President commends service of outgoing Treasury Secretary Mahinda Siriwardana

President Anura Kumara Dissanayake today (18), lauded Mahinda Siriwardana, the outgoing Secretary to the Treasury, for his exemplary service, stating that it is the responsibility of public officials to strive to prevent adverse outcomes and contribute to positive change, the President’s Media Division (PMD) said.

Tobacco use declines as ADIC highlights trends and impact

The Alcohol and Drug Information Centre (ADIC) has conducted its annual trend survey for 2024 to monitor and map the evolving patterns of tobacco use across Sri Lanka, aiming to support evidence-based policymaking and awareness initiatives.

Keheliya, wife, daughter arrested

Former Minister Keheliya Rambukwella, his wife and daughter have been arrested by the Commission to Investigate Allegations of Bribery or Corruption on charges of money laundering.

Jeremy Irons arrives in Sri Lanka

Oscar and Emmy Award-winning British actor Jeremy Irons arrived in Sri Lanka last night (17) to star in Cage Bird, an internationally-backed film directed by veteran Sri Lankan filmmaker Chandran Rutnam.

Supreme Court to hear BASL petition seeking action against university ragging

A Fundamental Rights petition filed by the Bar Association of Sri Lanka (BASL), seeking the Supreme Court’s intervention to prevent ragging in Sri Lanka’s universities, was today fixed for support by the Supreme Court.

Tilvin seeks furthering of ties with Communist Party of China

JVP General Secretary Tilvin Silva who is now in China at the invitation of the Communist Party of China (CPC) met with the Minister of the International Department of the CPC Central Committee, Liu Jianchao and other officials.

Speaker approves emergency debate on Iran–Israel conflict

Speaker Jagath Wickramaratne has granted approval for an emergency debate on the ongoing Iran–Israel conflict, scheduled to take place at 3:30 p.m. today.

Many flights to Indonesia’s Bali cancelled after volcano eruption

Several flights to the Indonesian resort island of Bali were cancelled and the airport in Maumere in East Nusa Tenggara province was closed due to the eruption of Mount Lewotobi Laki-laki, officials said on Wednesday.

Inmates stage rooftop protest at Boossa Prison

A group of inmates at Boossa Prison climbed onto the facility’s roof this morning (18) in protest against intensified search operations being conducted within the prison premises.

ICFS to host Study Abroad Open Day in Colombo on June 21

Students seeking to pursue higher education abroad will have a valuable opportunity to take the next step in their academic journey at the ICFS Study Abroad Open Day, scheduled for Saturday, 21 June 2025, at the Courtyard by Marriott, Colombo.

Vraie Cally Balthazaar assumes duties as Colombo’s 26th mayor

Vraie Cally Balthazaar of the National People’s Power (NPP) officially assumed duties today as the 26th Mayor of the Colombo Municipal Council (CMC).

Patients charged up to Rs. 250,000 for hospital-supplied item worth Rs. 17,500 - Bribery Commission

Patients were forced to pay between Rs. 120,000 and Rs. 250,000 for a medical item labelled EVD, used in surgeries at a government hospital in 2022 that had been officially procured and supplied to a government hospital at just Rs. 17,500 (its current market value being around Rs. 46,500), the Commission to Investigate Allegations of Bribery or Corruption (CIABOC) revealed yesterday.

Over 20 injured in bus-lorry collision in Eheliyagoda

A total of 23 people were injured following a head-on collision between a Sri Lanka Transport Board (SLTB) bus and a lorry at Minnana Junction in Eheliyagoda this morning.

Ravi slams Government’s mixed signals on renewable energy

A heated debate broke out in Parliament yesterday (17) as UNP MP Ravi Karunanayake criticised the government’s handling of the country’s renewable energy policy and power sector management.

Two arrested over Rs. 10 Mn ransom demand

Two suspects were arrested by the Negombo Divisional Criminal Investigation Bureau for demanding a ransom of Rs. 10 million and extorting Rs. 2 million from the victim.

Trump to extend US TikTok ban deadline, White House says

TikTok will live on for at least another three months in the United States, as President Donald Trump is poised to extend a sale or ban deadline for the third time since taking office this year.

Australia lifts blood, plasma donation ban for gay men

Rules that effectively banned all sexually active gay and bisexual men from donating blood and plasma are being lifted in Australia.

Small cars banned, only sedans allowed for airport pickups: App-based taxi services say

App-based taxi services at Bandaranaike International Airport (BIA) claimed that they are facing huge issues after airport authorities suddenly decided to limit the types of vehicles allowed inside the airport.

Shortage of critical drugs leaves thousands in quandary

Sri Lanka is grappling with a shortage of several medicines, including cancer drugs, insulin, and oral rehydration salts like Jeevani affecting both government hospitals and pharmacies.

Credit card spend picks up in April by Rs.4.4bn

There has been some modest pickup in credit card spend in April reflecting that consumers are ramping up spending on everything from their staples to discretionary such as dine-outs and recreational activities as conditions turn relatively better while prices ease and the interest rates decline.

Specialist Neurosurgeon at J’Pura hospital remanded

A specialist neurosurgeon at the Sri Jayewardenepura General Hospital, a management assistant and her employee were ordered to be remanded till June 24 by Colombo Additional Magistrate Harshana Kekunawela, over allegations of corruption.

NPP clinches Dehiowita PS chairmanship after 17–17 deadlock

The National People’s Power (NPP) secured another key local government win after a 17–17 tie in the Dehiowita Pradeshiya Sabha chairman vote was resolved through a draw of lots.

Arrest former chairman of Fisheries Harbour Corporation: Magistrate

Colombo Chief Magistrate Thanuja Lakmali Jayatunga imposed a travel ban on Sudarshana Fernando, former Chairman of the Ceylon Fisheries Harbour Corporation. The Magistrate also ordered the Immigration Department to arrest the suspect upon arrival in the country.

Sri Lanka temporarily halts sending workers to Israel

The Sri Lankan government has temporarily suspended sending workers to Israel due to the current security situation in the region, following an announcement by Israel’s Population and Immigration Authority (PIBA).

Centurions Shanto, Rahim run riot in Galle

Tons by skipper Najmil Hossain Shanto and Mushfiqur Rahim saw Bangladesh recover after a shaky start on day one in the first Test match against Sri Lanka played at the Galle International Stadium.

NPP reaches understanding with CWC to form local administration in Nuwara-Eliya

The ruling National People’s Power ( NPP) and the Ceylon Workers’ Congress (CWC) have reached an understanding to form the local administration in the Nuwara- Eliya district in places where no single party has a clear majority.

Israeli forces kill 51 Palestinians waiting for flour at Gaza aid site, witnesses and rescuers say

Israeli forces have killed more than 51 Palestinians and wounded many more after opening fire near an aid distribution site in southern Gaza, witnesses and rescuers say.

The teen who filmed the Air India crash video the world saw

Every time Aryan Asari heard the sound of an airplane, he would go darting out of the house to look for it.

UNP’s CMC member assaulted by NPP supporters

UNP’s Colombo Municipal Councillor Sandamali Uluwitage has been hospitalised following an alleged assault by a group of National People’s Power (NPP) supporters last night.

Govt. defends WP Commissioner over Colombo mayor vote

The government has refuted allegations that Western Province Local Government Commissioner Sarangika Jayasundara acted arbitrarily during the election of the Colombo Mayor.