Govt launches concessionary loan scheme for paddy millers

The Ministry of Finance has launched a Rs. 6.5 billion concessionary loan scheme for SME paddy millers and cooperative societies to purchase paddy during the 2025 Yala season, from July 1 to November 15.

MS Dhoni files for trademark of iconic nickname ’Captain Cool’

Mahendra Singh Dhoni has filed a trademark application for ‘Captain Cool’, a name that fans have lovingly used for years to describe his ice-cool style of leadership.

Handunneththi says remarks at China Forum misrepresented

Minister of Industry and Entrepreneurship Development, Sunil Handunneththi told Parliament today that his recent speech at the World Economic Forum in China had been misrepresented by some individuals to suit their personal agendas.

Arjun Aloysius, two others charged over Rs. 1 billion VAT fraud

The Department of Inland Revenue filed legal action before Colombo Additional Magistrate Pavithra Sanjeewani Pathirana against Arjun Aloysius, Anthony Randev and Jinendra John, directors of Mendis Company, over allegations of evading the payment of Value Added Tax (VAT) amounting to over Rs. 1 billion due to the government.

Sri Lanka, Malaysia bolster leisure travel partnership

Strengthening tourism ties between the two nations, Tourism Malaysia and SriLankan Airlines have embarked on a joint promotion drive aimed at increasing leisure travel between Sri Lanka and Malaysia, with both countries eager to showcase their diverse attractions to each other’s travellers.

Fake job scam on YouTube, Facebook: SLBFE alerts

The Sri Lanka Bureau of Foreign Employment (SLBFE) says it has received information about a fake foreign job scam being run through social media platforms like YouTube and Facebook.

Egg production at risk despite lower market prices: Producers

Even though consumers are currently benefiting from reduced egg prices, the All Island Egg Producers Association (AIEPA) has raised concerns that the country’s egg production sector is under serious threat.

Malwathu Maha Viharaya denies claims of intervention request by Mahinda Rajapaksa

The Malwathu Maha Viharaya in Kandy has denied claims circulating on social media that former President Mahinda Rajapaksa sought the temple’s intervention to prevent the arrest of former First Lady Shiranthi Rajapaksa.

ASPI crosses 18,000 mark

The Colombo bourse saw the All Share Price Index (ASPI) cross the 18,000 milestone for the first time in history today.

Lorry carrying explosives seized on Habarana-Trincomalee Road

Police have seized a lorry transporting explosives along the Habarana-Trincomalee main road.

CSD officer named Anura Kumara Disanayake trampled to death by wild elephant

A Civil Security Constable attached to the Wilpattu Civil Security Department camp, named D. M. Anura Kumara Disanayake (47) was trampled to death by a wild elephant in the Pemaduwa area under the Mahawilachchiya police division on Sunday (29).

Sharp rise in reports of child abuse in Eastern Province, over 300 cases recorded

A significant surge in child abuse cases involving children under the age of 16 has been reported from the Eastern Province with 304 incidents being recorded in 2024, Senior DIG Waruna Jayasundara pointed out.

Indictments served on Lakshman Yapa over alleged misuse of BOI funds

The Colombo High Court today served indictments on former Minister Lakshman Yapa Abeywardena and former Director General of the Board of Investment (BOI), Jayanta Edirisinghe, over the alleged misuse of BOI funds in 2014.

Six couples in Meegoda officially tie knots in community wedding ceremony

Six unmarried couples from Hettiyawatta, Meegoda, who had been living together as family units with their children for many years, officially entered into legal marriage in a special community wedding ceremony held recently.

New Police Media Spokesman appointed

Assistant Superintendent of Police (ASP) F.U. Wootler has been appointed as the new Media Spokesman for the Sri Lanka Police with effect from today, Police Headquarters said.

More skeletal remains, personal belongings unearthed at Chemmani mass grave

The ongoing excavation at the Chemmani mass grave site in Jaffna has led to the discovery of several more human skeletal remains along with personal belongings, marking a significant development in the investigation.

Imported Malaria case detected in Kurunegala

A 26-year-old man who recently returned to Sri Lanka from Tanzania has been diagnosed with Malaria and is currently receiving treatment at the Kurunegala Teaching Hospital, health officials confirmed.

NPP members in Norwood PS break away over chairman resignation dispute

All six members of the National People’s Power (NPP) representing the Norwood Pradeshiya Sabha have announced their decision to serve as independent members, protesting the party’s demand that newly elected Chairman John Francis Allen resign from his post.

Sri Lankan passenger nabbed smuggling Rs. 60 mn in electronics at BIA

A Sri Lankan passenger attempting to smuggle a stock of high-end electronic devices valued at over Rs. 60 million was arrested by airport customs officers at the Bandaranaike International Airport (BIA) early this morning.

Government announces ambitious plan to reduce debt to 95% of GDP by 2032: MP

The government hopes to reduce the country’s debt services to 95 percent of the GDP by 2032, and further lower it to 60 percent thereafter, MP Kaushalya Ariyaratne told Parliament today.

Budgetary Relief Allowance Amendment Bill too inconsistent with Constitution

The Supreme Court held that the Budget Relief Allowance Amendment Bill is inconsistent with Article 12(1) of the Constitution and could be approved by a special majority in Parliament, Deputy Speaker Rizvie Salih informed Parliament today.

SC holds some clauses of Electricity Amendment Bill inconsistent with Constitution

The Supreme Court (SC) held that some clauses of the Electricity Amendment Bill are inconsistent with the Constitution and could be approved by a special majority in Parliament while it has to be endorsed by the people at a referendum, Deputy Speaker Rizvie Salih announced today.

Five police OICs transferred with immediate effect

Five Officers-in-Charge (OICs) of police stations across the country have been transferred with immediate effect, following the approval of the National Police Commission.

Climate sustainability in upholding lives of mothers and newborns in Sri Lanka

Sri Lanka’s 2021 Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) set targets for carbon neutrality in electricity by 2050, a 14.5% emissions reduction, and 70% renewable energy by 2030.

Snow cloaks Atacama, the world’s driest desert

Residents of the world’s driest desert, the Atacama in northern Chile, woke up Thursday to a jaw-dropping spectacle: its famous lunar landscape blanketed in snow.

US must rule out more strikes before new talks, Iranian minister

The US must rule out any further strikes on Iran if it wants to resume diplomatic talks, Tehran’s deputy foreign minister has told the BBC.

Israel orders evacuations in northern Gaza as Trump pushes for ceasefire

Israel has ordered Palestinians to evacuate from parts of northern Gaza ahead of increased military action, as US President Donald Trump pushes for a ceasefire deal.

SL lacks reform momentum despite political shift: Top economist

Sri Lanka is falling short of delivering the structural transformation it claims to seek, despite the growing rhetoric around revival and sustainable growth, warned internationally renowned economist Prof. Razeen Sally.

FLSP to file legal action over Colombo Dockyard stake sale - Dy Minister assures transparency

The Front Line Socialist Party (FLSP) has announced plans to take legal action against the government’s decision to hand over a stake in Colombo Dockyard to a foreign entity.

Litigation process tainted with corruption allegations

Litigation process related to the X- Press Pearl disaster is tainted with allegations about corruption and frauds prompting the Environment Ministry to look at the appointment of a committee to probe what went wrong in the past, according to a minister.