Former Malaysia PM Najib Razak found guilty in state funds scandal

A Malaysia court has convicted former prime minister Najib Razak for abuse of power and money laundering, in his second major trial for a multi-billion-dollar state funds scandal.

Bomb threat reported at Kandy District Secretariat

Kandy police said that people inside the District Secretariat in Kandy were evacuated today following a bomb threat.

Over 300 arrested for drunk driving on Christmas Day

Police have arrested 322 drunk drivers during a special operation conducted yesterday.

Doctor drowns in Mirissa seas

A 49-year-old doctor drowned while bathing in the seas off Mirissa beach, Police said.

Hands off independent media: Sajith tells government

Alleging that there is a move to suppress the independent media, Opposition Leader Sajith Premadasa said today that all steps will be taken by his party to prevent such a move. Alleging that there is a move to suppress the independent media, Opposition Leader Sajith Premadasa said today that all steps will be taken by his party to prevent such a move.

Pope Leo urges ’courage’ to end Ukraine war in first Christmas address

Pope Leo has urged Ukraine and Russia to find the ’’courage’’ to hold direct talks to end the war during his first Christmas remarks to crowds in St Peter’s square.

US launches strike against Islamic State militants in northwest Nigeria

The United States carried out a strike against Islamic State militants in northwest Nigeria at the request of Nigeria’s government, U.S. President Donald Trump and the U.S. military said on Thursday, claiming the group had been targeting Christians in the region.

Two-minute silence to be observed today

A two-minute silence will be observed today (26) in memory of those who lost their lives in the tsunami and other disasters, the Disaster Management Centre (DMC) said.

Suspect arrested in probe into murder of former Mulleriyawa PS Vice Chairman in 2022

Police yesterday arrested a suspect wanted in connection with the shooting death of a former Vice Chairman of the Mulleriyawa Pradeshiya Sabha in Kotikawatta.

Hakgala Botanical Garden reopened for tourists

The Hakgala National Botanical Garden, which was closed due to the Ditwah cyclone, has been reopened for tourists from today, the Ministry of Environment said.

Govt moves to expand child-friendly transport

The Government has taken further steps to strengthen a child-friendly transport system by translating key policy commitments into action, Minister of Women and Child Affairs Saroja Savitri Paulraj said.

People urged to observe two-minutes silence tomorrow in memory of tsunami, disaster victims

The Disaster Management Centre (DMC) urged people to observe a two-minutes silence tomorrow (26) from 9:25 a.m. to 9:27 a.m. in memory of the people who lost their lives in the tsunami and other disasters.

Five villages near Hasalaka declared no-man’s-land after massive landslides

The government has declared five villages in the Pamunupura area bordering Hasalaka town in the Kandy district as no-man’s-land zones with immediate effect following severe landslides triggered by Cyclone “Ditwah”.

Ne-Yo concert postponed, public demands for ticket monies back

People are up in arms over the postponement of the Ne-Yo live in Sri Lanka concert organised by the Brown Boy, alleging that the organisers had already collected the ticket monies and now there was no talk of refunding the cash back.

Showers expected in several places

few showers are expected in the Uva Province and in the Ampara, Batticaloa, Matale and Nuwara-Eliya districts, the Meteorology Department said.

Sri Lanka tops South Asia in elephant deaths

Sri Lanka has recorded the highest number of elephant deaths in South Asia and is often cited by conservationists as having the world’s highest elephant mortality rate caused by human–elephant conflict, despite having a much smaller elephant population than India, wildlife officials said.

Prison authorities allow festive food items for inmates on Christmas Day

Prison authorities have made special arrangements to allow visitors to bring food and sweets for inmates in celebration of Christmas Day today (25).

Sri Lankan man arrested after knife incident near Tokyo’s Shinagawa Station

A Sri Lankan national was arrested on Monday, 22nd December, after pressing a utility knife to his neck outside a Yoshinoya restaurant near Shinagawa Station in Minato-ku, Tokyo. The man sustained bleeding injuries to his hand and neck but remained conscious. Police quickly cordoned off the area, engaged him in dialogue and persuaded him to drop the blade. No bystanders were hurt.

Floods-hit Archeology sites estimated for early-2026 repair: Dir Gen Archeology

The Archeology sites damaged and destroyed all over the island due to the recent cyclone and flash floods are set for an estimated early repair next year , Director General of Archeology, Thusitha Ranasinghe, told the Daily Mirror.

Public urged to follow electrical safety during Christmas, New Year

The public has also been cautioned not to overload extension cords and to use only SLS-certified electrical products of proper standards, as authorities warn of an increased risk of electrocution during the Christmas and New Year festive season.

Public urged to be vigilant as road accidents may rise during festive season

Health officials have warned that road accidents are likely to increase during the ongoing festive season and urged the public to exercise greater caution while travelling.

Let us dispel darkest era and illuminate World with lamp of hope: Sajith

Opposition Leader Sajith Premadasa in his Christmas message urged all Sri Lankans to show compassion to each other and stand together for a better nation.

Bethlehem celebrates 1st Christmas in two years

Celebrations are resuming across the West Bank as a fragile truce holds in the Gaza Strip, where hundreds of thousands of people are facing the winter in makeshift tents and remain in urgent need of basic assistance.

Bomb blast in packed Nigerian mosque kills five

At least five people have been killed in a bomb explosion in a packed mosque in Nigeria’s north-eastern Borno state, a police spokesman has said.

Let us renew our commitment to act together as citizens, guided by unity, love, compassion: PM

Prime Minister Harini Amarasuriya said the government will continue to work tirelessly towards the common goal of building the “new country” envisioned by the many who have placed their trust in our government, and to ensure that their hopes and aspirations are fulfilled.

Sri Lanka demonstrated noble human virtue of embracing neighbour in distress with compassion

In the face of the recent disaster, the people of Sri Lanka once again demonstrated, in the most practical manner, the noble human virtue of embracing a neighbour in distress with compassion and unwavering resolve, a principle that is upheld by Christianity and all religions, President Anura Kumara Dissanayake said.

Ho Ho No! Santa pulled over for speeding

Santa is speeding through his Christmas deliveries, but a sheriff in Ohio had to stop him on Saturday for ’’flying a little too fast’’ with Mrs Claus through Fulton County.

Three new airlines cleared to enter Indian market after IndiGo disruption

Air travellers are set to get more choice in the domestic aviation market, with three new airlines preparing to take to Indian skies in the near future.

Market edges higher in sideways trade

The Colombo Stock Exchange (CSE) extended its modest recovery for a second consecutive session, with both key indices closing slightly higher. Despite the positive close, trading activity remained largely range-bound, with the market lacking a clear directional bias amid the absence of supportive macroeconomic cues.

Public warned against using unfamiliar water bodies during festive season

Health authorities have advised the public to be vigilant when using unfamiliar water bodies during the ongoing festive season, citing safety risks arising from recent adverse weather conditions.