Odira times finish to perfection to win surprise 800m gold in Tokyo

Continuing a run of middle distance and distance upsets in Tokyo, Kenya’s Lilian Odira sprang one of the biggest surprises of the World Athletics Championships Tokyo 25 to run down Olympic champion Keely Hodgkinson in the deepest women’s 800m race in history.

USA retains men’s world 4x100m title in Tokyo

It seemed apt that athletics’ biggest and brashest star in Noah Lyles should bring the curtain down on the World Athletics Championships Tokyo 25 with a second gold medal.

USA Breaks Championship Record to regain Women’s 4x400m title in Tokyo

The United States produced an utterly dominant performance to take gold in the women’s 4x400m at the World Athletics Championships Tokyo 25 on Sunday (21), setting a championship record of 3:16.61 on the rain-soaked track at the Japan National Stadium.

ED to question jailed Sri Lankan woman in terror group LTTE funding case

A special NIA court in Chennai has granted the Enforcement Directorate (ED) permission to interrogate Mary Francisca Letchumanan, a Sri Lankan-origin woman currently in judicial custody, in connection with an ongoing money laundering investigation linked to the banned LTTE terrorist organisation.

Publishers call for reduction of VAT on books

The Sri Lanka Book Publishers Association yesterday said the 18% Value Added Tax (VAT) imposed on books has become a major obstacle to offering discounted prices to readers.

Wildlife Dept. denies reports of dugong found in Sri Lanka

The Wildlife Conservation Department today denied social media claims that the body of a sea dugong had been found along the Sri Lankan coastline.

Father of Easter Sunday bombing victim appeals for justice at UN

The father of Vihanga Tejantha, a 20-year-old killed in the 2019 Easter Sunday bomb attack at Colombo’s Shangri-La Hotel, has called for justice at the 60th session of the United Nations Human Rights Council.

World’s oldest person, 116, meets King Charles

King Charles III has made a special visit to the world’s oldest person, who told him she remembered ’’all the girls were in love with you and wanted to marry you’’.

Sri Lanka’s big gamble backfires

Sri Lanka are certainly down, but they are still not out.

Foreigner arrested in Weligama suspected ice manufacturing raid

An 18-year-old foreign national has been arrested following a raid on a suspected drug manufacturing site in the Weligama area.

Body of missing youth found in Ibbagamuwa

Gokarella Police have discovered the body of a young man, under mysterious circumstances inside a culvert in Yakalla, Ibbagamuwa.

Heathrow braces for second day of disruption after cyber-attack

Air travellers are facing another day of disruption at several European airports including Heathrow, after a cyber-attack knocked out a check-in and baggage system.

Govt. mulls ending extra charges on debit and credit card payments

The Ministry of Digital Economy said that steps are underway to abolish additional charges imposed on debit and credit card payments.

UK PM Starmer to recognise Palestinian statehood before UNGA meeting

More than 100 years after the Balfour Declaration backed “the establishment in Palestine of a national home for the Jewish people”, and 77 years after the creation of Israel in the British Mandate of Palestine, the United Kingdom is set to formally recognise a Palestinian state.

SLTB to recruit women with air hostess-level uniforms

Women will soon join the Sri Lanka Transport Board (SLTB) as drivers and conductors, dressed in newly designed uniforms at air hostess level, Transport Minister Bimal Rathnayake said.

Wasp attack injures 13 in Kotiyagala

Thirteen plantation workers, including twelve women and one man, were hospitalised following a wasp attack at the Kotiyagala Tea Estate in Bogwantalawa yesterday (20).

President Dissanayake to leave for USA tomorrow

resident Anura Kumara Dissanayake is scheduled to depart for the United States tomorrow (22) night to participate in the 80th session of the United Nations General Assembly.

Karandeniya Pradeshiya Sabha Chairman passes away at 47

Mahil Munasinghe, Chairman of the Karandeniya Pradeshiya Sabha, passed away today (21) following a sudden illness. He reportedly fell ill this morning while engaging in physical fitness activities and was admitted to Karandeniya Hospital, where he later died.

Committee reveals misuse of Rs. 8 billion at Central Cultural Fund

Over Rs. 8 billion has reportedly been misused without the approval of the Board of Governors of the Central Cultural Fund (CCF), according to Deputy Minister of Buddhasasana, Religious and Cultural Affairs Gamagedara Dissanayake.

Body of elderly woman found hanging from tree in Watawala

Watawala Police this morning recovered the body of a 62-year-old woman found hanging from a tree in her estate.

Medicine shortage due to procurement delays, not finances: Health Minister

The ongoing shortage of medicines in the country is the result of procurement delays and not financial difficulties, Health Minister Dr. Nalinda Jayatissa said.

Committee appointed to probe Pettah fire

A committee has been appointed to investigate the fire that broke out at an electrical appliance store on 1st Cross Street, Pettah yesterday. The committee is headed by Deputy Minister of Public Security, Attorney-at-Law Sunil Watagala.

India warns new US fee for H-1B visa will have ’humanitarian consequences’

The Indian government has said a new $100,000 (£74,000) fee for applicants seeking US skilled worker visas will have ’’humanitarian consequences’’.

Former Liverpool manager Beard dies aged 47

Former Liverpool manager Matt Beard has died at the age of 47, the Women’s Super League club has announced.

Hridoy and Hassan steer Bangladesh past Sri Lanka at Asia Cup

Half-centuries by Towhid Hridoy (58) and Saif Hassan (61) powered Bangladesh to an exciting four-wicket win in the Super Four stage of the Asia Cup against former champions Sri Lanka in Dubai on Saturday.

955 kg heroin, 1,422 kg ICE seized in 2025 raids

Sri Lanka Police have seized 955 kilograms of heroin, 1,422 kilograms of ICE, 471 kilograms of hashish, 29 kilograms of cocaine, 13,773 kilograms of cannabis, and 3.5 million narcotic pills in raids conducted so far this year.

PT licence mandatory for public transport drivers by December

All public transport drivers will be required to obtain a Public Transport (PT) licence by December 31, Transport Minister Bimal Ratnayake announced today (20).

Massive drug stock worth Rs. 16.84 million seized at BIA

A stock of “Kush” and “Hashish” drugs valued at Rs. 16.84 million was seized by officers of the Police Narcotics Bureau (PNB) today (20) at the Bandaranaike International Airport (BIA).

Religious and aesthetic subjects to remain unchanged: Minister

Education Minister Dr. Harini Amarasuriya today assured that the current government has no intention of reducing religious education or aesthetic subjects in schools.

Ampara district motor vehicles office goes fully online

All systems of the Ampara District Office of the Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) were brought online today (20), marking a major step in modernizing public services.