Daily Mirror (Sri Lanka)
GRENADES BECOME WEAPON OF FEAR: AVAILABLE FOR AS LITTLE AS RS. 10,000 20,000
Recent incidents have raised concerns that explosives are used in disputes involving organised crime HDARSHANA and grenades are increasingly being used by organised criminal groups to threaten rivals and settle disputes, raising concerns among...
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PRESIDENT CANNOT EXERCISE EXECUTIVE POWER FOR SELF-INTEREST: SUPREME COURT
The Supreme Court, while invalidating the Presidential pardon granted to Bodu Bala Sena (BBS) General Secretary Ven. Galagoda Aththe Gnanasara Thera by former President Maithripala Sirisena, has stressed that the President exercises the executive power...
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EXTREME WEATHER PUTS SRI LANKA’S UNIQUE WILDLIFE AND ECOSYSTEMS AT RISK
One of the major concerns is the vulnerability of species that are found only in very small geographical areas Sri Lanka’s unique wildlife, plants and ecosystems are facing growing pressure from extreme weather, with droughts, floods, landslides,...
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LET TAX BE COLLECTED,
Sri Lanka’s tax administration recorded a strong revenue performance in 2025. The Inland Revenue Department collected Rs. 3,221.55 billion against an estimate of Rs. 3,093.45 billion, achieving 104.14 per cent of the target. Advance Income Tax,...
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WHERE HAVE OUR FISH GONE?
Sri Lanka is witnessing a significant decline in its stocks of small pelagic fish, including sardines, sardinellas and anchovies, with the standing stock of pelagic species now estimated at only around 20,000 tonnes in the surveyed waters, according to...
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MEGA DEVELOPMENT WORK TO BEGIN IN EVERY DISTRICT FROM 2027 - PRESIDENT
The Government is to launch mega development work across all districts next year, with Rs. 2 trillion allocated for capital expenditure and Rs. 2 billion provided for each district secretary to address priority of local development needs, President...
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AUSTRALIA, SINGAPORE, FRANCE AND U.S.
Parliamentarian Namal Rajapaksa, who was arrested by the Commission to Investigate Allegations of Bribery or Corruption over allegations of accepting a Rs. 100 million bribe in connection with a transaction involving the purchase of Airbus aircraft,...
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Probe against Speaker SENIOR PARLIAMENT STAFF SUMMONED TO CIABOC
S everal senior Parliament officials have given statements to the Commission to Investigate Allegations of Bribery or Corruption (CIABOC) in connection with a complaint filed against Speaker Jagath Wickramaratne by former Secretary General of...
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SRI LANKA LOSES OVER US D 20 MN AS ICC MOVES CHAMPIONS TROPHY TO INDIA
D espite the Sri Lanka Cricket Transformation Committee having remained hopeful that it could have convinced the International Cricket Council (ICC) to keep the inaugural Women’s Champions Trophy in Sri Lanka, the country has now lost the hosting...
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SRI LANKA’S WASTE CRISIS
Sri Lanka’s growing waste crisis is raising concern over methane emissions, public health and environmental damage, with the country generating more than 10,000 tonnes of municipal waste every day and around 55% of it being disposed of in open dumps....
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THREE JUDGES FACE BRIBERY COMPLAINT OVER X-PRESS PEARL
Acomplaint has been lodged with the Commission to Investigate Allegations of Bribery or Corruption (CIABOC) against three Supreme Court judges over allegations that their actions resulted in nearly US$999 million in compensation that was due from the...
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SRI LANKA RANKS THIRD MOST GLOBALLY FOR PUBLIC HOLIDAYS
Sri Lanka has the third-highest number of public holidays of any country in the world, according to a new analysis from the Pew Research Center, behind only Myanmar and Bangladesh. The report, published February 12, found that Sri Lanka will observe...
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SRI LANKA HAS TO PAY MORE FOR VACCINES
With the latest categorisation of Sri Lanka as an upper-middle-income country under the World Bank criterion, the health authorities will lose certain concessions enjoyed in the procurement of vaccines to be used under the national immunisation...
