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Home » NewsIftar amid Gaza rubble
In the war-ravaged Gaza Strip, a Palestinian family sits for an Iftar meal—the meal with which Muslims end their daily fast at sunset during the holy fasting month of Ramadan. They broke their fast amidst uncertainty over the survival of the ongoing ceasefire agreement between Israel and Hamas. (AFP)
Government to review politicians’ entitlements in new action plan
Entitlements to current and former politicians including the laws under which they are granted are to undergo a comprehensive assessment under a new Goverrnance Action Plan (GAP). It has also vowed to adopt regulations requiring these benefits to be disclosed publicly each year and to subject them to regular parliamentary oversight. The updated 2025 GAP—which [...]
AG decides to add reasons to note on releasing suspects
The Attorney General’s Department is to provide reasons for its decisions recommending the release of suspects arrested over various crimes. Up until now, whenever it has recommended the release of arrested suspects, the Department has only been issuing letters stating, “Suspect can be released.” No reasons are being given on why the suspects are being [...]
RTIC chair resigns with ‘immediate effect’
Retired Supreme Court Justice Upaly Abeyratne has resigned with immediate effect from the Right to Information (RTI) Commission of Sri Lanka through a communication addressed to President Anura Kumara Dissanayake on Wednesday, March 4, 2025. He was the chairman of the commission. The reasons for the resignation are publicly unknown. Under Section 12(1) of the [...]
Central Expressway Section 3: Local builders see crookedness in bidding process; petition RDA
The National Construction Association of Sri Lanka (NCASL) has protested to the Road Development Authority (RDA) that the bidding process to award Section 3 of the Central Expressway Project (CEP 3) is noncompliant with established procurement guidelines. The Association warns that the non-standard bidding documents and conditions of the contract have been used and that [...]
X-Press Pearl owner, operator and agent liable under “polluter pays principle”, says ASG
The grossly negligent and deceitful conduct of the owner, operator and agent of stricken container vessel X-Press Pearl make them liable to pay damages on the “polluter pays principle” for the constitutional violation committed against the Sri Lanka State, Additional Solicitor General Nerin Pulle, PC, told the Supreme Court. Making submissions before a bench comprising [...]
Forming holding companies for unbundled CEB an additional financial burden, says Finance Ministry
The Finance Ministry has advised the Cabinet that if separate holding companies were to be formed for generation, transmission and distribution to succeed the existing Ceylon Electricity Board (CEB), it would be an additional financial burden to the electricity industry and could affect pricing for consumers. The 2024 Sri Lanka Electricity Act envisages unbundling the [...]
SC unhappy over NPC’s lethargy to carry out orders against 5 police officers
The Supreme Court has expressed strong displeasure that its orders on five police officers including Senior Deputy Inspector General of Police (SDIG) Ranmal Kodithuwakku regarding an alleged assault had not been implemented by the National Police Commission (NPC) and other relevant authorities for more than seven months. The matter came to light after the NPC [...]
Two shot in incident connected to Hulftsdorp court shooting
Two more persons were shot and injured in Akarawita, Gampaha last evening in what appears to be a continuity of the rivalry between two gangs. The shooting took place in a motorcycle spare-part shop causing injuries to the owner of the shop identified as Chamara Sandaruwan, and shop assistant Asitha Devinda. The gunman and his [...]
Bimal rocks the poaching boat, sends tough message to India
As hunt for fugitive police chief draws a blank, Govt. source says Deshabandu a disgrace to Police Dept. Govt. keen to defuse NPC-Acting Police Chief spat over appointments Govt. rejects UNHRC proposal for international mechanisms to probe alleged war-time human rights abuses Local council politics gathers pace; SJB to go it alone, UNP Gen. Sec [...]
From Indian-Origin Tamils to Malayagam: New identity embroiled in divisive debates
By S. Rubathesen It took nearly two centuries for a community of workers, brought into the country then known as Ceylon from India by the British Raj, to toil in plantations under treacherous conditions in the upcountry region, to assert their own new identity—the Malayaga Tamils—together with socio-economic and political rights for a dignified life. [...]
Colombo roads slink in darkness; CMC and Electricity Board slam each other
By Tharushi Weerasinghe Parts of Colombo’s main roads and roads right outside of Colombo are in darkness due to non-functional streetlights, putting drivers and pedestrians at risk at night. “We were travelling from Ambalangoda to Kalutara and only a handful of street lights were functioning,” said one 57-year-old driver. He noted that the visibility was [...]
Appeal Court affirms decision of RTIC against Institute of Chartered Accountants (ICASL)
By Ranjith Padmasiri The Court of Appeal, on March 6 (this Thursday), dismissed an appeal filed by the Institute of Chartered Accountants (ICASL) against a 2022 decision of the Right to Information Commission (RTIC) directing the Institute to disclose information to a complainant alleging fraud and misappropriation of Rs 20.7 million. The complainant had filed [...]
