New Zealand PM proposes banning under-16s from social media

New Zealand’s prime minister on Tuesday (May 6) proposed banning children under 16 from social media, stressing the need to shield them from the perils of big tech platforms.

Voter turnout 20 percent in several districts

Voter turnout for the Local Government elections 2025 was 20 percent in several districts as of 10 a.m. today.

SLBFE manager, 5 others suspended in Rs. 250 million scam

The services of six individuals, including an Additional General Manager of the Sri Lanka Bureau of Foreign Employment (SLBFE), were suspended with immediate effect from yesterday (5) over an alleged financial fraud of approximately Rs. 250 million.

Cop shoots himself at Padiyathalawa Police station

A 59-year-old police constable attached to the Padiyathalawa Police Station in Ampara has reportedly committed suicide by shooting himself with his service firearm early this morning.

NA Chairman hosts Sri Lankan President

National Assembly (NA) Chairman Trần Thanh Mẫn met with Sri Lankan President Anura Kumara Dissanayaka in Hà Nội on Monday during the latter’s ongoing state visit to Việt Nam and participation in the UN Day of Vesak Celebrations 2025.

Pakistan tests missile, India orders drills amid Kashmir standoff

Pakistan carried out a second missile test in three days on Monday and India said it ordered several states to conduct security drills, as fears mounted the neighbours could be heading to a confrontation over a deadly attack in Kashmir.

Ukraine drone attack shuts Moscow airports, says Russia

Russia says Ukraine has launched an overnight drone attack targeting Moscow for the second night in a row.

SL’s financial sector faces over US $ 10bn climate bill

Sri Lanka’s financial sector must gear up to mobilise an estimated US $ 10.85 billion by 2030 to meet the country’s climate commitments, the Central Bank said, while warning that the cost of inaction is rising as climate risks intensify.

Gun violence continues unabated with 28 shot dead

A rise in shootings linked to the underworld and drug trafficking continues to alarm the public, with the latest incident in Mount Lavinia adding to growing concerns over safety.

Gama for whom: Verdict today

Sri Lankan voters will go to the polls today to elect members to 339 local authorities, the first of its kind to be held since 2018.

Bribed money outweighs earnings for Govt. from court fines, compensations

The government has earned Rs.462,000 in terms of fines and compensation over bribery cases during the first quarter of this year, but the value of bribed money far outweighs it, totalling Rs.6.5 million, according to data published by the Commission to Investigate Allegations of Bribery or Corruption (CIABOC).

BASL calls for zero-tolerance policy on ragging

The Bar Association of Sri Lanka (BASL) urged all responsible authorities in Universities and other Higher Educational Institutions to take necessary preemptive action and incorporate a zero-tolerance policy on unlawful ragging.

Four more Sabaragamuwa undergrads arrested over ragging incident

Four more students of the Sabaragamuwa University were arrested today by the Criminal Investigations Department (CID) over the ragging incident at the University, Police said.

CSE starts the week on a positive note as ASPI surpasses 15,900

The Colombo Stock Exchange (CSE) concluded today’s trading session on a positive note, with the All Share Price Index (ASPI) closing above the 15,900 mark. The week started on an optimistic footing, supported by improved investor sentiment and renewed market confidence.

Court orders gold recovered from LTTE to be analysed by National Gem and Jewellery Authority

The Colombo Magistrate’s Court today ordered that the gold items believed to have belonged to the LTTE and discovered in camps, illegal banks and buildings in the Northern and Eastern Provinces during the humanitarian operation, be handed over to the National Gem and Jewellery Authority for analysis and report.

NPP responds to controversial campaign songs circulated in North, East

The National People’s Power (NPP) refuted releasing Tamil-language campaign songs in the North and East, closely associated with Tamil nationalism and the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) as reported by some media.

Katunayake FTZ workers skip travel home to vote due to high bus fares

Employees of the Katunayake Free Trade Zone (FTZ) are reportedly choosing to remain in their dormitories instead of travelling to their hometowns to vote in the Local Government elections tomorrow (6 May) due to the currently unaffordable bus fares.

Two flaws will defeat promised women’s quota in LG elections: Verité Research

The 25% quota for women in local authority elections, introduced in 2017 to improve women’s representation, is likely to be defeated by two flaws in its implementation, Verité Research said.

Sri Lanka, Vietnam sign four MoUs, bilateral agreement on Customs affairs

Sri Lanka and Vietnam signed four Memoranda of Understanding (MoUs) and one Agreement in the presence of President Anura Kumara Dissanayake and President of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam, Luong Cuong.

Do not get exposed to intense heat in queues at polling stations

Health authorities have warned the public to avoid exposing themselves to the intense heat affecting several areas of the country while waiting in queues at polling stations.

SJB complains to Election Commission against Prime Minister

The Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB) lodged a complaint against Prime Minister Harini Amarasuriya over a statement made by her asking her party supporters to campaign even during the silent period.

Prime Minister under probe over alleged election law violation

Sri Lanka’s main election monitoring body, the People’s Action for Free and Fair Election (PAFFREL), has requested the Election Commission to inquire into the complaint that Prime Minister Harini Amarasuriya violated election laws by asking her party’s supporters to campaign even during the silent period.

Mahesh Gammanpila taken back into remand custody

Former Additional Secretary of the Ministry of Agriculture, Mahesh Gammanpila, who was released on bail today over allegations of causing a loss of over Rs. 13 million to the government by importing a shipment of organic fertilizer contaminated with harmful bacteria and pathogens, has been taken back into remand custody after failing to fulfill the conditions of his bail.

Stray dog capture gang sparks meat trade fears

An organized gang capturing stray dogs in villages around the Moragahakanda reservoir and along the Elahera road has raised serious concerns among local residents, who suspect the animals are being slaughtered for meat.

Sri Lanka’s ‘Knights’ wins runners-up at International Music contest in India

Sri Lankan musical group ’Knights’ has secured the runner-up position at the ’Battle of the Bands – International’ competition held in Mumbai, India.

Vietnamese President welcomes AKD

Vietnamese, Sri Lankan Presidents seek $1 bn in trade

Vietnam President Lương Cường on Monday held talks with Sri Lankan President Anura Kumara Dissanayaka after hosting an official welcome ceremony at the Presidential Palace in Hà Nội.

Over 96,000 foreigners donate eye corneas this year

A total of 96,000 foreign nationals have contributed eye corneas so far this year, with the majority of donations going to Egypt, followed by Lebanon, Pakistan, Iraq, Kenya, and 56 other countries, the Sri Lanka Eye Donation Society (SLEDS) announced.

Bangladesh to tour Sri Lanka for bilateral cricket series in June–July

The Bangladesh National Men’s Cricket Team will tour Sri Lanka in June and July 2025 for a bilateral series comprising Tests, ODIs, and T20Is.

Severe lightning warning for six districts

The Department of Meteorology has issued a severe lightning warning for six districts, effective until 11:00 p.m. today.