to statistics quoted by Environment Minister Dr. Dammika Patabendi.

SJB, UNP alliance an uphill task

Prospects for a possible electoral alliance between the Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB) and the United National Party (UNP) remain dampened because of different views uttered by SJB MP Harshana

New Year shock to people: CEB proposes 11.5% tariff hike, PUCSL review underway

The Public Utilities Commission of Sri Lanka (PUCSL) is currently considering a proposal submitted by the Ceylon Electricity Board (CEB) to increase electricity tariffs by around 11.5 per cent for the first quarter of

Low-level atmospheric disturbance developing over SL

Showery conditions are expected to enhance in Eastern, Northern and Uva Provinces during the coming days, due to the development of a low-level atmospheric disturbance to the East of Sri Lanka, Department

Energy Ministry to appoint committee to assess reimbursements for preliminary expenses by Adani

The Cabinet has entrusted the Energy Ministry to appoint a committee to assess and determine reimbursements for initial costs sustained by India’s Adani Company following its withdrawal from the

As SL welcomes 2026, Ditwah victims still in the lurch

More than a month after the devastation unleashed by Cyclone Ditwah, more than 24,000 people remain displaced and are still living in tents in the hardest-hit areas of the country while the nation welcomed the New Year.

Rs. 60 million spent for printing Grade VI English module with immoral reference

The Education Ministry has decided to remove what is termed ‘inappropriate references’ in Grade VI English language models and distribute them among school children.

Ranil, Sajith mark New Year with telephone conversation

Gold-infused Ayurvedic medicine for critically-ill patients

The Ayurvedic Medicine Manufacturing Corporation is focusing on producing a gold-infused medicine called ‘Makarajdvajaya’ in large quantities this year.

Parliament to appoint Select Committee to decide on Electoral System to hold PC polls

The government has obtained the approval of the Parliamentary Business Committee to move a resolution in Parliament to appoint a Select Committee to decide on the electoral system to hold the Provincial Council election.

Year ends with another wild elephant death in Maduru Oya canal

An elephant has died after being swept through the Maduru Oya canal system in Polonnaruwa, marking another tragic end for the island’s wildlife as the year drew to a close yesterday morning.

Colombo wrapped in fog

Foggy and slightly hazy conditions were observed across parts of Colombo just ahead of New Year’s Eve, affecting air quality. Authorities say the situation is being monitored, with the condition likely to continue until March 2026.

Ondansetron scandal: Family members demand compensation

Family members of two patients who died after being administered Ondansetron injections have reportedly demanded compensation, Daily Mirror learns.

Highest revenue in 93-year history of Inland Revenue collected in 2025

The Inland Revenue department has succeeded in collecting Rs. 2,203 billion in revenue in 2025, the highest amount recorded in its 93-year history.

Donor conference being finalised; no time frame as yet

In the wake of World Bank releasing its report on damage caused to Sri Lanka due to the Ditwah Cyclone, a Minister said yesterday the process to call for an international donor conference is being finalised by the High-Level Committee for Foreign Relief Aid (Supplies) Coordination (HL-FRAC) headed by the Deputy Minister of Defence, Major General Aruna Jayasekara (Retd).

Authorities finally wake up – SLAF to get a modernised fleet

After months of highlighting concerns expressed by the tri-forces over the deteriorating fleet of the air force, army and navy, steps have finally been taken to modernise and upgrade the aircraft fleet of the Sri Lanka Air Force following severe shortages that constrained emergency deployments during the recent ‘Cyclone Ditwah’ disaster response operations.

CMC budget scrapes through with two-vote majority

The Colombo Municipal Council (CMC) budget was passed yesterday with a razor-thin majority of two votes amid alleged dramatic scenes.

Air quality continues to remain poor across Sri Lanka Sensitive people asked to be cautious

Air quality across Sri Lanka continues to remain slightly unhealthy, according to real-time Air Quality Index (AQI) data.

Drug abuse rising among Anti-Narcotic officers: Survey

A significant number of police officers and security forces personnel are addicted to drugs, a recent survey conducted by the Police Narcotics Bureau has found.

Ditwah doubles food insecurity to 32%, report finds

A coordinated rapid assessment led by United Nations agencies and humanitarian partners has revealed a dramatic escalation in food insecurity following Cyclone Ditwah, with 32 percent of surveyed households