News Room : Showery conditions over the island is expected to reduce from today (02) – The Island
At least 18 paramilitary soldiers and 24 armed attackers have been killed in two related incidents in southwestern Pakistan, according to officials and local media reports, as sectarian, ethnic and separatist violence escalates in the region. Pakistan’s military on Saturday said fighters tried to set up roadblocks overnight in the restive province of Balochistan and most of the deaths took...
News Room : Small plane crashes into Philadelphia neighbourhood, causing explosions
A small plane with six aboard has crashed into several buildings in north-east Philadelphia, setting homes and vehicles ablaze, and injuring people on the ground. The jet was on a medical transport mission on Friday evening and was carrying four crew members, a child patient and the patient’s escort, Jet Rescue Air Ambulance, the medical aircraft company, told Reuters and...
News Room : HRCSL recommends improved treatment of detained Rohingya asylum seekers – The Island
The Human Rights Commission of Sri Lanka (HRCSL), on Friday (31), called for urgent measures to address the conditions of 116 Rohingya asylum seekers, including 57 children, currently detained at the Mullaitivu Air Force Camp. The group arrived on 19 December, 2024, after a multi-day journey on a trawler that drifted towards the coast near Mullivaikkal. Several asylum seekers...
News Room : Sri Lanka sees rise in infant mortality amid healthcare and economic challenges – The Island
By Pradeep Prasanna Samarakoon Sri Lanka is facing a increase in low birth weight babies and infant mortality, with an estimated 2,500 infants dying annually before their first birthday, according to Dr Kapila Jayaratne, President of the Sri Lanka College of Community Physicians. Speaking at a media briefing yesterday (30) at the Sri Lanka Medical Association Headquarters, Dr Jayaratne revealed that...
News Room : Showers or thundershowers will occur at times in Northern, North-central, Eastern and Uva provinces and in Matale, Nuwara-Eliya and Hambantota districts – The Island
WEATHER FORECAST FOR 30 JANUARY 2025 Issued at 05.30 a.m. on 30 January 2025 by the Department of Meteorology Misty conditions can be expected at some places in Western, Sabaragamuwa, Central and Southern provinces during the morning. Cloudy skies can be expected over most parts of the island. Showers or thundershowers will occur at times in Northern, North-central, Eastern, Western, Uva, North-western...
News Room : Debate over entitlements of former Presidents intensifies amidst NPP’s plans to cut their benefits – The Island
The government’s plan to curtail the entitlements of former presidents has sparked differing opinions, with Minister of Transport, Highways, Ports, and Aviation Bimal Ratnayake advocating for swift changes, while legal experts warn of constitutional and human rights implications. Minister Ratnayake recently announced that the government would reduce the benefits granted to former presidents without requiring constitutional amendments. Referring to a...
News Room : Police petition Jaffna Magistrate to prevent disruptions in Jaffna during President’s visit on today – The Island
Sri Lanka’s first lady Ambassador to the State of Qatar, Roshan Sithara Khan Azard presented her Letters of Credence to Amir of the State of Qatar, Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani on 27 January 2025. Held at the Amiri Diwan, the office of the Amir of Qatar, the credential ceremony featured a Guard of Honour which was followed...
News Room : Minister challenges Opposition Leader to come clean on container clearance issue
105 “People like Opposition Leader Sajith Premadasa, who protect thieves, do not understand the value of public trust. Only we know its value. We challenge those who accused us of container clearance to come forward and file a proper complaint,” Transport, Highways, Ports and Civil Aviation Minister Bimal Ratnayake said. Speaking to the media yesterday (30), he stated that the Customs...
News Room : UNP, SJB working on common list, symbol for PC Poll – Thalatha
93 UNP General Secretary Thalatha Athukorale stated that the objective of the ongoing discussions between the United National Party (UNP) and the Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB) is to finalise a common nomination list for the Provincial Council Elections. Addressing a media briefing in Kandy yesterday (30), Athukorale mentioned that discussions between the two parties have reached a successful stage, though leadership...
News Room : Three Israelis and five Thai hostages expected to be freed next by Hamas – The Island
Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni says she has been placed under judicial investigation over Italy’s surprise release of a Libyan citizen who had been wanted for war crimes by the International Criminal Court (ICC). In a video message shared on social media on Tuesday, Meloni said she was suspected by prosecutors of embezzlement and aiding and abetting a crime. Osama Najim...