AG or AG’s Department will not be abolished: Nalinda

The position of the Attorney General or the Attorney General’s Department will not be abolished with the establishment of the proposed Independent Prosecutor’s Office, the government said today.

Litro gas prices remain unchanged

Litro Gas Lanka Limited has decided not to increase the retail price of a 12.5 kg LP gas cylinder, even though gas prices in the international market have risen, Litro Chairman Channa Gunawardana said.

High blood pressure on the rise

High blood pressure is a major health concern in the South Asian region, contributing significantly to deaths among individuals under 70, the Health Promotion Bureau said.

Cabinet approves rural roads enhancement in Northern and Eastern Provinces

The Cabinet has approved the implementation of a rural roads enhancement and upgrading programme in the Northern and Eastern Provinces, Cabinet Spokesman Dr. Nalinda Jayatissa said.

Govt. approves Sapugaskanda refinery expansion to 100,000 barrels per day

The government has approved the development of the Sapugaskanda oil refinery within its existing premises, increasing its capacity to 100,000 barrels per day under a Build-Operate-Transfer (BOT) model, Cabinet Spokesman Dr. Nalinda Jayatissa said.

Sri Lanka Police to establish Central Crime Investigation Bureau

The Sri Lanka Police will establish a new bureau, the Central Crime Investigation Bureau (CCIB), aimed at handling various criminal investigations.

Bath for Perahera elephants

Autopsies conducted on tourists who died in Sri Lanka; Exact cause yet to be determined

The post-mortem examinations of two foreign tourists who died while vacationing in Sri Lanka were conducted on Monday and the exact cause of death is yet to be determined.

No power cuts tomorrow: CEB

There will be no scheduled power cuts tomorrow, the Ceylon Electricity Board (CEB) said.

Against compensation for Parliamentarians

17 Police officers discharged from service for drug use

Sri Lanka Police have terminated the services of 17 officers in the past four months for consuming illegal drugs, including heroin and synthetic substances like ICE.

President to meet several world leaders in UAE

President Anura Kumara Dissanayake is scheduled to hold discussions with several world leaders such as Colombian President Gustavo Petro, Pakistani Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif, Prime Minister of the State of Kuwait Sheikh Ahmed Abdullah Al Ahmad Al Sabah and former British Prime Minister Tony Blair today during his second day of the three-day-official visit to the United Arab Emirates (UAE).

Trump signs order shifting US back toward plastic straws

US President Donald Trump has signed an executive order ending a US government effort to replace plastic straws with paper.

Yoshitha, Daisy Forrest named as suspects in money laundering case

Police have named former President Mahinda Rajapaksa’s son, Yoshitha Rajapaksa and Daisy Forrest, also known as ’Daisy Achchi,’ as suspects before the Kaduwela Magistrate’s Court and filed a case against them under the Money Laundering Act.

Domestic gas cylinder explodes: Two injured

Two individuals were injured when a domestic LP gas cylinder exploded at the Navy Circuit Bungalow in Kataragama this morning, Police said.

Toyota releases new price list, with lowest price starting at Rs. 7.4 million

Toyota Lanka has announced the new prices for its wide range of brand-new vehicles following the relaxation of the ban on vehicle imports.

At least 50 die in Guatemala after bus plunges off bridge

A bus veered off a highway bridge into a polluted ravine in Guatemala City early on Monday, killing at least 51 people and trapping survivors, a spokesperson for the city’s fire department said.

Efforts underway to contain Watawala forest fire

The Hatton Forest Conservation Officer said efforts are underway to contain the fire that broke out in the Watawala Pinus Forest Reserve yesterday.

Robust data system essential for strong food security policy framework: Minister

Minister of Trade, Commerce, Food Security and Cooperative Development Wasantha Samarasinghe, along with members of the Food Policy and Security Committee, convened for the second time yesterday (10) at the Presidential Secretariat.

Musk-led group makes $97.4bn bid for ChatGPT maker OpenAI

A consortium of investors led by Elon Musk offered $97.4bn to take over OpenAI, the maker of ChatGPT.

Trump signs executive order to rename ’Gulf of Mexico’ as ’Gulf of America’

US President Donald Trump has officially renamed the Gulf of Mexico as the ’’Gulf of America’’ and designated February 9 as ’’Gulf of America Day’’ through an executive order.

Fair weather prevails, isolated showers expected in some areas

While fair weather prevails over most parts of the island, a few showers may occur in the Uva Province and in the Batticaloa, Ampara, Matale and Nuwara Eliya districts, the forecasting division of the National Meteorological Centre said.

Wickramasinghe takes charge as new Chief of Staff of Sri Lanka Army

Major General Chandana Wickramasinghe of the Gajaba Regiment formally assumed duties as the 66th Chief of Staff of the Sri Lanka Army at the Army Headquarters.

Sajith criticises government’s handling of power outages

Opposition Leader Sajith Premadasa criticised the government’s response to the recent power outages, claiming that the ongoing electricity disruptions result from a fragile national grid that is incapable of supporting both solar energy growth and periods of low demand.

Moderate air quality recorded in most cities

A moderate level of air quality was recorded in most cities yesterday, while slightly unhealthy levels were observed in Galle, Ratnapura, Embilipitiya and Hambantota, according to the Vehicular Emission Test Trust Fund of the Department of Motor Traffic (DMT).

Dan Priyasad arrested at BIA

Sinhale’ national organiser and convenor Dan Priyasad has been arrested at the Bandaranaike International Airport (BIA) this morning upon his arrival in the country, Police Media Spokesman Buddhika Manatunga said.

Fugitive constable’s parents arrested

The parents of a police constable attached to the Mount Lavinia Police Station, who fled to Dubai, after escaping with a T-56 firearm and 30 rounds of ammunition, have been arrested.

Power cuts till Friday

Short power cuts are expected to be imposed in several districts of the island at least till Friday, February 14, till the Norochcholai Power plant is repaired and connected back to the main grid, sources from the Ceylon Electricity Board (CEB) told the Daily Mirror last night.

Coal power plant failures behind islandwide blackouts: Expert

If a countrywide power outage occurred and took longer to restore, the primary cause of both recent and past islandwide blackouts would be the failure of the country’s three coal power plants, energy expert, advisor and former member of the Renewable Energy Ministry, Asoka Abeygunawardana said.

New govt. initiative to ease land access for industries and investors soon

The government is set to establish a national level initiative ‘very soon’ to replace the existing inefficient land allocation mechanisms, which have been identified as a key impediment to industrial development and export growth.