Daily Mirror (Sri Lanka)
SRI LANKA’S RISING BLACK ECONOMY AND CORRUPTION?
Physical cash (notes) in circulation has seen an unusual increase Volume of digital payments has now surpassed the nominal GDP Corrupt systems distribute wealth to elites while regular people struggle with basic needs, high inflation, joblessness An...
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Govt. rushes to amend prison attire rules for monks
In what appeared to be a sign of succumbing to public outrage and pressure from the Maha Sangha over the stripping of Ven. Galagoda Aththe Gnanasara Thera of his robe, the Government is rushing to amend the laws and regulations relating to the prison...
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Former Minister Rohitha Bogollagama remanded until conclusion of trial
Former Minister Rohitha Bogollagama, who was arrested by the Commission to Investigate Allegations of Bribery or Corruption (CIABOC) after allegedly evading court proceedings, was ordered to be remanded in custody until the conclusion of the trial by...
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FUEL SHORTAGE?
Indian Oil Corporation (IOC) has reduced its daily diesel issuance by 45%, from around 965 metric tons in January to 535 metric tons at present Lanka IOC (LIOC) had significantly reduced its fuel supplies compared to February this year Fuel queues...
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ONE YEAR ON: UPCOUNTRY RAIL DISRUPTION TAKES A TOLL ON TOURISM
The continued disruption of services along the country’s scenic upcountry railway line has taken a toll on the tourism sector, affecting both visitor numbers and the overall travel experience, according to Deputy Minister of Tourism Prof. Ruwan...
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U.S. MUM ON CONCERNS OVER IRANIAN VESSELS STRANDED OFF SRI LANKA
In response to a query whether concerns had been raised regarding Iranian vessels stranded off Sri Lankan waters, the U.S. Embassy in Sri Lanka, while asserting that substance on the private diplomatic communications would not be commented on, said the...
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GOVT. URGES PUBLIC TO CUT FUEL USE SWITCH TO EVS
The Government has urged the public to cut fuel consumption, avoid peak energy-demand periods and switch to more fuel-efficient vehicles, including electric vehicles, as Sri Lanka moves towards cleaner energy sources. Minister of Energy Anura...
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Wijeya Newspapers’
Moiz Mustafa, Digital Media Manager at Wijeya Newspapers Limited, received the AI Content Creators of the Year, AI Social Impact Content Creator Award - Gold at the National AI Awards 2026, held on 30 September at Monarch Imperial, Sri Jayawardenepura...
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U.S. ISSUES DAMNING REPORT
Many investors wary over NPP leadership’s mixed reaction on market openness Govt’s institutional capacity or investment attraction limited despite positive rhetoric Policy implementation on foreign investments is inconsistent Takes note of delay...
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Next IMF programme depends on macro economic stability
Amidst uncertainty about the Government’s next move after the current IMF (International Monetary Fund) programme with politicians across the divide expressing different views, an IMF spokesperson said the international lender’s focus is to bring the...
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U.S. EMPOWERS SL NAVY FOR NUCLEAR DETECTION
I n the wake of Middle East tensions, the U.S. Embassy in Sri Lanka, through the U.S. Department of Energy’s Office of Nuclear Smuggling Detection and Deterrence (NSDD), partnered with the Sri Lanka Navy for a five-day workshop September 21–25 to...
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SL SELLING FUEL LOWER THAN
Lanka Indian Oil Company (LIOC) Managing Director K. Raghu said the company was seeking a revision of the retail prices of fuel since the current prices were lower than even the minimum international market prices . He said LIOC was procuring fuel...
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22ND AMENDMENT TO THE CONSTITUTION: ARGUMENTS FOR AND AGAINST
Acentral issue in the debate over Sri proposed 22nd Amendment to the Constitution has been the retirement age and tenure of Superior Court judges, with arguments focusing on judicial independence, the retention of experienced judges and the possible...
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AFTER 22A, NPP GOVT TO BEGIN WORK ON NEW CONSTITUTION
Formal initiatives to be made next year Fate of PC system to be decided Past constitutionmaking proposals would be studied to explore whether they could be incorporated into the NPP’S thinking We have to discuss among our selves first The vote on...
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WHAT IS THE 22ND AMENDMENT TO THE CONSTITUTION
The much-awaited Twenty Second Amendment to the Constitution is set to be debated in Parliament this week, with the second reading of the Bill scheduled to continue on Friday (25), following the Supreme Court’s determination that the proposed amendment...
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22A TO BE APPROVED BY PARLIAMENT ON FRIDAY
FSpeaker says Supreme Court has further determined that the provisions of the “Judicature” (Amendment)” Bill are not inconsistent with the Constitution and may be passed by the simple majority of the Parliament A record 67 petitions seeking a Special...
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Sri Lanka holds clues to a 500-millionyear-old Earth
Ahuge ancient rock structure has been found deep beneath Sri Lanka, giving scientists new clues about the island’s geological history more than 500 million years ago. The research has been conducted by Gaoshan Guo of the Paris Institute of Earth...
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GOVERMENT CONSIDERS ALLOWING PRIVATE FIRMS TO SET FUEL PRICES
Minister says government will conduct its monthly fuel price review at the end of September, based on fuel import costs The government is examining legal options to allow private fuel distributors to set their own prices within a specified upper and...
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INTERPOL NOTICE ISSUED ON BASIL RAJAPAKSA
INTERPOL has issued a blue notice on former minister Basil Rajapaksa following a request by the Criminal Investigations Department as authorities step up efforts to trace and bring back individuals wanted in connection with ongoing legal proceedings,...
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TOBACCO FOR LIFE? NO
Aproposal to create Sri Lanka’s first Tobacco-free Generation could prevent everyone born from 2010 onwards from ever legally purchasing tobacco, as health advocates warn of the long-term human and economic cost of tobacco use. The proposal, backed by...
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JUDGES LIABLE FOR INCOME TAX
The Supreme Court has dismissed three appeals filed by associations representing judicial officers, holding that judges of the High Court, District Courts, Magistrates’ Courts and Labour Tribunals are liable to pay income tax and that Advance Personal...
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Sextortion: Don’t pay, don’t panic
The Sri Lanka Computer Emergency Readiness Team (SLCERT) has urged the public to remain vigilant against sextortion, an online crime where perpetrators threaten to share intimate images or videos unless victims meet their demands. Sextortion can...
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FACING GOVERNMENT NO THREAT: PRESIDENT
President Anura Kumara Dissanayake said the government is not facing any threat and that the public rallies being held across the country are aimed at building a strong people’s movement to support the country’s development. Speaking at a public rally...
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MORE NATIONAL PARKS MAY CLOSE AS HEAT WAVE THREATENS WILDLIFE
More national parks could be temporarily closed if the prevailing heat wave and prolonged dry conditions intensify, as wildlife authorities struggle to protect animals from increasingly harsh weather conditions. The warning comes after the Wildlife...
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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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