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.

Poson week begins today with special arrangements for devotees

Poson Week begins today, and all necessary arrangements have been made to ensure the convenience and safety of devotees attending the National Poson Festival, Anuradhapura District Secretary K.P.R. Wimalasuriya said.

On board the driverless lorries hoping to transform China’s transport industry

They rumble down the highway between Beijing and Tianjin port: big lorries, loaded up and fully able to navigate themselves.

Former Presidents to think twice in attending state ceremonies over disrespect

The former Presidents remain disappointed over seating arrangements made for them at a recent function at the BMICH, and have decided to think twice in accepting invitations extended by the government for state events in the future as a result, Daily Mirror learns.

Sigiriya becomes nation’s first sustainable destination

Sri Lanka’s tourism sector has reached a major sustainability milestone, with Sigiriya being officially declared as the country’s first sustainable destination.

Rubber exports dip in April as production continues downward trend

Sri Lanka’s rubber sector continued to face headwinds in the first quarter of 2025, with the Central Bank confirming a decline in production, reflecting the persistent challenges in the industry, according to Forbes and Walkers Commodity Brokers’ latest rubber report.

Postecoglou sacked by Spurs after Europa League win

Ange Postecoglou has been sacked as Tottenham manager 16 days after leading them to victory in the Europa League final.

Key files missing from Yahapalana-era anti-corruption committee, PM tells Parliament

Prime Minister Harini Amarasuriya informed Parliament today that several files from the Anti-Corruption Committee Office, which operated under the Prime Minister’s Office during the Yahapalana government’s era , have gone missing.

Mega ICC Hall Of Fame Ceremony to be held in London on Monday

A new set of ICC Hall of Fame inductees will be revealed ahead of the World Test Championship Final.

CCTV footage deleted in Rs. 4 Mn bribery probe: Three DMT officers further remanded

The Commission to Investigate Allegations of Bribery or Corruption (CIABC) informed the court today that all CCTV footage recorded on the premises of the Department of Motor Traffic (DMT) Narahenpita branch on the day of the recent bribery raid had been deleted.

Dayasiri leaves CID after 4-hour statement

Parliamentarian Dayasiri Jayasekara left the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) a short while ago after giving a statement that lasted nearly four hours, in connection with the controversial release of 323 shipping containers.

CSE closes negatively with both ASPI and S&P SL20 posting declines

The Colombo Stock Exchange (CSE) closed the day and the week on a negative note, following a consistent upward trend earlier in the week. The All Share Price Index (ASPI) declined by 40.49 points, or 0.23%, to close at 17,394.45. Similarly, the S&P SL20 Index recorded a loss of 10.83 points, representing a 0.21% decrease, to end the day at 5,175.95.

New Chief Secretary of Western Province appointed

President Anura Kumara Disanayake has appointed K.G.P. Pushpakumara as the Chief Secretary of the Western Province.

Man with Rs.2.2 Mn worth smuggled cigarettes arrested

A resident of Pannala who was in possession of a stock of smuggled cigarettes worth of Rs. 2.2 million was taken into custody by the Department of Excise today.

President directs officials to expedite urban development, irrigation projects

During two progress review meetings on projects initiated by the Ministry of Transport, Highways, Ports, and Civil Aviation and projects implemented by the Ministry of Agriculture, Livestock, Land and Irrigation, President Anura Kumara Dissanayake emphasized the need to expedite rural road development initiatives and irrigation projects.

Defence Ministry refutes MP’s claim on weapons linked to Prabhakaran

The Ministry of Defence has rejected recent allegations made in Parliament by MP Ramanathan Archuna, who claimed that a cache of weapons once belonging to former LTTE leader Velupillai Prabhakaran was smuggled into the country via containers released by Customs.

Former CJ Jayantha Jayasuriya assumes duties as SL’s Permanent Representative to UN

Ambassador Jayantha Jayasuriya officially assumed duties as Sri Lanka’s Permanent Representative to the United Nations by presenting his Letters of Credence to UN Secretary-General António Guterres at a formal ceremony held at the UN Headquarters in New York.

Dayasiri appears before CID

Parliamentarian Dayasiri Jayasekara appeared before the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) this afternoon to provide a statement in connection with the controversial release of 323 shipping containers.

SriLankan operates relief flight after emergency landing in Indonesia

A special relief flight, UL 302, operated by SriLankan Airlines departed Bandaranaike International Airport (BIA) for Medan International Airport in Sumatra, Indonesia to transport 101 passengers and crew members stranded following an emergency landing.

Indian CJ and colleagues publicly pledge to refuse post-retirement jobs

Chief Justice of India BR Gavai has said that he and his colleagues in the Supreme Court have publicly pledged to not undermine the public’s trust in judicial integrity by accepting post-retirement roles or positions from the government.

Chandrani Bandara indicted over 2019 appointments, granted Bail

The Colombo High Court today served an indictment on former Minister Chandrani Bandara over alleged irregular appointments made in 2019 during her tenure as Minister of Women and Child Affairs and Dry Zone Development.

Appointing committee to probe MPs a bad precedent: Gayantha

Chief Opposition Whip Gayantha Karunathilaka, who resigned from the committee appointed by Speaker Jagath Wickramaratne to probe the conduct of MP Dayasiri Jayasekara, said today that the appointment of such committees could be a bad precedent.