Police constable injured in accidental shooting at Ambalangoda Police Station

A police constable was injured in a firearm accident at the Ambalangoda Police Station this evening, police said.

Drivers’ cooperation vital to ease expressway congestion: RDA chief

The cooperation of drivers is crucial to reducing congestion on Sri Lanka’s expressways, Director General of the Road Development Authority (RDA) Wimal Kandambi said today.

Heavy rains above 50mm on the cards

Fairly heavy rainfall exceeding 50 mm is likely at some places in the Galle, Matara, Kalutara and Ratnapura districts, the Meteorology Department said.

NPP accused of changing clock to win budget in Horana

The National People’s Power (NPP) led Horana Urban Council has fraudulently won the budget proposal by changing the time on the clock, Samagi Jana Balawegaya MP Ajith P. Perera alleged today.

MP Archchuna released on bail

Jaffna District Parliamentarian Ramanathan Archchuna has been released on anticipatory bail by the Colombo Magistrate’s Court today.

China’s CNOOC makes second big oil find in Bohai Sea

China’s oil major CNOOC Limited said on Wednesday (Dec 24) it has discovered an oilfield with proved in-place volumes exceeding 100 million tons of oil equivalent in its second big find in the central Bohai Sea.

Special bus and train services launched for festive season

Special bus and train services from Colombo to outstation areas and back to the capital were launched today (24) for the festive season under the supervision of the National Transport Commission (NTC).

Japanese golf legend Masashi ‘Jumbo’ Ozaki dies at 78

Masashi ’Jumbo’ Ozaki, one of only two Japanese golfers to be inducted into the World Golf Hall of Fame, died at 78 after a battle with colon cancer, the Japan Golf Tour Organisation (JGTO) said on Wednesday.

India and China’s cooperation will strengthen the voice of the voiceless in the Global South: Sajith

India and China should cooperate to strengthen the voice of the voiceless in the Global South, Leader of the Opposition Sajith Premadasa said today.

MP Archchuna arrested

Colombo Fort Police arrested MP Ramanathan Archchuna today following a warrant issued by the Fort Magistrate’s Court.

T-56 rifle recovered from abandoned vehicle in Ragama

Ragama Police recovered a T-56 assault rifle along with ammunition from an abandoned vehicle in the Pahalawatta area last night.

US denies visas to ex-EU commissioner and others over social media rules

The US State Department said it would deny visas to five people, including a former EU commissioner, for seeking to ’’coerce’’ American social media platforms into suppressing viewpoints they oppose.

Tourist family criticises Sri Lanka’s visa extension process

A tourist family visiting Sri Lanka has spoken out about difficulties they faced while trying to extend their visa, calling the process “the most painful experience ever.”

WHO-recognized drug testing lab in the offing

Amid renewed concerns over the country’s lack of a WHO-accredited laboratory, Sri Lanka has begun upgrading its drug testing facilities to meet World Health Organization (WHO) accreditation standards.

Absence of AG during post disaster situation disturbing, Harsha tells President

Committee on Public Finance (COPF) Chairman Harsha de Silva in a letter addressed to President Anura Kumara Dissanayake has informed him that absence of an Auditor General during a post disaster situation is disturbing.

Student who films elephant cruelty complains of injustice

A university student who filmed a shocking incident of wild elephant cruelty in the Sippikulam–Ambagahawela area of the Mihintale Police Division in Anuradhapura is facing serious difficulties after wildlife officers seized his mobile phone and have yet to return it, relatives said.

Pakistan National Carrier Sale Gets Offer for $482 Million

Pakistan’s attempt to sell its national flag carrier Pakistan International Airlines Corp. has received a successful bid, marking a watershed moment for the country that has been attempting to privatize the airline since the 1990s.

Christmas carols by SriLankan Airlines staff delight passengers at BIA

In the lead-up to the Christmas season, employees of SriLankan Airlines presented a special Christmas carol singing programme for arriving and departing passengers at the Transit Terminal of the Bandaranaike International Airport (BIA), last night (23).

Libya’s army chief killed in air crash in Turkey

The Libyan army chief has been killed in an air crash in Turkey, Libya’s prime minister has said.

Hotels, churches, main cities go under tight security

Sri Lanka Police and the Ministry of Defence, have implemented an enhanced security programme across major cities, religious sites, leading hotels and tourist areas during the Christmas and New Year festive season to ensure the safety of worshippers, tourists and the general public.

Submit information by January 6 for cyclone ‘Ditwah’ relief, Ministry says

The Ministry of Women and Child Affairs has launched a post-disaster registration process to provide aid to women and children affected by Cyclone ‘Ditwah’.

Drop in foreign job seekers rings alarm bells – ALFEA

The number of Sri Lankans seeking foreign employment has declined sharply, the Association of Licensed Foreign Employment Agencies (ALFEA) said yesterday, blaming fraud and mismanagement by politicians of the previous government.

Shafali’s unbeaten fifty helps India cruise past Sri Lanka

The Indian chase defined the concept of a walk in the park, with Shafali Verma’s scintillating unbeaten 69 off 34 balls anchoring a 129-run pursuit that did the job with 49 balls to spare.

India commits support as Modi writes to AKD

India’s Prime Minister Narendra Modi has written to President Anura Kumara Dissanayake reaffirming India’s commitment to support Sri Lanka’s relief, recovery and rehabilitation efforts in the aftermath of Cyclone Ditwah.

England star Ben Duckett appears to be drunk during Ashes tour

A video has emerged online of England opener Ben Duckett appearing intoxicated on a night out during the ongoing Ashes tour.

Police constable suspended over alleged assault on NPP MP

The police constable attached to the Sooriyakanda Police Station has been suspended from service pending further investigations over his alleged involvement in the assault incident involving National People’s Power (NPP) Ratnapura District MP Shantha Padmakumara, Police said.

Market pauses decline

The Colombo Stock Exchange (CSE) saw a modest rebound on Tuesday, as the market took a breather after a prolonged downward trend, with the All Share Price Index (ASPI) closing marginally higher. Investor sentiment remained mixed, however, as gains in the broader market contrasted with a slight decline in the S&P SL20, reflecting selective buying amid cautious participation.

Indian External Affairs Minister wraps up Sri Lanka visit

Indian Minister of External Affairs S. Jaishankar concluded his official visit to Sri Lanka today.

Namal criticises IGP over alleged attacks on police officers

Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna (SLPP) National Organiser and Parliamentarian Namal Rajapaksa has strongly criticised the Inspector General of Police (IGP), questioning whether he should feel ashamed to serve a government whose Members of Parliament allegedly attack police officers on the streets.

Over Rs. 106 Mn released to support industrialists affected by Ditwah

The Ministry of Industries and Entrepreneurship Development announced that financial assistance has already been provided to industrialists affected by severe weather caused by Cyclone Ditwah, under the first phase of the government’s relief programme.