We had prior discussion on Yoshitha’s arrest- Deputy Defence Minister

Referring to the arrest of former President Mahinda Rajapaksa’s son Yoshitha Rajapaksa, Deputy Minister of Defence Aruna Jayasekara said it was discussed last night but details were not put out in the public domain.

Yoshitha Rajapaksa remanded

Former President Mahinda Rajapaksa’s son, Yoshitha Rajapaksa, who was arrested by the Criminal Investigation Department, has been remanded until January 27 after being produced before the Colombo Additional Magistrate.

Adani wind power projects not cancelled: Government

The government has not taken any decision to cancel the Adani wind power projects in Mannar and Pooneryn as reported by some media, Cabinet spokesman Minister Dr. Nalinda Jayathissa said today.

No political witch-hunt behind Yoshitha’s arrest: Govt.

Claiming that Yoshitha Rajapaksa was not arrested just because he is former President Mahinda Rajapaksa’s son, Cabinet Spokesman Minister Nalinda Jayatissa said today law is implemented if anyone had purchased lands or property illegally or in suspicious manner.

Yoshitha Rajapaksa arrested over Daisy Forrest case

The Attorney General who earlier today instructed the CID to arrest Yoshitha Rajapaksa, the second son of former President Mahinda Rajapaksa, said there was sufficient evidence for Yoshitha to be named as a respondent in a land case valued at Rs. 34 million.

Class and firepower in the ICC Men’s T20I Team of the Year for 2024

The ICC Men’s T20I Team of the Year recognises the best of the best who impressed the world with their match-winning performances and made 2024 a memorable year in the shortest format.

President’s Fund to launch new initiative to deliver services at regional

The President’s Fund is set to launch a new initiative to deliver services at the regional level through the offices of the Divisional Secretaries, under the leadership of President Anura Kumar Dissanayake on February 7 at the Temple Trees ,President’s Media Division (PMD) said.

Pete Hegseth confirmed as US defence secretary in tie-breaking vote

Pete Hegseth, Donald Trump’s nominee for US defence secretary, was confirmed by the Senate late on Friday night, after facing misconduct allegations that nearly derailed his confirmation.

Yoshitha Rajapaksa arrested over money laundering

Former President Mahinda Rajapaksa’s son Yoshitha Rajapaksa was arrested by the Criminal Investigation Department (CID).

Beira birds died due to high haemorrhage from poisoning, Vets suspect

The preliminary investigations into the cause of death of scores of water birds found floating on the Beira waters during the past three days were due to severe haemorrhagic condition, which could possibly due to poisoning but not any avian disease, the Daily Mirror learns.

Adani fiasco: Project intact; Govt. seeks tariffs renegotiation

The government has taken no decision to revoke the Adani Wind Power projects in Mannar but has informed Indian officials that the tariff rates offered by the Indian conglomerate are too high whilst other companies have quoted far lower tariffs, the Daily Mirror learns.

Air Vice Marshal Edirisinghe tipped to be new SLAF Commander

Air Vice Marshal Vasu Bandu Edirisinghe is expected to be appointed as the next Commander of the Sri Lanka Air Force (SLAF), the Daily Mirror learns.

Govt. braces for coconut products imports

Minister of Industry and Entrepreneurship Development Sunil Handunneththi and Minister of Plantation and Community Infrastructure K. V. Samantha Vidyarathna will submit a joint cabinet paper next week to urgently import coconut-related products which will be a substitute for coconuts which are right now in severe shortage as well as relevant authorities to conduct a study on conditions applicable for coconut imports, an official said.

Inflation to return to positive from 2Q before aligning with 5% target from 3Q

Sri Lanka could see the end to the current stretch of deflation in the second quarter before reaching the target level of 5.0 percent in the third, supported mainly by the accommodative monetary policy stance, which the Central Bank has been pursuing from the middle of 2023, pivoting from the bone-crushingly tight policy that decimated both demand and supply.

Colombo West International Terminal on schedule to commence operations next month

The Colombo West International Terminal (CWIT) is scheduled to commence operations next month, with a 1.6 million 20-foot equivalent unit (TEU) capacity, while the Sri Lanka Ports Authority (SLPA)-managed East Container Terminal (ECT) is likely to go into full operation later this year.

Zoho expresses readiness to support SL’s digital transformation strategy for 2030

Zoho Corporations, a global company specialising in business technology solutions, recently expressed its readiness to support Sri Lanka’s ambitious ‘Digital Sri Lanka’ transformation strategy for 2030.

China sentences man to death over attack on Japanese school bus

A Chinese man who attacked a Japanese mother and child with a knife and killed a Chinese woman who tried to protect them has been sentenced to death, according to the Japanese government.

Sri Lankan businesses encouraged to attend Africa Summit in Kenya

Sri Lankan businesses have been urged to explore new opportunities in Africa by attending the World Chamber Africa Summit in Kenya from April 9 to 11, 2025.

Key roads in Kandy and Mahiyangana closed due to landslide risk

The Road Development Authority (RDA) announced the indefinite closure of several key roads in the Kandy and Mahiyangana areas due to adverse weather conditions.

New fires erupt in southern California ahead of Trump visit

Five new fires have erupted in southern California ahead of US President Donald Trump’s visit to the state.

Procuring three women for prostitution: Massage parlour owner jailed for 5 years

A massage parlour owner, who was found guilty of procuring three foreign women for prostitution after promising them job opportunities as massage therapists, was sentenced to five years of rigorous imprisonment today by the Colombo High Court.

Adani denies cancellation of Sri Lankan Wind Power projects

The Adani Group has refuted reports claiming the cancellation of its 484 MW wind power projects in Mannar and Pooneryn, labeling them as “false and misleading.”

Has Sri Lanka canceled its power purchase deal with Adani Green Energy?

Adani Green Energy’s share price fell as reports emerged of Sri Lanka cancelling the conglomerate’s over $400 million project, India Today reported.

Mahinda Rajapaksa files FR petition over security reduction

Former President Mahinda Rajapaksa has filed a Fundamental Rights petition, challenging the government’s decision to reduce his security detail without conducting a thorough security assessment.

Jaffna Cultural Centre renamed again

The Jaffna Cultural Centre which had been named as Thiruvalluvar Cultural Centre has been renamed again as Jaffna Thiruvalluvar Cultural Centre on the request of the people and the Tamil politicians.

Rapid growth recorded in passenger, aircraft, cargo movements in 2024: AASL

The country’s airports, including the main gateway Bandaranaike International Airport (BIA), the International Airport (JIA) and the Mattala Rajapaksa International Airport (MRIA), recorded an increase in passenger arrivals and departures in 2024, surpassing the 8.8 million mark, the Airport and Aviation Services (Sri Lanka) (Private) Limited (AASL) said.

NPP MP Aravinda Senarath elected Chairman COPA

National People’s Power (NPP) Member of Parliament Aravinda Senarath has been elected Chairman of the Committee on Public Accounts (COPA) today, the Parliament’s Media Unit said.

Swiss government pledges support to reclaim Sri Lankan assets held abroad

Switzerland has assured its support in recovering assets that have been moved out of Sri Lanka, President’s Media Division (PMD)said.

Over 300,000 Sri Lankans secured overseas jobs in 2024: SLBFE

The Sri Lanka Bureau of Foreign Employment (SLBFE) said that 311,000 Sri Lankans were able to secure overseas employment opportunities in 2024, marking a significant contribution to the nation’s foreign workforce.

Philippines political party representatives in SL to study successful conduct of elections

A group of political party representatives of Philippines met officials of the Elections Commission to study the successful conduct of the recent Presidential and parliamentary elections.