Immigration arrests 155 overstaying Indians in biggest detection in history

The Department of Immigration and Emigration today arrested 155 overstaying Indian nationals from a Colombo office and made them pay fines and visa fees amounting to a staggering Rs.33.6 million, making it the largest and highest valued detection in Sri Lankan history.

90-day free on-arrival tourist visa for Sri Lankan citizens visiting Maldives

The Government of the Maldives has announced that Sri Lankan citizens traveling to the Maldives for tourism purposes will be granted a free 90-day on-arrival tourist visa.

Nishantha Ulugetenne further remanded

Former Commander of the Sri Lanka Navy, Admiral (Retired) Nishantha Ulugetenne, was further remanded until August 13 following his appearance before the Polgahawela Magistrate’s Court today.

Employee arrested for stealing Rs. 7 million worth of office items

A 43-year-old office worker from Kotagala has been arrested for stealing office items, including 35 water filters and 13 televisions, valued at Rs. 7.03 million.

Gotabaya willing to give evidence in Lalith-Kugan disappearance probe

Former President Gotabaya Rajapaksa, through his lawyer, informed the Supreme Court today that he is willing to provide evidence before a Magistrate’s Court over the Habeas Corpus inquiry into the disappearance of two human rights activists, Lalith and Kugan.

Crowds gather for Kandy’s Esala festival

Large crowds have already gathered in Kandy to witness the first Kumbal Perahera of the Kandy Esala Festival, set to parade through the city tonight.

Court prevents YouTuber ’Sudaa’ from defaming Manusha Nanayakkara

The Colombo District Court today issued an enjoining order restraining YouTuber Sudantha Thilakasiri, also known as ’Sudaa,’ from publishing defamatory statements or content against former Minister Manusha Nanayakkara.

Tsunami hits Alaska, Hawaii, next set of waves may be 10 feet high

Waves as high as 10 feet are expected to hit Hawaii following an 8.8 magnitude earthquake off the coast of Russia. Authorities across the Pacific are on high alert following the undersea earthquake off the eastern coast of Russia’s Kamchatka Peninsula that has triggered tsunami warnings stretching from the northern Kuril Islands to the Hawaiian archipelago and as far east as the western coastline of the United States.

Meta launches Instagram teen accounts with parental controls in Sri Lanka

Meta has officially launched supervised teen accounts on Instagram in Sri Lanka, introducing a range of parental control features designed to enhance online safety for young users, the Ministry of Digital Economy said.

Wrongfully detained drug suspect dies by suicide

The Mount Lavinia Lawyers’ Association has raised serious concerns over wrongful detentions in drug-related cases following the death of a suspect who was posthumously cleared of all charges.

Sri Lanka appreciates Korea’s swift response to migrant worker incident

The Sri Lankan government has expressed appreciation to South Korean President Lee Jae-myung for his prompt response to the viral video showing a Sri Lankan worker being mistreated at a factory in Naju.

Trump says ’good friend’ India may face up to 25% tariffs

India could face tariffs as high as 25% if it fails to finalise a trade deal with the US this week, President Donald Trump has said.

Prime Minister Harini appointed chairperson of Sri Lanka’s National Commission for UNESCO

Prime Minister Dr. Harini Amarasuriya has been appointed as the Chairperson of the Sri Lanka National Commission for the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO), the Prime Minister’s Media Division announced.

CID warns public of WhatsApp OTP scams

The Criminal Investigation Department (CID) has issued an urgent warning to the public about fraudulent schemes targeting WhatsApp users through fake calls and messages aimed at stealing One-Time Passwords (OTPs).

Will Deshabandu be arrested? Court summons CID to clarify on August 5

Colombo Fort Magistrate Nilupuli Lankapura yesterday (29) issued notice to the Director of Unit 3 of the CID’s Special Investigations Division, instructing him to appear in court on August 5 and clarify whether former Senior DIG Deshabandu Tennakoon is to be arrested.

