Tamarind shortage drives price to Rs. 2,000 per kilogram

A shortage of tamarind in the local market has caused the retail price to soar above Rs. 2,000 per kilogram in the Hatton area, sellers said.

Main suspect in Gampola abduction arrested with girl in Ampara

The main suspect in the abduction of a girl from Gampola has been arrested alongside the victim in the Ampara area, police said.

Surge in youth mental health challenges and suicide spark concern

The increasing rates of mental health challenges and suicide among young people have raised urgent concerns, demanding immediate action and intervention from parents, educators and healthcare professionals.

President Dissanayake to leave for China today

President Anura Kumara Dissanayake is set to depart the country this evening (13) for a four-day state visit to the People’s Republic of China.

LA fires death toll rises to 24 as high winds expected

Weather forecasters in California are warning fierce winds which fuelled the infernos around Los Angeles are expected to pick up again this week, as fire crews on the ground race to make progress controlling three wildfires.

13 reservoirs start spilling due to high rainfall

A total of 13 reservoirs have started spilling due to high rainfall in the catchment areas, the Water Management Branch of the Irrigation Department reported.

Duminda Silva admitted to Prisons Hospital again

Death row inmate Duminda Silva has been admitted to the Prisons Hospital, the Prisons Department said.

SLAF rakes over Rs. 56 Mn, providing Air transport to Presidential candidates

The Sri Lanka Air Force (SLAF) reported earning over Rs. 56 million by providing air transport services to presidential candidates during the 2024 election campaign.

Govt mulls countrywide restrictions on private tuition by school teachers

In the wake of reports about term test papers getting leaked , the Education Ministry mulls the introduction of certain restrictions on school teachers involved in giving private tuition, an official said.

Motorist with rare diabetic condition seeks justice

In a bizarre turn of events a motorist who is suffering from a rare diabetic condition has been falsely convicted in a breathalyzer test that became positive at the Kirindiwela Police is seeking justice as he had not touched alcohol for the past ten days at the time of the arrest, the Daily Mirror learns.

Taliban ’do not see women as human’, says Malala

Malala Yousafzai has urged Muslim leaders to challenge the Taliban government in Afghanistan and its repressive policies for girls and women.

Vehicle taxes may rise up to 600 percent in some cases, by 400 - 500 percent in others: Importers

The taxes on vehicles may increase by up to 600 in some cases and some vehicles being subject to taxes as high as 400% or 500%, the Vehicle Importers Association of Sri Lanka (VIASL) said.

Catholic Church demands a fresh probe on All saints Church ’’bomb drama’’

The Catholic Church of Sri Lanka today urged the government to carryout a fresh probe on the ’’bomb drama’’ at All Saints Church Borella which took place exactly three years ago and bring the perpetrators to book.

Elephant closes Tempitiya-Mahaoya road for three days

The Tempitiya-Mahaoya road in Ampara has been closed for traffic and pedestrian movement for the past three days due to an injured wild elephant frequenting the road.

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.