GMOA warns of rising respiratory illnesses, urges public to wear facemasks

The Government Medical Officers’ Association (GMOA) today cautioned the public about a noticeable increase in respiratory illnesses within the community and urged people to wear facemasks, particularly when attending large gatherings or interacting with many individuals.

Ravi Kumudesh suspended

Medical Laboratory Technologist and prominent trade union activist Ravi Kumudesh has been suspended from service, effective June 10, 2025.

Singapore cargo ship catches fire en route from Colombo to Mumbai

An explosion was reported on board the Singapore-flagged container ship MV Wan Hai 503 off the coast of Kerala on Monday morning, a Defence PRO said.

Fishermen, naval communities urged to remain vigilant as rough seas expected

The Meteorology Department has issued a special advisory, requesting naval and fishing communities to exercise caution when venturing out to sea, as the active southwest monsoon conditions continue to affect several coastal areas around the island.

Prisons chief suspended over alleged misuse of Presidential pardons

The Cabinet of Ministers has decided to suspend Commissioner General of Prisons Thushara Upuldeniya over allegations of the unauthorised release of inmates under the pretence of a Presidential pardon.

President Dissanayake to undertake official visit to Germany

President Anura Kumara Dissanayake will undertake an official visit to the Federal Republic of Germany from 11 to 13 June 20, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs said.

Court orders probe on false 119 tip-off against female library officer

Colombo Additional Magistrate Manjula Rathnayake ordered the Cinnamon Gardens Police to conduct an investigation and report to the court regarding a false tip-off made to the 119 Police Emergency Response Unit, alleging that a female officer of the Colombo Public Library was carrying illegal drugs in her handbag.

KKS railway station to be extended: Transport Minister

In a significant move to boost transport infrastructure in the Northern Province, the Transport Ministry and the Railways Department are working to extend the Kankesanthurai (KKS) railway line to a new industrial estate currently under development in the area.

RCB moves Karnataka HC to quash criminal case against it over Bengaluru stampede

Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) on Monday approached the Karnataka High Court seeking to quash the criminal case registered against them in connection with the stampede at M. Chinnaswamy Stadium on June 4, which left 11 people dead and several others injured.

Court acquits suspect accused of reprinting ’Ranamaga Osse Nandikadal’

Colombo Additional Magistrate Pasan Amarasinghe acquitted a suspect accused of illegally printing and selling copies of the book ’Ranamaga Osse Nandikadal’ authored by former Defence Secretary Major General Kamal Gunaratne, without the author’s consent.

Gammanpila publicizes list of controversial containers

Leader of the Pivithuru Hela Urumaya, Udaya Gammanpila today revealed the detailed list of controversial shipping containers released by Sri Lanka Customs earlier this year.

Mahindananda files appeal against carom board judgment

Former Sports Minister Mahindananda Aluthgamage, who was sentenced to 20 years of rigorous imprisonment by the Colombo High Court Trial-at-Bar, has filed an appeal before the Supreme Court challenging the legality of the judgment delivered on May 29.

Udaya Gammanpila leaves CID

Former Minister Udaya Gammanpila left the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) a short while ago after recording a statement in connection with the controversial release of 323 shipping containers.

10-hour water cut for Gampaha district

The National Water Supply and Drainage Board has announced a 10-hour water cut scheduled for Wednesday (June 11), affecting multiple areas in the Gampaha District.

Trump’s tumble on Air Force One goes viral

Trump Latest | Trump Tumbles On Air Force One Goes Viral, Internet Compares It To Joe Biden’s Fall US President Donald Trump stumbled on the stairs of Air Force One on Sunday (Jun 8) ahead of departure from Morristown Municipal Airport in Morristown, New Jersey.

Water board recovers SMS system after security breach

The National Water Supply and Drainage Board (NWSDB) announced that the recent security breach of its SMS communication system has been fully recovered, though it will take a few more days to restore the NWSDB SelfCare mobile app, officials said.

Bribery Commission gets new Investigations Director

Fifteen police personnel, including five senior officers, have been transferred or appointed with immediate effect, following the approval of the National Police Commission.

Emergency hotline introduced for Poson pilgrims to Polonnaruwa

An emergency contact number has been introduced for devotees undertaking pilgrimages to Polonnaruwa during the Poson Week, the Poson Event Committee in Anuradhapura said

Special train services for Poson pilgrims until June 12

The Sri Lanka Railways has launched special train services from Colombo Fort to Anuradhapura and Mihintale to facilitate devotees traveling for Poson Poya observances.

Udaya Gammanpila arrives at CID

Former Minister Udaya Gammanpila appeared before the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) this morning to provide a statement in connection with the controversial release of 323 shipping containers.

Local Pharma industry sounds alarm on potential drug shortage

In light of the acute shortage of essential medicines, the Sri Lanka Chamber of the Pharmaceutical Industry (SLCPI) is urging the Ministry of Health to act immediately and to rethink its reliance on Government-to-Government (G2G) procurement warning that it may come too late to meet urgent needs.

Impose price control on face masks, sanitisers amid fresh crisis: Asela Sampath

The National Consumers’ Front chairman, Asela Sampath, today urged the government to immediately impose a controlled price on surgical face masks and hand sanitisers as the country faces a fresh critical situation.

Trump deploys National Guard as Los Angeles protests against immigration agents continue

President Donald Trump’s administration said it would deploy 2,000 National Guard troops on Saturday as federal agents in Los Angeles faced off against a few hundred demonstrators during a second day of protests following immigration raids.

Showery conditions expected to increase from tomorrow

Showery conditions are expected to intensify in the southwestern part of the island from tomorrow (10), accompanied by strong wind gusts over the island and in the surrounding sea areas, the Meteorology Department said.

Govt to recruit retired soldiers to Police

The Ministry of Public Security plans to recruit 10,000 individuals under the age of 45 who have legally retired from active military service into the police force.

Months lapse for Govt, state bungalows still lie idle

State bungalows which were assigned to Cabinet Ministers as their official residences in the past currently remain idle under the current government even after months despite its pre-election promise to repurpose them for economically viable activities.

Opposition to fight it out in Parliament

Alleging that the President’s office and the Prisons Department had made contradictory statements on alleged granting of pardon to a person who was found guilty of misappropriating Rs 4 million just ten days after he was convicted , Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB) MP Ajith P. Perera yesterday said he will raise the matter in Parliament during the next sitting week.

Illegal inmate release: Top prison official arrested

The Assistant Commissioner of the Anuradhapura Prison was arrested this afternoon (8) by the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) in connection with the ongoing probe into the misuse of the Presidential pardon.

Teen dies after taking part in deadly TikTok ‘dusting’ challenge as parents issue stark warning

Arizona teen Renna O’Rourke passed away following a week in an intensive care unit.

Sri Lanka’s largest medicine factory enters final phase of construction

The Synergy Pharmaceuticals Corporation (Pvt) Ltd factory, currently under construction within the Bingiriya Export Processing Zone, has reached the final stages of development.