Atletico and Uefa to review ’spit’ footage during Liverpool match

Atletico Madrid will launch an investigation into the mass confrontation that marred their 3-2 Champions League loss at Anfield, with a member of their backroom team appearing to spit into the crowd.

Chinese national falls to death in Dehiwala

The Dehiwala Police recovered the body of a Chinese national who is suspected to have fallen from an apartment complex in Dehiwala.

Daniel Katz proposed as IMF’s First Deputy Managing Director

Kristalina Georgieva, Managing Director of the International Monetary Fund (IMF), today proposed the appointment of Daniel Katz as First Deputy Managing Director, effective October 6, 2025.

Women Parliamentarians seek UK support to encourage young women’s political participation

The Women Parliamentarians’ Caucus discussed potential pathways for UK support to the Caucus with representatives of the Westminster Foundation for Democracy (WFD) and held discussions regarding intergenerational dialogue for encouraging young women’s political participation with the representatives of the Law and Society Trust (LST).

Court orders PNB Director to appear before court over Backhoe Saman’s wife’s case

Colombo Chief Magistrate Asanga S. Bodaragama ordered the Director of the Police Narcotics Bureau to personally appear before court on September 25 and present submissions regarding the charges filed under the Poisons, Opium and Dangerous Drugs Ordinance against Shadhika Lakshani, wife of ’Backhoe Saman’.

CSE extends bullish streak for third day; ASPI nears 21,000

The Colombo Stock Exchange extended its bullish run for the third consecutive session today with the ASPI advancing 189.84 points (+0.91%) to close at 20,965.26, while the S&P SL20 climbed 68.30 points (+1.16%) to settle at 5,971.30. Market activity remained healthy, recording a turnover of LKR 6.86 Bn on a volume of 254.63 Mn shares.

Earth tremor recorded off Trincomalee

A minor earth tremor with a magnitude of 3.9 was recorded in the sea area, about 60 kilometres northeast of Trincomalee, at 4.06 p.m. today (18), the Geological Survey and Mines Bureau (GSMB) said.

Four arrested with counterfeit Rs. 5,000 notes

Four suspects were arrested in Habarana, Anuradhapura, and Pihimbiyagollewa with a large stock of counterfeit Rs. 5,000 currency notes, Police said.

Two injured in acid attack during police inquiry

Two people were hospitalized following an acid attack that occurred during a police inquiry at the Kalawana Police Station today (18), police said.

Tharanga seventh at World Athletics Championships, finishes ahead of defending champion

Sri Lankan javelin thrower Rumesh Tharanga finished seventh in the Men’s Javelin event at the ongoing World Athletics Championships 2025 in Tokyo, Japan.

Athapaththu aiming high with Sri Lanka at Women’s World Cup

Sri Lanka captain Chamari Athapaththu believes the fact that the upcoming ICC Women’s Cricket World Cup will be played on the sub-continent will prove advantageous for her side.

Alleged contempt of court remarks: Municipal councillor released on bail

Kotte Municipal Councillor Harshani Sandaruwani, who was produced before court on charges of contempt of court during proceedings in a case filed against former President Ranil Wickremesinghe, was released on bail by Fort Magistrate Isuru Neththiikumara.

Former Sabaragamuwa Minister remanded

Former Sabaragamuwa Provincial Council Minister Athula Kumara Rahubadda has been remanded until October 2 over allegations of misappropriating state funds.

Sri Lankan passport almost in par with North Korea, Palestine

The Sri Lankan passport which ranked at 91 among 105 countries dropped a further 6 spots since March this year to 97, further weakening the standing of Sri Lankan passport holders to travel to other countries.

Ambulance collides with lorry in Norwood, driver arrested

An ambulance met with an accident in the Norwood Wensher Watta area along the Hatton–Bogawantalawa main road today, police said.

New service station to be opened at Udukawa on Southern Expressway

Minister of Transport Bimal Rathnayake said that a new, small-scale service station is expected to be launched by the end of September at Udukawa, along the Southern Expressway.

Reports about stranded worker in Israel: Embassy clarifies

The Sri Lankan Mission in Israel has clarified that recent reports on Facebook and other social media claiming that a Sri Lankan worker has been stranded in the country are misleading.

Traffic in Colombo amid CEB workers’ protest

Heavy traffic congestion was reported along Sir Chittampalam A. Gardiner Mawatha in Colombo today (18), stretching from the Lake House roundabout to Slave Island, owing to a protest demonstration staged by Ceylon Electricity Board (CEB) workers.

Fire destroys polythene stock at Dambulla market shop

A fire erupted in the early hours of this morning (18) at a shop unit inside the Dambulla market premises, administered by the Dambulla Municipal Council.

Wife of ‘Backhoe Saman’ further remanded

Shadhika Lakshani, the wife of ‘Backhoe Saman’, who had been remanded under the Anti-Money Laundering Act, was ordered to be further remanded till September 25 by Colombo Chief Magistrate Asanga S. Bodaragama today.

Facebook owner unveils new range of AI-powered smart glasses

Meta has unveiled a new range of smart glasses powered by its artificial intelligence (AI) tech, as it expands its bet that they will be a must-have accessory for users around the world.

Air India crash victims’ families sue aerospace firms Boeing and Honeywell

The families of four passengers who died on an Air India jet that crashed in June have filed a lawsuit in the US against planemaker Boeing and aircraft parts maker Honeywell, accusing the companies of negligence.

Consumers struggle with poorly displayed product information: Asela Sampath

Consumers are facing hardships as key details such as the price, date of manufacture, and expiry date on products are often printed in very small letters, making them difficult to read, National Consumer Front (NCF) Leader Asela Sampath said.

Minister gets tough on Railway officials; ‘Work or resign’

Transport Minister Bimal Rathnayake has said that officials who cannot ensure the proper functioning of railway services should resign from their positions.

Thusitha Halloluwa granted bail

Former National Lotteries Board Director Tusitha Halloluwa, who was arrested in connection with the assault and shooting incident targeting his vehicle, was released on bail.

Tourist rescued from drowning in Mirissa

A 28-year-old Austrian tourist was rescued from drowning while swimming in the seas off Mirissa yesterday afternoon.

Visitor entry to BIA departure lobby limited on Thursdays, Saturdays

The visitor entry to the departure lobby at Bandaranaike International Airport (BIA) will now be restricted only on Thursdays and Saturdays from 10:00 p.m. to midnight, the Airport and Aviation Services (Sri Lanka) (Private) Limited (AASL) said.

Heavy rains on the cards

Heavy rains are expected in several parts of the country today, with showers or thundershowers forecast at times in the Western, Sabaragamuwa, Central, Northern and Northwestern provinces, as well as in the Galle and Matara districts.

Differently-abled student petitions SC over denial of university admission

A young student from Bandarawela has turned to the Supreme Court, alleging that his constitutional rights had been violated after the University Grants Commission (UGC) denied him admission to pursue a degree in technology on the basis of his disability.

SL sees alarming rise in shootings, murders, and fatal accidents in 2025

Sri Lanka is witnessing growing concern over a surge in violent incidents this year, with the number of shootings, murders, and fatal road accidents already surpassing figures recorded during the same period last year.