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HOW SRI LANKA CAN TURN RESOURCES INTO RICHES
Switzerland transformed from a poor, rural, and resource poor nation into one of the world’s richest countries in less than 200 years through strategic industrialization, political decentralization, and an intense focus on high-value niche...
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CHEMICAL-LADEN LORRY SUSPECTED OF POLLUTING KELANI RIVER
Achemical substance is suspected to have entered the Kelani River while a lorry transporting chemicals to a factory was being washed, according to information revealed during preliminary investigations. The incident prompted the temporary shutdown of...
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SRI LANKA’S ECONOMY NEARS PRE-CRISIS LEVEL: CBSL CHIEF
The national economy has recovered to almost its pre-crisis level following a sharp turnaround from its worst economic meltdown, Central Bank Governor Dr. Nandalal Weerasinghe said this week, pointing to stronger public finances, improved fiscal...
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TUG-OF-WAR DELAYS CANCER TREATMENT EQUIPMENT FOR FIVE YEARS
The procurement of advanced cancer radiation treatment machines for Sri Lanka’s public health system has been delayed for nearly five years, putting the lives of thousands of cancer patients at risk, Trade Union Alliance for Medical and Civil Rights...
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Sergeant loses toe after foreign university Professor’s car runs over his foot
A63-year-old professor of a foreign university has been arrested after a car he was driving allegedly ran over the toes of a police sergeant who was directing traffic during the Kandy Esala Perahera. The incident occurred on the evening of August 22...
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CANCER DRUG REPORTEDLY SOLD FOR OVER RS. 25,000 AMID SHORTAGE
An essential medicine used to protect cancer patients from infections is reportedly being sold for more than Rs. 25,000 on the black market amid a severe shortage in the country, the Doctors’ Trade Union Alliance for Medical and Civil Rights...
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SRI LANKA BECOMES NEW TRANSSHIPMENT HUB FOR LAMBORGHINIS
Sri Lanka’s Hambantota International Port has become an important transit point for luxury vehicles including Lamborghinis as the Middle East conflict continues to disrupt shipping routes around the Strait of Hormuz. A senior official from the Sri...
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NEED
Sales Staff for Electrical Shop in Nugegoda. 0742342706 Salary 45,000/- From Nugegoda.
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SRI LANKA GETTING HOTTER AND HOTTER
Sri Lanka is expected to experience its temperature rising further next year than previous averages, a climatologist said yesterday. Department of Meteorology Climatologist Malith Fernando told Daily Mirror that Sri Lanka could experience its highest...
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Prison system under severe strain
President Anura Kumara Dissanayake has convened an urgent meeting with key stakeholders to accelerate measures to restore stability and strengthen security across correctional facilities 57 dead in prison unrest since July 5 Govt. suspects organised...
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Bravo Mr. President but please address the reality of your people too
In a span of over one and a half years in office, you have lived up to your word and kept a key election pledge that those who were embroiled in corruption in the previous governments would be taken to task and justice would be served to the people of...
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GOVT COMMITTED TO ARREST WRONGDOERS
Hot on the heels of the arrest of politicians implicated in past wrongdoings, Public Security Minister Ananda Wijepala said yesterday that the government is committed to bring all kinds of wrongdoers to book in conformity with the mandate it received...
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Joint Opposition raises alarm over proposed Anti-corruption (Amendment) Bill
T he Joint Opposition raised alarms over the proposed Anti-corruption (Amendment) Bill where it stated bail provisions threaten the Fundamental Rights and will worsen the deadly prison overcrowding. The statement signed by one time minister Prof. G....
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Unconvicted inmates make up over 72% of prison population
Amid growing concerns over overcrowding in prisons across the country, it is identified that nearly three-fourths of inmates are remand prisoners with cases pending against them. The authorities are now implementing a series of initiatives to increase...
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EXPIRED DENGUE KITS IN USE?
Right now we cannot carry out monitoring regarding expired test kits as we don’t have a proper work force In Sri Lanka, obtaining accreditation for private medical institutions is a voluntary practice. However, Dr. Tennakoon pointed out that no...
