40 school children hospitalised due to food poisoning

A group of 40 students of Watareka Junior School in Padukka, who developed a condition of allergy after consuming their morning meal was admitted to the Padukka Divisional Hospital this morning.

Ravi K’s private member’s motion trigger argument

A private member’s motion that was to be moved by MP Ravi Karunanayake to ban parties with ethnic and religious identity triggered an argument today.

Israeli cabinet ratifies Gaza ceasefire and hostage deal with Hamas

Israel’s government ratified a ceasefire with the Palestinian militant group Hamas on Friday, clearing the way to suspend hostilities in Gaza within 24 hours and free Israeli hostages held there within 72 hours after that.

Navy seizes 149 smuggled pigeons from India

The Sri Lanka Navy has confiscated 149 pigeons that were being illegally smuggled into the country by sea from India, officials said.

Over 7,900 Sri Lanka Army NCOs promoted

A total of 7,979 non-commissioned officers of the Sri Lanka Army have been promoted in celebration of the Army’s 76th anniversary, the Army Media Spokesperson said.

Bimal not stripped of Port and Civil Aviation: Deputy Minister

Minister Bimal Ratnayake was not stripped of his portpolio of Port and Civil Aviation but the portfolios were only reshuffled to reach the targets of the government more efficently, Deputy Minister of Finance and Planning Dr. Anil Jayantha said today.

Credit to government for taking away portfolio of Ports from Bimal

ITAK MP Shanakiyan Rasamanickam who hailed the decision by the President for taking away the portfolio of Ports from Bimal Ratnayake, asked whether this decision was made because of the container clearance scam.

No FR petition filed by former President Ranil challenging his arrest

It has been evidenced that former President Ranil Wickremesinghe did not invoke the jurisdiction of the Supreme Court to challenge his arrest by the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) within the one-month period prescribed under the Constitution.

CC members cannot be penalised by Privileges Committee

Members of the Constitutional Council (CC) cannot be summoned before the Privilege Commitee as it is a body independent of Parliament, Speaker Jagath Wickramaratne told the House today.

US sanctions UAE firms for facilitating Iranian LPG shipments to Sri Lanka

The United States Department of the Treasury’s Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) on Thursday announced a new round of sanctions targeting more than 50 individuals, companies, and vessels involved in Iran’s petroleum and petrochemical exports, including firms linked to the sale and shipment of Iranian liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) to Sri Lanka.

Seven arrested over child’s drowning in swimming pool in Nugegoda

Mirihana Police have arrested seven individuals, including the assistant principal of the International school, in connection with the tragic death of a five-year-old child who drowned in a swimming pool at a hotel in the Nugegoda area.

Over 50,000 tri-forces personnel deserted; authorities intensifies arrests

The Defence Ministry and Police have stepped up operations to arrest and take action against over 50,000 tri-forces members, including officers, who have left the service or are absent without official leave (AWOL), the Daily Mirror learns.

“Stop the media show; divulge mastermind now”- Easter attack victims tell Govt.

In what would be a real twist in the tale, discussions in Parliament yesterday (09) revealed that the main conspirator behind the Easter Sunday bomb attacks has been identified prompting victims of the carnage to demand proper action instead of mere media shows.

Government reshuffles Cabinet ahead of Budget — Key Ministerial appointments announced

The Sri Lankan government has announced a major Cabinet reshuffle to accelerate its 2026 development goals.

Tsunami warning for Philippines and Indonesia after 7.6-magnitude earthquake strikes Mindanao

A tsunami warning has been issued for the Philippines and neighbouring regions of Indonesia after a powerful 7.6-magnitude earthquake hit the region on Mindanao on Friday morning.

SJB working committee approves move to work with UNP

The Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB) working committee and the management committee have approved a resolution to work with the United National Party (UNP), Opposition Leader Sajith Premadasa said in a statement.

IMF sets priorities ahead of Budget 2026

The IMF hailed Sri Lanka’s stronger growth and rising reserves, yet cautioned that the country’s recovery depends on delivering tough reforms in energy, SOEs and debt restructuring.

South Africa’s De Klerk stuns India in Women’s World Cup thriller

Nadine de Klerk produced a lower-order masterclass with an unbeaten 84 to steer South Africa to a three-wicket win over India in their Women’s World Cup thriller on Thursday.

Tesla investigated over self-driving cars driving on wrong side of road

Tesla is being investigated by the US government after reports the firm’s self-driving cars had broken traffic laws, including driving on the wrong side of the road and not stopping for red lights.

Pope Leo invokes criticism of Trump’s policies in first major document

Pope Leo made an urgent plea for the world to help immigrants in his first major document, which was released on Thursday and invoked one of the late Pope Francis’ strongest criticisms of U.S. President Donald Trump’s anti-immigration policies.

How has Sri Lanka destroyed Matheesha Pathirana?

Having played in the most competitive franchise cricket league in the world - the Indian Premier League (IPL) even before his debut for Sri Lanka national team, Matheesha Pathirana was primed to be the next big thing in Sri Lankan pace bowling history, but fast forward two years he finds himself in a situation where he’d be incredibly lucky to be included in the squad for TWO World Cup.

CSE rebounds with robust turnover: banking counters lead gains

The Colombo Stock Exchange (CSE) opened on a positive note, recovering from yesterday’s decline and providing fresh momentum to the market. The ASPI gained 76.75 points (+0.35%) to 22,174.74, driven by a robust turnover of LKR 13.30 Bn.

Digital eye strain on the rise among working adult

Health experts warn that cases of computer vision syndrome (CVS), also known as digital eye strain, are on the rise among adults aged 20 to 45. The increase is linked to more people working from home and studying online, a trend that expanded significantly during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Nobel Prize in literature awarded to Hungarian writer Laszlo Krasznahorkai

The Royal Swedish Academy of Sciences has awarded the 2025 Nobel Prize in literature to Hungarian novelist and screenwriter Laszlo Krasznahorkai.

Court warns public servants to be “disciplined and honest”; fake director sentenced

A man who had posed as veteran film director Somaratne Dissanayake, promising young women opportunities in cinema and television, and who was found guilty of committing sexual abuse and financial fraud, was today sentenced to eight months’ rigorous imprisonment with hard labour, suspended for ten years, by Chief Magistrate Asanka S. Bodaragama.

Sri Lanka Stuns Turkmenistan with Historic Win

Sri Lanka today recorded a historic 1–0 victory over the higher-ranked Turkmenistan team in their AFC Asia Cup (Saudi Arabia 2027 Qualifiers) – Group ‘D’ first-leg encounter, played at the Race Course Ground, Colombo.

Several social media users in hot water over posts on Trade Minister

The Ministry of Trade, Commerce, Food Security and Cooperative Development has lodged a complaint with the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) over a series of false and defamatory posts circulating on social media against Minister Wasantha Samarasinghe and his public relations officer, Nimodie Wickramasinghe.

Two police officers interdicted

A Sub Inspector and a Sergeant attached to the Anuradhapura police were interdicted last morning after a suspect had escaped from the police cell.

Police make arrest in India cough syrup deaths

Police in India have arrested the owner of a pharmaceutical company that manufactures a cough syrup connected to the deaths of at least 17 children in the country.

Two children missing

Two boys from the Thennakumbura area in Kandy, both 13 years of age, have gone missing from home.