Heavy rainfall of 75mm expected in some areas

The Department of Meteorology has warned that some areas in the Western and Sabaragamuwa provinces, as well as the Galle and Matara districts may receive rainfall exceeding 75mm tomorrow (19).

Curfew imposed in India city after large-scale violence

A curfew has been imposed in parts of a city in India’s western state of Maharashtra after Hindu groups demanded the removal of the tomb of Aurangzeb, a 17th-Century Mughal emperor, sparking violence on Monday night.

Deshabandu received monthly salary from SLC: Opposition MP

While alleging that IGP Deshabandu Thennekoon has received a monthly salary of Rs. 150,000 from Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) in addition to free fuel during the past years, Opposition MP Hesha Withanage urged the government to conduct a probe into it.

SC declares Gotabaya’s detention order unlawful

The Supreme Court today ruled that a detention order issued by former President Gotabaya Rajapaksa in 2020 under the Prevention of Terrorism Act (PTA) was unlawful and violated the fundamental rights of the petitioner.

Sri Lanka cricket captains challenge player employment classification

Sri Lanka Cricket ODI Captain Charith Asalanka and Test Cricket Captain Dhanajaya De Silva have filed writ petitions before the Court of Appeal challenging the classification of Sri Lanka’s national cricketers as employees of the national association, Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) by the Inland Revenue Department (IRD).

Hatton Police officer remanded over bribery allegation

A police officer from Hatton arrested for allegedly soliciting a bribe of Rs. 20,000 to release a complainant and his wife from legal proceedings, has been remanded till April 1 by Colombo Chief Magistrate Thanuja Lakmali today.

FR petitions against Adani Mannar wind power project withdrawn

Five Fundamental Rights petitions, which were filed seeking an order to prevent the authorities from issuing any permits to Adani Green Energy Sri Lanka Limited for operating a wind power plant in Mannar, were withdrawn today before the Supreme Court.

President meets Police Chiefs in Western Province

Steps will be taken to provide the necessary facilities to eliminate organized crimes and drug abuse, as well as to introduce new legislation, President Anura Kumara Dissanayake said today.

Govt. assures to rectify delays in releasing imported vehicles from Customs

The Finance Ministry and other relevant institutions will intervene immediately to rectify the delays in releasing newly imported vehicles from the Sri Lanka Customs, Cabinet Spokesman Dr. Nalinda Jayatissa said today.

Government expects Speaker to take action against MP Ramanathan Archchuna: Nalinda

Cabinet Spokesman Dr. Nalinda Jayatissa said today the government expects that the Speaker will take some action against Jaffna District MP Ramanathan Archchuna.

Woman dead after elephant pulls down walls

A woman who was asleep in her home was pinned under the debris of the walls pulled down by a rogue elephant that had entered her home garden in the early hours of last morning. She was rushed to hospital but died on admission.

Imthiaz Bakeer Markar resigns as SJB Chairman

Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB) Chairman Imthiaz Bakeer Markar has resigned from his post.

NASA to Provide Live Coverage of Crew-9 Return, Splashdown

NASA will provide live coverage of the agency’s SpaceX Crew-9 return to Earth from the International Space Station, beginning with Dragon spacecraft hatch closure preparations at 10:45 p.m. EDT Monday, March 17.

Milk powder prices to increase by 4.7% from April 1

Importers of milk powder have decided to increase the prices of milk powder products by 4.7%, effective April 1.

Chamara Sampath urges Speaker to take action against COPE member who had referred to him as ’Badulle Bada’

Opposition MP Chamara Sampath Dassanayake today urged the Speaker to take action against a COPE member who had referred to him as ’Badulle Bada’ during a recent meeting of the committee.

Sinister move by some trade unions to take patients in state hospitals as hostages: Health Minister

There is a sinister move by some trade unions to call for a strike action taking patients in state hospitals as hostages, Minister of Health Dr. Nalinda Jayatissa told Parliament today.

Sri Lanka's apparels, rubber, plastic goods export could be affected by Trump's trade policy: Deputy Minister

Sri Lanka’s apparel, rubber, coconut and plastics exports could be affected by US President Donald Trump’s trade policy which is expected to be effective from April this year, Deputy Minister Anil Jayantha told Parliament today.

Israel launches ’extensive strikes’ on Gaza with at least 220 reportedly killed

The Israeli military says it is carrying out ’’extensive strikes’’ in the Gaza Strip, with the Hamas-run health ministry reporting that at least 220 Palestinians have been killed.

BYD unveils battery system that charges EVs in 5 minutes

BYD has unveiled a new system for electric cars that the Chinese carmaker says will allow them to be charged almost as fast as it takes a regular car to refuel.

Customs seize Rs. 120 million worth of smuggled cigarettes at Colombo Port

A consignment of illegally imported cigarettes worth over Rs. 120 million was recovered by the Customs Revenue Task Force (RTF) during an inspection at a warehouse within the Colombo Port premises.

Tattoos not allowed for police recruitment

The Sri Lanka Police have released a video featuring a senior officer explaining the requirements for joining the police force.

Four killed in elephant attacks across 3 districts in March: DMC reports

While issuing an island-wide incident summary, the Disaster Management Center (DMC) today reported that four persons from the Moneragala, Anuradhapura and Hambantota districts were killed in elephant attacks between March 10 and 13.

Mattala Airport struggles as it turns 12

Sri Lanka’s Mattala Rajapaksa International Airport (MRIA) marks its 12th anniversary today but the underutilised facility continues to struggle with financial losses and minimal airline traffic, renewing calls for a strategic overhaul.

Adani Group still keen on renewable power project in Sri Lanka

The Adani Group is still keen to get Adani Green Energy’s $1-billion renewable energy power project in Sri Lanka back on its agenda, sources said. In February, the company had said it had decided to withdraw from the project, but it has maintained a foot in the door, as both sides are likely to come to an agreement on the tariffs to be charged, sources with knowledge of the ongoing developments said.

14 Sri Lankans rescued from cybercrime centers in Myanmar

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Foreign Employment, and Tourism, in coordination with Sri Lanka’s Embassies in Myanmar and Thailand, and with support from the Governments of Myanmar and Thailand, has facilitated the rescue of 14 Sri Lankans who were trafficked and forcibly employed in cybercrime centers in Myawaddy, Myanmar.

A 16-hour water cut in Katana

The Katana residents are set to experience a 16-hour water cut today as the National Water Supply and Drainage Board (NWSDB) announced that water supply to several areas in the city will be suspended.

Hard Rock Cafe to make Sri Lankan debut at Colombo City Centre by 2H25

US restaurant chain Hard Rock Cafe has sealed a deal with Abans and will be entering Sri Lanka, marking its debut in the island nation.

Upcoming festive season drives economic activities across manufacturing and services

The upcoming festive season gave an additional boost to the already expanding activities across the economy, as both manufacturing and services activities continued to grow through February.

Paddy, tea and coconut production drops, fuelling inflation concerns

Sri Lanka’s agricultural sector is facing a significant downturn, with key crops such as paddy, tea and coconut experiencing sharp declines in production.

Govt. to initiate steps for offshore petroleum exploration

The government is to undertake offshore gas exploration after the selection of a consultant firm to handle the international tender process in this regard, an official said yesterday.