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.

KDU refutes abolishing 50% concession granted to children of service personnel

The General Sir John Kotelawala Defence University (KDU) has categorically denied the media report that a decision has been made to abolish the 50% concession granted to the children of service personnel.

Court of Appeal quashes order mandating all SJB nominees be women in two Pradeshiya Sabhas

The Court of Appeal ruled that the directives issued by the Returning Officers of the Kekirawa and Galnewa Pradeshiya Sabhas, requiring all nominated members of the Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB) to be women, are arbitrary, irrational and unreasonable.

Male, female MPs battle in Parliament

A male-female battle was witnessed in Parliament today with MP Sujeewa Senasinghe confronting female MPs Lakmali Hemachandra and Hiruni Wijesinghe over some remarks made on an earlier day.

Railway gate operator arrested in Kollupitiya for being drunk on duty

Railway security officers yesterday arrested a railway gate operator at the Uttarananda railway crossing in Kollupitiya for being under the influence of alcohol while on duty, Railway Spokesman Asanka Samarasinghe confirmed.

Rasika Peiris appointed as new Commissioner General of Elections

Rasika Peiris, a Special Grade Officer of the Sri Lanka Administrative Service, has assumed duties as the new Commissioner General of Elections this morning.

Hotel staffer arrested for stealing from Dutch tourist

A hotel employee has been arrested by the Fort Police after a Dutch tourist reported the theft of foreign currency from her wallet.

Govt. intensifies crackdown on illegal fishing and maritime crimes

In a decisive move to curb rising incidents of illegal fishing and maritime poaching in Sri Lankan waters, top government and security officials convened a high-level meeting to strengthen enforcement and coordination efforts.

BBC apologises to Trump over Panorama edit but refuses to pay compensation

The BBC has apologised to US President Donald Trump for a Panorama episode that spliced parts of his 6 January 2021 speech together, but rejected his demands for compensation.

Health Ministry fails to meet most sustainable development targets, Audit shows

The latest audit report from the National Audit Office shows that the Health Ministry has failed to report progress on 26 out of 42 sustainable development indicators assigned to it.

Global Ecolabelling chief calls on Sri Lanka to go green to stay competitive in trade

In a call that blended environmental urgency with economic opportunity, Global Ecolabelling Network (GEN) Chair K.S. Venkatagiri urged Sri Lanka’s industries to fast-track the adoption of Type I ecolabels.

Afghans carried out two suicide bombings in Pakistan, says minister

Pakistan said on Thursday Afghan nationals carried out two deadly suicide bombings in its territory this week, amid sharpening tensions between the South Asian neighbours over militant violence.

Suspect arrested over illegally acquired assets worth Rs. 30 million

The Illegal Assets Investigation Division has commenced further investigations under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act against a resident of the Eheliyagoda area, suspected of acquiring assets through illegal drug and alcohol trafficking.

Elections Commissioner General Saman Sri Ratnayake retires

Commissioner General of Elections Saman Sri Ratnayake has retired from his post and from state service, effective today (13).

CSE pulls back as banking counters drag indices lower

After a strong bullish run in recent sessions, the Colombo Stock Exchange (CSE) took a breather today, with the ASPI falling 198 points as heavyweight banking counters pulled the index down. Investor sentiment turned cautious, with profit-taking seen across key blue-chip counters amid unmet earnings expectations, shifting overall market momentum into negative territory.

MPs’ vehicle permits stopped during Gota’s time: D.V. Chanaka

Claiming that the government was bragging about stopping vehicle permits given to Parliamentarians, Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna (SLPP) MP D.V. Chanaka said today MPs’ vehicle permits were stopped by former President Gotabaya Rajapaksa in 2020.

Non-alcoholic beverages can’t be sold as gin, EU court rules

The name ’gin’ is reserved solely for alcoholic beverages, the European Court of Justice ruled on Thursday.

Sri Lanka invites Pope Leo XIV to mark 50 years of diplomatic ties

Sri Lanka has extended an invitation to His Holiness Pope Leo XIV to undertake an official visit to the country, reaffirming the deepening friendship between Sri Lanka and the Holy See as both nations mark 50 years of diplomatic relations, the Foreign Affairs, Foreign Employment & Tourism Ministry said.

One in five Sri Lankan adults diagnosed with diabetes

Health experts have raised concern over the growing number of diabetes cases in Sri Lanka, revealing that one in five adults in the country is now living with the disease.

Field Marshal steps in to protect Sri Lankan Cricket Team in Pakistan

Pakistan’s Army Chief, Field Marshal General Syed Asim Munir, has assured full security to the visiting Sri Lankan cricket team, Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi said on Thursday. The assurance came after Sri Lankan officials raised concerns following recent security incidents in Islamabad. Naqvi said the matter was personally discussed with Sri Lankan leaders.

Dodangoda Pradeshiya Sabha rejects inaugural Budget of NPP

The inaugural budget of the Dodangoda Pradeshiya Sabha, presented under the chairmanship of the National People’s Power (NPP) Party, was defeated today.

World’s first flying car factory begins production in China

Aridge, Xpeng’s flying car subsidiary, has started trial production at the world’s first flying car factory in Guangzhou.

ICTA warns against unauthorized use of logo by training institutes

The Information and Communication Technology Agency (ICTA) has issued a public warning against unauthorized use of its logo by training institutes.

GMOA calls emergency meeting over 2026 budget, Warns of public health risks

The Government Medical Officers’ Association (GMOA) has summoned specialist doctors from across Sri Lanka this week for urgent consultations on the proposed 2026 national budget, raising alarms over potential impacts on the country’s free healthcare system.

FR Petition on May 9 property damage compensation fixed for January 28

A Fundamental Rights petition filed seeking an order directing authorities to conduct an investigation into the compensation payments made for damages caused to properties during the illegal attacks and violence carried out by groups of wrongdoers on May 9, 2022, was today fixed for January 28 by the Supreme Court.

Digambaram tells Namal not to oppose plantation workers’ wage hike

While admiring the government’s decision to allocate Rs. 5,000 million to increase the wages of the plantation workers, Tamil Progressive Alliance (TPA) MP Palani Digambaram today urged opposition MPs such as Namal Rajapaksa and Nizam Kariapper not to oppose the allocation of state funds for the matter.