Emmanuel Macron wins France’s presidential election

Emmanuel Macron has won France’s presidential election, fending off a historic challenge from far-right candidate Marine Le Pen during Sunday’s runoff vote.

Rajitha claims NCM has more than 113 signatures

The Samagi Jana Balawegaya ( SJB) MP Rajitha Senaratne yesterday claimed that his party had managed to secure more than 113 signatures for the no confidence motion against the government.

Man hacks overseas returnee wife to death; two more women injured in assault

A 33-year old woman was killed and her sister and a friend were critically injured when they were mercilessly hacked with a sharp weapon by the woman’s husband last night at Webada in Weliweriya.

Fears over crisis mount as GR, MR stay put

Fears are mounting that the crisis in Sri Lanka will get worse over the coming days after President Gotabaya Rajapaksa and Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa decided not to step down despite the mass protests.

No CPC fuel price increase tonight

Power and Energy Minister Kanchana Wijesekera said that there is no truth behind a fuel price increase tonight.

BASL calls for Govt. to act with restraint

The Bar Association of Sri Lanka (BASL) has once again called upon the Government, the Inspector General of Police and all police officers and the armed forces to act with utmost restraint in all circumstances.

Teachers, principals to go on sick leave to show their dissent to govt.

The Teachers and Principals’ Joint Trade Union Alliance has decided to apply for sick leave tomorrow to show their dissent to the government, Ceylon Teachers’ Union (CTU) General Secretary Joseph Stalin said.

Power cut schedule for Monday, Tuesday issued

The power cut schedule for tomorrow (25) and Tuesday (26) for three hour and twenty minutes was announced today, the Public Utilities Commission of Sri Lanka (PUCSL) said.

Govt. likely to lose its majority soon; forming new government is imminent: Maithri Gunaratne

With the present protests at the Galle Face Green, the current government is likely to lose its majority in a few days’ time and form a new government, Former Governor and President’s Counsel Maithri Gunaratne said while addressing a meeting at Galle today.

President responds to Mahanayake Theras on resolving present crisis

President Gotabaya Rajapaksa has apprised the Mahanayake Theras of the three chapters regarding the future actions to be taken to recover from the present crisis situation in the country.

Sri Lanka women’s 400m hurdles champion found dead at home

Twenty five year old Kaushalya Madushani, who won several medals representing Sri Lanka in the women’s 400m hurdles, was found dead after she allegedly committed suicide at her home in Dummalasuriya, Police said.

Ensure general public not disturbed during protests: Prasanna tells Ministry Secy.

Public Security Minister Prasanna Ranatunge has instructed the Ministry Secretary to take steps to ensure the normal life of the general public is not disrupted during protests and demonstrations.

IUSF Protestors surround PM’s Wijerama Residence

Thousands of students from the Inter University Students Federation who have marched into Colombo calling on the government to resign have surrounded the Prime Minister’s residence in Wijerama Road.

IUSF protest launched: Heavy traffic reported

Heavy traffic congestion was reported around Colombo Fort and Technical College junction area in Maradana due to a protest march carried out by Inter University University Students.

Rethink strategies to revive the economy: Ranil urges Govt.

Government will have to rethink its strategies to revive the economy in the wake of Sri Lanka not qualifying for the International Monetary Fund ( IMF) Rapid Financial Initiative and with the Indian credit line coming to an end next month, Former Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe said today.

TN seeks legal advice to grant refugee status to Sri Lankans

The Tamil Nadu government has approached legal experts to provide refugee status to the Sri Lankan Tamils who have reached the state in the wake of the ongoing economic crisis in the island nation.

More fuel due next three days, queues to end: Ministry

Since more ships carrying fuel are to sail in the next three days, the long queues at filling stations will gradually come to an end, power and energy ministry said.

Soap prices soar by almost 100%

Soap importers have taken steps to increase the price of soap by more than 100%.

Man arrested with a statue of a queen carved in ivory

A man was arrested at Palabaddala in Ratnapura today for attempting to sell an ivory statue of a queen through social media for Rs. 5 million, the STF said.

Health Ministry website under cyber attack

The official website of the Ministry of Health (http://www.health.gov.lk/) is reported to have been hacked by an alleged group identifying itself as the ’Tamil Eelam Cyber Force’.

Chinese kids donate pocket money of RMB 100,000 for SL students

A group of kids from the Caihe No.3 Primary School in Hangzhou, China donated their pocket money of RMB 100,000 (LKR 5 million) to 1,000 Sri Lankan students from low-income families for further studies, the Chinese Embassy in Colombo said.

Police barricade several roads in Colombo due to protest march

Several roads towards the Presidential Secretariat in Colombo have been barricaded by the Police this morning due to a scheduled protest march by the Inter University Students Federation today.

Banquet, wedding hall, catering charges up by 40%: Assn.

The All Ceylon Banquet Hall and Catering Association (ACBHCA) is to raise banquets, wedding halls, and catering charges by 40%.

Pope to conduct special prayer in Vatican with SL Easter Sunday attack victims

Pope Francis is to conduct a special prayer service on behalf of the Easter Sunday bomb blast victims in Vatican tomorrow (Monday April 25) together with the Sri Lankan bishops and a group of persons who were wounded in the attack, Archbishop of Colombo His Eminence Cardinal Malcolm Ranjith who is in Vatican, said today.

Bangladesh wants to sign CEPA with India, Sri Lanka in a year

As Bangladesh prepares to graduate into a developing country, its Commerce Minister Tipu Munshi has said his country is keen to clinch a Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA) or Free Trade Agreement (FTA) not only with India but also with Indonesia and Sri Lanka in a year.

Worker dies as mound of earth fell on him in Kandy

A worker attached to the waste water project in Kandy died this morning due to a mound of earth slipped on him, police said.

IMF says it held ’fruitful’ technical talks with Sri Lanka on loan request

The International Monetary Fund said on Saturday that its staff held ’’fruitful technical discussions’’ with Sri Lankan authorities on the crisis-wracked country’s request for an IMF-supported loan program this week.

It is improper to ask me to step down , I am ready to head interim govt - MR

Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa said it was improper for anyone to ask him to step down for the formation of an interim government.

Govt. trying to privatise health care under the guise of reviving economy: GMOA

The government was trying to privatise the whole health sector, the Government Medical Officers’ Association (GMOA) has charged

If interim govt formed, I should give leadership to it: MR

Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa has said if an interim government is formed, it should be under his leadership.