News Room : Prisons overcrowded – The Island
By Shamindra Ferdinando Health Minister Dr. Ramesh Pathirana yesterday (26) said that in case the government had to make emergency purchases, his Ministry would adhere to procedures laid down by the World Health Organization (WHO). Dr. Pathirana said so when The Island asked him whether he intended to adopt the controversial emergency purchase procedures exploited allegedly by influential parties at the...
News Room : STF to be withdrawn from highway security – The Island
By Shamindra Ferdinando Health Minister Dr. Ramesh Pathirana yesterday (26) said that in case the government had to make emergency purchases, his Ministry would adhere to procedures laid down by the World Health Organization (WHO). Dr. Pathirana said so when The Island asked him whether he intended to adopt the controversial emergency purchase procedures exploited allegedly by influential parties at the...
News Room : ‘American tax, Somalian life’ – The Island
Perhaps, nothing represents Sri Lankans’ resentment towards the new tax regime and the aggravation of their economic woes better than the title of today’s comment; it is a literal translation of a slogan written on the rear of a tuk-tuk. It however is relevant only to the ordinary people who pay very high taxes but lead a hand-to-mouth existence....
News Room : UK to send warship to South America amid Venezuela tensions
The UK is preparing to send a warship to Guyana in a show of diplomatic and military support for the former British colony, the BBC has learned. It comes after neighbouring Venezuela renewed its claim for a disputed part of Guyanese territory that is rich in oil and minerals. The Ministry of Defence confirmed HMS Trent would take part in joint...
News Room : Forgive those who oppose us, those who have wronged us and to relinquish all feelings of animosity and resentment – President
President Ranil Wickremesinghe in his Christmas day message called upon all Sri Lankans to “Forgive those who oppose us, those who have wronged us and to relinquish all feelings of animosity and resentment” President Wickremesinghe’s Christmas Day Message: Christmas represents the celebration of hope. “The individuals who traversed in obscurity, burdened with tears and sighs, have witnessed a profound light.” In...
News Room : Showers in Northern, North-central, Eastern, Sabaragamuwa, Uva and Western provinces and in Galle and Matara districts – The Island
Weather forecast issued at 05.30 a.m. on 25 December 2023 by the Department of Meteorology Misty conditions can be expected at some places in Sabaragamuwa, Central and Western provinces and in Galle and Matara districts during the morning. Several spells of light showers will occur in Northern, Eastern and Uva provinces and a few showers will occur in North-central province. Showers...
News Room : Bliss of blessed day – The Island
Neither friend nor foe can have any quarrel with Public Security Minister Tiran Alles for launching the ongoing offensive against the narcotics business. It is much more than a trade nowadays with drug lords, big and small, running not only just fiefdoms but also their own empires. There’s hardly anybody in this country of ours unaware of the dangerous...
News Room : Wolvaardt, Brits in record stand as South Africa clinch series 2-1
South Africa captain Laura Wolvaardt and Tazmin Bits forged a record-breaking partnership to give their side a series victory in Benoni. After losing the first ODI by 119 runs, South Africa bounced back strongly to end 2023 on a high. After opting to bat on Saturday in Benoni, Wolvaardt struck up a 243-run stand for the first wicket with Brits,the...
News Room : Cargo ship attacked off Gujarat coast
A cargo ship was struck by a drone off the coast of the western Indian state of Gujarat on Saturday. The Liberia-flagged chemical products tanker was linked to Israel, according to maritime security firm Ambrey, and was heading from Saudi Arabia to India. The attack sparked a fire onboard the ship which was put out, but none of the roughly 20...
News Room : Plane grounded in France over human trafficking fears
A plane carrying 303 Indian passengers has been grounded at an airport in north-eastern France on suspicion of human trafficking, French media report. The Airbus A340 was flying from the United Arab Emirates to the Nicaraguan capital, Managua. It was grounded during a technical stopover at the small Vatry airport in Marne on Thursday after an “anonymous tip-off”, prosecutors say. Several people...