Syrian rebels say they have taken control of Homs

The leader of the Islamist group leading an insurgency in Syria says his forces have taken full control of Homs - the country’s third largest city.

Low-pressure area over Bay of Bengal to intensify, approach Sri Lanka-Tamil Nadu by Dec. 11

The low pressure area formed over south-east Bay of Bengal is likely to intensify further and move west-north-westwards during the next 24 hours and is likely to reach over south-west Bay of Bengal off tbr Sri Lanka-Tamil Nadu coasts around December 11, the Meteorology Department said.

President directs fixed rice prices

President Anura Kumara Dissanayake has directed rice traders to sell Nadu rice to consumers at a wholesale price of Rs. 225 per kilo and a retail price of Rs. 230 per kilo.  

U.S. Assistant Secretary of State meets President

The U.S. Assistant Secretary of State for South and Central Asian Affairs, Mr. Donald Lu expressed the United States government’s commitment to supporting Sri Lanka’s on-going anti-corruption initiatives as needed during a meeting with President Anura Kumara Dissanayake at the Presidential Secretariat today (07).

Tourists lean out from train doors for selfies, number of accidents keep rising

The number of accidents involving tourists engaging in unsafe behaviour on the upcountry mainline trains have been on the rise, prompting calls for stricter safety measures and greater awareness.

No electricity price reduction for next six months: CEB

Ceylon Electricity Board (CEB) has decided not to change electricity tari for six months and to go for a revision by mid next year, it was revealed yesterday.

Do not fall prey to automobile smugglers: Customs warn public

Do not fall prey to automobile smugglers and lose both wealth and the car, when vehicle imports are still strictly banned in the country! Sri Lanka Customs warned the public yesterday.

‘I am deeply sorry’: South Korea president apologizes for declaring martial law

South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol has apologized to the nation in his first public comments since his abortive attempt to impose martial law threw the country into political chaos and led to calls for his impeachment.

No plan to lay off public service: Minister

The government has no plans to lay off the public service, but will focus instead on improving productivity, a minister said.

Lohan Ratwatte arrested

Former State Minister Lohan Ratwatte has been arrested by the police following an accident reportedly caused by driving under the influence of alcohol.

Vote on Account passed in Parliament

The resolution on the Vote on Account for the first four months of 2025 was passed in Parliament today (6) without a vote.

Controversial letter withdrawn following specialists’ protest

The controversial letter, issued by the Regional Director of Health Services in Matale, instructing medical specialists aged 60 and above to retire by December 31 was withdrawn following agitations by specialists.

Mysterious flu-like disease kills at least 79 in Africa

An unknown disease with flu-like symptoms has killed at least 79 people in the Democratic Republic of Congo, according to the BBC.

Shammi Silva assumes office as Asian Cricket Council President

President of Sri Lanka Cricket Shammi Silva has officially assumed the Presidency of the Asian Cricket Council (ACC).

Prove you have a degree, Deshapriya challenges Speaker

Former chairman of the Election Commission Mahinda Deshapriya has challenged Speaker Dr. Ashoka Ranwala to prove his degree if he had claimed so.

Visually impaired MP speaks in Sri Lankan Parliament for the first time in history

Sugath Wasantha de Silva who is visually impaired began his speech in Parliament thus becoming the first physically challenged MP to speak in Sri Lankan legislature in local political history.

SLTB security officer murdered, Rs. 900,000 robbed

Police launched investigations in search of a group of individuals who had robbed Rs. 900,000 and murdered a Sri Lanka Transport Board (SLTB) security officer, the Nuwara Eliya Police said.

Mill owner hoarding rice stocks included in SJB national list: Minister

A mill owner who had failed to release rice stocks to the market is included in the SJB’s national list, Minister Wasantha Samarasinghe told Parliament today.

Opposition to chair COPA

The ruling party in Parliament has decided to allow a member from the Opposition to head the Committee on Public Accounts (COPA), Leader of the House Bimal Ratnayke told Parliament today.

NASA delays first crewed flight to the moon in over 50 years

NASA’s Artemis program, which aims to return astronauts to the moon this decade amid a renewed international push for lunar exploration, is facing more delays. The agency said Thursday that a planned mission to land on the moon in 2026 will now take place no earlier than mid-2027.

55 Sri Lankans evacuated from Lebanon

A total of 55 vulnerable Sri Lankan workers have been evacuated from Lebanon, the Embassy of Sri Lanka in Beirut said.

CEB to submit revised tariff proposal today

The Ceylon Electricity Board (CEB) has confirmed that it will submit the revised electricity tariff proposal to the Public Utilities Commission of Sri Lanka (PUCSL) today.

Showers expected in Northern, Eastern Provinces

Thundershowers are likely in the Western, Sabaragamuwa and Southern Provinces, as well as in the Nuwara-Eliya and Kandy districts, during the evening or night, the Meteorology Department said.

Woman shot dead in Padaviya

A 73-year-old woman was shot dead by two unidentified gunmen who arrived on a motorcycle at Bogahawewa in Padaviya last night.

Opposition flays Govt. over large budgetary allocation to Presidential Secretariat

The opposition flayed the government yesterday saying that a large budgetary allocation had been made to the Presidential Secretariat for the first quarter of next year despite pious pronouncements in the pre-election period to prune expenditure.

CAA raids drinking water bottling plant

Officers from the Consumer Affairs Authority (CAA) raided a factory in the Hemmatagama area in Mawanella which had a stock of bottled drinking water.

Assembly industry fears ecosystem disruption from CBU import policy

Sri Lanka’s Local Assembler’s Association, has raised concerns over the government’s decision to resume imports of completely built units (CBUs) from February next year.

World Bank affirms all support projects in SL will continue uninterrupted

The World Bank Group this week affirmed that all ongoing World Bank-supported projects in Sri Lanka will continue uninterrupted under the country’s new government.

Specialists in Matale district asked to take early retirement

The medical fraternity has raised serious concerns over a letter issued by the Regional Director of Health Services in Matale, instructing specialists over the age of 60 to retire by December 31.

Crackdown on video sharers is akin to shooting messenger - Additional Magistrate

The Colombo Additional Magistrate questioned how the arrest and request to remand individuals who shared videos related to recent Maaveerar Naal commemorations can be justified without first investigating those who created and uploaded the videos.