Racer killed in 280mph crash while trying to break land speed record

Race organisers at Utah’s famed Bonneville Salt Flats have confirmed that a veteran driver died in a 283mph (455km/h) crash while trying to break the land speed record.

'You are the NPP leader’, Opposition MP tells PM

In what seemed to be a hint of the future of the government, Opposition MP Chaminda Wijesiri claimed in Parliament that it was Prime Minister Harini Amarasuriya who was the leader of the National People’s Power (NPP), while asking an oral question into alleged corruption that has taken place during the tenure of the present government.

Trump administration to wind down mRNA vaccine development

The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) said on Tuesday that it will start winding down mRNA vaccine development efforts under a federal health agency focused on developing medical countermeasures to address public health emergencies.

Around 63 persons arrested for bribery and corruption in 2025: Prime Minister

Around 63 persons have been arrested for bribery and corruption so far in 2025. This includes 28 state employees, Prime Minister Harini Amarasuriya told Parliament today.

GMOA warns of islandwide strike over transfer dispute

The Government Medical Officers’ Association (GMOA) has issued a warning of an islandwide strike if the Health Ministry fails to resolve issues related to the recent transfer list of doctors.

Shasheendra Rajapaksa arrested

Former State Minister Shasheendra Rajapaksa was arrested by the Commission to Investigate Allegations of Bribery or Corruption (CIABOC), a short while ago.

Sagala Ratnayaka appears before CID

Former Chief of Staff to ex-President Ranil Wickremesinghe, Sagala Ratnayaka, arrived at the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) today.

Hyderabad Immigration officer booked for stalking Sri Lankan woman

A Bureau of Immigration official at Rajiv Gandhi International Airport (RGIA) in Hyderabad was booked for stalking a 24-year-old woman passenger from Sri Lanka at the airport.

Mahiyanganaya Additional District Judge interdicted

Mahiyangana Supernumerary Additional District Judge Rangani Gamage has been interdicted with immediate effect by the Judicial Service Commission, following several complaints received regarding her conduct as a judicial officer.

WhatsApp says it removed 6.8m accounts linked to scams

WhatsApp says it has taken down 6.8 million accounts linked to scammers targeting people around the world in the first half of this year.

Jailed ‘Harak Kata’ threatens Policeman over missing pen; Complaint lodged

A complaint has been lodged by an Inspector of Police attached to the Criminal Investigation Department (CID), claiming that he was verbally abused and threatened by Nadun Chinthaka Wickramaratne, also known as ’’Harak Kata’’—a well-known organized criminal and large-scale drug trafficker over a missing carbon pen.

Most businesses involving Israelis are Sri Lankan-owned - Authorities

Amidst growing concern of foreigners illegally engaged in businesses in Sri Lanka, majority of businesses involving Israelis are owned by Sri Lankans, authorities revealed.

Crime wave: Killings undertaken for Rs. 400,000-500,000 financial charges

In the wake of the recent killing linked to gang rivalry and drug trafficking, the police found that murder contracts had been undertaken for financial charges merely ranging from Rs.. 400,000-500,000, indicating how low organized criminals have stooped when caring for the value of human lives.

Corporate risk rises as gamers in Sri Lanka hit by malware: Kaspersky

New threat research from Kaspersky has revealed a startling figure for Sri Lanka’s gaming community and its corporate sector with at least 10,877 gaming accounts in the country compromised by infostealer malware in 2024.

Sri Lanka’s prisons overwhelmed by drug addicts

Despite intensified operations to curb drug-related crimes across the country, Sri Lanka is grappling with a growing crisis on two fronts, a surge in drug addiction and a critically overcrowded prison system that has far exceeded its holding capacity.

National tea sale average rises in July but declines YoY

Sri Lanka’s national tea sale average for July 2025 was recorded at Rs.1,127.60 (US$ 3.74) per kilogramme, up Rs.24.33 (US$0.06), from June average of Rs.1,103.27 (US$ 3.68), according to the data compiled by Forbes & Walker Research.

Nasa to put nuclear reactor on the Moon by 2030 - US media

US space agency Nasa will fast-track plans to build a nuclear reactor on the Moon by 2030, according to US media.

Sumanasara Thera expelled

Ven. Badulugammana Sumanasara Thera has been removed from the post of Chief Incumbent of Nagala Rajamaha Vihara in Bibila and expelled from the Malwatta Chapter for distorting the doctrine and violating the norms of the Sangha Sasana.

Titan submersible owner OceanGate used ’’intimidation tactics’’ to avoid scrutiny before implosion, U.S. Coast Guard says

The U.S. exploration company OceanGate used ’’intimidation tactics’’ to ’’evade regulatory scrutiny’’ in the years leading up to the June 2023 Titan submersible tragedy, according to findings released by the U.S. Coast Guard Tuesday.

Govt. to allocate Rs. 110Bn for public service salary increases in 2027

The government plans to allocate Rs. 110 billion for public service salary increases in 2027, President Anura Kumara Dissanayake said today.

CSE pulls back after record highs amid profit-taking

The Colombo Stock Exchange (CSE) experienced a pullback today, with the All Share Price Index (ASPI) declining by 68.23 points (-0.34%) to close at 19,718.00. The index initially dipped nearly 136 points during early trading but later recouped part of the losses. However, subdued investor activity and clear signs of profit-taking, following the market’s recent all-time high, weighed on overall sentiment.

State counsel opposes bail for Deshabandu: Court grants time to file objections

Senior State Counsel Oswald Perera today told the Colombo Magistrate’s Court that although the Magistrate’s Court has the power to release a person on anticipatory bail prior to arrest, such power should only be exercised in respect of individuals who respect the law and the authority of the court not those who have repeatedly violated the law and ridiculed the legal system.

Two sentenced to death for murder

Two accused who stood indicted with murder were found guilty and sentenced to death by Matale High Court Judge Ravindra Premaratne yesterday.

Landslide in North India leaves 50 missing

At least four people were killed while 50 others are missing after a massive mudslide and flash floods struck a village on Tuesday in a northern Indian Himalayan state.

Medamulana better than Wijerama, says MR

Former President Mahinda Rajapaksa today brushed off concerns over the government’s move to slash privileges granted to former Presidents, saying the real privilege lies with the people.

Police sergeant arrested while soliciting Rs. 10,000 bribe

A Police Sergeant attached to the Keerthibandarapura Police was arrested today while accepting a bribe of Rs. 10,000, the Commission to Investigate Allegations of Bribery or Corruption said.

Two suspects identified in Kahawatta murder case

Two of the eight suspects remanded over the abduction and murder of a 22-year-old man in Hallinda, Palansuriyagama, Kahawatta, were identified by eyewitnesses during an identification parade held at the Pelmadulla Magistrate’s Court today.

Over 120 temporary driving licences issued in two days to tourists at BIA

At least 120 temporary driving licences have been issued to foreign tourists at the on-arrival service counter at Bandaranaike International Airport (BIA) in the two days since its launch, Department of Motor Traffic (DMT) Commissioner General Kamal Amarasinghe said.

Vehicle registrations surge; over 133,000 registered in 2025 so far

The Department of Motor Traffic (DMT) has recorded a significant increase in vehicle registrations this year, with a total of 133,678 vehicles registered as of July 2025, Commissioner General Kamal Amarasinghe said.

Three drug kingpins threaten Chief Inspector of Western North Crimes Division

The Western North Crimes Investigation Division today informed court that death threats had been made via WhatsApp on Chief Inspector Linton de Silva of the Western North Crimes Division by three notorious underworld figures and drug traffickers.