World Beaters to World Jokers

Just before the start of Cricket World Cup 2023 in India, one of Kumar Sangakkara’s interviews with Sky Sports went viral on social media in which he said ’We know how to win a World Cup,’ and went on to discuss the nation’s performances in ICC events from 1996 to 2014 which would have given some of the cricket fanatics goosebumps as to how far Sri Lanka had gone despite being a tiny little Island in the Indian Ocean.

I will not join SJB : Ali Zahir Moulana

Newly sworn-in MP Seyed Ali Zahir Moulana today said he will remain in opposition but scoffed reports that he is to support Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB).

Public can now complain against police personnel

The Sri Lanka Police has introduced the ‘118’ hotline for the public to lodge complaints against police personnel in case of their misconduct.

Madushanka has all that it takes to be a star - Vaas

A maiden and two wickets is a dream for any bowler - and Dilshan Madushanka had Australia’s destructive opener David Warner and Mr. Dependable Steven Smith trapped leg-before in his second over of the match to put them under early pressure chasing a below-par total of 210 to win their ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup match at Lucknow on Monday.

Croatia sentences football fans to jail over pro-Nazi songs

A Croatian court said Tuesday it had sentenced eight football fans to jail terms of up to two months for glorifying the country’s World War II pro-Nazi regime at a Euro 2024 qualifier.

SL President, Pakistani PM discuss strategies for economic recovery

President Ranil Wickremesinghe and Pakistan Prime Minister Anwaar-ul-Haq Kakar engaged in bilateral discussions in Beijing this afternoon (17) with a particular focus on strategies for economic recovery.

Sri Lanka holds Yemen to a thrilling draw

Sri Lanka produced an improved performance to force a thrilling 1-1 draw to their FIFA World Cup 2026 and AFC Asia Cup 2027 preliminary round one, second leg encounter against Yemen played at the Racecourse Grounds in Colombo today.

Missing Sri Lankan woman in Israel confirmed dead

Israeli authorities have confirmed the death of Sri Lankan national, Anula Jayathilake who was previously reported missing, Sri Lankan Ambassador to Israel, Nimal Bandara said.

SC allows hearing FR against prison authorities over detaining man for three days

The Supreme Court today granted leave to proceed with a Fundamental Rights petition filed by a man for detaining him for three days in prison custody despite the Court of Appeal having ordered his release from the case.

Sweden facing unprecedented security threat, says PM

Sweden has never in modern times faced a bigger security threat, Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson said Tuesday, calling a shooting in Brussels that killed two Swedes a ’’terror attack’’ against his country.

Agreement signed with Huawei for digitization of Sri Lankan schools

President Ranil Wickremesinghe, who is on an official four-day visit to China, led the delegation to Huawei’s research and development centre in Beijing today where an agreement was signed formalizing Huawei’s support for the digitization of Sri Lankan schools, the President’s Media Division (PMD) said.

Up-country train services disrupted

A train derailment was reported on the up-country railway line causing disruptions to services, the Railways Department said.

Resolution to appoint select committee to probe channel 4 footage approved

The resolution to appoint a select committee to probe the allegations by the recent video footage broadcast by British Channel 4, was unanimously approved by Parliament today.

Sextuplet birth at Castle Street Hospital

A sextuplet birth (six boys) was reported last Sunday (15) from the Castle Street Hospital for Women, Colombo, said Hospital Director Dr. Ajith Danthanarayana.

Geetha criticises Diana’s proposal to legalise Cannabis

While criticising the proposal to legalise Cannabis in Sri Lanka, State Minister Geetha Kumarasinghe said women and children were suffering ten folds due to Cannabis and ’Kasippu’ than social media.

SLC lifts ban on Danushka Gunathilaka

Danushka Gunathilaka, who was last month acquitted of sexual assault charges in Sydney, will be free to return to playing cricket after Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) ratified the recommendation of an independent inquiry committee.

Nissanka says Sri Lanka in good mental shape to win rest of matches

Sri Lanka’s Pathum Nissanka on Monday said the team will learn from their mistakes after going down to Australia in the World Cup and strive to win the remaining matches.

Zahir Moulana replaces Naseer Ahamed

Sri Lanka Muslim Congress (SLMC) MP Seyed Ali Zahir Moulana was sworn in as an MP before Speaker Mahinda Yapa Abeywardena a short while ago.

Woman arrested for defrauding Rs 4.2 Mn promising foreign jobs

A woman has been arrested by the Panadura North Police on charges of defrauding Rs. 4.2 million from several persons by falsely promising foreign job opportunities.

Heavy rain of 100mm after 2.00 p.m

Due to the intertropical convergence zone affecting the island’s weather, heavy showers of above 100 mm can be expected at some places in the Uva, Sabaragamuwa and Central Provinces, the Forecasting Division of the National Meteorological Centre said.

SL concerned over civilian deaths and injuries in Israel-Gaza war

Expressing grave concern by the ongoing escalation of violence and military action in Gaza, Sri Lanka yesterday called for the immediate release of all hostages taken into Gaza.

Weather changes trigger rise in viral infection spread

In light of recent weather fluctuations, medical officials are cautioning the public about the potential spread of a viral infection.

Online Safety Bill - a beneficial step towards the country’s future: Vajira

The proposed ‘Online Safety Bill’ will prevent large-scale public insults of people and subsequent suicides, a government MP said.

No move to resume QR system for fuel again: Minister

Power and Energy Minister Kanchana Wijesekera yesterday claimed that there is no move to resume the national fuel pass QR system or any quota system for fuel.

Inglis, Marsh fifties take Australia to five-wicket win over Sri Lanka

When Dilshan Madushanka breathed fire on an unresponsive pitch early into Australia’s run chase with a two-wicket maiden, there was a false sense of belief that Australia might choke under pressure -- it was short-lived.

Re-electing Donald Trump is answer to all world-burning issues: Gemunu predicts

There is a possibility of Donald Trump being re-elected as President of the United States of America in their next Presidential election, Lanka Private Bus Owners’ Association (LPBOA) Gemunu Wijerathne said.

Jaffna sour banana, TEJC mango projects successful

The Sour Banana Cultivation Project and the TEJC Mango Project started in Jaffna under the Agriculture sector have become successful.

Brain tumour removed without anesthesia

A marvel of medical science was created by a team of neurosurgeons at the Anuradhapura Teaching Hospital by removing a brain tumour without anaesthetizing the patient.The surgeons had removed the tumour controlling the functioning of the right side of the body.

Cardinal goes before Supreme Court against Online Safety Bill

Colombo Archbishop Malcolm Cardinal Ranjith today filed a Special Determination petition in the Supreme Court challenging the constitutionality of the Online Safety Bill.

Tamil Nadu CM seeks Centre’s intervention for release of TN fishermen

Tamil Nadu Chief Minister MK Stalin has written to External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar, requesting the central government to secure the release of Tamil fishermen and their fishing boats detained by Sri Lanka.