Arrest orders issued for deserters of security forces

Defence Secretary Sampath Thuyacontha has issued an order for the immediate arrest of deserters from the country’s security forces.

BIA Gold Route generates Rs. 94.9 million in 2024

The Gold Route service at the Bandaranaike International Airport (BIA) has reported revenue of LKR 94.9 million in 2024, reflecting a 37% year-on-year growth, driven by an increase in affluent travel.

India - Sri Lanka Petroleum pipeline - Only possible if economically feasible

The proposed multi-product petroleum pipeline between India and Sri Lanka will materialize only if it is economically viable but not on political considerations, an official said yesterday.

Germany’s conservatives celebrate, but far right enjoy record result

Friedrich Merz’s conservatives have won Germany’s election, well ahead of rival parties but short of the 30% vote-share they had expected.

Good behavior earns Arjun Aloysius early release from prison

Arjun Aloysius, Director of W.M. Mendis Distilleries, and two others, who were serving a jail term for defaulting on a payment of Rs. 3.5 billion in Value Added Tax (VAT) by the company, were released from prison two months early based on their good behavior within the prison.

Legal liquor consumption down by 9.5% in first ten months of 2024 amid tax

Sri Lanka’s legal liquor consumption declined by 9.5 percent Year-on-Year (YoY) in the first ten months of 2024

Monthly national consumer prices slow to 0.9% 

Sri Lanka’s national monthly consumer prices slowed to 0.9 percent in January 2025 from the 1.1 percent increase in December 2024 on the back of increases in both food and non-food prices during January 2025.

Govt. targets Rs.300bn from vehicle taxes, but many remain skeptical

The maiden budget of the National People’s Power (NPP) government expects to raise around Rs.300 billion from excise taxes,

Special exposition of the Sacred Tooth Relic after April: President

A special exposition of the Sacred Tooth Relic will be held for the public after the Sinhala and Tamil New Year, President Anura Kumara Dissanayake announced today.

Government’s approval rating rises sharply after election: Verité Research

The government’s approval rating rose sharply after the election, from 24% in July 2024 to 62% in February 2025, when the latest round of the Gallup style ‘Mood of the Nation’ poll was conducted, Verité Research said.

Probe launched to ascertain hidden hand behind escalating underworld activities: President

The government has launched an investigation to ascertain whether there is a certain hand behind the escalating underworld crimes or whether they are mere clashes among underworld gangs, President Anura Kumara Dissanayake said today.

Navy seizes 05 Indian fishing boats with 32 fishermen for poaching in Sri Lankan waters

The Sri Lanka Navy seized 05 Indian fishing boats and arrested 32 Indian fishermen while they were poaching in Sri Lankan waters, during a special operation conducted in the sea area north of Mannar.

Beautician nabbed at BIA with illegal stock of cigarettes

A Sri Lankan passenger was arrested by Police Narcotics Bureau officials at the Bandaranaike International Airport (BIA) while trying to smuggle in a consignment of foreign-made cigarettes worth Rs. 1.5 million.

Pope remains in ’critical’ condition after ’respiratory crisis’

Pope Francis’s condition continues to be ’’critical’’ after suffering a ’’prolonged asthma-like respiratory crisis’’ earlier on Saturday, the Vatican has said.

Brand new motorcycle costs nearly Rs. 1 Million

In the first batch of vehicles to be received after the resumption of vehicle imports, the price of a brand-new motorcycle is to cost nearly Rs. 1 million.

Rabies control: AWC urges Health Minister to rethink strategy

While writing to the Health Minister, the Animal Welfare Coalition (AWC) questioned why the rabies eradication programme is being placed under the Health Ministry when the government has experienced veterinary doctors in the Veterinary Department.

Parliament commotion over MP’s claim on Rohini Kaviratne’s name change

A commotion erupted in Parliament today when ruling party MP Nalin Hewage said a person by the name of Rohini Kaviratne has changed her name to Rohini Lamaratne.

Rain expected from Monday: Met. Department

Rain is expected to return from Monday (24), bringing relief from the prevailing dry weather.

Trump fires top US general CQ Brown in shake-up at Pentagon

US President Donald Trump has fired the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff CQ Brown, the highest-ranking officer in the country, as part of a major shake-up of top military leadership.

Arjun Aloysius released from prison

Arjun Aloysius, the Director of W.M. Mendis Distilleries, along with two others, was released from remand custody today after serving time for defaulting on a Rs. 3.5 billion Value Added Tax (VAT) payment.

People should not be wary of details provided to Census and Statistics: Department official

The Census and Statistics Department is seeking exact details of people including the conditions of their housing and collected data that remain confidential and are inaccessible to any third party, a senior official from the department confirmed.

New Anti Terrorism Bill will be introduced soon: Vijitha

A committee headed by legal expert Rinzie Alsakularatne has been appointed to prepare a new Anti Terrorism Bill, Minister Vijitha Herath told Parliament today.

58 organised crime gangs, 1,400 associates identified: Acting IGP

Acting IGP Priyantha Weerasooriya said today that 58 gangs engaged in organised crimes and 1,400 of their associates have been identified across the country.

Speaker announces appointment of Committee on Constitutional Affairs

Speaker Jagath Wickramaratne today announced the appointment of Commitee on Constitutional Affairs headed by him and comprising Prime Minister Harini Amarasuriya, Opposition Leader Sajith Premadasa, Leader of the House Bimal Ratnayke and MPs Harshana Nanayakkara, Pathmanathan Sathyalingam and Nihal Abeysinghe.

Famous Yala tusker Sando dead?

In the wake of reports that the famous tusker called ‘Sando’ in the Yala National Park has not been spotted for days, the Wildlife Conservation Department has initiated investigations to determine whether it is dead or not.

Prevailing dry weather boosts solar energy output

The output of solar energy has increased due to the high level of sunlight in the country, and if the trend continues, the national grid will find it difficult to support it, an official said yesterday.

Two suspects in Kotahena shooting killed in Police encounter

Two suspects arrested in connection with the Kotahena shooting have been shot dead by police.

Government aims global competitiveness with digital innovation: President

President Anura Kumara Dissanayake yesterday reaffirmed the government’s commitment to positioning Sri Lanka as a globally competitive nation through advancements in digitalisation and innovation.

Three more murders add to killing wave within 48 hours

Shortly after the shocking murder of underworld drug lord ‘Ganemulla Sanjeewa’ inside the Colombo Magistrate’s Court on Wednesday morning which left the government rocked over a serious security lapse, and the tragic death of two innocent children and their father in Middeniya, killings have continued to plague the country with three deaths reported within the past 48 hours.

Patients inconvenienced due to insulin shortage in hospitals

Patients visiting clinics across multiple hospitals are facing severe difficulties due to an insufficient supply of insulin, chairman of the Doctors’ Trade Union Alliance for Medical and Civil Rights, Dr. Chamal Sanjeewa said.