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.

SriLankan Airlines could generate US $ 1bn in 3 months with strategic overhaul: Ex-CAA chief

SriLankan Airlines could generate US $ 1 billion in revenue within three months, if the right leadership and policies are in place, said former Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) Chairman Upul Dharmadasa.

More witnesses ready to testify on Batalanda incident: Tilvin

Claiming that there are more witnesses to testify on the Batalanda incident, JVP General Secretary Tilvin Silva said today if the evidence is produced, not only former President Ranil Wickremesinghe but others who were involved in the incident will have to face legal consequences.

Not possible to mete out justice on behalf of Easter attack victims in a month or two: Minister

It is not possible to mete out justice for those who were affected by the Easter Sunday attacks within a month or two, Minister of Science and Technology Chrishantha Abeysena told Parliament yesterday.

Batalanda Commission faults JVP for acts of terrorism

The commission which looked into what is called the torture chamber in Batalanda way back in 1989 has faulted Janatha Vimukthi Peramuna (JVP) in addition to the then government, for engaging in severe acts of violence, during the given period.

Govt will introduce new Constitution according to its own time: Minister

The Government will introduce the new Constitution according to its own time line, Minister of Justice Harshana Nanayakkara told Parliament today.

Court issues warrant on third witness in Mrs. World Pageant incident

Colombo Chief Magistrate Tanuja Lakmali, today issued a warrant on Asha Basnayake, the third witness in the case related to the alleged forcible removal of the crown from Pushpika De Silva, the winner of the Mrs. World pageant held at Nelum Pokuna Theatre in Colombo in 2021.

Prison Jailer remanded till March 21 for aiding and abetting in Ganemulla Sanjeewa murder

A prison jailer, who was arrested by the Colombo Crimes Division over allegations of aiding and abetting the murder of Ganemulla Sanjeewa, was remanded till March 21 by Colombo Additional Magistrate Harshana Kekunawela today.

Another tusker found dead

The carcass of a tusker was recovered today from the Ihakuluwewa tank reservation in Polonnaruwa by the Diyabeduma Police.

Customs bust Rs.24 Mn worth ‘Kush’ smuggling attempt at BIA

Sri Lanka Customs today thwarted an attempt to smuggle two kilos of Cannabis variety ‘Kush’ worth over Rs. 24 million by an Indian couple returning from Bangkok at the Bandaranaike International Airport (BIA).

Some 400 vehicles stuck at Customs due to import rule change: VIAL

The Vehicle Importers Association of Lanka (VIAL) claimed today that around 400 vehicles have been stuck at the Sri Lanka Customs for over 20 days due to a change in import regulations.

Steps must be taken to eliminate child labour from country

The representatives of the National Steering Committee on Elimination of Child Labour agreed that immediate and effective steps must be taken to ensure the complete elimination of child labour from the country.

Opposition to move adjournment debate on new Constitution

The Opposition is to move an adjournment debate on a new Constitution today.