PC elections will be conducted- Bimal

Leader of the House Minister Bimal Rathnayake said in Parliament today that the provincial council elections would be conducted for sure.

Father who raped his daughter sentenced to 12 years rigorous imprisonment

Colombo High Court sentenced a father who pleaded guilty to raping his 14-year-old daughter to 12 years of rigorous imprisonment. As the accused admitted to the charge before court, the sentence was imposed without any fine or compensation order.

Video of tourist sexually harassed by local man goes viral

A video showing a foreign female tourist being sexually harassed by a Sri Lankan man has gone viral on social media.

Namal accuses Govt. of repressing state employees, Urges public to join Nugegoda rally

Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna (SLPP) Parliamentarian Namal Rajapaksa today accused the government of engaging in severe repression against state sector employees and called on the public to remain patient during what he described as a challenging period.

Over 100mm rainfall expected as atmospheric disturbance persists

A low-level atmospheric disturbance lingering to the east of Sri Lanka is expected to bring widespread showers and thundershowers across several parts of the island in the coming hours, said the Meteorology Department.

ASPI rebounds from sharp intraday drop to close flat amid heavy volatility

The Colombo Stock Exchange witnessed a highly volatile trading session, with the ASPI plunging 187 points during the first hour before staging a strong recovery by midday. Despite continued fluctuations throughout the afternoon, the index ultimately closed nearly flat, down just 1.71 points, as investors navigated sharp intraday swings. In contrast, the S&P SL20 declined 22.22 points, reflecting selling pressure on key blue-chip counters.

Writ petition against alleged LGBTIQ tourism promotion fixed for Feb. 10

A writ petition challenging the legality of an alleged endorsement by the Sri Lanka Tourism Development Authority (SLTDA) and the Sri Lanka Tourism Promotion Bureau (SLTPB) of projects aimed at promoting and developing LGBTIQ tourism in Sri Lanka was today fixed for hearing on February 10 by the Court of Appeal.

ODEL launches ‘Christmas 2025

ODEL unveiled its Christmas 2025 theme, “The Stage Is Set,” in Colombo on Thursday (13), introducing a rock ’n’ roll–inspired festive experience across its stores.

CCB asks for security after officers threatened in Matara tree-cutting program

The Coconut Cultivation Board (CCB) has asked the Defense Ministry to provide security for its officers who are cutting down 5,000 diseased coconut trees in the Matara District.

Second reading of Budget 2026 approved; three opposition MPs voted in favor

The second reading of the 2026 Budget was approved in Parliament with a majority of 118 votes, as 160 MPs voted in favour and 42 voted against.

Commuters can now pay fares using credit, debit cards

Commuters will be able to pay bus fares using bank-issued credit and debit cards on buses fitted with ticket-issuing machines from November 24, 2025, Minister of Transport Bimal Rathnayake announced today (14).

SLMC wants doctors to fix their handwriting

The Sri Lanka Medical Council (SLMC) has issued a reminder to all medical professionals to strictly follow official guidelines when writing and recommending prescriptions, citing growing concerns over patient safety.

Ex-world champion Parker fails drugs test for cocaine

Former world heavyweight champion Joseph Parker is facing a possible ban from boxing after testing positive for cocaine.

Over 16,000 nabbed in nationwide anti-drug operation

More than 16,000 people have been arrested during the countrywide anti-narcotics operation “Nation United – National Drive,” launched to eradicate drug trafficking and related crimes.

Ronaldo receives first red card in 22 years; risks ban at World Cup

Cristiano Ronaldo is at serious risk of being banned for the first game of the 2026 World Cup if Portugal qualifies as expected.

US and SL sign MoU to formalize Montana National Guard Partnership

The United States and Sri Lanka today formalized a new phase of security cooperation with the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between the Montana National Guard, the U.S. Coast Guard District 13, and the Sri Lanka Armed Forces under the State Partnership Program (SPP).