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HOW SRI LANKA MISSED THE OPPORTUNITY TO BECOME A 200 BILLION DOLLAR ECONOMY
Economic policy disruption in 2015 had a long-term dampening effect of economic expansion – similar to the start of ethnic conflict in 1980s For the first time in history, Sri Lankan economy surpassed the hundred billion dollar mark in 2025. Gross...
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Withdraw the proposal to extend retirement age of judges: Anglican Church of Sri Lanka
The Church of Ceylon (Anglican Church of Sri Lanka) which condemned the move to extend the retirement age of judges urged the government to withdraw the cabinet paper which has been introduced to that effect. Following is the statement signed by...
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GOVT SHOULD BE JUDGED BY ITS ACTIONS
Justice Minister pressed on seriousness of judges’ retirement age proposal The government has already obtained Cabinet approval to amend the Constitution to extend the retirement age of superior court judges The BASL has argued that the proposal...
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Govt. rules out the need
Amidst various claims that the proposed Constitutional amendment seeking to extend the retirement age of superior court judges is required to be approved by a referendum, the government yesterday dismissed the call, claiming that the Constitution...
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LEADING PRESIDENTS’ COUNSEL VOICE SERIOUS CONCERNS
Five leading Presidents’ Counsel, including a member of the National People’s Power (NPP) Leadership Council and the Executive Council Lal Wijenayake, yesterday protested the government’s move to extend the retirement age of judges by two years. Mr...
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SRI LANKA’S UNDERWORLD VIOLENCE ESCALATES
Sri Lanka has recorded 22 shooting incidents so far this year, leaving 15 people dead and 12 others injured. Nearly half of these incidents, 10 in total, were reported within the two-week period between July 11 and July 25. The 10 shootings during...
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GOVT. ON ALERT OVER RISING CRIMES INVOLVING FOREIGN NATIONALS
The government is on high alert over an increasing number of crimes involving foreign nationals across Sri Lanka, following a recent abduction and murder of a Chinese national linked to a suspected rivalry between Chinese groups in Colombo. Deputy...
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21 COMPANIES UNDER CID PROBE OVER ALLEGED $700 MN IMPORT SCAM
The Criminal Investigation Department (CID) yesterday informed Colombo Chief Magistrate Asanga S. Bodaragama that investigations are underway to establish the involvement of 21 leading companies in a largescale racket involving the illegal transfer of...
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JAPAN SEEKS INTEREST ON DELAYED LRT COMPENSATION PAYMENTS
Japan has requested the Sri Lankan government to pay interest on the delayed settlement of compensation arising from the cancellation of the Japan-funded Light Rail Transit (LRT) project, in addition to the compensation already paid in three...
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US $ 715 MILLION SIPHONED OFF
In what appeared to be a massive financial irregularity, the police informed the Committee on Public Finance (COPF) yesterday that approximately US$ 715 million (Rs. 240 billion) , is likely to have been earned through criminal activities such as drug...
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29 UNUSED OIL TANKS IN TRINCOMALEE OPEN FOR LOCAL, FOREIGN INVESTORS
In a bid for the commercialisation of the Trincomalee Oil Tank Farm, Trinco Petroleum Terminal Ltd (TPTL) is planning to go for international bidding for the development of 29 tanks out of 61 tanks in its possession, an official said yesterday. A...
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MATCH FIXING GAMBLING REGULATIONS RELATED TO CRICKET IN LIMBO
The COPF met with GRA officials, including its Chairman N.M.W.N. Bandara, last week at a meeting Mr. Bandara said the Authority required policy guidance from the government before it could develop a regulatory framework to oversee gambling activities...
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PTA ACCUSED GRANTED BAIL AFTER 15 YEARS
The Court of Appeal has granted bail to a man who had remained in remand custody for nearly 15 years under the Prevention of Terrorism Act (PTA), ruling that such prolonged pre-trial detention amounted to an exceptional circumstance warranting his...
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ILLEGAL BETTING ACTIVITIES THRIVE,
The country continues to lose tax revenue because of unlawful and unregulated gaming activities carried out both online and physically No regulations have been enforced as yet Officials, however, said they had finalized regulations for the operation...
