A/L Biology student dies suddenly in Dambulla

A 19-year-old student who was sitting for the Advanced Level examination in Biology this year died suddenly at her home in Dambulla.

PM Amarasuriya says age-appropriate sex education in the offing

Prime Minister and Minister of Education Harini Amarasuriya says discussions are underway to introduce an age-appropriate sex education programme in schools with the aim of protecting children from sexual abuse.

Speaker warns MP Sujeewa Senasinghe

Speaker Jagath Wickramaratne in Parliament today warned Opposition MP Sujeewa Senasinghe that he will be compelled to remove him from the chambers.

Budget: 30,000 more trade outlets to fall into VAT net- Champika Ranawaka

Around 30 000 trade outlets such as grocery stores, textile shops and wayside hotels will be liable for VAT payments, and it will result in the rise cost of living as the burden will be transferred to consumers at the end, former Minister Patali Champika Ranawaka said .

After 40 days, US Senate votes to end record-breaking government shutdown

After 40 days, a group of Democrats decided to buck their party’s wishes on Sunday and vote in line with Republicans to move toward ending the government shutdown. The development came after Senate Majority Leader John Thune, R-S.D., convened a rare weekend meeting to break what days ago became the longest government shutdown in U.S. history.

All party conference to be called to cut PC election Gordian knot

The government is to convene a meeting of all political parties and relevant civil society organizations to find ways and means to hold provincial elections which are locked in an impasse due to a legal snag since 2017.

''Hope to resume repatriation'': UNHCR India Chief on Lankan refugees

The United Nations Refugee Agency is working closely with the Colombo Mission to resume the voluntary repatriation of Sri Lankan refugees, Areti Sienni, UNHCR Chief of Mission in India, said in an exclusive interview with NDTV today after the arrest of four returnees on arrival in Sri Lanka. The repatriation process had earliert been suspended.

Private hospitals and clinics to come under scrutiny?

The Health Ministry has reportedly expressed concern following the release of an audit report that calls for an urgent overhaul of Sri Lanka’s private healthcare system, citing the need for fair pricing, standardized regulation, and improved patient care.

Sri Lankans turning to overseas adult websites for income, Police warn

Police said yesterday that an increasing number of Sri Lankans are reported to be turning to online sexual content production as several adult websites and mobile applications operated overseas offer monetary incentives.

UK lawmakers voice concern over 97% drop in Sri Lankan deportations

The United Kingdom’s House of Lords has raised concerns over a sharp drop in the number of foreign nationals deported from the UK, with Sri Lanka listed among the countries showing a steep decline in returns.

Can Sri Lanka’s 2026 Budget reverse our negative NIIP?

Sri Lanka’s Net International Investment Position (NIIP) remains one of the deepest in Asia nearly USD 68 billion in the red, or about –70% of GDP. This figure reflects decades of accumulated foreign borrowing, weak export earnings, and limited FDI inflows. It is the real balance-sheet story behind our external vulnerability.

Cricketer dies after on-field collision in Minuwangoda

A 41-year-old man has died following an accident during a cricket match at a playground in the Aluthopola area of Minuwangoda.

Govt. delivers progressive growth and reform oriented budget

After many decades, the government pulled off what was unthinkable for many by presenting a budget which ticks almost all boxes in its fiscal parameters while laying the foundation for a fully fledged digital economy powered by artificial intelligence and led by the private sector.

BBC director general and News CEO resign over Trump documentary edit

The BBC’s director general Tim Davie and head of news Deborah Turness have resigned after criticism that a Panorama documentary misled viewers by editing a speech by Donald Trump.

Budget favors animals over doctors: Dr. Sanjeewa

The Chairman of the Medical and Civil Rights Doctors’ Trade Union Alliance, Specialist Dr. Chamal Sanjeewa, has strongly criticized the 2026 budget, claiming it allocates significant funds for animal welfare while neglecting the country’s medical professionals.

