Govt must stop playing dirty politics with northern people’s emotions: Namal

The government’s move to reopen the Palaly Road in Jaffna with heavy restrictions is truly concerning, MP Namal Rajapaksa said.

Heavy traffic in cities as New Year nears

Traffic congestion has been reported in major cities across the country, including Colombo, as people travel to shop and visit relatives ahead of the Sinhala and Tamil New Year.

NYC helicopter tragedy

China raises tariffs on U.S. imports to 125%

China on Friday said it was raising its tariffs on American goods to 125 percent, from 84 percent, retaliating for the third time in the escalating trade war between the two superpowers.

73 election law violations reported in 24 hours

A total of 73 election law violations were reported during the 24-hour period ending at 4:30 p.m. yesterday (10), the Election Commission announced.

Sri Lanka expected to suffer due to delay in economic, political reforms: Vajira

Sri Lanka is expected to face consequences due to delays in implementing economic and political reforms, UNP Chairman Vajira Abeygunawardena said today.

Ranil summoned by Bribery Commission over MP probe

Former President Ranil Wickremesinghe has been summoned to appear before the Commission to Investigate Allegations of Bribery or Corruption on April 17, in connection with an ongoing investigation involving Member of Parliament Chamara Sampath Dassanayake.

Aswesuma allowance for April from today

The Welfare Benefits Board announced that Aswesuma beneficiaries can receive their allowance for the month of April starting today (11).

Businessman nabbed at BIA with stock of illegal cigarettes

A 29-year-old businessman was arrested this morning at the Bandaranaike International Airport (BIA) with a stock of illegally imported cigarettes worth over Rs. 2.2 million.

Held productive talks with Govt: IMF says

The International Monetary Fund (IMF) staff team held highly productive discussions with the Sri Lankan authorities regarding the economic performance and policies underlying the Fourth Review of the IMF Extended Fund Facility (EFF) arrangement.

CEB signs power purchase agreement for Sahasdhanavi Power Plant

The Ceylon Electricity Board (CEB) announced the signing of a Power Purchase Agreement (PPA) for the Sahasdhanavi Power Plant.

Prince Harry in surprise visit to Ukraine to meet war victims

The Duke of Sussex met war victims in Ukraine on Thursday when he visited a clinic which rehabilitates wounded military personnel and civilians, a spokesperson has said.

Keheliya at CID for second day

Former Health Minister Keheliya Rambukwella arrived at the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) today for the second consecutive day to give a statement regarding the allegation of importing substandard Human Immunoglobulin vaccines.

CA revokes interim order on Colombo Municipal Council election

The Court of Appeal today revoked its earlier interim order issued preventing the relevant Returning Officers from conducting Local Government elections for 18 institutions, including the Colombo Municipal Council.

Air quality moderate around the country, good in six cities

According to the Sri Lanka Air Quality Index (SL AQI), a moderate level of air quality was recorded in most cities during the past 24 hours, while a good level of air quality was observed in Kegalle, Nuwara Eliya, Mullaitivu, Batticaloa, Kalutara and Hambantota.

Hudson River helicopter crash kills family of five

Six people, including three children, were killed after a helicopter carrying a family of tourists crashed into the Hudson River in New York, authorities have said.

Sinhala New Year events under tight security watch

Police said yesterday that special security and traffic arrangements will be in place during the upcoming Sinhala and Tamil New Year festive season.

Over 30 new projects to launch under “Clean Sri Lanka”

The government’s flagship “Clean Sri Lanka” programme, spearheaded by President Anura Kumara Dissanayake, is set to launch 34 new projects this year, with work on many of them scheduled to begin by the end of April.

Doctors warn of unsafe firecrackers in the market

As the Sinhala and Tamil New Year approaches, medical specialists are warning the public about the dangers of low-quality fire crackers being sold in the market.

BOI initiates industry dialogue on reciprocal US tariffs 

The Board of Investment (BOI) invited all top 50 exporters in key industries to open dialogue to seek alternative strategies to mitigate the consequences due to the new US tariff imposed on Sri Lanka.

Banks never required treasury allocated Rs.450bn for capital augmentation: CBSL

Despite the allocation of a massive Rs.450 billion by the government in 2024 for banks to close potential capital shortfalls, the funds were not required as the banks submitted recapitalisation plans instead to show

U.S.tariffs a disaster similar to Covid-19, tsunami in economic terms: Prez

President Kumara Dissanayake reportedly told the political party representatives yesterday that the U.S. tariffs slapped on Sri Lanka is a national calamity in economic terms similar to the tsunami disaster and the Covid-19 pandemic, and it should be dealt with through a national approach.

AG to challenge Deshabandu’s bail order

Additional Solicitor General Dileepa Peeris, appearing for the prosecution, informed the Matara Magistrate’s Court today that steps will be taken to file a revision application before the High Court challenging the decision to grant bail to Senior DIG Deshabandu Tennakoon.

Immigration arrests 22 overstaying Indian nationals from Colombo office

The Department of Immigration and Emigration arrested 22 Indian nationals who were overstaying their visas at an office in Colombo.

Cannot spend time blaming faults of the past: Deputy Minister

Some of those who confronted us in the past are with us today as we don’t want to curse the past, Deputy Minister Mahinda Jayasinghe told Parliament.

Ambassador Kananathan Invited as Election Observer for the first presidential election since 2023 coup

Ambassador Kananathan former HighCommissioner in Kenya has been invited as one of the international election observers for the upcoming Presidential elections in Gabon, scheduled for 12 April 2025. These landmark elections will be the first to take place since the end of the Bongo dynasty, which was overthrown in a historic 2023 coup after 56 years of rule.

Passport services limited to noon on April 15 to 17

The Department of Immigration and Emigration announced that tokens for the one-day and normal passport services will be issued only till 12 noon on April 15, 16 and 17.

’’Govt will not touch a hair of MR, RW’’ - Chamara Sampath

This government will not lay their hands on either Mahinda Rajapaksa or Ranil Wickremesinghe though they brag about apprehending robbers, MP Chamara Samapth Dassanayake told Parliament.

ASPI soars to record-breaking high with biggest daily gain ever

The All Share Price Index (ASPI) recorded its highest ever daily gain, surging by 704.88 points to close at 15,580.83, reflecting a 4.74 percentage increase.

Busy shopping for garments...