Government to strengthen public transport system to elevate country to new level: President

The government is placing particular emphasis on strengthening the public transport system as part of its broader agenda to elevate the country to a new level, President Anura Kumara Dissanayake said.

Najmul Hossain Shanto steps down as Test captain

Following Bangladesh’s crushing defeat to Sri Lanka in the second Test in Colombo, Najmul Hossain Shanto has announced his decision to step down as the Test captain.

Sri Lanka wraps up series with dominant innings win over Bangladesh

Sri Lanka won the second Test against Bangladesh by an innings and 78 runs on Saturday, a comfortable victory that saw the host clinch the series.

Airforce deploys helicopter, Y-12 aircraft in search for missing fishermen in Galle, Kalutara

The Sri Lanka Air Force deployed a Bell 412 helicopter and a Y-12 aircraft to search for six missing fishermen off the Galle and Kalutara coasts.

Israel extends re-entry visas for Sri Lankan workers amid Middle East unrest

In response to the ongoing instability in the Middle East, the Population and Immigration Authority (PIBA) of Israel has extended the validity of re-entry visas for individuals who returned to Sri Lanka with plans to resume employment in Israel.

White House wants deep cut in US funding for war crimes probes in Sri Lanka and others

The White House has recommended terminating U.S. funding for nearly two dozen programs that conduct war crimes and accountability work globally, including in Sri Lanka, Myanmar, Syria and on alleged Russian atrocities in Ukraine, according to three U.S. sources familiar with the matter and internal government documents reviewed by Reuters.

Trump says he would ’absolutely’ consider bombing Iran again

US President Donald Trump has said he would ’’absolutely’’ consider bombing Iran again.

Rise in social media scams targeting Sri Lankans: CID warns public

The Criminal Investigation Department (CID) has raised alarm over a sharp increase in crimes targeting Sri Lankans through popular social media platforms such as Facebook, WhatsApp, Telegram, Skype and WeChat.

US Supreme Court ruling expands Trump’s power and he intends to use it

The Supreme Court on Friday handed a significant victory to Donald Trump - and future American presidents - when curbing lower courts’ power to block executive orders.

MasterChef Sri Lanka cooks up local debut

MasterChef Sri Lanka is set to make its television debut as the 71st international adaptation of the globally acclaimed culinary franchise, the producers announced this week, positioning the show as a premium offering in the island’s reality TV space.

Largest FDI under NPP govt. still in limbo

The $ 3.7 billion investment project by Sinopec in Hambantota - the largest ever Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) in Sri Lanka - is still in limbo even after the lapse of six months because of differences between the government and the company on the local market share component, Daily Mirror learns.

SL failed to capitalise on strategic location: Verite Research

Despite decades of celebrating its strategic position, Sri Lanka has fundamentally failed to capitalise on its prime location, a critical factor that remains the key to unlocking its potential as a developed nation, asserted prominent economist and Verite Research Research Director Subhashini Abeysinghe.

India’s Mazagon Dock to acquire control of Colombo Dockyard for US $ 52.96mn

India’s Mazagon Dock Shipbuilders Ltd has agreed to buy a controlling stake in Sri Lanka’s Colombo Dockyard PLC for up to US $ 52.96 million, the companies said.

Insurers urged to innovate with low-cost products for universal Sri Lankan coverage

A senior insurance leader has urged the Sri Lankan insurance industry to shift its focus from incremental growth and develop low-cost, accessible products to pursue universal coverage for the entire nation.

Former Minister Rajitha Senaratne likely to be named suspect

The Bribery Commission informed the court that former Fisheries Minister Rajitha Senaratne is likely to be named as a suspect in connection with the controversial sand dredging project at the Kirinda Fisheries Harbour.

Two abducted NPP councillors found

The two National People’s Power (NPP) members of the Weligama Pradeshiya Sabha, who were abducted this morning, were abandoned in the Dewata area in Galle, the Southern Province DIG office said.

Sharp drop in HIV and AIDS cases in Anuradhapura

Health authorities in the Anuradhapura District have expressed satisfaction about the sharp decline in positive cases of HIV and AIDS reported from the district.

Tourists on the ropes - PHOTO

Sri Lanka was poised for an early kill against Bangladesh at the end of day three in the second Test at the SSC ground. In their second essay, Bangladesh faced with the task of erasing a 211-run deficit, were in tatters struggling on 115 for six when bad light stopped play.

Deadlock halts election of Chairpersons in three Local Bodies

Votes to appoint chairpersons for the Bandaragama, Weligama and Seethawaka Pradeshiya Sabhas have ended in dramatic deadlocks, following heated clashes between members of the National People’s Power (NPP) and opposition groups.

US Supreme Court limits nationwide injunctions in birthright citizenship case

The Supreme Court on Friday limited the ability of federal judges to temporarily pause President Trump’s executive orders, a major victory for the administration. But the justices made no ruling on the constitutionality of his move to end birthright citizenship, and they stopped his order from taking effect for 30 days.

Nishantha Wickramasinghe remanded till July 1

Former SriLankan Airlines Chairman Nishantha Wickramasinghe who was arrested by the Commission to Investigate Allegations of Bribery or Corruption (CIABOC) was remanded till July 1 by Additional Magistrate Harshana Kekunawela.

Safety belts to be made compulsory for passenger bus drivers from July 1: NTC

The government has planned to make safety belts compulsory for drivers of all passnger buses including Sri Lanka Transport Board (SLTB) from July 1, National Tranport Board Chairman P.A. Chnadrapala said today.

Customs thwarts Indian smuggling Rs. 21.3 Mn worth Kush at BIA

An Indian national trying to enter the country with Kush worth over Rs.21.3 million was intercepted by Sri Lanka Customs at the Bandaranaike International Airport last night.

Sri Lanka announces squad for Bangladesh ODI series

The Sri Lanka Cricket Selection Committee has announced a 16-member squad for the upcoming three-match One Day International (ODI) series against Bangladesh, scheduled for July 2, 5, and 8, 2025.

Indian fishermen nabbed by Sri Lanka because their rights given up during Emergency: EAM Jaishankar

The issue of Sri Lanka arresting Indian fishermen stems from an agreement during Emergency under which their rights for fishing in some specific areas were given up, External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar said on Friday.

Protesters urge U.S. to end support for Israel

2,500 illegal constructions along Sri Lanka’s coastline

The Department of Coastal Conservation and Coastal Resources Management has identified approximately 2,500 unauthorised constructions along Sri Lanka’s coastal belt.

Former CFHC Chairman granted bail

Former Chairman of the Ceylon Fisheries Harbour Corporation (CFHC) in 2012, Upali Liyanage, was released on bail today after being arrested by the Commission to Investigate Allegations of Bribery or Corruption.

Bus crashes in Kantale after driver suffers heart attack

A private bus crashed in Kantale town after the driver reportedly suffered a sudden heart attack, causing the vehicle to veer off the road and collide with an electricity pole, a roadside shop and two parked motorcycles.

Japan executes ’Twitter Killer’ who murdered nine people in 2017

Japan executed a 34-year-old death row inmate known as the ’’Twitter Killer,’’ who was convicted of killing nine people at his apartment south of Tokyo in 2017, marking the first person to be put to death in the country in nearly three years.