CCC urges fast reforms to translate Budget 2026 into growth

The Ceylon Chamber of Commerce (CCC), Sri Lanka’s largest private sector representative, welcomed National Budget 2026, describing it as a blueprint of policy stability, fiscal consolidation and disciplined debt management that continues the trajectory needed for the country’s medium-term reform agenda.

Budget 2026 signals export growth focus; policy clarity key to success: JAAF

Budget 2026 has earned cautious praise from the apparel industry, which sees it as a step in the right direction towards rebuilding the export strength and investor confidence. However, this is provided the government follows through with consistent implementation.

ADB approves US $ 100mn to strengthen financial stability in SL

The Asian Development Bank (ADB) has approved a US $ 100 million loan to address the complex and challenging structural reforms in Sri Lanka’s financial sector, through better governance, continued policy reforms and enhanced financial inclusion.

Child drowns in hotel swimming pool in Sigiriya

A five-year-old child has died after drowning in a swimming pool at a hotel in the Audangawa area in Sigiriya.

Rugby Bosses Blow Up League in Foul Start

In a lightning move the newly elected administration of Sri Lanka Rugby (SLR) has gone against tradition and possible fair play and converted the Premier League, giving it a knockout blow that has agitated the country’s most soughtafter entity, Kandy Sports Club.

Fossil resembling 3-horned dinosaur, Triceratops, found in UP’s Saharanpur

A fossil believed to be of a Triceratops, the three-horned dinosaur, has been excavated along the banks of the Sahansara River in the Saharanpur district of Uttar Pradesh, according to a researcher.

Imports outpace exports, FLSP challenges President’s forex stability claim

Sri Lanka’s imports have grown in excess of its export earnings, widening the balance of payments deficit ,and therefore, President Anura Kumara Dissanayake’s claim of stability in foreign exchange flows holds no water, Frontline Socialist Party (FLSP) Education Secretary Pubudu Jayagoda said.

Seven Sri Lankan drug suspects abroad to surrender: Minister

Public Security Minister Ananda Wijepala said that seven Sri Lankan drug traffickers who are currently hiding in Middle Eastern countries have conveyed their willingness to surrender to local authorities.

Tsunami warning issued after 6.8 earthquake strikes off Japan’s eastern coast

An earthquake with a magnitude of 6.8 struck off Japan’s eastern coast at 0803GMT on Sunday, the US Geological Survey said.

Migrant vessel sinks off Malaysia-Thailand border, hundreds missing

Hundreds were missing on Sunday after a boat sank near the Thailand-Malaysia border, as 10 survivors and one body were recovered, the Malaysian maritime authority said.

Budget neglect may drive young doctors abroad: Dr. Chamal Sanjeewa

The government’s failure to address salary discrepancies and welfare issues of doctors could accelerate the migration of young medical professionals, Specialist Dr. Chamal Sanjeewa, Chairman of the Medical and Civil Rights Doctors’ Trade Union Alliance warns.

National Program distributes 500,000 coconut plants

A national program to distribute 500,000 coconut plants for homestead cultivation was launched this morning (09) in Uhana, Ampara, with the aim of reducing poverty and promoting coconut cultivation across the country.

Cardinal blasts sex education move backed by foreign agencies

Archbishop of Colombo Malcolm Cardinal Ranjith has raised serious concern over what he described as an “inappropriate sexual education program” proposed for inclusion in Sri Lanka’s school curriculum next year.

Annual information updates begin for ‘Aswesuma’ beneficiaries

The annual information update process for recipients of the ‘Aswesuma’ welfare benefit scheme is now underway.

Sri Lankan expertise strengthens ties with Dr. Sulaiman Al Habib Medical Group

Sri Lankan professionals are making a notable impact on the regional healthcare industry through their contributions to the Dr. Sulaiman Al Habib Medical Services Group’s development centre in Colombo, a collaboration that is now paving the way for deeper investment and partnership opportunities.