Rare Macaw stolen from Dehiwala Zoo

The Dehiwala Police launched an investigation following the theft of a Blue-and-Yellow Macaw, valued at over Rs. 500,000, from the National Zoo in Dehiwala.

Presidential pardon misused, CID finds

An ongoing investigation by the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) into allegations that several inmates were released illegally during the 2025 Vesak period, has revealed that a certain number of inmates were illegally released under the guise of the Presidential Pardon for Vesak this year.

Four drown in tragic incident in Polonnaruwa

Four individuals drowned today while bathing in the Ellewewa reservoir in Polonnaruwa, police reported.

Customs refutes allegations of illegal items in released containers

Sri Lanka Customs has rejected claims that 323 recently released shipping containers contained weapons, narcotics, or gold, confirming that the cargo was limited to industrial goods and raw materials declared by importers.

Businessman penalised for selling expired medicines

A businessman has been handed a suspended six-month prison sentence and fined Rs. 10,000 after being found guilty of displaying expired medicines for sale at a pharmacy in the Kawdana area of Dehiwala.

Presidential hopeful shot in back at campaign rally in Colombia

Bogota: A conservative Colombian senator, a presidential hopeful, has been shot and wounded at a campaign rally in Bogota, authorities say.

Security tightened in Anuradhapura for Poson

More than 3,500 police personnel have been deployed to ensure the safety and security of devotees visiting Anuradhapura, Mihintale and the Atamasthanaya for the Poson Poya festival, which begins tomorrow (June 9), police said.

Matara Prison to be relocated to Kotawila

Minister of Justice Harshana Nanayakkara said that immediate steps will be taken to relocate the Matara Prison to the Kotawila area, citing severe overcrowding and inadequate facilities at the current site.

Trump says relationship with Musk is over

US President Donald Trump has said his relationship with Elon Musk is over.

Namal slams Government over deteriorating law and order

Blaming the ruling National People’s Power (NPP) government for a sharp rise in criminal activity and institutional chaos, Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna (SLPP) Parliamentarian Namal Rajapaksa has raised alarm over what he described as a “complete breakdown” in the country’s law and order.

Strike ends for most health workers

The islandwide strike launched by the Joint Council for Professions Supplementary to Medicine (JCPSM) concluded at 8:00 a.m. today, after four out of its five affiliated unions decided to end the industrial action.

Bus conductor assaulted after defending harassed women

A conductor on a bus travelling from Nawalapitiya to Colombo was assaulted this morning by two youths who had allegedly harassed several young women, including a mother and daughter, on board.

Canada invites Modi to G7 summit

Canadian prime minister Mark Carney invited his Indian counterpart Narendra Modi to the upcoming Group of Seven summit in a phone call on Friday (6), as the two sides look to mend ties after relations soured in the past two years.

Over 23,000 Dengue cases reported so far

Sri Lanka has recorded a total of 23,744 Dengue cases in the first five months of 2025, according to the latest data from the National Dengue Control Unit (NDCU).

Prisons Dept. responds to inmate’s pardon

Amid growing criticism over the Presidential pardon granted to a convicted fraud suspect, the Department of Prisons has issued a statement defending the release of W.M. Athula Tilakaratne, a former finance company manager found guilty of misappropriating Rs. 4 million.

Anuradhapura inmate not among those approved by President for pardon: PMD clarifies

Claiming that the individual named W.H. Athula Tilakaratne who was released under a Presidential pardon was not among those approved by the President to receive a pardon.

Complaint filed against Virat Kohli seeking his arrest

A complaint has been filed against cricketer Virat Kohli, a member of the RCB squad, at Bengaluru’s Cubbon Park Police Station over the June 4 stampede near Chinnaswamy Stadium, which left 11 dead and dozens injured.

Education Ministry launches first digital food safety curriculum via E-Thaksalawa

In commemoration of World Food Safety Day, the Ministry of Education and the National Institute of Education (NIE) launched Sri Lanka’s first digital curriculum on food safety via the E-Thaksalawa platform.

Hajj blesses national endeavour to build enlightened Sri Lanka: President

The sacred observance of Hajj, uniting Muslim devotees through common faith, blesses Sri Lanka’s national endeavour to build an enlightened Sri Lanka, one founded upon brotherhood and goodwill rather than division, President Anura Kumara Dissanayake said in his Hajj greetings.

Trump administration imposes sanctions on four ICC judges in unprecedented move

President Donald Trump’s administration on Thursday imposed sanctions on four judges at the International Criminal Court, an unprecedented retaliation over the war tribunal’s issuance of an arrest warrant for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and a past decision to open a case into alleged war crimes by U.S. troops in Afghanistan.

US brings back El Salvador deportee to face charges

Kilmar Ábrego García, a 29-year-old from El Salvador mistakenly deported in March, has been returned to the US to face prosecution on two federal criminal charges.

Coconut harvest to drop further this year, imports to continue

The Coconut Research Institute has forecast a further decline of 250 million nuts crop for the first half of 2025 harvest during the first half of this year compared to last year, the current harvest stands at 1,407 million nuts for the first half of 2025, according to statistics from it.

’Massive’ Russian strike days after air base attacks

Russia launched a ’’massive’’ drone and missile strike on Ukraine’s capital and other areas early on Friday, days after Ukraine’s surprise attack on its air bases.

Ajith P. Perera questions AKD’s decision to pardon convict ten days after verdict

Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB) MP Ajith P. Perera questioned the action by President Anura Kumara Dissanayake to grant a pardon to a person just ten days after his conviction.

Van carrying schoolchildren crashes in Ragala; Three injured

A van transporting schoolchildren veered off the road and overturned yesterday afternoon, injuring a schoolgirl, a woman, and the driver, Ragala Police said.

Sri Lankan prisons overcrowded with non-convicted inmates: Justice Minister

Sri Lankan prisons are severely overcrowded, with the majority of inmates being non-convicted individuals held on suspicion, Justice Minister Harshana Nanayakkara revealed in Parliament yesterday.

Rainy conditions, winds expected from June 10: Met Department

Rainy conditions are expected to intensify in the south-western parts of the island starting June 10, accompanied by strong gusty winds both over land and in surrounding sea areas, the Department of Meteorology said.

Economic Centres in Sri Lanka have failed to be reality: Minister

Trade and Food Security Minister Wasantha Samarasinghe admitted in Parliament yesterday that all economic centres in Sri Lanka have failed to achieve their intended objectives and have not been realistic.

Hajj message from the Prime Minister

On this sacred day, our fellow Muslim brothers and sisters in Sri Lanka and around the world celebrate the Hajj festival with deep devotion, undertaking the holy pilgrimage in a spirit of unity, brotherhood, and coexistence rising above self-interest and embracing shared values.

JCPSM ends strike, but lab technicians to continue

The Joint Council for Professions Supplementary to Medicine (JCPSM) has decided to call off its ongoing islandwide strike in hospitals following a lengthy discussion held yesterday, JCPSM General Secretary Chanaka Dharmawickrama said.