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Sri Lanka’s dengue battle at crossroads
Sri Lanka is once again fighting a familiar enemy. But this time, the warning signs are becoming harder to ignore. With reported dengue cases surpassing 70,000 and the death toll nearing 50, the country is edging closer to another major public health...
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SRI LANKAN POLITICIANS HAVE LONGER LIFESPANS, STUDY FINDS
More than 10% lived beyond the age of 75, while around five politicians had reached or surpassed the age of 80 Longer life expectancy of politicians has been attributed to several factors, including access to high-quality healthcare A recent study...
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MAGISTRATES, DISTRICT COURT JUDGES UP IN ARMS AGAINST MOVE
With pressure mounting on the Government from the country’s legal fraternity over the move for retirement age extension for Superior Court judges, the Judicial Service Association of Sri Lanka (JSASL), the sole organisation representing all District...
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GOVT. WILL USE STATE FUNDS FOR REPAYMENT UNLESS STOLEN MONEY RECOVERED
The Finance Ministry Secretary had been in the dark about the existence of such an outdated system for crucial payments The government will use its funds to repay US $ 2.5 million to Australia unless the monies lost in the cyber theft are recovered,...
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US $ 2.5MN CYBERCRIME: WAS THERE ANY AGENCY INVOLVED; CID URGED TO FIND
While concluding that US $ 2.5 million loan repayment drama has been a fraud which is more or less a cybercrime, the report of the probe carried out by the parliamentary Committee on Public Finance (COPF) has called for a further probe by the law...
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Spa raided; Couple arrested for filming clients, selling sex videos online
Acouple and five others were arrested after police raided a spa in Bandarawela that was secretly running a brothel — and found hidden cameras filming clients. The raid took place last morning in Ellethota. Police say the couple had placed cameras in...
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AI ‘WOMEN’ ON FACEBOOK LURE SRI LANKANS INTO SCAMS, ADULT CHATS
Anetwork of Ai-generated female profiles on Facebook is being used to create fake identities, manipulate users through emotional and sexualised content, and redirect them to adult-chat services, gambling sites, cryptocurrency promotions and other...
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TEARFUL RONALDO BOWS OUT
St Benedict’s College along with Devapathiraja MMV Ratgama, DS Senanayake College, Sri Dharmaloka MV Kelaniya and St Aloysius College Galle won their matches against Lyceum IS Wattala, Dharmasoka MV Ambalangoda, Wesley College, President’s College...
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CARNAGE!
How did prisoners access guns? Drug trade rivalry suspected behind Negombo Prison riot: Two T-56 reportedly stolen 26 including 7 prison officers killed in Negombo jail riot Justice Minister accepts responsibility Opposition Leader blames govt.,...
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SRI LANKA’S NEXT IMF
Sri Lanka is once again approaching a consequential economic debate. As the present programme with the International Monetary Fund moves towards its concluding stages, the country will inevitably have to confront a difficult question: should Sri Lanka...
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INTERNATIONAL CALL TO PAUSE PTA USE
The UN Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) has told the Government that the draft Anti-terrorism Bill retains and expands the shortcomings identified in the Prevention of Terrorism Act (PTA), while introducing new risks and...
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GOVT. YET TO REACH FINAL DECISION ON SINOPEC REFINERY
According to the source, the government has certain limitations in granting special concessions to a specific project because of the programme with the International Monetary Fund (IMF) which seeks a level playing field The government is yet to reach...
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Easter Attack investigation
olombo Fort Magistrate Pasan Amarasena today ordered former State Intelligence Service (SIS) Director Suresh Sallay, who is being detained and questioned under a Detention Order in connection with the Easter Sunday terrorist attacks, to provide the...
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INFLATION CLIMBS
IMF not ready to sound alarm Taking a wait-and-see approach until a clearer picture emerges on whether inflationary pressures are becoming entrenched Households and businesses are already grappling with higher lending rates following the Central...
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SRI LANKA WOOS U.S. INVESTMENTS FOR COLOMBO PORT DEVELOPMENT
Sri Lanka has wooed U.S. investment in the development of the Colombo port and integrated infrastructure at a recent summit in Washington, a Deputy Minister said yesterday. The Colombo port is one of the biggest strategic assets of Sri Lanka, with the...
