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...

Deshabandu Tennakoon granted bail

The Matara Magistrate’s Court today granted bail to suspended Inspector General of Police (IGP) Deshabandu Tennakoon.

Health officials warn of growing Chikungunya cases

Health authorities have raised concerns over a noticeable increase in the spread of the Chikungunya virus, which is transmitted by mosquitoes and poses a serious threat to public health, according to the Health Promotion Bureau.

Inmate’s river escape ends in arrest

A prisoner who attempted to escape from the Matara Prison by jumping into the Nilwala Ganga was apprehended by troops of the 3 (V) Gemunu Watch.

New Year ‘Kevili’ table costs 7% more in 2025 than in 2024: Verité Research

The cost of preparing a traditional kevili or sweetmeats table for the Sinhala and Tamil New Year has increased by 7% in 2025 compared to 2024, and is now more than twice as high as it was in 2019, according to a report by Verité Research.

All-Party Conference on US tariffs commences

An All-Party Conference, presided over by President Anura Kumara Dissanayake, commenced a short while ago at the Presidential Secretariat to discuss the reciprocal tariffs recently imposed by the United States Government.

ASPI surges 5.41% in early trading, boosted by banking sector and JKH

The All Share Price Index (ASPI) jumped by 805.42 points (5.41 percent) in the first ten minutes of trading, fueled by strong buying interest in banking sector stocks. John Keells Holdings PLC (JKH.N) also contributed to the rally, posting a turnover of Rs. 448 million amid active market participation.

Debate on Batalanda illegal detention centre begins

The debate on the report of the Commission which probed the unlawful detentions at Batalanda began in Parliament a short while ago.

Private sector minimum wage to be increased to Rs. 27,000

The national minimum monthly wage in the private sector will be increased to Rs. 27,000 this year, according to the budget proposals, the Ministry of Labour announced.

Deshabandhu Tennakoon brought to court

Suspended IGP Deshabandhu Tennakoon, who was in remand custody at the Dumbara Prison was brought to the Matara Magistrate’s Court this morning.

Toll mounts to 184 in Dominican club roof collapse

The number of victims who died after a roof collapsed at an iconic nightclub surged to 184 late Wednesday as dozens of people lingered outside the Dominican Republic’s forensic institute for news of their loved ones still missing more than a day after disaster struck.

Fully refurbished buses released for passenger transport

Govt. refutes April 15 holiday rumors

Rejecting recent media reports, the Government Information Department announced that no holiday has been declared for April 15.

Large number of vacancies in police, STF: Minister Ananda Wijepala

There are currently more than 23,170 vacancies in the police and 2,076 in the STF, Minister of Public Security Ananda Wijepala told Parliament today.

Expressway card payment begins this week

The pilot project to introduce card payment options on expressways is set to be launched this week, the Ministry of Transport and Highways announced.

At least 35 killed in Israeli attack on Gaza residential block

At least 35 people have been killed and dozens of others were wounded in an Israeli attack on a residential block in Gaza City’s Shujayea neighbourhood, medical sources told Al Jazeera.

India proposes land connectivity again, but SL still non-committal

India has proposed a land connectivity project with Sri Lanka once again during the visit of Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, but the Sri Lankan government has not committed yet, the Daily Mirror learns.

Trump announces 90-day pause on new tariffs

In an abrupt move, US President Donald Trump announced a 90-day pause on the reciprocal tariff that went into effect this week.

Govt. to conduct another round of animal census

Agriculture Minister K. D. Lal Kantha said the government was expecting to conduct another round of animal census as the previous census could not be considered completely accurate.

Sajith meets Juile Chung

Opposition Leader Sajith Premadasa met US Ambassador in Sri Lanka Juile Chung today and discussed trade between the two countries.

Calypso train earns Rs. 720,000 on day of launch

The launch of the ’’Calypso’’ train service, featuring special open-air viewing facilities between Nanu Oya and Demodara, earned Rs. 720,000 on its first day, Railways Additional General Manager Operations Vajira Polwattage said.

Bay of Bengal low-pressure area moving north

The low-pressure area in the central parts of the south-west Bay of Bengal is likely to move northwards over the west-central Bay of Bengal during the next 12 hours, the Meteorology Department said.

Ranil would have negotiated tariff reduction with Elon Musk: Rajitha

Former Health Minister Rajitha Senaratne claimed that if someone like President Ranil Wickremesinghe were currently in government, he would have directly engaged with Elon Musk, Senior Advisor to the U.S. President, to negotiate a reduction of the 44% tariff imposed on Sri Lankan goods.

Scenic ’’Calypso’’ train debuts

VAT Amendment Bill approved by Parliament

The Value Added Tax (VAT) Amendment Bill which seeks to rectify certain shortcomings of the VAT was unanimously approved by Parliament today.