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.

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.