More commonly known as the home of Santa Claus and for its landscapes reminiscent of the magical world of Narnia, Lapland in Finland is inviting tourists to swap reindeer rides for a summer-long hunt for hidden gold.

Participants will explore the trails and landmarks of Levi, a resort in northern Finland, known for winter ski slopes and views of the Northern Lights, where fortune hunters will be in search of a gold bar worth 20,000 euros ($23,300).

The Midnight Sun Hunt begins on June 18 at the Levi Visitor Centre, according to a statement from Visit Levi on Tuesday.

Participants can collect their first clue and register for the hunt at the center. After, further clues will be shared, leading hikers through local trails, attractions and landmarks, each bringing them closer to the hidden prize.

The gold bar could be found after any clue, organizers said, with additional hints being released throughout the summer, gradually making the location of the gold easier to identify.

The final clue is set to be revealed on August 22.

Situated above the Arctic Circle, Levi is best known as one of Finland’s premier ski destinations and a popular winter hotspot.

During the summer months, the region experiences the midnight sun, giving Lapland 24-hour sunlight during certain periods.

Visit Levi described the summer period as a hidden gem waiting to be explored. 

The Levi ski resort is one of many winter season hotspots across Europe that has diversified, offering snow-free ventures like paragliding, hiking, river rafting and mountain biking.

The Midnight Sun Hunt is organized in cooperation with Agnico Eagle Finland, a gold mining company based in Kittilä, and Levi Ski Resort.

Participants keen to join are instructed to move responsibly, stay within permitted areas and respect the natural environment. The hunt does not require digging or disturbing the terrain in any way, organizers said. (CNN)

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A proposal to sign a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between Sri Lanka and Finland to establish a Political Consultation Mechanism aimed at strengthening bilateral ties, has been approved by the Cabinet of Ministers.

Diplomatic relations between the two countries began in 1954, with 2026 marking the 72nd anniversary. Over the decades, the partnership has expanded across political, economic, social, cultural, and educational sectors.

The proposed MoU seeks to enhance cooperation in areas including politics, economy, education, environment, consular affairs, and culture, while also facilitating dialogue on regional and multilateral issues of mutual interest.

The resolution was presented by the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Foreign Employment, and Tourism. (Newswire)

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The Court of Appeal has issued an interim order suspending the former Cabinet’s decision to purchase 750,000 N-Series passports to resolve the shortage of passports in Sri Lanka, NewsFirst reported. 

At its meeting held in September 2024, the former Cabinet approved the purchase of 750,000 N-Series passports from Thales DIS Finland OY and Just In Time Technologies (Pvt) Ltd as part of the initial procurement for the supply of five million e-Passports.

However, the decision was challenged by a writ petition filed by Epic Lanka (Pvt) Ltd and its Executive Chairman alleging that it is a corrupt deal that violates the tender procedure.

In its petition, Epic Lanka (Pvt) Ltd pointed out that the deal bypassed the National Procurement Guidelines, was outside of the proper procurement procedure, and that the National Procurement Commission has also acknowledged in writing that the procurement had irregularities. 

The Secretary to the Ministry of Public Security, former Minister of Public Security Tiran Alles, the Controller General of Immigration and Emigration, the former Cabinet of Ministers and several others have been named as respondents.

Taking up for consideration the petition, Court of Appeal Justice Mohammed Laffar yesterday issued an interim order suspending the decision to purchase 750,000 N-Series passports, with the order effective until 01 October 2024. (Newswire)

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A wealthy man in Finland has been handed a whopping $129, 400 fine for speeding.

Andres Wiklf — one of Finland’s richest men — was driving on Finland’s land Islands on the Jrsvgen headed towards the land Island capital, Mariehamn, when police caught him driving approximately 50 mph in a 30 mph zone.

Speaking to local media, Wiklf said that he was aware he was over the speed limit which changed “suddenly” and was attempting to slow down, but did not manage to slow down fast enough.

“I really regret the matter,” he told land Island’s main newspaper, Nya Aaland. Wiklf was also issued with a 10-day driving license suspension.

Under Finland’s “Day-Fine” system, an individual’s income is a key determinant in the size of the fine they are subsequently issued with by law enforcement. 

Finland was the first Nordic nation to introduce the income-based “Day Fine” system in 1921, and several European nations have followed suit since.

Further, under the Finnish “Day-Fine” system, the more a driver is over a speed limit, the higher the number “day fines” received.

It is not the first speeding fine Wiklf has been issued. He is reported to have previously been issued with a 63,000 fine in 2018 and, in 2013, he received a 95,000 fine — together amounting to a grand total of 279,000 over the last decade.

Other massive fines from Finland are former Nokia Boss, Anssi Vanjokki, who was issued a 116,000 for speeding on his motorbike, and Remia Kuisla, a Finnish businessman who was fined 54,000 for driving 64 mph in a 50 mph zone.

Wiklf says he hopes the fine will be used positively.

“I have heard that they are going to save one and a half billion on healthcare in Finland, so I hope that the money can fill a gap there,” said Wiklf.

Wiklf, an land native, is ranked among Finland’s richest men. He is the Chairman of Wiklf Holding, his business empire that includes businesses in logistics, real estate and trade. It is estimated to be worth over $10 million.

According to the European Road Safety Observatory, drivers in Finland are “more supportive” for stringent legislation on speeding and drunk driving compared to their European counterparts.

The world-record speeding-ticket is currently held in Switzerland which has a similar “day-fine” system. Here, a total fine of $1,091,340 (3,600 Swiss franks per day for 300 days) was issued to a Swedish motorist caught driving 170 kilometers per hour (105 mph) over the speed limit. (ABC News)

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