Parliament renovations to be done by police, army

The Parliamentary Staff Advisory Committee has approved the ongoing renovation works of the Parliament building to be carried out with the assistance of the Sri Lanka Army and the Sri Lanka Police.

NPP secretly approaching SLPP members to form councils

Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna (SLPP) MP D.V. Chanaka said the National People’s Power (NPP) was secretly approaching members elected from the SLPP to seek their support to form councils.

Foreign cigarettes worth Rs. 3.54 million seized

A consignment of foreign cigarettes valued at Rs. 3.54 million was seized and a Sri Lankan passenger who attempted to smuggle it into the country was arrested at the Bandaranaike International Airport (BIA) by the Airport Police in the early hours of this morning.

Angelo Mathews announces retirement from Test cricket

Veteran Sri Lankan cricketer Angelo Mathews has announced his retirement from Test cricket. Mathews conveyed his decision through a post on his official handle on social media platform X (formerly Twitter).

Stop meal price hike for non-executive staff in Parliament: Sajith

Opposition Leader Sajith Premadasa today urged the government to rethink about the meal price hike for non-executive staff in Parliament.

Ampitiye Sumanarathana Thera arrested

The Chief Incumbent of the Sri Mangalarama Viharaya in Batticaloa, Ven. Ampitiye Sumanarathana Thera has been arrested by the Ampara Police.

Katunayake factory offers to find jobs for those affected due to factory closure: Deputy Minister

The management of the Katunayake factory has assured to help find jobs for the employees who lost their jobs due to the factory closure, Deputy Minister of Labour Mahinda Jayasinghe said today.

Sri Lankan teen wins prestigious International public speaking competition

Sixteen-year-old Sashane Dassanayake has brought global recognition to Sri Lanka by winning the 2025 International Public Speaking Competition, held at the English-Speaking Union (ESU) International Headquarters, Dartmouth House, London, from May 12 to 16.

Is salt crisis worsening?

Sri Lanka, an island nation surrounded by the Indian Ocean, is facing an unusual shortage of salt triggered by supply disruptions after heavy rainfall.

Language learning for school children to be made compulsory: PM

The Government plans to make learning Tamil and Sinhalese students from Grade Six to Nine learn both Tamil and Sinhalese as their respective second languages, Prime Minister Harini Amarasuriya told Parliament today.

Duminda Dissanayake arrested

Former Anuradhapura District MP Duminda Dissanayake has been arrested by the Terrorism Investigation Division this morning over the recovery of a gold-plated T56 weapon from the Havelock City housing complex in Colombo.

No plans to increase water tariff: Minister

There are no plans to increase the water tariff, Minister of Urban Development and Construction Anura Karunathilaka told Parliament today.

Education Ministry to use blended learning as solution to teacher shortage: PM

The Education Ministry is looking to adopt blended learning as an interim solution to the shortage of teachers, Education Minister and Prime Minister Harini Amarasuriya said today.

Trump administration bars Harvard from enrolling international students

The Trump administration on Thursday revoked Harvard University’s ability to enroll international students, delivering a sharp punishment to the elite institution for refusing to bow to the administration’s policy demands.

Committee appointed to probe complaints against Dayasiri

Speaker Jagath Wickramaratne today announced that he had appointed a three-member committee to look into complaints received against Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB) MP Dayasiri Jayasekara.

Anudi advances to Miss World 2025 Head-to-Head challenge

Anudi Gunasekara has advanced into the Top 5 from Asia in the Head-to-Head Challenge at the 72nd Miss World pageant, marking a historic achievement as the first Sri Lankan to reach the finalist stage in this segment.

’’No beds, no rights’’: UK woman held over £1.2m Kush haul cries foul in Sri Lanka jail

Sri Lanka’s Prisons Department yesterday has denied claims of mistreatment made by a British woman who was remanded on drug charges, insisting she is being treated in accordance with prison regulations and is not entitled to any special privileges.

Labour Department to probe NEXT Manufacturing closure amid worker rights concerns

The closure of operation by NEXT Manufacturing, a factory owned by UK group, in the Katunayake industrial zone over high operating costs, will come under probe by the Labour Department over possible violations of the law related to workers’ rights, a Minister said yesterday.

CB cuts rates to pre-empt any fallout from trade uncertainty

The Central Bank delivered a surprise rate cut yesterday at its third monetary policy meeting for the year, reducing its key policy rate, the Overnight Policy Rate (OPR), by 25 basis points to 7.75 percent.

Supreme Court rules police violated rights of Jehovah’s Witnesses women in 2014 arrest

The Supreme Court ruled that the fundamental rights of four women affiliated to the Christian Congregation of Jehovah’s Witnesses were violated by the police during a 2014 arrest in the Walasmulla area.

CSE up following CBSL policy rate cut and improved investor sentiment

The Colombo Stock Exchange (CSE) closed on a positive note today, reflecting an overall optimistic market outlook.

Auditor General Dharmapala Gammanpila granted six months extension

President Anura Kumara Dissanayake’s request to allow incumbent Auditor General Dharmapala Gammanpila to remain in the post for six more months has been approved by the Constitutional Council (CC) today.

BOC, NSB record historic profits

The Bank of Ceylon (BOC) and the National Savings Bank (NSB) reported record-breaking profits for the year 2024, the President’s Media Division said.

National cricketers’ writ petitions fixed for further hearing on May 28

The writ petitions filed by Sri Lanka National Cricket players challenging the classification of Sri Lanka’s national cricketers as employees of the national association, Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) by the Inland Revenue Department (IRD) were today fixed for further hearing on May 28 by the Court of Appeal.

Supreme Court overturns PCoI findings against former Solicitor General

The Supreme Court today quashed the findings, report and recommendations made by the Presidential Commission on Political Victimisation (PCoI) in relation to former Solicitor General Dilrukshi Dias Wickramasinghe, President’s Counsel.

Namal blames Govt for BOI apparel factory closure

Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna (SLPP) Parliamentarian Namal Rajapaksa criticized the government over the recent closure of an international apparel factory operating under the Board of Investment (BOI), citing it as yet another example of the administration’s failure to maintain a stable and supportive business environment.

Heavy rain disrupts life in several Indian cities

Four people have reportedly died, with more than a dozen injured in the capital Delhi and nearby areas according to local media, after a severe hailstorm hit the city on Wednesday.

Harini meets UN Resident Coordinator to strengthen cooperation

Prime Minister Dr. Harini Amarasuriya, met today with United Nations Resident Coordinator in Sri Lanka Marc-André Franche, at the Parliament, reaffirming the strong and enduring partnership between the Government of Sri Lanka and the United Nations system.

Injured female elephant treated at Siwalagama Forest Reservation

A female elephant, believed to be around 25 years old, was found badly injured at the Siwalagama Forest Reservation, prompting an urgent response from wildlife and veterinary officers in the area.

BASL condemns attempts by authorities to breach attorney-client confidentiality

The Bar Association of Sri Lanka (BASL) expressed deep concern over recent reports indicating attempts by Law Enforcement Agencies and Prosecuting Authorities to obtain information from Attorneys-at-Law related to their professional duties.