RW spent Rs 1.27 billion for foreign tours during his tenure as President

Former President Ranil Wickremesinghe has spent Rs. 1.27 billion on 23 foreign tours from 2022 to 2024, Chief Government Whip Nalinda Jayatissa told Parliament today.

Issue with other inmates led to death inside remand prison: Minister

The suspect who died recently while in remand prison has had issues with fellow inmates, Minister of Justice Harshana Nanayakkara told Parliament today.

Samantha Ranasinghe sworn in as MP

Samantha Ranasinghe was sworn in as the National People’s Power (NPP) MP for the Kegalle District before Speaker Jagath Wickramaratne today.

12 injured in van-container collision near Southern Expressway entrance

At least 12 people were injured when a van collided with a parked container truck on the Matara-Akuressa main road, near the Palatuwa entrance to the Southern Expressway.

WB President’s visit unlocks US $ 1bn support package for SL

Sri Lanka is set to gain renewed momentum going forward with the World Bank (WB) announcing it will back the island nation with a support package in excess of US $ 1 billion.

WB chief’s visit unlocks US $ 1bn support package for Sri Lanka

Sri Lanka is set to gain renewed momentum going forward with the World Bank (WB) announcing it will back the island nation with a support package in excess of US $ 1 billion.

Sri Lanka sees unprecedented 14.5% surge in cash in 2024

The Central Bank has reported an unprecedented 14.5 percent year-on-year (YoY) growth in physical cash circulation during 2024.

Will Work with All Opposition Parties to Ensure Transparent Local Governance: Sajith

Opposition Leader Sajith Premadasa yesterday said his party, the Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB), will respect the people’s verdict and cooperate with other opposition parties to ensure transparent and effective service delivery through local bodies where the opposition holds a majority.

NPP rules out joining opposition parties to form councils: Tilvin

The National People’s Power (NPP) will not join hands with opposition parties rejected by the people to establish councils whereas the NPP will consider independent groups or individuals who are willing to work with the NPP, JVP General Secretary Tilvin Silva said yesterday.

No regulator, no data, no monitoring in SL’s lubricant sector

Sri Lanka’s lubricant industry remains without a dedicated regulatory framework over a year, since the formal plans were first announced.

EU reminds Sri Lanka of GSP+ conditions

The European Union (EU) has reiterated the urgency for Sri Lanka to align its domestic laws with the international human rights and labour conventions, if it is to continue reaping the benefits of preferential access to the EU market, under the GSP+ trade scheme.

No pope elected on first day, black smoke emerges from Sistine Chapel

Black smoke billowed from the chimney of the Sistine Chapel at 9 p.m. local time on Wednesday, confirming that Catholic cardinals have failed to elect a new pope in the first round of voting at the papal conclave.

World Bank Group President meets President Dissanayake

President of the World Bank Group Ajay Banga met President Anura Kumara Dissanayake this afternoon at the Presidential Secretariat in Colombo.

Election of Mayors, Chairmen for local authorities

According to the law governing elections to local authorities, a political party that commands 50 percent or more of the total membership in a local body is entitled to nominate one of its members as Mayor or Chairman.

India captain Rohit retires from Test duty

India captain Rohit Sharma has retired from Test cricket but will continue to play one-day internationals.

UNP has increased its vote base, has become decisive force in some local councils: Ruwan

The United National Party (UNP) has been able to increase its vote base and has also become a decisive force in some local bodies, the party’s Deputy Leader Ruwan Wijewardene said today.

Two killed in lorry-motorcycle crash

Two persons were killed in a motorcycle-lorry crash at Guru Godella on the Weeraketiya-Ranna main road this evening.

Police can search anyone wearing full-face helmets, acting suspiciously

Sri Lanka Police have announced that they have full authority to search anyone wearing full-face helmets and or behaving suspiciously.

SLPP controls 50% of Pradeshiya Sabha budget decisions: Kariyawasam

Following the results of the Local Government elections, 50 percent of the Pradeshiya Sabha budget is required to be decided by the SLPP.

UNP ready for a dialogue with other Opposition parties: Thalatha

The United National Party (UNP) is willing to engage in dialogue to determine ways and means to cooperate with other Opposition parties to form joint administrations in local bodies of which the Opposition enjoys a majority, party General Secretary Thalatha Athukorala said today.

Booze banned for three days for this Vesak: Excise Dept

Countrywide liquor sales will be banned for three days for the upcoming Vesak festival as decided by the Cabinet of Ministers, the Department of Excise announced today.

CSE turns red, post Local Government Election

The Colombo Stock Exchange (CSE) exhibited negative momentum throughout the trading session. The All-Share Price Index (ASPI) moved lower, closing below the 15,900 mark, following the local government election in Sri Lanka.

Suspect arrested over attempted abduction near girls’ school in Colombo

The Cinnamon Gardens Police arrested a 36-year-old man in connection with an attempted abduction near a prominent girls’ school in Colombo, police said.

Death of remandee while in Prison custody: BASL calls for impartial probe

The Bar Association of Sri Lanka (BASL) has called for an immediate, impartial and independent investigation into the tragic death of a suspect, who was remanded and later died while in prison custody.

Ranil to visit India tomorrow

Former President Ranil Wickremesinghe will visit India tomorrow (May 8 2025) to attend a function organised by The Hindu newspaper in the State of Karnataka.

Keheliya Rambukwella remanded

Former Minister of Mass Media, Health and Environment, Keheliya Rambukwella, was remanded till May 20 by Colombo Chief Magistrate Thanuja Lakmali today, over allegations of misappropriating approximately Rs. 8 million in Ministry funds to pay salaries and maintain staff—despite these individuals not rendering any official services.

Buddhist leaders urge UK to halt auction of Buddha-linked relics

The Supreme Patriarchs (Mahanayaka Theros) of four main Buddhist chapters - Malwatta, Asgiriya, Amarapura, and Ramanna - have appealed to the British government to intervene and stop the public auction of archaeological relics believed to be linked to the corporeal remains of Lord Buddha.

UNP loses CMC after more than 50 years

The United National Party (UNP) has lost the Colombo Municipal Council (CMC) after more than 50 years as per the results of the 2025 Local Government elections, which are being released now.

This is just the beginning, Namal on LG polls results

In the wake of the just concluded Local Government (LG) elections, National Organiser of the Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna (SLPP), Namal Rajapaksa expressed renewed optimism about the party’s future, despite failing to secure control of any local councils.

Some parties in north seeking NPP support to form councils: Bimal

Political parties in the North have reached out to the National People’s Power (NPP) to establish councils in the North as none of the political parties have secured absolute majority in any local body in the North, Minister Bimal Ratnayake said today.