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HOSPITALS REACH FULL CAPACITY AS CASES SURGE .
With Sri Lanka’s dengue outbreak reaching epidemic levels, patients are facing severe difficulties as hospitals in several parts of the country have reached full capacity to accommodate the growing number of dengue cases. Hospital sources told the...
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Sri Lankas's dengue outbreak reaches epidemic level
Sri Lanka’s dengue outbreak has reached epidemic levels, with cases crossing the 50,000 mark, health authorities confirmed to Daily Mirror. Acting Director of the National Dengue Control Unit, Dr Kapila Kannangara, told the Daily Mirror that the rapid...
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COUNTRY LOSES US $ 1 BILLION IN FRAUDULENT TRANSACTIONS, CERTAIN BANKS INVOLVED
In a shocking disclosure, President Anura Kumara Dissanayake said in Parliament yesterday that the country had lost as much as US $ 1 billion because of the transfer of a whopping Rs.300 billion ill-gotten cash in terms of Telegraphic Transfers and...
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154 DEATH ROW INMATES CLEARED FOR PRESIDENTIAL PARDON REMAIN IN PRISON AFTER MORE THAN FOUR YEARS
Atotal of 154 death row inmates who were recommended for release under a presidential pardon by several expert committees appointed by the Ministry of Justice in previous governments have remained behind bars for more than four years, according to...
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US $ 2.5 million cyber theft SRI LANKA PROMISES TO MAKE PAYMENT CLEARANCE AS SOON AS FEASIBLE
The recent US $2.5 million cyber theft from the newly established Public Debt Management Office (Pdmo)—where a sovereign debt repayment to Australia was intercepted via systemic digital breaches, had a direct bearing on Sri Lanka’s programme with the...
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DENGUE PASSES 1,000 CASES DAILY
Anyone experiencing warning signs such as persistent vomiting, severe abdominal pain, bleeding gums or extreme fatigue to seek immediate medical attention Sri Lanka is experiencing an unprecedented surge in dengue infections, with more than 1,000...
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HOLD SLC ELECTIONS OR GET BLACKLISTED, ICC INFORMS PRESIDENT AKD
The International Cricket Council has put forward a request to President Anura Kumara Dissanayake to hold the elections of Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) on or before July 31, and has emphasised that if local authorities fail to do so Sri Lanka once again...
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Govt. to repeal PTA, introduce new law
By The Government intends to repeal the Prevention of Terrorism Act (PTA) and introduce a new peoplecentric piece of legislation within the next two months, Minister of Justice and National Integration Harshana Nanayakkara said. Speaking during a...
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SRI LANKA, INDIA RECOGNIZE URGENCY,
In the wake of the West Asian or Middle East crisis, Sri Lanka and India have recognized the need for the expeditious implementation of the Trincomalee petroleum hub project for energy security, but no specific timeline is carved out yet, Daily Mirror...
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MEDICINE PRICES SET TO SURGE
Pharmaceutical prices are expected to rise after the government indicated its willingness to address concerns raised by Indian suppliers regarding the non-renewal of import licenses and the National Medicines Regulatory Authority (NMRA)’S insistence on...
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HOSPITALS UNDER PRESSURE AS DENGUE CASES SPIKE
Health authorities have raised concerns that Sri Lanka’s healthcare system could come under severe pressure if the current rise in dengue admissions continues. Commenting on the situation, Health Minister Dr. Nalinda Jayatissa said several hospitals,...
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GOVT. TO BRING FRESH LAWS TO CURB MONEY LAUNDERING
In the wake of tens of millions of US dollars being transferred out of the country through fraudulent transactions, the government is planning to strengthen laws governing money laundering by introducing fresh legal amendments, Public Security Minister...
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TREASURY AND CPC WEIGH OPTIONS ON FUEL PRICES AS RS. 57 BN FUEL ALLOCATION NEARS EXHAUSTION
The government is considering maintaining current domestic fuel prices without implementing an increase, even after the existing state subsidy concludes, provided that the current downward trend in the global oil market remains steady. The government...
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