Civil activists disappointed with new govt’s report on women’s’ rights presented at the UN
By Tharushi Weerasinghe Last month, Sri Lanka presented its ninth periodic report to the United Nations Committee on the Elimination of Discrimination against Women (CEDAW) where the progression and regression of women’s rights in the country were discussed and advised upon. The presentation has received mixed reviews with civil society representatives who attended the sessions [...]
Three senior High Court judges to fill vacancies in the Court of Appeal
By Ranjith Padmasiri The Constitutional Council (CC) has approved the names of three senior High Court Judges to fill the vacancies in the Court of Appeal (CA). The three judges are Kandy High Court judge Sumudu Premachandra, Commercial High Court (Colombo) judge K. Priyantha Fernando, and Trincomalee High Court judge A. Premashankar. Their names were [...]
Don’t be anxious about respiratory infections: Expert
Dr. Bodhika Samarasekera shows how viruses may be kept at bay and also what to do if infected By Kumudini Hettiarachchi Sniffles, runny nose, cough, constant clearing of phlegm from the throat and complaints that the illness is not going away! This is what everyone is hearing and seeing all around them. “Don’t be anxious,” [...]
Doctors’ demand for allowances despite higher salaries ‘unrealistic’, says Health Ministry
By Ishu Bandara State sector doctors took their grievances about allowances to another senior minister on Thursday. The Government Medical Officers’ Association (GMOA) met with Minister of Foreign Affairs, Foreign Employment, and Tourism, Vijitha Herath, to discuss their concerns. However, the Deputy Minister of Health and Mass Media, Dr. Hansaka Wijemuni, questioned why the GMOA [...]
Crop pest count has pluses and minuses
By Kasun Warakapitiya Wildlife and agriculture experts and conservationists have mixed reactions to the proposed national census next Saturday of selected crop pests. Some claim that out counting macaques and langurs, giant squirrels and peacocks in home gardens and cultivations would not solve the issue and is impractical, while others say gathering some information is [...]
Saltwater sours livelihoods and lives of 15,000 residents in Madampe
By Dilushi Wiejesinghe and D. Thiviyatharshini in Marawila Residents of Madampe, Puttalam are grappling with a severe water crisis caused by salt water seeping into the Thinipitiya Wewa Scheme on the Kadupitiya Oya. The lack of clean water has disrupted daily life and livelihoods, leaving many in financial distress and uncertainty. Authorities say that nearly [...]
Elephant tusk-loss in bizarre accident highlights growing road danger
Search for injured tusker believed to be Sumedha proves futile By Malaka Rodrigo March 7 (Friday) was a typical morning for those travelling on the Habarana-Maradankadawala road, with vehicles speeding through the area. It was around 6 a.m, when two elephants, having probably spent the night feeding, suddenly emerged from the Galapitagala area and attempted [...]
640 million from budget to tackle human-elephant conflict
By D. Thiviyatharshini In a major move to address the escalating elephant-human conflict, the government has set aside Rs. 640 million for mitigation efforts that include sustainable solutions to protect both wildlife and communities. Rs. 300 million has been allocated for habitat improvement–removal of invasive species and better management of grasslands for elephants. Rs. 100 [...]
A lot more to dig up on nature’s sand artist
By Malaka Rodrigo Long before smartphones and televisions dictated pastimes, children found entertainment in nature’s small wonders. One of the most fascinating sights was the cryptic doodles — seemingly aimless patterns etched into soft sand. Even more astonishing were the mysterious, cone-shaped pits that resembled miniature craters, as if left behind by departing alien ships. [...]
Top holiday destination, Nuwara Eliya, to get better water facilities
In a move to provide clean drinking water for residents and visitors in Nuwara Eliya, the Korea International Cooperation Agency (KOICA) has provided the Nuwara Eliya Municipal Council a grant of USD 822,100 (LKR 246 million) through UN-Habitat. The initiative will involve upgrading the community sewerage system in Srinagar settlement; establishing a water recycling facility [...]
Beastly behaviour
Pix by Chandani Kirinde and Himanshu Gunarathna Photos of the aftermath of the musical show held at the Diyasaru Park (Thalawathugoda Biodiversity Study Park) last week displays the damage that can be done due to ill-thought decisions by officials to this biodiversity rich area which is home to many species of birds, reptiles, butterflies etc. [...]
Puttalam illegal fishing methods decried
Marine resources in the Northwestern seas off Puttalam are being exploited with the use of illegal fishing methods, while Indian poachers also cause lasting damage, fishing communities say. Illegal activities are visible from the area beyond Kochchikade and up to Mannar, bordering the Wilpattu National park. Some 40,000 depend on fishing in the area with [...]