Govt. to reconsider Protection of Occupants Bill: AG

The Attorney General yesterday informed the Supreme Court that the government has decided to revisit the proposed Protection of Occupants Bill, 2025, which was recently presented in Parliament by the Minister of Justice.

Youth killed in Police shooting at checkpoint in Jaffna

A 17-year-old boy was killed in a police shooting after officers opened fire on a van that allegedly failed to stop at a checkpoint in Jaffna early this morning, police said.

Ditwah rescue operations called off as 173 remain missing

Authorities have officially ceased search and rescue operations for persons reported missing following Cyclone Ditwah even as 173 individuals remain unaccounted for, the Disaster Management Centre (DMC) said.

President welcomes Pakistan’s decision to play India in T20 World Cup match

President Anura Kumara Dissanayake has expressed his appreciation to the Pakistan cricket team and the Government of Pakistan for deciding to participate in the Twenty20 Cricket World Cup match against India, scheduled to be held in Sri Lanka.

ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026 – Press Note

The International Cricket Council (ICC), Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) and Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) have concluded an open, constructive and congenial dialogue. This dialogue covered several matters, including but not limited to the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026 and the broader outlook for cricket in South Asia.

No shortage of fish harvest or price hike due to ban on tractor-assisted gillnet fishing: Fisheries DG

In the wake of protests after banning the use of tractor winches in gillnet fishing industry, Director General of the Department of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources Susantha Kahawatta said today that the ban will not create any shortage in fish harvest or hike in prices of fish.

Olympic bosses investigate why medals are breaking

Milan-Cortina 2026 organisers say they are giving ’’maximum attention’’ to why Olympic medals are breaking after several athletes experienced issues with theirs.

Government undermining postal service, says Opposition

The recent increase in postal rates could lead to the eventual collapse of Sri Lanka’s postal services, the main opposition Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB) warned today.

Market pulls back amid profit-taking, ASPI slides slightly

The Colombo stock market started the week on a softer note on Monday, with both benchmark indices closing in moderate losses. Despite an intraday high of 108 points in the ASPI, selling pressure in index-heavy counters dragged the market into negative territory by the close. Investor sentiment remained cautious, with activity focused primarily on fundamentally strong, value-driven stocks ahead of the anticipated December quarter earnings.

Zimbabwe Cruise to Eight-Wicket Win Over Oman in T20 World Cup Opener

Zimbabwe got their T20 World Cup campaign off to a flying start with an emphatic eight-wicket win over Oman at Colombo’s Sinhalese Sports Club.

ADB appoints Shannon Cowlin as new Country Director for Sri Lanka

The Asian Development Bank (ADB) has appointed Shannon Cowlin as its new Country Director for Sri Lanka.

Indian delegation arrives in Sri Lanka for return of Buddha’s Sacred Relics

A high-level Indian delegation, including Mangubhai Patel, Governor of Madhya Pradesh and Deputy Chief Minister Chowna Mein of Arunachal Pradesh, arrived in Sri Lanka today to oversee the returning of the historic Devnimori Sacred Relics of the Buddha back to India on February 11.

WhatsApp to soon get Instagram-style ‘Close Friends’ feature

If you’re used to sharing selectively on Instagram, WhatsApp may soon let you do the same. The platform is working on a ’Close Friends”’ feature that could change how Status updates are shared.

Sri Lanka appoints advisory council to boost event management industry

Sri Lanka took a major step to develop its event management industry today (9) with the appointment of a 25-member advisory council under the patronage of Industry and Entrepreneurship Development Minister Sunil Handunnetti. This marks the first time the Industries Ministry has established a dedicated advisory council for the service sector.

Officials meet to streamline school transport under education reforms

A discussion on regularizing school student transportation was held at the Prime Minister’s Office this morning (9) under the patronage of Prime Minister Dr. Harini Amarasuriya.

South Korean official expelled over remarks on ‘importing’ Sri Lankan women

The ruling Democratic Party (DP) decided Monday to kick out the head of Jindo County over his controversial comments on ’’importing’’ women from overseas to cope with population decline.

Iranian Nobel laureate handed further prison sentence

Nobel Peace Prize winner Narges Mohammadi has been handed further prison sentences of seven-and-a-half years by an Iranian court, her lawyer has said.

300 O/L high achievers receive Mahatma Gandhi scholarships

Three hundred selected students who excelled at the GCE Ordinary Level examinations in the 2020/2021 academic year received financial assistance under the Mahatma Gandhi Scholarship Programme at an award ceremony held today (9) at the Ministry of Education premises in Isurupaya.

Tangalle beach restaurant accused of refusing service to locals

A beachside restaurant in Tangalle is facing criticism after reportedly refusing service to Sri Lankan customers, allegedly serving only foreign visitors.

Expert medical report pending, Court reschedules case against Yoshitha Rajapaksa, Daisy Forrest

The case filed by the Attorney General against Yoshitha Rajapaksa, son of former President Mahinda Rajapaksa and his grandmother Daisy Forrest, on allegations of committing an offence under the Anti-Money Laundering Act, was recalled by High Court Judge Rashmi Singappuli today and scheduled for April 24.

CIABOC to probe Speaker

The Commission to Investigate Allegations on Bribery or Corruption (CIABOC) has decided to probe the complaint against Speaker Jagath Wickramaratne lodged by former Deputy Secretary General of Parliament Chaminda Kularatane.

Badulla among districts with highest child abuse cases, says Minister

Badulla District has been identified as one of the areas in Sri Lanka where children are most frequently subjected to abuse by their own parents, largely due to the absence of birth certificates, Minister of Women and Child Affairs Saroja Savitri Paulraj said.

Sritharan publicly declares readiness to resign as MP if accusations are substantiated

Member of Parliament S. Sritharan has stated that he is ready to step down from his parliamentary position if the claim made by his party’s General Secretary, M. A. Sumanthiran, that he voted eight times in the past to appoint military personnel to positions, is proven.

Teacher lands in trouble over assault of female student

A Grade Eight student from a school in Nanuoya has been admitted to the Nuwara Eliya District Hospital after being severely beaten by a teacher.

Constable stabs constable after fight over alcohol

A constable of Bogawantalawa Police was arrested on suspicion of stabbing another constable who was fast asleep in the police barracks in the early hours of yesterday.

Proposed counter terrorism law draws more fire

The proposed Protection of State from Terrorism Act (PSTA) vastly expands executive and security sector powers, vesting the President with broad powers to the President to proscribe organizations and impose curfew, according to the organization called Justice for All.

Building collapse in Lebanon kills at least six people, local official says

At least six people were killed and seven others were injured when two adjoining buildings collapsed in the Lebanese city of Tripoli on Sunday, with more trapped under the rubble, the head of the municipal council said.

’Listen to doctors and professionals, think of patients’ - Namal

National Organizer and MP of the Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna, Namal Rajapaksa, has urged the government to address the demands of doctors and other professionals, stressing that public welfare should take priority over luxury expenditures.

Two months after Cyclone Ditwah, thousands remain displaced

More than two months after Cyclone Ditwah tore through Sri Lanka, causing the most extensive flood and landslide damage in two decades, the country continues to grapple with a complex humanitarian crisis.

Supreme Court sentence lawyer to three year imprisonment for contempt

The Supreme Court has sentenced an attorney-at-law to three years’ imprisonment after finding him guilty of contempt of court.