Court orders AG to file contempt charges against Deshabandu

Matara Magistrate Aruna Indrajith Buddhadasa today directed the Attorney General to initiate proceedings before the Court of Appeal against former IGP Deshabandu Tennakoon, who is accused of contempt of court for allegedly violating conditions imposed upon his release on bail.

IMF reaches staff-level agreement with Sri Lanka on fourth review

The International Monetary Fund (IMF) announced today that it has reached a staff-level agreement with the Sri Lankan authorities on the Fourth Review of the country’s economic reform program under the Extended Fund Facility (EFF).

President Dissanayake condoles with PM Modi over Pahalgam terror attack

President Anura Kumara Dissanayake has strongly condemned the recent terrorist attack in Pahalgam, India, which claimed the lives of several tourists.

AG nominates two officials to assist committee probing Deshabandu

The Attorney General has nominated Additional Solicitor General (President’s Counsel) Dileepa Peiris and Deputy Solicitor General Rajitha Perera to assist the Committee of Inquiry investigating Inspector General of Police (IGP) Deshabandhu Tennakoon.

Suspect arrested for producing child sexual abuse material

The Police Children & Women’s Bureau has arrested a 34-year-old suspect for obtaining child pornography via social media and producing explicit material involving a Sri Lankan boy.

China accuses US of ’misleading the public’ about trade talks

China’s foreign ministry urged Washington on Friday to stop ’’misleading the public’’ on bilateral tariff negotiations, and said it wasn’t familiar with reports on whether Beijing was planning to exempt tariffs on some U.S. imports.

Severe lightning warning issued for 18 districts

A severe lightning warning has been issued for 18 districts, valid for 11 pm today, the Meteorology Department said.

Schoolboy entering Dalada Maligawa as Buddhist monk arrested

A schoolboy who attempted to enter the Sri Dalada Maligawa, clad as a Buddhist monk was arrested by the police.

UN urges India and Pakistan to show ‘maximum restraint’ following Kashmir attack

The United Nations on Thursday appealed to both India and Pakistan to show “maximum restraint” and avoid any further “deterioration” following a deadly attack on tourists in Kashmir. The two countries have inched closer to war since the attack, downgrading diplomatic ties, closing border crossings and revoking visas.

PM requests devotees to be mindful, responsible, stay alert at Siri Dalada Vandanawa

Prime Minister Harini Amarasuriya requested devotees attending the Siri Dalada Vandanawa to be careful and act responsibly. She reminded them to be mindful of their surroundings and of the people next to them in the queue.

Coroner, his assistant granted bail over accepting bribe

The Anuradhapura Municipal Coroner and his assistant were released on bail today over the allegations of accepting a bribe of Rs. 2,000 for issuing a postmortem report.

Two Sri Lankan Opposition MPs arrive in Vatican to attend Pope’s funeral

Two Sri Lankan Opposition Members of Parliament, Dr. Kavinda Jayawardene and Hector Appuhamy have also travelled to the Vatican to attend the funeral of late Pope Francis.

SriLankan Airlines CEO Richard Nuttall named as next president of Philippine Airlines

Philippine Airlines (PAL) has named Richard Nuttall, the current CEO of SriLankan Airlines, as its new President, effective May 29, 2025.

28 injured in Mahiyangana bus accident

A total of 28 people including 10 school children were injured when a bus met with an accident at the Mahiyangana-Tissapura PTS junction this morning, police said.

India’s hostile actions denounced across political spectrum

As Pakistan and India teeter on the brink of another clash, political parties from across the spectrum denounced the series of hostile measures, including the suspension of the Indus Waters Treaty, announced by New Delhi in the aftermath of the Pahalgam attack.

SL, USA to reach bilateral trade agreement: PMD

Sri Lanka and the United States agreed to continue the discussions on reciprocal tariff with the objective of finalising a bilateral trade agreement between the two countries,the President’s Media Division (PMD) said.

Cop scolds soldier in Kandy: IGP calls for action

The Acting Inspector General of Police has ordered an investigation into a video circulating on social media showing a police officer scolding a soldier near a queue at the ongoing exposition of the Sacred Tooth Relic in Kandy.

Foreign Minister to attend Pope Francis’ funeral mass

Minister of Foreign Affairs, Foreign Employment and Tourism Vijitha Herath will represent the Government of Sri Lanka at His Holiness Pope Francis’ funeral, which will be held on Saturday (April 26) in Saint Peter’s Square, Vatican City.

Triple murder suspect repatriated from India

A suspect wanted in connection with the triple murder in Middeniya has been arrested in India and repatriated to Sri Lanka this morning.

Pakistan troops open fire across at multiple locations along LoC in J&K, Indian Army hits back

Pakistan Army troops opened fire at multiple locations along the Line of Control (LoC) in Jammu and Kashmir on Friday in an apparent attempt to breach the ceasefire agreement, leading to the Indian Army hitting back effectively, news agency PTI reported, citing sources.

Port of Colombo sees transshipment volumes dip in 1Q

Transshipment volumes at the Port of Colombo experienced a decline in the first quarter of 2025 compared to the same period last year.

Senior citizens no longer required to visit IRD for TIN registration

In a move aimed at easing the administrative burden on senior citizens and persons with disabilities, the Inland Revenue Department (IRD) yesterday said it has introduced a more accessible procedure for

China tells Trump: If you want trade talks, cancel tariffs

China has called on the US to cancel its sweeping tariffs on Chinese goods entering the country as a sign that the President Donald Trump is serious about resolving the trade war between the two countries.

FitsAir launches Business Class

FitsAir, Sri Lanka’s first privately owned international airline and a leading low-cost carrier, yesterday announced the launch of Business Class across its regional network, which will be effective from today

Western Province hit hardest by Chikungunya surge

The Western Province has recorded the highest number of Chikungunya cases in the country this year, according to official data released by health authorities.

President makes surprise visit to Kandy

President Anura Kumara Dissanayake made an unannounced visit to Kandy on last evening to inspect the situation following reports of four deaths during the special exposition of the Sacred Tooth Relic and the unexpected influx of devotees.

Kandy brimmed with crowd, filled with litter

The cascade of unexpectedly large crowds in view of the Dalada exposition (The exposition of the Sacred Tooth Relic of The Buddha) has rendered the Kandy city administrative authorities handicapped, eventually prompting them to limit public arrivals.

PHIs working hard to keep Kandy clean

Public Health Inspectors (PHIs) are working hard to keep Kandy city clean as large crowds arrive to see the Tooth Relic of The Buddha.

Ministry of Public Security website hacked?

A Google search of the ’Ministry of Public Security Sri Lanka’ led to a particular listing in its results, with vulgar and inappropriate language appearing under the category of the ’Secretary’ to the Ministry.

Pakistan halts trade and India revokes visas as retaliatory measures ramp up after Kashmir killings

Pakistan has halted trade and India has revoked visas as tit-for-tat retaliatory actions ramp up between the two powers after an attack in Kashmir that killed 26 people.