Govt. consults AG over Singapore company’s refusal to pay X-Press Pearl compensation

In the wake of the Singapore shipping company refusing to pay the Supreme Court-ordered compensation of US $ 1 billion over the X-Press Pearl disaster, the government has consulted the Attorney General on the next step to be taken, a Minister said yesterday.

SL taps Google to offer free AI research tools to students

Sri Lankan students will soon get free access to Google’s Gemini Advanced research tools and other digital resources, the Ministry of Digital Economy said today.

Underworld figure Nadun Chinthaka has been prevented from revealing bribe seeking cops - his father says

Nelson Mervin Wickramaratne, the father of Nadun Chinthaka, commonly known as Harak Kata claims that his son suspects that he is being unjustly held in detention under PTA to prevent him from revealing details of senior police officers and politicians who had sought bribes.

Politics and taxes have kept some exhibitors out of book fair: MP

Some exhibitors who have participated in the Colombo International Book Fair previously have kept away from the exhibition this year due to political interference, Opposition MP Amila Prasad Siriwardana alleged yesterday.

Police, Customs and Revenue Depts. top corruption lists

In a candid and data-driven address, the head of Sri Lanka’s anti-corruption watchdog has revealed that the public institutions are perceived as the most corrupt by citizens, while simultaneously identifying a separate list of state bodies whose corrupt activities inflict the most severe damage on the national economy.

Man shocks mourners by showing up to his own funeral alive

An Argentinian man showed up to his own funeral, leaving mourners bewildered as to whose body they were burying.

Sri Lanka’s investment climate constrained-U.S. report says

Despite the government’s rhetoric, the country’s investment climate remains constrained, and investors report that doing business remains difficult, frequently citing concerns about project reversals, regulatory shifts, slow decision-making, and inadequate support for established businesses, according to the U.S. Department of State.

Four killed in shooting and arson attack at Mormon church in Michigan

At least four people have been killed and eight others injured after a gunman drove a vehicle into a Michigan church, opened fire and set the building ablaze, police say.

Stop promoting LGBTQ tourism: Cardinal

Criticising the government’s move to allow the promotion of LGBTQ tourism in Sri Lanka, Archbishop of Colombo Cardinal Malcolm Ranjith said such a move would destroy the country’s culture.

Police on high alert over dirty cops leaking information to underworld

Sri Lanka Police are on the lookout for rogue officers suspected of leaking sensitive information to underworld figures, following shocking revelations that notorious criminal Kehelbaddara Padme was reportedly tipped off about a secret overseas mission to arrest him.

CB to tighten oversight on crypto service providers amid money laundering concerns

In a move to crack down on potential money laundering, the Central Bank of Sri Lanka announced it will soon mandate that all cryptocurrency (crypto) and virtual asset service providers register with the government to continue their operations.

Public sector wages now ‘fair’, no longer an excuse for corruption, says Anti-Graft Chief

The long-held excuse that low public sector salaries contribute to a culture of corruption is no longer valid, according to the head of Sri Lanka’s anti-corruption commission.

India beat Pakistan by five wickets to clinch ninth Asia Cup title

Tilak Varma hit an unbeaten 69 as India defeated Pakistan by five wickets for a record-extending ninth Asia Cup title with no handshakes between the sides again on Sunday.

Sri Lankan tea factory sets global record

Elevating the global profile of Ceylon Tea, New Vithanakande Ceylon Black Tea (FFExSp) has entered the Guinness World Records as the most expensive tea ever sold.

Coal tender paved way for serious corruption: Pubudu Jayagoda

The tender for the import of coal required for power generation in Sri Lanka has paved the way for serious corruption, FrontLine Socialist Party (FLSP) Education Secretary Pubudu Jayagoda alleged today.

Former Delhi player Manhas elected new Indian cricket chief

Former domestic player and administrator Mithun Manhas was unanimously elected on Sunday as president of India’s cricket board, the sport’s most powerful national body.

Sri Lanka’s Fragile MiddleOrder Exposed Again

Sri Lanka’s T20 Asia Cup defence came to a premature ending as the island nation failed to even make the finals this time around. In fact, the team led by Charith Asalanka was beaten in all three games of the ‘Super 4’ stage. Having started off the tournament well, winning all three group stage games, Sri Lanka failed to live up to their expectations in the Super 4s.

US flags investment hurdles in latest report on Sri Lanka

The United States has cautioned that Sri Lanka’s regulatory unpredictability, bureaucratic red tape and selective transparency are discouraging broader participation of American firms, despite strong interest in sectors such as ICT, energy, aviation and defence.

SLPP Municipal Councillor arrested

SLPP member of the Dehiwala-Mount Lavinia Municipal Council and former Western Provincial Councillor, Amal Silva, was arrested today (28) by police for allegedly possessing three luxury vehicles valued at over Rs. 60 million, which had been registered using forged documents.

Zelensky condemns ’vile’ Russian strikes lasting 12 hours

A Russian aerial bombardment that lasted more than 12 hours has killed at least four people and injured at least 70 others in Ukraine.

President appoints four President’s Counsel

President Anura Kumara Dissanayake has appointed four senior officers of the Attorney General’s Department as President’s Counsel, following their promotion to the position of Additional Solicitor General (ASG).

Sanctions reimposed on Iran 10 years after landmark nuclear deal

Sweeping UN economic and military sanctions have been reimposed on Iran - 10 years after they were lifted in a landmark international deal over its nuclear programme.

Five arrested for illegally clearing Kahalla Pallekele Sanctuary

Five suspects have been arrested for illegally clearing forest land in the Kahalla Pallekele Sanctuary, claiming that the forest was encroaching on their crops, wildlife officials said.

Navy seizes Indian fishing boat poaching in Northern Waters：12 arrested

The Sri Lanka Navy, in coordination with the Coast Guard, seized an Indian fishing boat and apprehended 12 Indian fishermen for illegal fishing off Delft Island in Jaffna during early morning operations today.

Disease spreading among monkeys in Polonnaruwa

Wildlife officials have reported that a disease is spreading among monkeys in the Polonnaruwa and Giritale areas, raising concerns about the possible risk of transmission to humans.

Child Abuse Bill aims to protect all children, not target teachers: PM

The Child Abuse Bill is not a law amended to target schools or teachers, but a broader amendment aimed at ensuring the safety and protection of all children in society, Prime Minister and Minister of Education, Higher Education and Vocational Education Dr. Harini Amarasuriya said.

Ranil meets MR at Tangalle

Former President Ranil Wickremesinghe met his former political rival Mahinda Rajapaksa today at the latter’s residence in Tangalle.

Russia launches major drone, missile attack on Ukraine, still ongoing

Kyiv came under heavy drone and missile bombardment early on Sunday, in what independent monitors said was one of the biggest Russian attacks on the Ukrainian capital and surrounding region since the full-scale war began.

President to meet Sri Lankans living in Japan

At the invitation of the Government of Japan, President Anura Kumara Dissanayake, who is currently on an official visit to Japan, is scheduled to meet members of the Sri Lankan community residing in Japan this afternoon (28) in Tokyo.

Minister urges professionals to unite for national development

Transport, Highways, Ports and Civil Aviation Minister and Leader of the House Bimal Ratnayake highlighted that professionals must work together to contribute to the country’s development, stressing that no one can win alone.