More than 150 whales stranded on remote Australian beach

More than 60 false killer whales have died and authorities are trying to save dozens more after a mass stranding on a remote Australian beach.

Chamari Athapaththu to exit WPL early for Sri Lanka’s tour

UP Warriors team’s Chamari Athapaththu will be out of the final stage of the Women’s Premier League (WPL) 2025, as she will join the Sri Lankan team for the white-ball tour of New Zealand starting from March 4 in Napier. Her departure will be the second major blow to UP Warriors, who are already playing without regular captain Alyssa Healy due to injury.

Moderate air quality recorded in most cities, slightly unhealthy in some

While slightly unhealthy air quality levels were recorded in Ratnapura, Embilipitiya and Moneragala, most other cities experienced moderate air quality yesterday, the Vehicular Emission Test Trust Fund of the Department of Motor Traffic said.

Goods and services to be taxed more to fund budget 2025

Tax on goods and services will dominate the government’s revenue for 2025, and it will be more than 50 percent of the total tax revenue estimated, according to the budget presented in Parliament.

Pope Francis has pneumonia in both lungs, Vatican says

Pope Francis has developed pneumonia in both his lungs and his condition remains ’’complex’’, the Vatican says.

BASL election Today: Lawyers to elect new President

The election for the post of President of the Bar Association of Sri Lanka (BASL) for the year 2025-2026 will be held today (19).

Man, daughter killed in Middeniya shooting

A 39-year-old man and his 6-year-old daughter were killed in a shooting at Kadewatta Junction in Middeniya.

Rs. 135 bn defence allocation raises transparency concerns: top economist

A top economist yesterday raised concerns over a potential procurement corruption process or gross misrepresentation in the government’s 2025 budget, particularly regarding public sector salaries and defence expenditure.

Dry weather persists, but showers likely in Southern districts

While dry weather continues over most parts of the island, thundershowers are expected in the Galle, Matara, Kalutara and Ratnapura districts during the evening or night, the Forecasting Division of the National Meteorological Centre said.

Jaffna airport now open to international charter flights

The Jaffna International Airport (JIA) marked a historic milestone yesterday by welcoming its first international charter flight from Chennai, India.

No mention of piriven education in budget proposal: Battaramulle Seelarathana Thera

The recent 2025 budget proposals did not include any mention of the Piriven education sector, leader of the Janasetha Peramuna Ven. Battaramulle Seelarathana Thera said.

Sri Lanka’s budget likely to lead to slower fiscal consolidation: Moody’s

Sri Lanka’s budgeted expenditure for 2025 will likely lead to a wider fiscal deficit and slower-than-expected fiscal consolidation, Moody’s Ratings said on Tuesday, a day after the island nation unveiled its budget.

Ongoing kidney racket revealed

Medical Administrator and Health and Mass Media Ministry Secretary Dr. Anil Jasinghe revealed today that there was an ongoing kidney racket in the country by several individuals from India selling kidneys for up to Rs. 3 million.

Harsha was not given district leadership due to party policy: Marikkar

Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB) MP S.M. Marikkar said today that party policy has led to the non-appointment of Harsha de Silva as a district leader.

More than cricket as Pakistan hosts first major tournament in 29 years

Pakistan will host a first major cricket tournament in almost three decades from Wednesday in a move hailed as a landmark just a few years after the country was off-limits because of security fears.

Government has failed to address teachers’ salary issues in budget: Stalin

Ceylon Teachers’ Union (CTU) Secretary Joseph Stalin claimed today that the government has not addressed the issue of teachers’ salaries in the recent budget.

Ex-UNP MP arrested

Former UNP Puttalam District MP Shantha Sisira Kumara Abeysekara and his son were arrested for possessing an illegally assembled vehicle.

Food safety at risk due to testing delays

The Public Health Inspectors’ (PHI) Union raised concerns that lack of facilities at the Government Analyst’s Department is affecting food safety checks.

Canteen, hotel food prices to increase from tonight

The All Island Canteen and Restaurant Owners’ Association (AICROA) has decided to increase the prices of all canteen and hotel food items from midnight today.

Heat expected to rise to 'Caution Level' tomorrow

The heat felt by the human body is expected to rise to the ’Caution Level’ tomorrow (19) in the Northern, North-Central, North-Western, Western and Southern Provinces, as well as in the Moneragala and Ratnapura districts, the Meteorology Department said.

Disruption in water supply due to prevailing extreme dry weather conditions

The National Water Supply and Drainage Board (NWSDB) announced a disruption to the water supply due to the prevailing extreme dry weather conditions.

Effectiveness of public service decisions questioned amid 2025 budget benefits

Considering the benefits provided to state sector employees in the 2025 budget, doubts arise over the effectiveness of decisions made regarding the public service, United Postal Trade Unions Front (UPTUF) Co- convener Chinthaka Bandara said.

Pope’s health a 'complex clinical situation', Vatican says

Pope Francis is being treated for a ’’complex clinical situation’’ and will remain in hospital for as long as necessary, the Vatican has said.

Govt. eager to hold LG elections before popularity dips: MP Rasamanickam

Representatives from various political parties in Parliament convened with the Election Commission to discuss the scheduling of the upcoming local government elections.

'We will definitely reduce taxes on fuel': Nalinda

The government will definitely take steps to reduce taxes on fuel in the future, Chief Government Whip, Minister Nalinda Jayatissa said today.

Bus crash in Bolivia kills at least 30 people

More than 30 people have been killed in a bus crash on a mountain road in Bolivia, police say.

CEB implements long-term measures to strengthen grid stability

The Ceylon Electricity Board (CEB) acknowledged the recent island-wide power failure, explaining that the high penetration of non-synchronous solar PV reduced grid inertia, increasing its vulnerability to faults. This imbalance between generation and demand led to cascading disconnections, which ultimately resulted in a total power outage.

Re-scrutinised results of 2023 (2024) GCE (O/L) exam released

The Examinations Department announced that the re-scrutinised results of the 2023 (2024) G.C.E. Ordinary Level Examination has been released.

Who can afford to import vehicles at current rates, asks Harsha

Vehicle imports will be very risky as prices of vehicles have gone up remarkably, SJB MP Harsha De Silva said today.

Bread prices to drop

Bakery owners have decided to reduce the price of a 450g loaf of bread by Rs. 10, following a Rs. 10 per kilogram reduction in wheat flour prices, the Trade Ministry said.