Three killed in Amithirigala road accident

Three people were killed in a road accident in Amithirigala, Thalduwa, this afternoon (08) when a car collided with a motorcycle, police said.

Seifert half-century helps NZ beat Afghanistan

New Zealand pulled off their highest run chase in T20 World Cup history as they opened their Group D campaign with a five-wicket win over Afghanistan.

Fire breaks out at Scrap Metal shop in Galle

A fire erupted at a scrap metal collection shop near Dewata Junction in Galle earlier today.

Over 5,000 seek medical assistance from President’s Fund

The President’s Fund has received 5,277 applications for medical assistance in 2025, which is an increase by 59 percent, the President’s Media Division (PMD) said.

Radiological Technologists call off planned strike

The Government Radiological Technologists’ Association (GRTA) has decided to call off the trade union action that was scheduled to commence on February 9, following the Health Ministry’s move to implement key recommendations related to the Maligawatta Kidney Hospital inquiry.

South Jeolla apologizes after Jindo governor suggests ’importing young virgins’ from Sri Lanka, Vietnam

South Jeolla has apologized for the Jindo County governor, who said the country should ’’import young virgins from Sri Lanka or Vietnam.’’

Ireland sense an opening as Sri Lanka search for spark

Sri Lanka may be co-hosts of the T20 World Cup, but familiarity with home conditions offers little comfort as pressure mounts on Dasun Shanaka’s side ahead of their opening clash against Ireland.

Sri Lanka’s Viran Chamuditha Secures Place in ICC Under-19 World Cup Squad

A four-person selection panel have determined which rising stars make Team of the Tournament after India’s win at the U19 World Cup.

CEJ backs ban on tractor-assisted gillnet fishing

The Central Environmental Justice (CEJ) has endorsed the government’s decision to ban the use of tractor winches in Sri Lanka’s traditional gillnet fishing industry, warning that the mechanized practice has caused significant harm to coastal ecosystems and small-scale fishing livelihoods.

Sri Lankan student wins bronze at Young Chef Olympiad 2026

Student chef Rumira Piyasiri, who represented Sri Lanka at the 12th Young Chef Olympiad (YCO) 2026 held in India, won the bronze medal and arrived at the Bandaranaike International Airport this morning (8).

Historic Kangaroo route flight arrives at BIA with 142 passengers

Bandaranaike International Airport (BIA) yesterday warmly welcomed the arrival of the historic Kangaroo Route – Captain’s Choice Qantas Airlines flight, which touched down carrying 142 passengers.

Postal charges revised from tomorrow

The Department of Posts has announced an increase in postal charges with effect from tomorrow (09).

ICC in talks to revive India-Pakistan T20 World Cup clash

The International Cricket Council is in talks with the Pakistan Cricket Board to resolve the boycott of its T20 World Cup match against India on February 15, AFP learnt Saturday.

Suryakumar’s 84 leads India to opening win over USA in T20 World Cup

A sparkling unbeaten 84 from India captain Suryakumar Yadav and three wickets from late call-up Mohammed Siraj in Mumbai on Saturday helped India to avoid a shock defeat to the United States as they opened their defence of the T20 World Cup.

US wants Russia and Ukraine to end war by June, says Zelensky

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky says the US wants the war with Russia to end by June, adding that both sides had been invited to the US for talks next week.

Hetmyer, Shepherd Power West Indies to Winning T20 World Cup Start

West Indies began their T20 World Cup campaign with a commanding 35-run victory over Scotland at Eden Gardens, driven by a blistering half-century from Shimron Hetmyer and a match-winning five-wicket haul from Romario Shepherd.

22-hour water cut scheduled in several areas of Kandy district

The National Water Supply and Drainage Board (NWSDB) announced that a 22-hour water cut will be imposed in several areas of the Kandy District from tomorrow morning (08).

Parliamentary Pensions Repeal Bill to be debated on Feb 17

The Parliamentary Business Committee has scheduled the Parliamentary Pensions (Repeal) Bill for debate in Parliament on February 17, Leader of the House Bimal Rathnayake said.

UK has moral duty toward Malaiyaha Tamils, says Mano Ganesan

Tamil Progressive Alliance (TPA) Leader and MP Mano Ganesan has urged the United Kingdom to acknowledge and act on what he described as its historic and moral responsibility toward Indian-origin Malaiyaha Tamils in Sri Lanka.

Faheem Blitz Saves Pakistan from Dutch Shock

Faheem Ashraf pulled off a late blitz as Pakistan narrowly escaped a Netherlands upset, winning by three wickets in Colombo on Saturday.

Response from the Hajj Committee to certain articles

On behalf of the Hajj Committee, I wish to respond to the following two articles which appeared in the Lankadeepa and subsequently in the Daily Mirror, two newspapers which I subscribe to and respect.

Police take action against 4,826 traffic offenders

Sri Lanka Police said that a total of 27,430 individuals were inspected yesterday (06) during daily search operations conducted across the country.

Appeal made to Mahanayake Theras over CEB VRS delay crisis

A collective of approximately 2,200 employees of the Ceylon Electricity Board (CEB) who have applied for the Voluntary Retirement Scheme (VRS) has made an urgent appeal to the Most Venerable Mahanayaka Thera of the Malwathu Chapter, the Most Venerable Mahanayaka Thera of the Asgiri Chapter, and the Advisory Executive Council of the Sangha, seeking immediate intervention over delays in implementing the scheme.

Showers, strong winds forecast across several parts

Showers are expected to occur at times in the Uva Province and in the districts of Matale, Nuwara Eliya, Ampara and Batticaloa, the Meteorological Department said.

40,000 prisoners crammed into space sufficient for 10,500

Former Prisons Department Spokesman, Lion Jagath Chandana Weerasinghe, said heavy congestion prevails in prisons across the country, noting that 40,000 prisoners are being detained nationwide in facilities with a capacity of only 10,500.

Prez gets tough; no salary hike till 2027 whoever strikes

President Anura Kumara Dissanayake yesterday stressed that no allowances will be given for public sector employees until the third instalment of the salary increment is given in 2027, whoever resorts to strikes or takes to the streets.

Trump removes video with racist clip depicting Obamas as apes

US President Donald Trump has removed a social media video which included a racist clip depicting Barack and Michelle Obama as apes.

Opposition MP fires Govt. over move to renovate Prabhakaran’s ancestral home

The government’s purported decision to renovate the ancestral home of slain LTTE leader Velupillai Prabhakaran has come under fire from the opposition in Parliament.

Sri Lanka’s foreign employment industry in crisis

The Association of Licensed Foreign Employment Agencies (ALFEA), designed as Sri Lanka’s intellectual firewall against corruption and misconduct in the foreign employment trade, is failing legally powerless despite its statutory mandate.

Sri Lankan marketers urged to ditch ‘gut feel’ for data-driven decisions

Sri Lankan marketers are grappling with a critical inertia in adopting data-driven decision-making, often favoring “gut feel” over statistical analysis despite having the necessary academic background.