Owner of Hambantota Bird Park released on bail

The owner of the Hambantota Bird Park who was arrested over the illegal import of luxury motorcycles into Sri Lanka, has been released on bail.

Rohitha Abeygunawardena’s daughter surrenders

Melanie Abeygunawardena, the daughter of MP Rohitha Abeygunawardena, surrendered to the Panadura-Walana Anti-Vice Squad today in connection with the investigation involving the illegal import and registration of a luxury SUV.

Lack of sunlight puts Sri Lankan children at risk, says Paediatrician

Vitamin D deficiency has become a serious health concern amongst children due to lack of sunlight exposure, and this wasn’t an issue around 20-30 years ago, said Consultant Paediatrician Dr. Deepal Perera

After X-Press Pearl, Sri Lanka targets another shipping line over marine pollution

In the wake of the landmark judgement delivered by the Supreme Court ordering $ 1 billion as interim compensation over the X-Press Pearl disaster, the Marine Environment Protection Authority (MEPA) of Sri Lanka, along with other stakeholders, initiated action to claim similar payments over the disaster being caused by the Liberia-flagged container ship MSC ELSA 3 that caught fire off Kerala, India recently, Daily Mirror learns.

Australia to ban under-16s from YouTube

Australia will use landmark social media laws to ban children under 16 from video-streaming site YouTube, a top minister said Wednesday stressing the need to shield them from ’’predatory algorithms’’.

No Tsunami threat in Indian ocean

The Indian Ocean Tsunami Warning and Mitigation System (IOTWS), through its Tsunami Service Provider in Indonesia (InaTEWS-BMKG), has confirmed that there is no tsunami threat in the Indian Ocean following a powerful undersea earthquake that struck off the East Coast of Kamchatka.

Japan and US issue tsunami warnings after magnitude 8.8 quake

Japan and the US have issued tsunami warnings after a powerful magnitude 8.8 earthquake struck Russia on Wednesday.

New chairman appointed to Sri Jayawardenapura hospital

Dr. Thamara Kalubovila has been appointed as the new Chairman of the Sri Jayawardenapura General Hospital, following the resignation of Dr. Jayanga Tilakaratna, sources confirmed.

John Keells responds to claims over BYD vehicle imports

In response to recent media reports and rising public concern over a consignment of BYD electric vehicles imported into Sri Lanka, John Keells CG Auto (Pvt) Ltd (JKCG) has clarified that the vehicles in question were brought in directly from BYD in China and are fully compliant with all local regulations.

President taken to court over delay in RTI Commission appointment

A Fundamental Rights petition has been filed before the Supreme Court seeking an order directing the President to appoint an acting Chairperson to the Right to Information (RTI) Commission.

Okkampitiya Police OIC arrested for alleged bribery

The Officer-in-Charge (OIC) of the Okkampitiya Police Station has been arrested by officials of the Commission to Investigate Allegations of Bribery or Corruption.

Navy apprehends 14 fishermen for poaching in Sri Lankan waters

The Sri Lanka Navy has seized two Indian fishing boats and apprehended 14 Indian fishermen for allegedly poaching in Sri Lankan territorial waters off Baththalangunduwa and north of Mannar.

High-ranking Maldivian state officials meet with President

The Deputy Speaker of the Maldivian Parliament and five cabinet ministers from the Maldivian government visited the Kurumba Maldives resort today (29) to hold discussions with President Anura Kumara Dissanayake.

Nearly 40 killed, tens of thousands evacuated in Chinese floods

At least 40 people were killed in Beijing after the Chinese capital was hit with severe floods following days of heavy rain across the north of the country, authorities said Tuesday.

Sri Lanka’s main sugar factories are in danger: Sajith

Highlighting that Sri Lanka’s largest sugar factories are in a precarious situation, Opposition Leader Sajith Premadasa today urged the government to take urgent steps to safeguard the two entities.