Dayasiri to testify over 323 containers before CID today

MP Dayasiri Jayasekara said he has been summoned by the CID to testify on the 323 containers allegedly cleared without security checks.

Locomotive engineers threaten coastal line withdrawal over signal fault

The Sri Lanka Railways Locomotive Operating Engineers’ Union (SLRLOEU) has announced plans to withdraw from operating trains on the coastal railway line from noon today, citing unresolved issues with the line’s faulty signaling system.

YouTube has stopped working on 5 popular phones

It’s the go-to video app for millions of people around the world. But if you use YouTube, you might want to check that the app is still running on your smartphone.

Trump suspends foreign student visas at Harvard

Donald Trump has suspended for an initial six months the entry of foreign students seeking to study or participate in exchange programmes at Harvard University.

Burning cargo ship carrying 3,000 vehicles abandoned off Alaska

The crew of a cargo ship carrying around 3,000 vehicles, including 800 electric vehicles, abandoned it off the coast of Alaska after a fire broke out onboard, its operator Zodiac Maritime said on Wednesday.

Six parties bid for port digitisation deal

Six parties have submitted bids for the much-awaited Port Community System (PCS), an initiative considered as a crucial step towards digitising port operations and a stepping stone towards the

Sugar importers warn against tax hike

The sugar importers have urged President and Finance Minister Anura Kumara Dissanayake not to increase the existing sugar import tax, warning that it would lead to a steep rise in prices and cause

Discrimination galore – No locals, only foreigners

Discriminatory treatment of locals by tourist service providers has become an increasingly widespread concern across the country with numerous complaints filed with the relevant authorities. It has become troubling for locals visiting these areas for tourism purposes because of unequal service and preferential treatment toward foreign visitors.

Colombo Excise busts major duty free liquor selling racket during Govt. tax week

A major duty free liquor selling racket carried out in a luxury residence in Colombo was busted by the Excise Department of Sri Lanka yesterday, in line with the government tax week and seized imported spirits worth over Rs.7.5 million.

Chaos at Colombo National Hospital as Director vacancy continues

The Colombo National Hospital, the largest and most vital medical institution in Sri Lanka, has been operating without a permanent director for over three months.

Marambe calls for foreign referees

As the 2025 Inter-Schools Rugby League prepares for kickoff on June 6, former Sri Lanka captain and national selector Tikiri Marambe has called for higher refereeing standards to ensure fairness and flow in the country’s most-watched youth sport.

Two FR petitions challenging legality of Sri Lanka-India MoUs fixed for June 12

Two Fundamental Rights petitions filed seeking an order to invalidate the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) recently signed between Sri Lanka and India were today fixed for June 12 by the Supreme Court.

Covid-19 cases in India surge to 4,866; 5-month-old among 7 deaths in 24 hours

India has witnessed a surge in Covid-19 cases over the past 24 hours, with the number of active cases rising from 4,302 to 4,866 on Thursday. During the same period, 7 deaths have been reported across the country.

CSE continues positive momentum on strong investor sentiment

The Colombo Stock Exchange (CSE) closed on a positive note today, maintaining its upward trajectory with an increase of 81.89 points, or 0.47%, to close at 17,434.94. Similarly, the S&P SL20 Index recorded a gain of 27.12 points, representing a 0.55% rise, to end the day at 5,186.78.

Top defence officials of India and Sri Lanka meet in Colombo

Indian Defence Secretary Rajesh Kumar Singh, leading a high-level delegation, held separate meetings today (Jun 05) with Sri Lanka’s Deputy Minister of Defence Major General Aruna Jayasekara and Defence Secretary Air Vice Marshal Sampath Thuyacontha (Retd).

World loses 20 football fields of land every minute: Deputy Minister

The environment is being badly damaged every minute, with an area equal to twenty football fields lost every minute, and about eight million tons of plastic waste released into the ocean every year, Deputy Minister of Sports Sugath Thilakaratne said.

Former Land Reclamation GM granted bail

Former General Manager of the Sri Lanka Land Reclamation and Development Corporation Srimati Mallika Kumari Senadheera who was arrested today by the Commission to Investigate Allegations of Bribery or Corruption was released on bail.

Court sentences mother to 7 years rigorous imprisonment for attempting to sell newborn

Colombo High Court Judge Navaratne Marasinghe today sentenced a 46-year-old mother to seven years of rigorous imprisonment after finding her guilty of attempting to sell a two day old infant for Rs. 75,000.

Goods in controversial 323 containers were weapons belonging to Prabhakaran: Archchuna

The goods in the 323 controversial containers included weapons belonging to slain LTTE Leader Velupillai Prabhakaran, MP Ramanathan Archchuna told Parliament today.

Former Land Reclamation GM arrested over Rs. 27 Mn corruption allegation

Former General Manager of the Sri Lanka Land Reclamation and Development Corporation Ms. M.R. Srimati Mallika Kumari Senadheera was arrested today by officers of the Commission to Investigate Allegations of Bribery or Corruption.

Port trade unions warn of 'natural death' for Colombo Port amid administrative crisis

The Colombo Port, long considered the economic heartbeat of Sri Lanka, is heading towards a ’natural death’ due to administrative mismanagement at the Sri Lanka Ports Authority (SLPA), Co-Convenor of the Joint Alliance of Port Trade Unions (JAPTU) Shyamal Sumanaratne warned.

Philippines grants 5-year TRVs to Sri Lankans married to Filipinos

The Government of the Philippines has officially commenced the issuance of 5-year Temporary Residence Visas (TRVs) for Sri Lankans who are married to Filipino citizens.

Around 50% diesel, 15% petrol vehicles fail emission tests in Athurugiriya

A special roadside smoke emission test conducted today in front of the Athurugiriya Police Station revealed that more than 50% of diesel vehicles and 15% of petrol vehicles on the road were emitting excessive smoke, the Department of Motor Traffic (DMT) said.

Wipers of new airbus not functioning: SJB MP

It was noticed during the traditional water canon salute that the wipers of the new airbus are not functioning, SJB MP Nalin Bandara said today.

Ministry urges schools to step up mosquito control amid dengue, Chikungunya threat

With the onset of the monsoon season increasing the risk of mosquito-borne diseases, authorities have instructed all Provincial and Zonal Education Directors to ensure that school environments across the island are kept clean and free of mosquitoes.

Three Maori MPs suspended over ’intimidating’ haka

New Zealand’s parliament has voted to suspend three Māori MPs for their protest haka during a sitting last year.

Train collision narrowly avoided after signal failure

A serious incident was narrowly averted this morning when two trains were found running dangerously close to each other on the same track along the coastal railway line, due to a fault in the signals system.

Supreme Court grants leave to hear FR petitions over demolition of Soul Beach Hotel

The Supreme Court granted leave to proceed with three Fundamental Rights petitions challenging the legality of the demolition of Soul Beach (Pvt) Ltd., a beachside hotel in Dehiwala, as part of the former government’s Yukthiya anti-narcotics operation.

Duminda Dissanayake further remanded

Former Minister and Anuradhapura District Organiser of the Sri Lanka Freedom Party (SLFP), Duminda Dissanayake has been further remanded until June 19 by the Mount Lavinia Magistrate’s Court.

Stretch connecting Kadawatha, Central Expressway to commence in August: Bimal

The construction work of the stretch connecting Kadawatha and the Central Expressway will commence in August this year, Transport Minister Bimal Rathnayake told Parliament today.