Sri Lanka sees surge in gun violence: 22 killed in 27 shootings

Sri Lanka has experienced a disturbing increase in gun violence this year, with 27 shooting incidents resulting in 22 deaths and several injuries.

Printing of ballot papers for LG elections begins

The printing of ballot papers for the upcoming local government elections has commenced, the Election Commission announced today.

Kenyan plane crashes in Somalia killing all onboard

Preliminary reports indicate that the cargo plane was returning from Dhobley town in the Lower Juba region after delivering supplies to the African Union forces when it crashed on Saturday, March 22 at around 5:43 pm local time.

Two arrested over extortion racket in Western Province

The Western Province North Crimes Division arrested two suspects involved in an extortion racket, where they threaten businessmen over the phone and force them to transfer money online.

Sri Lanka, Thailand to hold bilateral political consultations in Bangkok

The 06th Round of Bilateral Political Consultations between Sri Lanka and Thailand will be held on 25 March 2025 at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Thailand in Bangkok.

No Sri Lankans harmed by South Korea’s forest fires

The Sri Lankan Embassy in South Korea has confirmed that no Sri Lankans have been affected by the forest fires currently ravaging the southeastern regions of the country.

South Korea wildfires: 4 dead, hundreds displaced as govt declares emergency

South Korea has declared a state of disaster after multiple forest fires hit the country’s south, killing at least four and displacing hundreds of residents from their homes.

Treat for faithful as Pope released from hospital

Pope Francis will be released from the hospital and give a blessing to the faithful on Sunday, after 38 days of battling a life-threatening case of pneumonia.

Three arrested for bribery attempt at Colombo’s luxury hotel

The Bribery Commission arrested three individuals, including a businessman and an NGO coordinator, for attempting to extort a bribe of Rs. 500,000 in exchange for a traditional medical certificate from the Ayurveda Medical Council.

35 injured in head-on collision of buses in Warakapola

At least 35 people were injured when two Sri Lanka Transport Board (SLTB) buses collided head-on in the Dummaladeniya area of Warakapola, along the Colombo-Kandy road.

U.S. Coast Guard to deliver another coast guard cutter to SL Navy

The U.S. will tranfer another coast guard cutter to Sri Lanka in 2026, according to a statement from its embassy here on Saturday.

SJB nominates Dr. Ruvaiz Haniffa for Colombo Mayor

The Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB) has officially nominated Dr. Ruvaiz Haniffa as its candidate for mayor of the Colombo Municipal Council (CMC).

School uniform material distribution for this year completed: Ministry

The distribution of school uniform materials have been carried out this year for 10,096 government schools together with 822 government approved Pirivens, the Education Ministry said.

Heavyweight boxing legend George Foreman dies aged 76, says family

Boxing heavyweight legend George Foreman has died aged 76, according to his family.

Two killed in shooting in Matara

Two individuals were killed in a shooting incident last night on Sinhasana Road, near the southern entrance of the Devundara Sri Vishnu Devalaya in Matara.

Complications in female, youth representation leads to most rejected nomination lists at LG polls: EC

Complications in fulfilling the requirements to include stipulated percentages of female and youth representation in lists, as well as lack of supporting documents of the contestants have led to a significant number of nominations lists from every political party getting rejected this time, the Election Commission said.

CA orders status quo for Ex-CCD OIC in Weligama shooting incident

The Court of Appeal extended its previous order to maintain the status quo for former Colombo Crimes Division (CCD) Director Neville de Silva in connection with the Weligama hotel shooting incident.

Budget 2025 passed with amendments

The third reading of the 2025 Budget was passed in Parliament with amendments by a majority of 114 votes a short while ago.

Six CCD officers granted bail over Weligama shooting

Six police officers from the Colombo Crime Division (CCD), who surrendered to the Matara Magistrate’s Court in connection with a shooting incident in front of a hotel in Weligama, have been granted bail.

President attends final day of Budget debate

President Anura Kumara Dissanayake arrived in Parliament today to participate in the final day of the third reading of the Budget.

Opposition no longer IMF’s true love: Bimal

Highlighting how closely the present government is working with the International Monetary Fund (IMF), Leader of the House Bimal Ratnayke today said the latter had accepted President Anura Kumara Dissanayake and the Incumbent government as its ’true love’.

President to wind up committee stage debate on budget

President Anura Kumara Dissanayake is expected to wind up the committee stage debate on the budget, Leader of the House Bimal Ratnayke told Parliament today.

Tunisian president sacks prime minister amid economic and migration crisis

Tunisian President Kais Saied sacked Prime Minister Kamel Maddouri less than a year after his appointment, and named Sara Zaafarani as his replacement, amid a faltering economy and a worsening flood of migrants from Sub-Saharan Africa countries.

Central Bank lists Pro Care, Shade of Procare among prohibited schemes

The Central Bank of Sri Lanka has determined that Pro Care (Pvt) Ltd. and Shade of Procare (Pvt) Ltd. are engaged in a scheme prohibited under Section 83(C) of the Banking Act, No. 30 of 1988, as amended.

LG polls: Over 400 nominations rejected

Nearly 425 nomination papers have been rejected in this year’s local government election nominations.

SriLankan cancels flights due to Heathrow closure

Due to the temporary closure of Heathrow Airport following a large fire at a nearby electrical substation, SriLankan Airlines flights UL 503 (Colombo to London), scheduled for 12:50 hrs, and UL 504 (London to Colombo), scheduled for 20:40 hrs on 21 March 2025, will not operate.

German woman’s nomination for Local Elections rejected

The nomination of a German woman who was set to contest the upcoming Local Government Elections in the Matale District has been rejected.

BIA welcomes Bulgaria Air charter flight

The Bandaranaike International Airport (BIA) today welcomed a special charter flight from Bulgaria Air, the Airport and Aviation Services (Sri Lanka) (Private) Limited (AASL) said.

Never accepted funds from Arjun Aloysius: Dayasiri

Opposition MP Dayasiri Jayasekara today denied that he had accepted funds from Perpetual Treasuries owned by Arjun Aloysius.

CID to conduct probe against former First Lady

The Criminal Investigations Department (CID) has been asked to conduct a probe against former First Lady Shiranthi Rajapaksa on two land deals, Deputy Minister Mahinda Jayasinghe told Parliament today.