News

Northern Railway line will be opened

Published

8 months ago

September 13, 2024

editor

The construction of the railway line from Mahawa to Anuradhapura was completed and officially handed over to the Railway Department. Project Director Chinthaka Jayasekara handed over the relevant document to Railways Acting General Manager Keerthi Hewawitharana in the presence of Transport, Highways and Mass Media Minister Dr. Bandula Gunawardhana and other officials.

Renovation of the Anuradhapura–Mahawa railway line, which was implemented at a cost of US$ 92 million with the aim of establishing a regular and efficient transport service in the country, has been completed and was officially handed over to the Sri Lanka Railway Department recently.

The renovation work of the Northern Railway Line which was operated under the loan scheme of the Government of India was carried out in three stages – Anuradhapura–Omanthai, Anuradhapura–Mihintale, and Anuradhapura–Mahawa, Project Director Chinthaka Jayasekara said.

The renovation of the Anuradhapura–Mahawa section was started in January this year under the patronage of Indian High Commissioner to Sri Lanka, Santosh Jha and the Railway Department is confident that the train service from Mahawa to Anuradhapura will be operational again from tomorrow (14).

Jayasekara said that the main benefit resulting from this is that the travel time from Colombo to Kankasanturai will be reduced from seven-and-a-half hours to five hours with the renovation of the railway line.

(dailynews.lk)

(This story, originally published by dailynews.lk has not been edited by SLM staff)

News

Legendary actress Malani Fonseka passes away

Published

15 hours ago

May 24, 2025

editor

Veteran Actress Malini Fonseka, widely revered as the “Queen of Sri Lankan Cinema,” passed away this morning (May 24) at the age of 78 while receiving treatment at a private hospital in Colombo.

Born on April 30, 1947, in Kelaniya as Wanni Arachchige Malani Senehelatha Fonseka, she later rose to fame in Sri Lankan cinema under the name Malani Fonseka.

Fonseka began her acting career on stage in 1963 and made her cinematic debut in 1968 with the film Punchi Baba.

She won the Most Popular Actress award in 1973 and has received numerous accolades, including the President’s Award, Sarasavi Award, OCIC Award, and Sumathi Award, with several honors for Best Actress.

Plays such as Nidhanaya, Bambaru Awitha, Wekande Walawwa, Aradhana, and Ammawarune are regarded as outstanding works that showcased the acting talents of Malani Fonseka.

Beyond her artistic achievements, she entered politics in 2010 and served as a National List Member of Parliament until 2015.

News

12-hr water cut in several areas of Colombo

Published

2 days ago

May 23, 2025

editor

The National Water Supply and Drainage Board (NWSDB) has announced a 12-hour water cut from 8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. on Sunday (May 25) in several areas, including Colombo, due to essential maintenance work at the Ambatale Water Treatment Plant.

Due to this, the public is urged to make prior arrangements and store an adequate supply of water to avoid inconvenience during the period of the suspension.

Accordingly, the water cut will affect the following areas:

Colombo 01 to Colombo 15
Sri Jayawardenepura Kotte
Kaduwela
Battaramulla
Kolonnawa
Kotikawatta
Mulleriyawa
IDH (Infectious Diseases Hospital) area
Maharagama
Dehiwala
Mount Lavinia
Ratmalana and Moratuwa

News

Investigations underway to arrest 20 criminals hiding overseas

Published

2 days ago

May 23, 2025

editor

The Ministry of Public Security states that investigations are underway to arrest 20 members of major organized crime gangs currently hiding overseas.

Minister Ananda Wijepala stated that Interpol has already issued red notices for their arrest and that the countries where these criminals are hiding have been identified.

He added that investigations into the group have been expanded in coordination with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

Since the new government came to power, 11 members of organized crime gangs hiding abroad have been brought back to the island and produced before courts.

Meanwhile, operations to arrest members of organized crime gangs involved in various criminal activities, including murder and drug trafficking, within the country are also ongoing.

The Minister added that the Police Special Task Force and the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) are jointly conducting investigations into the allegations against them.