Prison Department permits visits on Thai Pongal day

The Prisons Department announced that visitors will be allowed to see inmates on Thai Pongal day (January 14), Prisons Commissioner and media spokesman Gamini B. Dissanayake said.

Another flood threat in rice producing North Central Province

Hot on the heels of heavy rains and floods destroying a large swathe of paddy fields in North Central Province last month several tanks and reservoirs in the Anuradhapura District had reached spill over level by yesterday morning due to the heavy rain experienced in the catchment areas.

Four miles on Nallathanniya-Maskeliya road crammed with vehicles

A heavy influx of pilgrims and foreign tourists was experienced in Sri Pada sacred area during the long weekend from last Saturday (11).

Vehicles damaged in buffalo collision on Southern Expressway

A car, a bus and a lorry were damaged after colliding with three buffaloes this morning on the Southern Expressway between Agunukolapelessa and Barawakumbuka, the Agunukolapelessa Police said.

South Korea air crash recorders missing final four minutes

Flight data and cockpit voice recorders from the South Korean passenger plane that crashed last month stopped recording four minutes before the disaster, the country’s transport ministry has said.

Upcountry train services resume

The disrupted train service between Ohiya and Idalgashinna railway stations has resumed, and train services are operating as usual, the Railways Department said.

Schoolgirl kidnapped in Daulagala

Authorities have launched an investigation into the abduction of a schoolgirl in the Daulagala Police Division, an incident that has gained significant attention on social media.

8.3 Mn litres of alcohol consumption cut after tax hike: ADIC

The Alcohol and Drug Information Centre (ADIC) revealed that a 20% excise tax increase on alcohol last year led to a staggering reduction of 8.3 million litres in alcohol consumption while boosting government revenue by Rs. 11.6 billion.

Four new Supreme Court justices sworn-in

Four newly appointed Supreme Court Justices took their oaths of office before President Anura Kumara Disanayake this morning (12) at the Presidential Secretariat. 

Upcountry train service disrupted due to landslide

Train services have been disrupted due to a landslide between Ohia and Idalgasinna railway stations, caused by the current weather conditions.

Former Minister Indradasa Hettiarachchi passes away

Former Minister and Kalutara Distrcrct MP Indradasa Hettiarachchi has passed away at the age of 99.

Plans afoot to boost Homeopathy services

Sri Lanka is set to expand homeopathy as part of its healthcare system, focusing on making it more affordable and accessible for the public.

US-made speed guns worth Rs. 91 Mn for Police to detect high-speed driving

In a bid to reduce accidents caused by high-speed driving, the Sri Lanka Police have distributed several US-made speed gun devices worth Rs. 91 million to traffic officers.

Rice import deadline ends, 167,000 MT imported

The deadline for importing rice ended at midnight yesterday, with a total of 167,000 MT of rice imported to Sri Lanka since the government allowed the imports.

Former football legend Ronaldo enjoys safari in Sri Lanka

A photograph of former Brazilian football star Ronaldo Nazario enjoying a safari at a Sri Lankan national park has been circulating widely on social media.

Teenage girl dies after falling from 12th floor in Borella

The Borella Police have launched an investigation after a 16-year-old girl, a Grade 11 student of the Colombo Musaeus College, was found dead after falling from the 12th floor of a 24-story apartment complex in Borella.

Traders up in arms against mill owners not providing rice at affordable rates in view of Thai Pongal

The traders in several areas of the upcountry yesterday demonstrated demanding the supply of adequate stocks of Nadu and Red rice varieties in view of the Thai Pongal festive season.

Government announces excise duty on vehicle imports effective from today

While issuing a special gazette notification, the government announced an excise duty percentage on all vehicles imported starting in February, following the resumption of vehicle imports after a five-year suspension.

Decades-old Elephant Pass saltern to be activated fully to address salt shortage

In a bid to address the salt shortage, chairman of National Salt Limited Gayan Wellala said plans are underway to fully activate the saltern including one in Elephant Pass in the north by March, this year to increase production of salt in the country

Trump avoids prison or fine in hush-money case sentencing

A judge has sentenced US President-elect Donald Trump to an ’’unconditional discharge,’’ bringing to an end the first criminal trial of a former US president.

Over 100mm rain expected today

Heavy showers exceeding 100 mm are expected in the Eastern, Uva, and Central provinces, as well as in the Polonnaruwa district today, the Forecasting Division of the National Meteorological Centre said.

Road crashes kill over 12,000 lives in five years

Senior Professor of Forensic Medicine at Karapitiya Hospital U.C.P Perera said it was a matter of serious concern that the fatalities in road accidents have been increasing at a large proportion every year and that 118,240 road accidents had occurred in Sri Lanka for the last five years up to December 2024 claiming 12,140 human lives.

Shootings linked to organised crimes claim 66 lives in 2024-2025

A troubling rise in shootings linked to organised crime has left 66 people dead in over 100 incidents reported across the country since January 2024. Of these, 13 deaths occurred in organised crime-related shootings involving the underworld in the last three months alone.

Sri Lanka’s tea industry set for cautious growth in 2025: Forbes and Walker Tea Brokers

Sri Lanka’s tea industry is set for a year of modest growth in 2025, despite facing several challenges and uncertainties, an analysis by Forbes and Walker Tea Brokers showed.

Devapathiraja players star in Sri Lanka’s U-19 Women’s World Cup squad

Sri Lanka’s squad for the upcoming ICC Under-19 Women’s T20 World Cup has been announced, with the tournament set to take place in Malaysia from January 18 to February 2.

Bangladesh star Tamim Iqbal retires from international cricket

Former Bangladesh captain Tamim Iqbal announced his retirement from international cricket on Friday with the 35-year-old star run-getter insisting the ’’chapter is over’’.

IndiGo becomes largest foreign carrier out of Sri Lanka

India’s IndiGo becomes the largest foreign carrier out of Sri Lanka, with it operating 54 weekly flights. The airline operates to two cities in Sri Lanka – Colombo and Jaffna, from four cities in India – Bangalore, Chennai, Hyderabad and Mumbai.

Women’s leadership gap hinders SL’s economic growth: Prime Minister

Sri Lanka must prioritise women’s participation in the business and decision-making roles as a strategic necessity for economic growth, Prime Minister Dr. Harini Amarasuriya said, asserting the need for greater gender inclusivity in the corporate sector.

6% increase in liquor prices

The Finance Ministry announced a 6% increase in Excise Duty on liquor, effective from tomorrow, as per a Gazette notification.

Cigarette prices increased

The Ceylon Tobacco Company (CTC) has announced that, following the increase in Excise Duty, cigarette prices will be raised under four categories starting from January 11, 2025.