Police launch manslaughter probe into India’s cough syrup deaths

Indian police have opened a manslaughter probe into the deaths of at least 14 children linked to a toxic cough syrup, dealing another blow to the reputation of the country’s pharmaceutical industry after a string of similar tragedies in recent years.

Deputy Minister warns opposition politicians not to talk nonsense anymore

Deputy Minister Mahinda Jayasinghe said today that politicians such as Wimal Weerawansa and Udaya Gammanpila must be ready to face investigations if they continue to talk nonsense.

Bellanwila tusker ‘Manika’ passes away

‘Manika,’ the majestic tusker of Bellanwila Temple, passed away this afternoon at the age of 76.

Former West Indies allrounder, Bernard Julien passes away At 75

Former West Indies all-rounder and 1975 World Cup winner Bernard Julien passed away at the age of 75 in Valsayn, a town in Northern Trinidad. Julien was one of the understated legends of the 1975 World Cup, a tournament that brought immense joy to West Indians 50 years ago as the West Indies team secured the first-ever men’s World Cup title in cricket history.

Three women killed, one injured in accident in Gampola

A tragic incident occurred in the Doluwa area of Gampola today (06), where three women observing Poya Day were killed in a collision with a motor vehicle.

Nobel Prize in medicine goes to trio of scientists for discovering how the immune system is kept in check

The 2025 Nobel Prize in physiology or medicine has been awarded to a trio of scientists – two of them American and one Japanese – for discovering how the immune system protects us from thousands of different microbes trying to invade our bodies.

BMICH police station reopened after brief, unexplained closure

The police station located within the Bandaranaike Memorial International Conference Hall (BMICH) premises has been reopened, just 24 hours after it was abruptly closed down on official orders.

Severe lightning advisory issued for several provinces

The Department of Meteorology has issued an amber advisory warning of severe lightning in the Northern, North-Central, Eastern and Uva provinces.

Met Department website comes to a standstill while weather causes havoc

The Department of Meteorology website has run into trouble due to technical issues as adverse weather conditions caused havoc in some areas over the weekend.

French PM and government resign

France’s Prime Minister Sébastien Lecornu has resigned, less than a day after his cabinet was unveiled.

Supermoon shines over Vap Poya Day

A supermoon is lighting up the sky on Vap Poya Day today, appearing approximately 7% larger than a typical full moon, the Arthur C. Clarke Institute for Modern Technologies (ACCIMT) said.

International dhamma programme to mark Vap Full Moon poya

A special International Dhamma Programme will be held online on Vap Full Moon Poya Day, Monday, October 6, 2025, featuring a Dhamma talk on Practical Meditation by Bhante Shravasti Dhammika Thera.

President opens archaeological museum and research institute at Somawathi

A newly constructed two-storey building housing the Archaeological Museum and the International Archaeological Research Institute at the historic Somawathi sacred area in Polonnaruwa was officially opened today under the patronage of President Anura Kumara Dissanayake, the President’s Media Division (PMD) said.

Sri Lanka and Maldives reaffirm commitment to strengthen bilateral ties

Emphasizing the importance of strengthening people-to-people connections and broadening cooperation to enhance the close bilateral ties between the two countries, the newly appointed Sri Lanka High Commissioner to the Republic of Maldives, Mohamed Rizvi Hassen, presented his Letters of Credence to Maldivian President Dr. Mohamed Muizzu at a ceremony held at the President’s Office on Sunday.

Sri Lanka CEB tenders 200MW battery energy systems

Ceylon Electricity Board (CEB) had called for tenders from potential bidders for 200MW/200MWh battery energy systems (BESS), it was reported yesterday. This is for the upgrading of its grid to accommodate more intermittent renewables.

School boy drowns while trying to retrieve cricket ball

A 17-year-old school boy has drowned after attempting to retrieve a cricket ball that had fallen into the swimming pool at his school in Dikwella.

Electricity Engineers’ Union to waive work regulations

The Electricity Engineers’ Union has decided to waive all work regulations starting from 4:15 p.m. today, Samagi Joint Trade Union Alliance convenor Ananda Palitha said.

Hospital fire kills at least six patients in India’s Jaipur

A hospital blaze caused by a suspected short-circuit killed at least six patients in a trauma centre at the largest state-run hospital in India’s northwestern city of Jaipur, and injured five, officials said on Monday.

Drug destruction laws yet to be implemented despite high seizures

Despite promises that new laws would allow illegal drug hauls to be destroyed immediately in front of a judicial officer while retaining samples for legal proceedings, the practice is yet to be introduced in Sri Lanka.

Sri Lanka sees 100 new cancer patients every day

Around 100 new cancer patients are being diagnosed in Sri Lanka every day, amounting to nearly 35,000 cases annually, it was revealed.

Aluthgama police investigate into alleged sexual abuse at Child Development Centre

Aluthgama Police are investigating into an alleged sexual abuse incident involving an 8-year-old child at a Child Development Centre in the Pinghena area of Beruwala.

Farmers warn of artificial rice shortage during festive season

Chairman of the National Farmers’ Union, Anuradha Tennakoon alleged that rice producers deliberately create artificial shortages every year during the festive season, and criticised the government for failing to address the issue.

Japan stocks hit record after ruling party names pro-business leader

Japanese stocks have hit a record high after the country’s ruling Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) named Sanae Takaichi as its new leader, positioning the pro-business politician to be Japan’s next prime minister.

Sri Lanka’s homegrown cancer product gains global traction

A locally developed nutraceutical targeting cancer stem cells is expected to generate around two million U.S. dollars in export revenue for Sri Lanka by 2027, according to Prof. Sameera R. Samarakoon of the Institute of Biochemistry, Molecular Biology and Biotechnology, University of Colombo.

Gunman opens fire on Sydney street, injuring 20, one seriously

A 60-year-old man was arrested Monday in Australia after police said he fired up to 100 bullets at passersby, injuring 20 people in the country’s most populous city.

Sri Lanka ready for investment in offshore oil, gas extraction

Sri Lanka is ready to complete the selection of a marketing consultant this week to proceed with calling for bids for commercial extraction of offshore natural oil and gas reserves in the Mannar basin soon, an informed source said.

Wesley Edge Science to Clinch U16 Rugby Tens Title

Wesley College won the All Island Under-16 Elite Rugby Tens 2025, edging out Science College 5-3 in a thriller at the St. Peter’s College ground in Bambalapitiya.

Pradeep Somasiri wins Bronze at World Para Athletics Championship 2025

Sri Lankan para middle-distance runner Pradeep Somasiri brought pride to the nation by winning a bronze medal at the 12th World Para Athletics Championship 2025, held at the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium in New Delhi, India.

US Supreme Court girds for culture wars with LGBT, guns and race cases

The U.S. Supreme Court is set to wade back into the nation’s culture wars during its new nine-month term that begins on Monday with a series of contentious cases on issues including transgender athletes, gay conversion therapy, guns and race.

Over 30,000 power outages reported amid CEB work-to-rule action

Over 30,000 electricity breakdowns were reported across the country yesterday due to adverse weather conditions, the Ceylon Electricity Board (CEB) Technicians’ Union said, warning that restoration may be delayed because of their ongoing work-to-rule campaign.