Kandy SC declares reasons for Pakistan-like U-turn

Defending League rugby champions Kandy Sports Club has in a letter signed by its secretary Sujeewa Liyanage declared its reasons why it chose to compromise on its jealously guarded pride and decide to go against its own conviction and play in what is being touted as the “grand final” to determine the winners of the 2025-26 inter club championship.

CSE gains momentum as capital goods lead turnover

The Colombo Stock Exchange closed on a positive note today, with both the ASPI and S&P SL20 recording modest gains. Elevated turnover and trading volumes supported the upward momentum, as the market gradually climbed within a defined intraday range before settling in green territory.

Mill owners planning to purchase aircraft while poor farmers cannot afford push cycle: Harsha

“I am aware of the issues faced by the people though I wear a coat and a tie. What is happening today is that large-scale mill owners are planning to purchase aircraft while poor farmers cannot afford to purchase a push cycle. This is exactly what is depicted in a cartoon published by a Sinhalese daily,’’ MP Harsha de Silva told Parliament today.

Iran foreign minister says progress made in nuclear talks with US in Geneva

Iran and the United States reached an understanding on Tuesday on main ’’guiding principles’’ in talks aimed at resolving their longstanding nuclear dispute, but that does not mean a deal is imminent, Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi said.

Prof. Maithree Wickremesinghe to appear before CID on Feb 20

Appearing for the Criminal Investigation Department, Additional Solicitor General Dileepa Peeris today informed the Colombo Fort Magistrate’s Court that Professor Maithree Wickremesinghe has been notified to appear before the Financial Crimes Investigation Division of the Criminal Investigation Department on the 20th of this month to record a statement .

Former Presidential Secretary Saman Ekanayake granted bail

Colombo Fort Magistrate Isuru Neththi Kumara today ordered that former Presidential Secretary Saman Ekanayake be released on bail over allegations that he aided and abetted an incident which caused a loss exceeding Rs. 150 million to the Government.

President holds high-level talks during AI impact 2026 summit visit

At the special invitation of Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, President Anura Kumara Dissanayake, who is currently in New Delhi to participate in the AI Impact 2026 Summit, is scheduled to hold a series of high-level meetings from today (18) until the 20th, alongside his summit engagements.

Government allocates Rs. 1,500 mn to establish 250 new wellness centres

The Health and Mass Media Ministry has allocated Rs. 1,500 million in this year’s budget to establish 250 new health and wellness centres islandwide.

Ukraine-Russia peace talks enter second day in Geneva with pressure on Kyiv

Negotiators from Ukraine and Russia were due to begin a second day of talks in Geneva on Wednesday, as Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy said the United States was putting undue pressure on him to bring an end to the four-year-old war.

14 rabies deaths reported; Public urged to seek early treatment

Health authorities have raised concern over the continued threat of rabies, reporting 14 deaths so far and urging the public to seek immediate medical attention following any animal bite.

Another bribery case against S.M. Ranjith fixed for April 02

Colombo High Court Judge Mohamed Mihal today fixed for April 02 the hearing of another case filed by the Bribery Commission against former North Central Province Chief Minister S.M. Ranjith, who is currently serving a prison sentence after being convicted of the offence of “corruption” under the Bribery Act.

Heavy showers above 75 mm expected in several areas

Fairly heavy showers exceeding 75 mm are likely at some places in the Eastern and Uva provinces and in the Polonnaruwa, Matale and Nuwara Eliya districts, the Department of Meteorology said.

Correction: Wrong image Used in article on Muslim left party

We inadvertently used the wrong image for the article titled “First Muslim Left Party Seeks Recognition from Election Commission.” The story has been removed and reuploaded with the correct image. We regret the error.

Sri Lanka faces ETA approval delay amid technical disruption

The Sri Lanka High Commission in London has announced a temporary disruption in the issuance of Electronic Travel Authorization (ETA) approval notices due to unforeseen technical issues affecting the Department of Immigration and Emigration.

First Muslim left party seeks recognition from Election Commission

The Muslim Left Front has officially submitted its application for registration to the Election Commission of Sri Lanka, its General Secretary M.R.M. Faizal said today.

