President urges to pay taxes, pledges legal action on tax abuse

President Anura Kumara Dissanayake today urged all citizens to fulfil their tax obligations, assuring that tax revenue will be fully protected and that legal action will be taken against anyone who misuses public funds.

Regulating media must be confined to preventing personal insults: Opposition MP

Commenting on the Government’s move to regulate social media, Lpposition MP S.M. Marikar said today that regulating any form of media should be confined only to preventing personal insults.

Mumbai’s ‘choo-choo’ rail engines head to Sri Lanka

Five diesel locos from the city to roar on Sri Lankan tracks as India sends 22 power-packed engines across the sea; these WDM3A Alco-class locomotives have been workhorses, powering top-tier trains across Indian Railways, especially on the Konkan Railway before electrification.

BASL calls for urgent appointment of RTI Commission head

The Bar Association of Sri Lanka (BASL) has formally raised concerns over the ongoing vacancy of the position of Chairperson of the Right to Information (RTI) Commission, emphasising the critical nature of this role for the functioning of the Commission and the upholding of citizens’ rights.

Failed shooting attempt reported in Panadura

A failed shooting attempt was reported in Walana, Panadura, this morning, police said.

Polish conservative Nawrocki leads presidential vote

Eurosceptic Karol Nawrocki established a lead in Sunday’s presidential election in Poland, late exit polls showed, with the ballot seen as a test of the nation’s support for a pro-European course versus Donald Trump-style nationalism.

Ukraine destroyed more than 40 military aircraft in a drone attack deep inside Russia, official say

A Ukrainian drone attack destroyed more than 40 Russian planes deep in Russia’s territory, a Ukrainian security official told The Associated Press on Sunday, while Russia pounded Ukraine with missiles and drones a day before the two sides meet for a new round of direct talks in Istanbul.

Monitoring increases as new COVID sub-variants detected

Health authorities in Sri Lanka have ramped up monitoring efforts following the detection of two new Omicron subvariants - LF.7 and XFG - within the country.

Mattala airport operation to open up for private investments

Despite its previous stand regarding privatization of state assets, the government, led by the National People’s Power (NPP), is seeking to call for Expression of Interest (EoI) to open up the Mattala International Airport (MIA) for private investors for operation of its services in different categories, an official said.

External sector stays resilient in April despite import surge

Sri Lanka’s external sector showed steady footing in April 2025, holding its ground amid mounting import pressure, as the country posted a current account surplus for the fourth consecutive month, thanks to strong inflows from tourism and worker remittances.

Sri Lanka prepares to host more international films

Sri Lanka is positioning itself to capitalise on the growing global demand for film tourism, but infrastructure and technology must be upgraded to compete internationally, Assistant Director, International Media at the Sri Lanka Tourism Promotion Bureau (SLTPB), Chaminda Munasinghe said.

Water levels in power generating reservoirs low albeit weather causing havoc

Despite the prevailing inclement weather having caused much havoc disrupting civilian life and the breakdown of utility services including electricity, the engineers in charge of the hydropower generating reservoirs said the rain fall experienced in the catchment areas was not adequate to raise the water level in Castlereigh and Maussakele reservoirs.

25 yr. old suspect nabbed with Rs. 70 million worth heroin in Veyangoda

A stock of 3.650 kilos of heroin was seized and the suspect was arrested by Veyangoda police during a raid on the suspect’s house at Niwala area on Saturday evening.

Bangladesh drops Sheikh Mujib’s portrait from currency notes

Bangladesh has started issuing newly designed banknotes that do not feature the portrait of the country’s founder and former prime minister Sheikh Mujibur Rahman.

53 year old man arrested for raping 14 year old girl in Haputale

An individual who raped and impregnated a 14 year old schoolgirl was taken into custody yesterday by Haputale police. The 53 year old suspect is a father of three children.

Two dead and hundreds arrested in France after PSG Champions League win

Two people have died and hundreds have been arrested across France after Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) fans celebrated the club’s victory in the Champions League final, according to the French interior ministry.

Sri Lankan tourist attacked in Pattaya after gender dispute with transwoman

A Sri Lankan tourist was assaulted by a transgender woman armed with high heel shoes on the city’s beach road Saturday night after he daringly touched her genitals twice to verify her gender--then refused to pay or proceed with any services.

Delay in bringing those responsible for Easter Sunday attacks to justice is regrettable: Catholic church in Sri Lanka

While expressing satisfaction on the investigations carried out into the Easter Sunday bomb attacks, the National Catholic Church Communications Director Fr. Jude Krishantha today said the church is not happy about the delay in bringing those responsible to justice.

’’She simply stepped into her own”: Ali Sabry defends Anudhi

Former Minister Ali Sabry came to the defense of Miss World Sri Lanka representative Anudhi Gunasekara, calling for dignity and support amid a wave of online criticism.

Over 50% of power outages restored amid severe weather: CEB

In the wake of torrential rains and gale-force winds that battered the country, the Ceylon Electricity Board (CEB) has announced that nearly half of the widespread power outages reported during the extreme weather have been restored.

Government planning to export locally produced brown sugar: Handunnetti

The government is planning to export locally produced brown sugar as a move to raise the revenue of local sugar factories and thereby to protect the employees and sugar planters, Minister of Industry and Entrepreneurship Development Sunil Handunneththi said today.

CEB trade unionist appointed Mayor of Kaduwela

Ranjan Jayalal, a prominent trade unionist affiliated with the JVP-led trade union in the Ceylon Electricity Board (CEB), has been appointed as the new Mayor of Kaduwela.

Govt to take immediate action to change policy on returning refugees -Minister

The government has announced plans to swiftly revise existing legal policies following the detention of a UNHCR-certified returning refugee from India, who was held by Immigration officials at Palaly Airport and later remanded by the Mallakam Magistrate’s Court until June 5th.

Private bus fare revision postponed until August: Gemunu

The Lanka Private Bus Owners’ Association (LPBOA) announced today that it has decided to postpone the annual bus fare revision, which typically takes effect in July, until August.

Rise in dengue, chikungunya, influenza among children: Pediatrician

There has been a noticeable rise in illnesses such as dengue, chikungunya, and influenza among children in recent weeks, Lady Ridgeway Hospital (LRH) Consultant Pediatrician Dr. Deepal Perera said

Mayors, chairpersons of 164 local bodies gazetted

Names of more than 164 local bodies have been gazetted by the Commission of Elections today.

Wife killed, husband injured in motorbike accident

A woman was killed and her husband injured when the motorbike they were riding collided with a bus plying to Colombo from Hambantota.

No price revision for LAUGFS gas in June

There will be no price revision for LAUGFS Gas domestic cylinder refills in June, LAUGFS Gas Director and Cluster CEO Dr. Niroshan J. Pieries said.

Names of members elected to CMC gazetted

The Election Commission has gazetted the names of members who have been elected to the Colombo Municipal Council (CMC), it was reported today,.

Health experts urge calm as new Covid subvariants found in Sri Lanka