Defending champions India pull out of 2025 Asia Cup

There’s a big question mark over this year’s Men’s Asia Cup in September with a report claiming that the Indian cricket team has withdrawn from the biennial continental tournament. The BCCI has reportedly told the Asian Cricket Council (ACC), which is headed by Pakistan minister Mohsin Naqvi, that it’s pulling out its teams from the Women’s Emerging Teams Asia Cup in Sri Lanka slated to be held in June and the Men’s Asia Cup 2025.

Thai youth from Bangkok with Rs.79 Mn worth Kush nabbed at BIA

A 21-year-old Thai youth arriving from Bangkok via Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia was detained by Sri Lanka Customs for attempting to smuggle in ’Kush’ Cannabis worth over Rs. 79 million through the Bandaranaike International Airport last night.

NMRA CEO Saveen Semage resigns

Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the National Medicines Regulatory Authority (NMRA), Dr. Saveen Semage has tendered his resignation, effective Saturday (17).

Ex-air stewardess from south London arrested in Sri Lanka over £1.5m cocaine haul

A 21-year-old former cabin crew member from south London has been arrested in Sri Lanka after allegedly attempting to smuggle £1.5 million worth of cannabis into the country.

Joe Biden diagnosed with ’aggressive’ prostate cancer

Former US President Joe Biden, 82, has been diagnosed with prostate cancer that has spread to his bones, a statement from his office said on Sunday.

BASL raises alarm over online attack on judicial officers

The Bar Association of Sri Lanka (BASL) has expressed deep concern over a surge in online content, including social media posts, that it says unfairly targets judicial officers and threatens the integrity of the justice system.

Troop of monkeys invade Wildlife DG’s residence

A troop of monkeys have reportedly been causing disturbances at the residence of the Acting Director General of the Department of Wildlife Conservation (DWC), located in the Kaduwela area.

CSE boosted by massive gains as global economic tensions ease

The Colombo Stock Exchange (CSE) continued its bullish momentum, recording substantial volumes and turnover as the market closed above the 16,300 mark.

Tough airport security prompts smugglers to use Indo-Ceylon ferry service for drug trafficking – Agencies

Strict security facilities currently in place at the country’s main international airports sponsored by local law enforcement agencies, seemed to have prompted the smugglers to change their modus operandi and resort to trafficking narcotics through Indo-Ceylon ferry service, as officials busted a massive Rs.41.2 million worth Kush case yesterday, the Daily Mirror learns.

Over 15,000 MT of salt washed away by rain in Puttalam

While the authorities are struggling to cope with a huge salt shortage in the country more than 15,000 metric tons of harvested salt intended for collection have been washed away due to sudden heavy rains, according to salt producers in Puttalam.

Economic stability in region, for countries like SL, dependent on security - Indian High Commissioner

In the wake of Operation Sindoor, Indian High Commissioner Santosh Jha, in an interview with Daily Mirror, said that economic stability in the region, especially for countries like Sri Lanka, is dependent on security.

Mullivaikkal commemoration in Wellawatta disturbed

A tense situation prevailed in Wellawatta this morning when a commemoration to mark the deaths of the Tamil civilians during the last phase of the war themed as the ‘Mullivaikkal Commemoration’ was disturbed by a group of people.

Building fire kills 17, injures others in southern India

At least 17 people were killed and several injured in a fire that broke out at a building near the historic Charminar monument in Hyderabad city, southern India, officials said Sunday.

Pigeon keeper shot at and wounded in Bloemendhal

A pigeon keeper in Sirisanda Sevana Flats at Bloemendhal was shot at by unidentified motorcyclist and sustained injuries this evening, the police said.

Traffic restrictions near Battaramulla due to War Heroes’ Commemoration

Vehicular traffic will be restricted near the Battaramulla area tomorrow evening from 4.00 pm to 6.30 pm due to the National War Heroes’ Commemoration Ceremony, Police said.

Isipathana prevail in thriller to retain title

It was near yet so far for Trinity as defending champions Isipathana dashed their hopes of clinching the Dialog Schools Knockout Rugby title with a last-minute try scored in the last minute of the second session to come out victorious by 12 points to 9 in the final played at the Royal Sports Complex ground.

SLPP urges President, PM to attend War Heroes’ Commemoration: Sagara Kariyawasam

The Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna (SLPP) is requesting President Anura Kumara Dissanayake and Prime Minister Harini Amarasuriya to attend the National War Heroes’ Commemoration Ceremony to be held tomorrow, SLPP General Secretary Sagara Kariyawasam said today.

Police officer arrested for drunk driving

A police officer attached to the Ayithiyamalai police station in Batticaloa has been arrested for driving under the influence of alcohol, Police said.

Tariff hike proposed but rates still lower: CEB

The Ceylon Electricity Board (CEB) has assured that despite the proposed tariff adjustments for the second half of 2025, the electricity rates will still remain lower than they were at the beginning of the year.

Landslide warning issued for six districts

The National Building Research Organisation (NBRO) today issued early landslide warnings for six districts.

Health Minster leaves for Switzerland to attend WHO Assembly

Minister of Health and Mass Media, Dr. Nalinda Jayatissa, departed for Switzerland this morning to participate in the 78th annual World Health Assembly (WHA78) of the World Health Organization (WHO).

Rainfall above 100mm on the cards

Rainfall exceeding 100 mm is expected in several parts of the island as the South-West monsoon conditions continue to strengthen over Sri Lanka, the Department of Meteorology said.

Yevan David takes Sensational Spa Win

Sri Lankan racing sensation Yevan David showcased his supreme talent with a superb win at the Spa Francorchamps circuit - venue of the Belgian Formula 1 Grand Prix in the first race of the second round of the 2025 Euroformula Open on Saturday.

Mexican Navy ship crashes into New York City’s Brooklyn Bridge

A huge Mexican Navy training ship has been damaged after crashing into New York City’s Brooklyn Bridge during a festive visit to the US.

Shooting reported targeting Thusitha Halloluwa

A shooting incident has been reported targeting former Executive Director of the National Lotteries Board, Thusitha Halloluwa.

Gampola trader with Rs.7.5 Mn worth illicit cigarettes nabbed at BIA

A local businessman who tried to smuggle in foreign cigarettes worth over Rs. 7.5 million from Dubai was arrested by the Sri Lanka Customs at the Bandaranaike International Airport (BIA) this morning.

Vehicle sale adhered to govt’s open tender procedure; PMD refutes misleading reports

The government today refuted reports regarding the second phase of the vehicle sale conducted through a tender process by the Presidential Secretariat on May 15, claiming that all procedures related to this sale were carried out in accordance with the Asset Management Circular 05/2024.

Ontario court grants extradition of Sri Lankan gang leader arrested in Toronto

An Ontario judge has granted the extradition of a Sri Lankan gang leader arrested in Toronto last year for his alleged role in a deadly attack on a rival gang near Paris in 2022.

Ministry urges public to stop sharing sensitive images of children on social media

The Ministry of Women and Child Affairs has urged the public to refrain from sharing social media posts containing images of children being circulated via a Facebook account under the name Nuwan Sandakelum.

Sixteen dead after tornadoes tear through US states

At least 16 people are reported to have died after tornadoes tore through parts of two US states.