Fans flock to Japan zoo to see viral baby monkey Punch

Six-month-old Punch became an internet sensation after footage of him clinging forlornly to zookeepers and dragging around a stuffed orangutan toy was widely shared on X.

Johnston Fernando further remanded

Former Minister Johnston Fernando, his two sons, and another suspect, were today ordered to be further remanded until March 6 by the Wattala Magistrate’s Court.

Over 99,000 arrested under ‘Ratama Ekata’ anti-drug operation

The number of suspects arrested under the nationwide ‘Ratama Ekata’ operation has exceeded 99,000, Police said.

PM Modi meets Sri Lankan President at AI Summit

The meeting was part of a series of high-level engagements undertaken by the Prime Minister with global leaders attending the summit, which is being held in New Delhi and focuses on responsible artificial intelligence governance and inclusive technological advancement.

Trump directs US government to prepare release of files on aliens and UFOs

US President Donald Trump says he will direct US agencies, including the defence department, to ’’begin the process of identifying and releasing’’ government files on aliens and extraterrestrial life.

Minister, MP clash in Parliament over allegation

A verbal clash erupted between Minister of Power and Energy Kumara Jayakody and opposition MP Ajith P. Perera, after the latter came up with an allegation that the Minister was removed from the Fertilizer Corporation due to a fruad.

Wanninayake re-elected as President of Colombo Magistrate’s Court Lawyers’ Association

Attorney-at-Law Gunaratne Wanninayake has been re-elected as the President of the Colombo Chief Magistrate’s Court Lawyers’ Association, securing the confidence of members despite the recent controversy surrounding him.

Six arrested in arugambay for poaching and bush meat trade

As part of an ongoing crackdown on poachers and the illegal bush meat trade, Special Task Force (STF) officers in Arugambay arrested six individuals suspected of killing wild animals. The arrests were made on Wednesday (18) when the suspects were attempting to transport the meat by boat.

The Chinese AI app sending Hollywood into a panic

A new artificial intelligence (AI) model developed by the Chinese company behind TikTok rocked Hollywood this week - not just because of what it can do, but what it could mean for creative industries.

Colombo gears up for IRONMAN 70.3 with IRONKIDS

Colombo’s youngest athletes are set to take centre stage as IRONKIDS Colombo makes its exciting return as part of the build-up to the world-class IRONMAN 70.3 Colombo, placing children and families at the heart of Sri Lanka’s biggest endurance sports celebration.

NMRA decisions could jeopardise quality of eye drugs in state hospitals: Dr. Sanjeewa

President of the Medical and Civil Rights Doctors’ Trade Union Alliance, Dr. Chamal Sanjeewa, has alleged that arbitrary decision-making by the National Medicines Regulatory Authority (NMRA) could lead to questionable quality eye medications entering the State hospital system.

Anusha Pelpita granted bail

Former Director General of the Telecommunications Regulatory Commission (TRC), Anusha Pelpita, who was arrested by the Commission to Investigate Allegations of Bribery or Corruption over allegations of unlawfully acquiring assets worth nearly Rs. 46 million, was released on bail.

Mystery donor gives Japanese city $3.6m in gold bars to fix water system

A Japanese city has received a hefty donation to help fix its ageing water system: 21kg (46lb) in gold bars.

Properties worth rupees one billion belonging to underworld figures confiscated: Minister

Properties worth more than Rs. 1 billion belonging to underworld figures have been confiscated by the government, Minister of Public Security Ananda Wijepala told Parliament today.

Speaker appoints select committee to look into Provincial Council election issues

Speaker Jagath Wickramaratne today announced in Parliament the appointment of a select committee under the chairmanship of Minister Vijitha Herath to look into the holding of the Provincial Councils elections.

New electronic monitoring law to ease prison overcrowding

Minister of National Integration and Justice Harshana Nanayakkara announced that a new Act enabling selected prisoners to be placed under house arrest through electronic monitoring is being drafted to address severe prison overcrowding in the country.

Foreigners to Feature in Commander’s Cup Golf

The 13th Commander’s Cup Golf Championship 2026 will tee off at the Eagles Golf Links on Saturday with the first group scheduled to start at 6.00 am. The annual showpiece continues to grow in stature, drawing strong participation from across the island and overseas.

NOCSL to Hold Special General Meeting on March 14

The National Olympic Committee of Sri Lanka (NOCSL) has announced that a Special General Meeting (SGM) will be held on March 14 at 4.00 p.m. at the Hemasiri Fernando Auditorium, Olympic House, Independence Avenue, Colombo.

Namal’s Cambridge union lecture cancelled following diaspora protests

The scheduled lecture of Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna (SLPP) National Organizer and Member of Parliament Namal Rajapaksa at the Cambridge Union has been cancelled following strong opposition from sections of the Tamil diaspora in the United Kingdom.

US and Indonesia finalise deal to cut tariffs to 19%

President Donald Trump’s administration and the Indonesian government say they have finalised an agreement to lower US tariffs on the South East Asian country to 19% from 32%.

Sri Lanka launches Rs.2bn interim promotion campaign to target high-yield tourists

Sri Lanka is set to launch an interim digital and public relations campaign with an investment of Rs. 2 billion, aiming to shift the tourism industry’s focus from mere arrival volumes to attracting high-yielding

Global aircraft shortage hits SriLankan Airlines’ fleet renewal

SriLankan Airlines, the national carrier, is in need of at least seven more aircraft for new routes and rationalisation of existing ones, but the current global shortage has hampered the process of acquiring any, a minister said.

Govt. cracks down on illegal foreign-run tourism businesses

Sri Lanka’s tourism authorities, in collaboration with law enforcement agencies, have intensified their crackdown on illegal tourism operations run by foreigners, resulting in the apprehension of 75 individuals

No need for panic buying ahead of 2.5% SSCL on imported vehicles: Merenchige

The Vehicle Importers Association of Lanka (VIAL) urged the public not to resort to panic buying of vehicles ahead of the Government’s decision to impose a 2.5% Social Security Contribution Levy (SSCL) on imported vehicles from April 1, 2026.

Son of Robert Mugabe questioned in South Africa after reported shooting

Police in South Africa have detained the youngest son of Zimbabwe’s late former President Robert Mugabe after a reported shooting at a property in an upmarket suburb in Johannesburg.

President holds series of bilateral talks at AI Impact 2026 Summit

A bilateral discussion between Anura Kumara Dissanayake and Emmanuel Macron took place this afternoon (19) on the side-lines of the AI Impact 2026 Summit in New Delhi.

Maritime cooperation takes centre stage in U.S.–Sri Lanka talks

The Commander of the United States Pacific Fleet, Admiral Stephen T. Koehler, met with the Defence Secretary, Air Vice Marshal Sampath Thuyacontha (Retd), at the Ministry of Defence today (19 February).

CEJ raises alarm over Mandaitivu cricket stadium construction

The Centre for Environmental Justice (CEJ) has formally urged the Central Environmental Authority (CEA) to intervene in the ongoing construction of the proposed cricket stadium on Mandaitivu Island, citing serious environmental and legal concerns.

Capital goods sector dominates turnover as market consolidates

The Colombo Stock Exchange ended the session on a negative note, with both the ASPI and S&P SL20 retreating after hitting intraday highs above the 24,000 level.

’Law must take Its course’: King Charles III responds after his younger brother arrested

Britain’s monarch, King Charles III, has publicly reacted to the arrest of his younger brother, Prince Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor, stating that the law must be allowed to take its course.