British envoy meets Tilvin Silva

British High Commissioner to Sri Lanka Andrew Patrick held discussions with Janatha Vimukthi Peramuna (JVP) General Secretary Tilvin Silva during a visit to the party’s headquarters in Pelawatta, Battaramulla.

Sri Lankan stabbed to death in Israel

A Sri Lankan man working in Israel has been tragically killed in a stabbing incident. The victim has been identified as K.K. Tharindu Shanaka, 38, a father of two from Batapola, Kondagala in Galle, who had arrived in Israel in September 2025 to work as a carpenter in the construction sector.

Australian schools shut over asbestos risk in children’s sand

About 30 schools in Australia have been fully or partially closed after a warning over asbestos risks in children’s sand.

Sri Lanka’s ambassador to Nepal presents credentials to President Paudel

Ruwanthi Delpitiya, the newly appointed Ambassador of Sri Lanka to Nepal, presented her Letters of Credence to President Ramchandra Paudel at a formal ceremony held at Rastrapati Bhavan in Kathmandu yesterday.

Hundreds of illegal lunch sheet factories operating across the country, Industry Association warns

The All Ceylon Small Industries Association has raised alarm over the existence of between 400 and 500 illegal factories manufacturing substandard and banned lunch sheets used for wrapping food across the island.

1990 Suwa Seriya Ambulance fleet to be expanded to 500 units

Health Minister Nalinda Jayatissa announced that the government has begun implementing plans to expand the 1990 Suwa Seriya ambulance fleet to 500 vehicles, with upgrades incorporating the latest global technologies to modernize emergency medical services.

ITAK will abstain from voting for 2026 budget: Shanakiyan Rasamanickam

The Ilamkai Thamil Arasu Katchi (ITAK) will abstain from voting for the second reading of the budget, MP Shanakiyan Rasamanickam told Parliament today.

Self-check-in services to be launched at BIA

SriLankan Airlines’ Airport and Ground Services has planned to launch a self- check-in service at the Bandaranaike International Airport (BIA) for passengers of customer airlines ahead of the winter travel high season which is expected to bring over 300,000 tourists to the island in December alone.

No ban on releasing drug raid information to media: Minister

Public Security Minister Ananda Wijepala today refuted the allegations that a circular has been issued prohibiting the release of information on drug raids to the media after the arrest of National People’s Power (NPP) Urban Councillor’s husband for drug smuggling.

India state offers menstrual leave to all working women

The southern Indian state of Karnataka, which is also home to some of the world’s biggest IT firms, has become the first in the country to offer paid menstrual leave to all working women in formal jobs.

Sri Lankan film ‘Riverstone’ wins best Director at KIFF

Sri Lankan movie ’Riverstone’, directed by Lalith Rathnayake, won the Golden Royal Bengal Tiger Award for Best Director in the International Competition at the 31st Kolkata International Film Festival (KIFF), which concluded on Thursday.

World’s top YouTuber MrBeast launches Saudi theme park

Cristiano Ronaldo. Naomi Campbell. Sofia Vergara. And the latest celebrity brought to Saudi Arabia in the kingdom’s push to become a global entertainment destination: MrBeast, the most popular YouTuber on the planet.

One-third of Sri Lanka’s SOEs record losses in first half of 2025

Sri Lanka’s state-owned enterprise (SOE) sector is once again under scrutiny as new fiscal data reveals persistent structural weaknesses, with nearly one-third of major state entities running losses in the first half of 2025. The Mid-Year Fiscal Report released by the Ministry of Finance paints the picture of a sector struggling under years of mismanagement, political interference and mounting liabilities—despite repeated restructuring efforts.

SJB PS member resigns following alleged insults by chairman

SJB councillor Nikini Ayodhya has decided to step down from politics, citing repeated alleged insults from Arachchikattuwa NPP Pradeshiya Sabha Chairman S.J.M. Jayaratne.