Foreign preachers sans proper documents removed from Sri Lanka

Amidst a strict ruling by the Department of Immigration and Emigration (DIE) regarding foreign preachers entering Sri Lanka for prayer festivals sans relevant religious visas is in place, the authorities raided another congregation in Nuwara Eliya during the weekend and ordered two foreign pastors to leave the country with immediate effect, the Dailymirror learns.

Will Govt opt for private sector partnership for SriLankan Airlines?

Partnership with the private sector is among the multiple options for the development of the state-run SriLankan Airlines but the government has not decided on any since its focus is now on the national carrier’s debt restructuring, Daily Mirror learns.

’’Catch me if you can’’

Six teams from the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) are still conducting their investigations to arrest the suspended Inspector General of Police, Deshbandu Tennakoon, who is evading arrest following a court order.

Sri Lanka’s industrial sector rebounds as economic conditions improve

Sri Lanka is regaining its industrial strength, which weakened during and after the economic crisis in 2022, as reflected in the index that tracks industrial activity.

Sri Lanka’s tourism income hits US$768 mn in first two months of 2025

Earnings from Sri Lanka’s tourism trade has continued to remain robust during the height of the seasonal peak as arrivals have been stronger. This is while the country is being recognised and featured by global publications as one of the most preferred destinations for travel in 2025.

Sri Lanka seeks JV investments in Bangladesh

Sri Lanka has expressed its willingness to invest in joint ventures in Bangladesh, particularly in synthetic fabric manufacturing, which holds significant potential for investors from both nations, Sri Lankan High Commissioner to Bangladesh Dharmapala Weerakkody said today.

Uncertainty still prevails on Adani’s exit from Sri Lanka RE project

“Adani’s haved replied to our letter withing two weeks. The project is still alive,” a senior official with the Sri Lankan government said when asked now that Gautum Adani led entity has expressed its desire to exit the project, whether the project will be offered to other players.

Death toll from North Macedonia nightclub fire rises to 59

At least 59 people have been killed and more than 155 injured in a nightclub fire in North Macedonia, officials say.

Defect found in oil pipeline from Colombo port

A defect has been discovered in the oil pipelines linking the Colombo Port to the Ceylon Petroleum Storage Terminal Limited (CSTL) in Kolonnawa, the Ceylon Petroleum Corporation (CPC) said today.

Suspect arrested for sexual assault of flight attendants

A 38-year-old man from Athurugiriya has been arrested on charges of sexually assaulting two flight attendants aboard a flight returning to Sri Lanka from Singapore.

Six arrested over violence at music show

Six individuals have been arrested in connection with the violent incidents that occurred during a musical event at Divulankadawala in Medirigiriya.

Too late for Ranil to talk about Batalanda now: Nalinda

Claiming that former President Ranil Wickremesinghe is now too late to talk about the Batalanda Commission report, Minister Nalinda Jayatissa said today the government will take legal action based on the report.

Oscar-winning music director A R Rahman discharged after brief hospitalisation

Top music director A R Rahman, who had been admitted to Apollo Hospitals in Chennai for treatment on Saturday, was discharged on Sunday morning

Ranil rejects Batalanda Commission report

Former President Ranil Wickremesinghe today said he will reject the report of the commission which probed the unlawful detention and Killing of youth in Batalanda.

Debate on Batalanda commission report on April 10

The debate on the report of the commission which looked into the unlawful detention camp in Batalanda and it’s activities will be taken up on April 10, 2025, Parliament Media Unit said.

Trump administration mulling new travel restrictions on citizens from dozens of countries

The Trump administration is considering issuing travel restrictions for the citizens of dozens of countries as part of a new ban, according to sources familiar with the matter and an internal memo seen by Reuters.

At least 31 dead as tornadoes tear through southern US

At least 31 people have died in the US - including 12 in Missouri alone - after deadly tornadoes tore through several south-eastern states, flipping cars and flattening homes. In Kansas, at least eight people died after more than 55 vehicles were involved in a crash due to a dust storm.

Ranil used Rs. 16 mn public funds for private visit to UK: Bimal alleges

Leader of the House Minister Bimal Rathnayake revealed today that former President Ranil Wickremesinghe had used public funds of Sterling Pounds 40,000 (Over Rs. 16 million) for a private visit with his wife to the United Kingdom in 2023.

NPP women MPs want clear, definite standards for police, judges, media to handle crimes against women

In the wake of the sexual assault on a lady doctor at the Anuradhapura Hospital, the NPP women Parliamentarians said that clear and definite standards should be put in place for the police, the judges and the media to handle cases of crimes against women.

Sri Lanka seeks ASEAN sectoral partnership, not membership: Minister

Sri Lanka has only sought ASEAN Sectoral Dialogue Partnership and not ASEAN membership, Foreign Affairs Minister Vijitha Hearth said.

CID questions Tennakoon’s family amid search

Officers from the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) have recorded statements from the wife and son of Inspector General of Police (IGP) Deshabandu Tennakoon, who is currently evading court proceedings.

Shiromala launches counter attack

Sri Lankan Olympic boxing official fights back against ‘malicious campaign’ on IBA suspension threat

Nick Carter returns home unexpectedly

American singer Nick Carter announced today that he has returned to the USA due to unforeseen circumstances, leading to the suspension of the remaining dates of his ’Who I Am’ Asia tour.

As the beauty industry soars, Sri Lanka fails in regulating cosmetics

With the worldwide beauty industry milking in billions with the promise of making individuals more beautiful, fairer and younger, Sri Lanka has to date failed to regulate the use of cosmetics, leading to severe health concerns as unauthorised creams and substances continue to be sold in the market.

Sri Lanka’s financial phishing cases spike in 2024: Kaspersky

Sri Lanka is increasingly vulnerable to cyberattacks targeting businesses’ financial transactions, with 9,218 incidents of financial phishing detected in 2024 alone, according to the latest Kaspersky Security Bulletin.

Two brothers hacked to death in Grandpass

Two brothers, aged 23 and 24, were brutally hacked to death during a clash between two groups in Kelanitissagama, Grandpass, early this morning (15).

No discrimination in entering oral questions in order paper: Speaker

Opposition members have not be subjected to any discrimination when entering oral questions in the order papers, Speaker Jagath Wickramaratne told Parliament today.

Sri Lanka climbs out of world’s top polluted cities, but still falls short of WHO standards

After months and a series of media reports highlighting that Sri Lanka’s air quality had been deteriorating, the country was not featured in 2024’s top 50 list of world’s most air-polluted cities and narrowly sitting on 51, based on Swiss air quality monitoring firm, IQAir.

Good demand at tea auction this week despite dip in offering

The auction offerings declined further this week and totalled 5.0 million kilogrammes (M/Kgs) but was met with good general demand.

Tusker ‘Sumedha’ who lost one tusk in accident found in the wild

The tusker who lost one of its tusks in a recent accident involving a lorry on the Habarana – Maradankadawala road was found by the wildlife authorities near a tank in the village called ‘Labunorua’ in the Tirappane division of the Anuradhapura District.