EU reminds Sri Lanka of GSP+ conditions

The European Union (EU) has reiterated the urgency for Sri Lanka to align its domestic laws with the international human rights and labour conventions, if it is to continue reaping the benefits of preferential access to the EU market, under the GSP+ trade scheme.

No pope elected on first day, black smoke emerges from Sistine Chapel

Black smoke billowed from the chimney of the Sistine Chapel at 9 p.m. local time on Wednesday, confirming that Catholic cardinals have failed to elect a new pope in the first round of voting at the papal conclave.

World Bank Group President meets President Dissanayake

President of the World Bank Group Ajay Banga met President Anura Kumara Dissanayake this afternoon at the Presidential Secretariat in Colombo.

Election of Mayors, Chairmen for local authorities

According to the law governing elections to local authorities, a political party that commands 50 percent or more of the total membership in a local body is entitled to nominate one of its members as Mayor or Chairman.

India captain Rohit retires from Test duty

India captain Rohit Sharma has retired from Test cricket but will continue to play one-day internationals.

UNP has increased its vote base, has become decisive force in some local councils: Ruwan

The United National Party (UNP) has been able to increase its vote base and has also become a decisive force in some local bodies, the party’s Deputy Leader Ruwan Wijewardene said today.

Two killed in lorry-motorcycle crash

Two persons were killed in a motorcycle-lorry crash at Guru Godella on the Weeraketiya-Ranna main road this evening.

Police can search anyone wearing full-face helmets, acting suspiciously

Sri Lanka Police have announced that they have full authority to search anyone wearing full-face helmets and or behaving suspiciously.

SLPP controls 50% of Pradeshiya Sabha budget decisions: Kariyawasam

Following the results of the Local Government elections, 50 percent of the Pradeshiya Sabha budget is required to be decided by the SLPP.

UNP ready for a dialogue with other Opposition parties: Thalatha

The United National Party (UNP) is willing to engage in dialogue to determine ways and means to cooperate with other Opposition parties to form joint administrations in local bodies of which the Opposition enjoys a majority, party General Secretary Thalatha Athukorala said today.

Booze banned for three days for this Vesak: Excise Dept

Countrywide liquor sales will be banned for three days for the upcoming Vesak festival as decided by the Cabinet of Ministers, the Department of Excise announced today.

CSE turns red, post Local Government Election

The Colombo Stock Exchange (CSE) exhibited negative momentum throughout the trading session. The All-Share Price Index (ASPI) moved lower, closing below the 15,900 mark, following the local government election in Sri Lanka.

Suspect arrested over attempted abduction near girls’ school in Colombo

The Cinnamon Gardens Police arrested a 36-year-old man in connection with an attempted abduction near a prominent girls’ school in Colombo, police said.

Death of remandee while in Prison custody: BASL calls for impartial probe

The Bar Association of Sri Lanka (BASL) has called for an immediate, impartial and independent investigation into the tragic death of a suspect, who was remanded and later died while in prison custody.

Ranil to visit India tomorrow

Former President Ranil Wickremesinghe will visit India tomorrow (May 8 2025) to attend a function organised by The Hindu newspaper in the State of Karnataka.

Keheliya Rambukwella remanded

Former Minister of Mass Media, Health and Environment, Keheliya Rambukwella, was remanded till May 20 by Colombo Chief Magistrate Thanuja Lakmali today, over allegations of misappropriating approximately Rs. 8 million in Ministry funds to pay salaries and maintain staff—despite these individuals not rendering any official services.

Buddhist leaders urge UK to halt auction of Buddha-linked relics

The Supreme Patriarchs (Mahanayaka Theros) of four main Buddhist chapters - Malwatta, Asgiriya, Amarapura, and Ramanna - have appealed to the British government to intervene and stop the public auction of archaeological relics believed to be linked to the corporeal remains of Lord Buddha.

UNP loses CMC after more than 50 years

The United National Party (UNP) has lost the Colombo Municipal Council (CMC) after more than 50 years as per the results of the 2025 Local Government elections, which are being released now.

This is just the beginning, Namal on LG polls results

In the wake of the just concluded Local Government (LG) elections, National Organiser of the Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna (SLPP), Namal Rajapaksa expressed renewed optimism about the party’s future, despite failing to secure control of any local councils.

Some parties in north seeking NPP support to form councils: Bimal

Political parties in the North have reached out to the National People’s Power (NPP) to establish councils in the North as none of the political parties have secured absolute majority in any local body in the North, Minister Bimal Ratnayake said today.

Pakistan’s NSC condemns ’Operation Sindoor’, urges global response

Following the launch of ’Operation Sindoor’ by the Indian Armed Forces—targeting terrorist infrastructure in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Jammu and Kashmir, the National Security Committee (NSC) of Pakistan has condemned the strikes and called on the international community to recognize the gravity of India’s ’’unprovoked and illegal actions’’.

Prasanna Ranaweera remanded

Former State Minister Prasanna Ranaweera was remanded until May 19 by the Mahara Magistrate’s Court today after surrendering to authorities.

Operation Sindoor: Indian High Commission in Colombo issues statement

The Indian High Commission in Colombo has issued a statement following the launch of ’Operation Sindoor’ by the Indian Armed Forces, targeting terrorist infrastructure in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Jammu and Kashmir.

Mandate is not total votes of all rejected parties: Tilvin

Claiming that the electoral system is faulty, JVP general secretary Tilvin Silva said today that the mandate is not the total votes of all the rejected parties but the majority votes secured by a single party.

Writ petition against Minister Ananda Wijepala dismissed

The writ petition filed challenging Minister Ananda Wijepala’s eligibility to continue as a Member of Parliament was dismissed today by the Court of Appeal.

Cardinals set to begin voting to elect new pope in Sistine Chapel

Cardinals will take part in a mass at St Peter’s Basilica this morning and will later walk to the Sistine Chapel to cast their votes under Michelangelo’s frescoes, News.Az reports, citing BBC.

Sajith willing to bow to people’s verdict, work with opposition parties

Opposition Leader Sajith Premadasa today announced his willingness to respect the people’s verdict and expressed readiness to cooperate with the other opposition parties.

NPP sweeps 2025 LG elections with over 4.5 Mn votes

The National People’s Power (NPP) has emerged as the clear winner in the 2025 Local Government Elections securing 4,503,930 votes (43.26%) and 3,927 seats across Sri Lanka.

SJB says it will form new administration of CMC with other parties

Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB) will form the new administration in the Colombo Municipal Council (CMC) together with other parties, while the new mayor will be from our party,’’ SJB General Secretary Ranjith Madduma Bandara told the media.

CMC Mayor to be elected through council vote as no clear majority

The race for the next Mayor of Colombo remains wide open as no party has secured a clear majority in the Colombo Municipal Council (CMC) following the latest Local Government elections.