Child abuse cases rise, warns HRCSL

The Human Rights Commission of Sri Lanka (HRCSL) has raised alarm over an increase in reports of child rights violations, particularly cases of corporal punishment.

Inland Revenue exceeds tax collection target by September

Sri Lanka’s Inland Revenue Department (IRD) has surpassed its expected tax collection for the first nine months of 2025, recording 102 percent of the target by the end of September, officials informed the Parliamentary Committee on Ways and Means.

Sri Lanka’s former cricketer Warnaweera dies at 64

Sri Lanka’s former cricketer Jayananda Warnaweera passed away today at the age of 64.

My client never sang obscene songs - Counsel denies police claim

The President’s Counsel appearing on behalf of Attorney-at-Law Gunaratne Wanninayake yesterday (15) informed the Court that the police had wrongly accused his client of committing an offence under Section 287 of the Penal Code, alleging that he had sung obscene songs at the Mount Lavinia Court premises.

PM Harini meets Jaishankar

Prime Minister Harini Amarasuriya began her official visit to India today with a meeting with Indian Minister of External Affairs Dr. S. Jaishankar in New Delhi.

Former State Engineering Corporation director arrested

Former State Engineering Corporation (SEC) Director Nilu Dilhara Wijedasa has been arrested by the Bribery Commission for allegedly misusing state resources to carry out repairs at the United National Party (UNP) headquarters, Sirikotha, in 2019.

Tax failures pushed millions into poverty – HRW report

Sri Lanka’s long-running failures in tax policy have worsened the country’s economic collapse and violated the basic rights of its citizens, particularly the right to education, according to a new report by Human Rights Watch (HRW).

Deepika Padukone becomes new voice for Meta AI in India, US, other nations

Bollywood actress Deepika Padukone collaborated with Meta to become the new voice of its AI version across multiple countries.

Attorney Gunaratne Wanninayake appears before Western Province South Crimes Division

Attorney-at-Law Gunaratne Wanninayake, who was granted bail yesterday (15) by the Mount Lavinia Magistrate’s Court, arrived at the Western Province South Crimes Division this morning (16).

UNP forms committee to initiate dialogue with SJB

The United National Party (UNP) has appointed a three-member committee to open talks with the Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB) aimed at reconciliation.

Sri Lanka’s passport drops to 98th in 2025 global ranking

Sri Lanka’s passport has fallen to 98th place in the 2025 Henley Passport Index, down two spots from its previous ranking of 96th.

Ministers, Deputy Ministers obtained MP’s fuel allowance even after assuming duties

Some Ministers and Deputy Ministers have obtained the fuel allowance which they are entitled for as MPs for some period after assuming of duties as cabinet ministers and deputy ministers, it was revealed yesterday.

Hambantota Port yet to settle Rs. 140 million in municipal rates - Mayor

The Hambantota International Port Group (HIPG) has failed to pay nearly Rs.140 million in municipal rates (taxes) due to the Hambantota Municipal Council (HMC) since 2017, Hambantota Mayor D.A. Gamini (SJB) revealed.

Pakistan, Afghanistan agree to 48-hour ceasefire after clashes on border

Pakistan and Afghanistan on Wednesday agreed to a temporary 48-hour ceasefire after a day of airstrikes and ground fighting along the border between the two countries that left more than a dozen civilians dead, Reuters reported.

Injection for whitening?

Dermatologists warned that no country including Sri Lanka, has ever approved or registered any injection or multivitamin for skin whitening.

Almost 25 percent of Sri Lanka’s population will be above 60 by 2041

Within the next decade almost 25 percent of Sri Lankans will be above the age of 60, Minister of Health and Mass Media Dr. Nalinda Jayatissa said, addressing the issue in Sri Lanka’s population growth decline that has been consistent for the past few years.

US Ambassador confirms travel advisory for Sri Lanka remains unchanged

US Ambassador to Sri Lanka, Julie Chung, has confirmed that there has been no change to the travel advisory for Sri Lanka recently issued by the US Department of State.

Even corrupt institutions invite me to lecture on integrity,’ says Bribery Chief

Institutions that have already been labelled as corrupt often invite me to deliver lectures on integrity, says Justice Ranga Dissanayake, the Director General of the Commission to Investigate Allegations of Bribery or Corruption (CIABOC).

After Russia, China and France, India eyes nuclear partnership with Sri Lanka

Following similar expressions of interest from Russia, China, and France, India has also indicated its willingness to cooperate with Sri Lanka in developing nuclear energy. However, the current government, led by President Anura Kumara Dissanayake, is not yet prepared to proceed with any such project at this juncture, despite the inclusion of nuclear power in the country’s long-term generation plan, a source familiar with the process said.

Expert committee formed to improve UNIVOTEC courses

The Education, Higher Education and Vocational Education Ministry has appointed a six-member expert committee to review and enhance the academic courses at the University of Vocational Technology (UNIVOTEC), Ratmalana.

Trump says Modi assured him India will stop buying Russian oil

U.S. President Donald Trump said on Wednesday that Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi has pledged to stop buying oil from Russia, and Trump said he would next try to get China to do the same as Washington intensifies efforts to cut off Moscow’s energy revenues.

Namal criticises Govt’s delay in arresting Sewwandi

MP Namal Rajapaksa, National Organizer of the Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna (SLPP), criticised the government for taking nearly a year to arrest Sewwandi, saying, “It took the government a year to arrest Sewwandi.

Vasudeva denies death rumour, cites political motive

Former Minister Vasudeva Nanayakkara yesterday (15) refuted false social media reports claiming he had died, saying the rumour had led to a flood of phone calls from concerned individuals.

SL should aim to be ‘Serendib of trust’ in digital economy race: Dr. Hans

Sri Lanka is charting an ambitious course to position itself as a regional leader in the digital economy, building its competitiveness on governance, data protection and artificial intelligence (AI) and defining “trust” as its national value proposition.

Colombo Dockyard alters rights issue terms

Colombo Dockyard yesterday disclosed it would proceed with its planned Rs.12.93 billion rights issue, once the shareholder approvals are obtained but announced a change in the transaction structure.

Prime Minister leaves for official visit to India

Prime Minister Dr. Harini Amarasuriya has departed from the Bandaranaike International Airport (BIA) on an official visit to India, airport officials confirmed.

SL must turn post-crisis recovery into sustained growth: IPS

Sri Lanka is experiencing a stronger-than-expected economic rebound but the challenge now is turning this post-crisis recovery into long-term, structurally driven growth, according to the Institute of Policy Studies’ (IPS) ‘Sri Lanka: State of the Economy 2025’ report.

SEC unveils plan to list SOEs, introduce digital assets to broaden capital market

The Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) of Sri Lanka plans to significantly expand the nation’s capital market by listing the state-owned enterprises (SOEs), demutualising the Colombo Stock Exchange (CSE) and introducing new financial products such as digital assets, Chairman Senior Professor Hareendra Dissabandara announced yesterday.

She elephant falls into Z-D canal; saved after three-hour operation

A she elephant that fell into the Z-D canal in Welikanda this morning was saved by the Wildlife officers and driven away into a forest reserve after a three hour rescue operation.

Colombo stock market ends in red after extended bull run

The Colombo Stock Exchange (CSE) witnessed a reversal in momentum today, breaking its recent bullish streak as investor sentiment shifted during midday trading. The market, which opened on a positive note, saw the All Share Price Index (ASPI) gain 82 points early in the session before reversing sharply, declining by 179 points to close the day lower by 80 points.