CPSTL ends political bias in hiring, promotions, transfers: Chairman

The Ceylon Petroleum Storage Terminals Ltd. (CPSTL) today announced that future recruitments, transfers, and promotions will no longer be influenced by political affiliations, personal connections, or directives from the chairman.

Wife of ‘Backhoe Saman’ further remanded

Colombo Chief Magistrate Asanga S. Bodaragama today ordered that Shadhika Lakshani, the wife of the detained ‘Backhoe Saman’, be further remanded until October 9 under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act.

YANGWANG U9 Xtreme is the World’s fastest production car, with top speed of 496.22km/h

YANGWANG, the luxury sub-brand of global new-energy vehicle (NEV) leader BYD, has set a new global production-car top-speed record of 496.22km/h at the ATP Automotive Testing Papenburg test track in Germany.

Over 5 million toque monkeys in Sri Lanka: Recent census reveals

The recent census has revealed that there are 5.1 million toque monkeys, 1.7 million other monkeys in Sri Lanka while it has been found that the population of Grizzled Giant squirrels is 2.6 million.

Archchuna wants Parliament public toilet open at night

Police officers on duty in Parliament face difficulties as the public toilet in the Parliament Complex is padlocked at night, Jaffna District MP Ramanathan Archchuna said today.

Sri Lanka among countries seeking to join RCEP trade bloc

Hong Kong, Sri Lanka, Chile and Bangladesh are seeking to join the China-backed Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership, the world’s largest trade bloc, Southeast Asian officials said on Thursday.

Speaker reiterates no-confidence against Deputy Defence Minister cannot be debated

Speaker Jagath Wickramaratne today reiterated that the no confidence motion against Deputy Defence Minister Aruna Jayasekera cannot be debated as per Standing Orders, the Constitution and international parliamentary practices.

Presidential Secretariat upholds rejection of RTI request on President’s domestic travel costs

The Designated Officer at the Presidential Secretariat has upheld the Information Officer’s earlier decision to reject an information request made by a YouTuber under the Right to Information (RTI) Act regarding the expenditures incurred for domestic travel and accommodation by President Anura Kumara Dissanayake during the past 12 months.

Private bus ticketing to be mandatory from next month

The Western Provincial Road Passenger Transport Authority (WPRPTA) has announced that issuing and obtaining tickets on private buses will become mandatory from the first of next month, WPRPTA Chairman Gamini Jayasinghe said.

Four killed in head-on collision between van and lorry in Anuradhapura

Four people were killed early today when a Dolphin van collided head-on with a lorry in Mihirigama, Thalawa, Anuradhapura, police said. The accident occurred at around 4:50 am on the Anuradhapura-Kurunegala Padeniya road.

Breast cancer claims three lives daily in SL- health officials

Sri Lanka sees approximately 15 new breast cancer cases daily, with around three women dying from the disease each day, health authorities revealed yesterday.

Malawi’s ex-president wins election in comeback at age 85

Malawi’s former President Peter Mutharika has been declared the winner of last week’s elections, in a huge comeback for the 85-year-old.

Ramanathapuram court releases Sri Lankan police officer who illegally entered India

The Ramanathapuram Principal District Court here on Wednesday ordered the release of a Sri Lankan police officer who entered India illegally.

GovPay platform records Rs. 285 million in transactions

Since its launch, the GovPay digital platform has facilitated payments exceeding Rs. 285 million, Digital Economy Minister Eranga Weerarathne said.

Bribery Commission to probe over Rs. 2,500 million reagent purchases at CNH

The Bribery Commission has decided to launch an investigation into the purchase and misuse of laboratory reagents worth over Rs. 2,500 million at the Colombo National Hospital (CNH).

PM calls for global cooperation to stop drug trafficking in Indian Ocean

Prime Minister Dr. Harini Amarasuriya yesterday said that international support is essential to stop illegal activities in the Indian Ocean, especially drug trafficking, which has become a serious threat to security and stability.

Controversial number plate tender to incur over Rs.516mn loss to Govt.

A multi-billion rupee government tender to supply vehicle number plates is mired in controversy after the two lowest bidders were disqualified on technical grounds, paving the way for the contract to be awarded to the highest bidder at a potential loss of over Rs. 500 million to the state.

Seven monks killed in cable track operated car tragedy at Na Uyana monastery

The death toll from a cable track operated car accident at the Na Uyana Monastery (Nā Uyana Āranya Senāsanaya) in Pansiyagama, Melsiripura, has risen to seven Buddhist monks, hospital sources confirmed today.

'I’m done being quiet' - Naz condemns racist abuse

Tottenham forward Jess Naz is ’’done being quiet’’ after receiving ’’racial abuse’’ on social media.

Pakistan’s Shaheen sends Asia Cup warning as third India clash looms

Pakistan pace spearhead Shaheen Shah Afridi has declared that his team will reach the Asia Cup final and can beat India if the arch-rivals clash again.

India beat Bangladesh to reach Asia Cup final

Defending champions India booked their spot in the Asia Cup final with a 41-run victory over Bangladesh.

President makes maiden address at UNGA

President Anura Kumara Dissanayake delivered his maiden address at the General Debate of the 80th Session of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) in New York.

Central Bank keeps rates at 7.75% as growth, inflation outlook firm

The Central Bank kept its benchmark overnight policy rate unchanged at 7.75 percent at its monetary policy meeting this week, stating the previous easing measures were taking effect and would guide inflation towards its medium-term target of 5 percent by the middle of next year.

Ceylon Tea exports inch up in August

Sri Lanka’s tea exports maintained steady ground in August, with volumes reaching 23.70 million kilogrammes, an improvement of 1.61 million kilogrammes from the same month last year, the official figures showed.

MPs occupy official residences in Madiwela for nominal monthly rent of Rs.2,000

It was revealed today that approximately 111 Members of Parliament are residing in official housing units at the Madiwela housing scheme, paying a nominal monthly rent of just Rs. 2,000.

CSE extends bull run for seventh consecutive session

The Colombo Stock Exchange (CSE) extended its bull run for the seventh straight session on Wednesday, closing firmly in positive territory despite intraday volatility. The ASPI gained 55.61 points (+0.26%) to close at 21,338.45, while the S&P SL20 edged up 7.92 points (+0.13%) to 6,081.06.

New telephone numbers introduced to inform of dangerous drugs

Police have introduced new telephone numbers for the public to inform them of dangerous drugs such as heroin ICE, cocaine cannabis etc.

Foreign employment insurance compensation increased to Rs. 2 million

The insurance compensation paid to a worker employed abroad in the event of death while on duty has been increased to Rs. 2 million, The Sri Lanka Bureau of Foreign Employment (SLBFE) announced.

President meets Donald Trump’s Special Envoy for South and Central Asia

President Anura Kumara Dissanayake, who is currently in the United States to attend the 80th Session of the United Nations General Assembly, met with President Donald Trump’s Special Envoy for South and Central Asian affairs, U.S. Ambassador to India and Director of the White House Presidential Personnel Office, Sergio Gor on 23rd afternoon, US time.

Electronic NIC to be launched by mid 2026

Digital Economy Minister Eranga Weerarathne announced today that the government is planning to issue the Electronic National Identity Card (e-NIC) by the middle of next year.