Arguments over Anura Karunathilake’s resignation from committee probing container release

Minister of Ports and Civil Aviation Anura Karunathilaka informed Parliament that he has resigned from the Select Committee of Parliament probing the release of 323 containers, on his own accord whereas the Opposition claimed that he did so due to their request.

Ambatale-Dehiwala water line breakdown disrupts supply

The National Water Supply and Drainage Board (NWSDB) has announced a suspension of water supply to several areas following a sudden breakdown in the main water supply line from Ambatale to Dehiwala.

Foreign tourist visiting Sigiriya trampled to death by wild elephant

A foreign tourist on a visit to Sigiriya had been trampled to death by a wild elephant at Pidurangala area. Victim Prof. Joe Anton, 67, was a Hungarian tourist.

Govt. beefs up security to lawyers, investigating officers

In the wake of lawyers urging the government to ensure their security in dispensing their professional duties, Public Security Minister Ananda Wijepala said yesterday the government will take steps to ensure security of lawyers and investigating officers after assessing threats to their lives based on intelligence reports.

Eleven killed in multiple strikes on alleged drug boats, US military says

Eleven people were killed in multiple strikes on three alleged drug-trafficking boats in the Eastern Pacific and Caribbean, the US military says.

IMF Chief calls for accelerated recovery and rural revival

In a rare high-level engagement, IMF Managing Director Kristalina Georgieva met President Anura Kumara Dissanayake yesterday at the Presidential Secretariat, which affirmed the international lender’s commitment to Sri Lanka’s economic recovery and long-term growth.

Sri Lanka seeks fresh Japanese investment via export corridor targeting Indian market

Sri Lanka is seeking to revive Japanese manufacturing investment through a proposed export-industrial corridor aimed at positioning the island as a regional production hub for Indian and other export markets, officials said after a high-level Japanese delegation met President Anura Kumara Dissanayake yesterday.

President Dissanayake arrives in India

President Anura Kumara Dissanayake, who departed Sri Lanka to attend the AI Impact Summit 2026 at the special invitation of Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, arrived at Indira Gandhi International Airport, New Delhi, this afternoon (17).

Colombo market ends slightly lower as profit-taking weighs on indices

The Colombo equity market closed slightly lower today, failing to maintain the upward momentum seen in the previous session. Both turnover and share volumes declined, reflecting a more cautious investor stance. Market sentiment remained mixed, with indices continuing to move within a narrow range close to their all-time high levels.

No grounds to remand: Court frees officers in Jinthupitiya case

Colombo Additional Magistrate Oshadha Migara Maharachchi observed that the police request to remand the suspect police officers in order to protect the reputation of the Police Department and to set an example to other officers was wholly contrary to the existing legal provisions.

Kandy’s Bluff Exposed, Caves in to Colombo Sadism

Defending League rugby champions Kandy SC are poised to go against the very ethics they pontificated to stand for by consenting to contest a play-off match to decide the winners of the 2025-26 League, the Daily Mirror learns.

Anti-corruption reforms present Sri Lanka a unique opportunity to accelerate development: IMF Chief

The Managing Director of the International Monetary Fund (IMF), Kristalina Georgieva, met President Anura Kumara Dissanayake this morning (17) at the Presidential Secretariat to discuss Sri Lanka’s economic recovery, post-disaster assistance and the next phase of the IMF-supported reform programme.

Bill to abolish MPs’ pensions approved

The Bill to abolish MPs’ pensions was approved in Parliament of Sri Lanka without a vote at the third reading.

Australia knocked out of T20 World Cup 2026 in group stage

The 2021 edition’s champions, Australia, are officially eliminated from the group stage of the ongoing ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026 after the Group B clash between Zimbabwe and Ireland was abandoned without a ball being bowled due to incessant rain in Pallekele on Tuesday.

Second reading of Parliamentary Pensions (Repeal) Bill approved

The second reading of the Bill to abolish MPs’ pensions was approved by Parliament by a two-thirds majority today.