Minister mistakenly sits on seat allocated to Leader of the House

Minister Ananda Wijepala mistakenly sat on the seat allocated to the Leader of the House in Parliament today.

Travis Head - Prabath Jayasuriya key battle

Sri Lanka will host Australia in a two-match Test series which gets underway next week at Galle. Sri Lankan fans have traditionally loved playing against the Aussies who have always been one of the best teams in the world although results have often favoured the visiting team.

Smoking declines among men but rises among women, raising cancer risks: Specialists

The smoking rates have dropped among men but are rising in women, increasing the risks of cancer among young female smokers, pediatric respiratory disease specialist Dr. Chana de Silva warned.

No vehicles provided to government MPs: PM

The government has not provided vehicles to any ruling party MP except for visually impared MP Sugath Wasantha De Silva, Prime Minister Harini Amarasuriya said today.

Education Minister addresses schoolgirls’ hygiene issues

Prime Minister and Education Minister, Dr. Harini Amarasuriya, held a meeting to discussed the hygiene challenges faced by female students above Grade 6 in schools around the country.

Police release CCTV of suspected gunman in Kandana shooting

Police have released CCTV footage and photographs of a suspected gunman wanted in connection with a shooting at the residence of Ranjith Kumara, also known as ‘Kandane Konda Ranji,’ in December last year.

Wasantha Samarasinghe using Range Rover: Chamara Samapth

Two ruling party MPs are using luxury vehicles despite assurances by the government that such facilities will not be allowed, Opposition MP Chamara Samapth Dassanayake alleged in Parliament today.

Trump tells Putin to end ’ridiculous war’ in Ukraine or face new sanctions

Donald Trump has warned he will impose high tariffs and further sanctions on Russia if Vladimir Putin fails to end the war in Ukraine.

Government sets limits for ministerial staff, vehicles and expenses

The President’s Secretariat has issued a series of instructions to all Ministry secretaries outlining the facilities and services to be provided to Ministers.

Proposal to standardise marriage age in Sri Lanka

President of the Women Parliamentarians’ Forum, Saroja Savithri said there is a need to prepare amendments to establish a uniform age limit for marriage under the various marriage laws currently in force in Sri Lanka.

Govt. aims to develop primary healthcare; pilot projects in two districts this year: Nalinda

The Health Ministry will give utmost priority to developing primary healthcare in the country this year where pilot projects will initiate in two districts in 2025, Health Minister Dr. Nalinda Jayatissa said today.

Suspect from Kandy arrested over Ella Odyssey e-ticket mafia

A 37-year-old person from Kandy allegedly involved in a racket of selling train tickets to foreigners at exorbitant prices has been arrested yesterday, police said.

Confusion over data on paddy harvest in 2024: Trade Minister

There is a confusion with regard to data pertaining to the paddy harvest in 2024, Minister of Trade Wasantha Samarasinghe told Parliament today.

Thousands evacuated as new fast-growing fire ignites near Los Angeles

A new fast-moving wildfire has erupted in Los Angeles County, prompting tens of thousands to evacuate a region already reeling from the most destructive fires in its history.

Labour official arrested over Rs. 250,000 bribe

A Labour Department official has been arrested by the Commission to Investigate Allegations of Bribery and Corruption for accepting a bribe of Rs. 250,000.

Thailand legalises same-sex marriage

Hundreds of same-sex couples are tying the knot across Thailand on Thursday as the country becomes the first in Southeast Asia to recognize marriage equality.

Moderate air quality reported in most cities

A moderate level of air quality was reported in most cities across the country, according to the Sri Lanka Air Quality Index (SL AQI).

Trump shuts off access to asylum, plans to send 10,000 troops to border

Trump administration officials are considering deploying as many as 10,000 soldiers to the U.S.-Mexico border and using Department of Defense bases to hold migrants awaiting deportation as they plan their dramatic crackdown on illegal immigration, according to an internal government memo obtained by CBS News.

Govt looks to India in Trincomalee, turns to China in Hambantota in oil refinery push

Hot on the heels of signing an agreement with China’s Sinopec for an oil refinery in Hambantota, the government is planning to establish a similar facility in Trincomalee with the help of India if willing, a Minister said yesterday.

Fitch upgrades ratings of 10 Sri Lankan banks

Fitch Ratings has upgraded the National Long-Term Ratings of 10 Sri Lankan banks, following the recent sovereign upgrade and recalibration of the agency’s Sri Lankan national rating scale.

CSE targets 20 IPOs in 2025

The Colombo Stock Exchange (CSE) is targeting 20 initial public offerings (IPOs) this year, with the IPOs with five to six already in the pipeline, according to its Chairman Dilshan Wirasekara.

Attracting private sector investments critical for Sri Lanka’s continued growth: World Bank

Sri Lanka must focus on attracting more private sector investment to maintain its hard-earned macroeconomic stability and continued recovery, according to the World Bank.

T-bill yields take a toll with sharp declines

Yesterday’s treasury bill (T-bill) auction saw a sharp decline in rates across the board.

Turnover crosses LKR 10 Bn

Indices closed in green as a result of price gains in counters such as Hatton National Bank voting & nonvoting and National Development Bank with the turnover crossing Rs. 10.6 Bn.

Former Minister Anura Priyadarshana Yapa arrested

Former Minister Anura Priyadarshana Yapa was arrested by the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) for allegedly misappropriating Rs. 6.1 million in flood relief aid in 2014, the Police Media Spokesperson said.

What happened to forensic audit into e-Visa scam? Champika Ranawaka asks Vijitha Herath

United Republican Front (URF) leader Patali Champika Ranawaka queried about the fate of forensic audit regarding the e-Visa scam, as promised by Foreign Affairs Minister Vijitha Herath.

UK PM reaffirms winning justice for Sri Lankan Tamil victims

UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer has reaffirmed his commitment in addressing justice and accountability of reconciliation in Sri Lanka and the issues faced by Tamils, admiring the UK Tamil community’s contribution to British society, the Daily Mirror learns.

Sri Lanka rugby legend Yu Cey Chang is no more

Sri Lanka’s rugby community mourned the passing of a stalwart of the game Yu Cey Chang whose funeral took place today just hours after he breathed his last. He was 82 at the time of his death.

Police arrest 2,728 within 10 days during island-wide crime, drugs operation

Sri Lanka Police arrested 2,728 suspects, including over 150 directly involved in drug trafficking and crimes, during a special operation that began on January 12.

Releasing of red-tagged containers to be probed: Deputy Minister

While admitting that 323 containers with red tags have been released through the green channel, Deputy Minister of Finance said today that an investigation will be launched into the incident.