Taiwan suspends tourist visa for Sri Lankans

Taiwan has suspended tourist visa applications from Sri Lankan nationals in accordance with the latest visa policy of the Government of the Republic of China (Taiwan), the Taiwan Foriegn Ministry said.

CSE opens the week lower as broad-based selling offsets strong institutional activity

The Colombo Stock Exchange commenced the week on a negative note, with both benchmark indices declining steadily throughout Monday’s trading session as broad-based selling pressure continued to weigh on investor sentiment. Although market turnover and share volume improved compared to the previous session, the increase was primarily driven by crossing transactions rather than widespread buying interest,

GIT 2025 examination results released

The Examinations Department has released the results of the General Information Technology (GIT) Examination 2025 today (20).

President urges expediting monthly allowance to children who lost their parents due to Ditwah

President Anura Kumara Dissanayake has emphasised that the monthly allowance to children who lost their parents as a result of Cyclone Ditwah is disbursed to the eligible children without delay.

New Chairperson, members appointed to Finance Commission

President Anura Kumara Dissanayake has appointed N. R. Anees as the new Chairperson and a member of the Finance Commission, President’s Media Division (PMD) said.

Trump says US strikes hit Iran in ’honour’ of American soldiers killed

President Donald Trump says the latest strikes by the US hit Iran ’’very hard’’, adding that the attacks were ’’in honour’’ of three US soldiers killed in recent days - two in Jordan, one in Iraq.

Government moves to curb toxic chemical use in fruit ripening

The government has initiated discussions on introducing stricter measures to prevent the use of toxic chemicals for ripening fruits, amid growing consumer complaints over unsafe practices in the market.

Andy Burnham becomes UK prime minister after meeting King Charles

Andy Burnham has formally become the UK prime minister after meeting King Charles at Buckingham Palace, the fourth person to hold the role in less than four years and the sixth within a decade.

President reviews proposals on addressing issues in prison system

A discussion on the issues currently affecting the prison system and the measures required to address them was held under the patronage of President Anura Kumara Dissanayake at the Presidential Secretariat this morning.

Hamas names Khalil al-Hayya as new leader

Hamas has named Khalil al-Hayya as its new leader, succeeding Yahya Sinwar who was killed by the Israeli army in October 2024.

Tax revenue not benefiting the public: Namal

SLPP National Organiser and MP Namal Rajapaksa alleged that the government was failing to use tax revenue for public welfare despite collecting record levels of income.

Train derails at Colombo Fort Railway Station again

A train bound for Rambukkana derailed at the Colombo Fort Railway Station this afternoon, marking the second derailment involving the same train this month.

Universities urged to strengthen community support to prevent dengue outbreaks

Universities cannot combat the growing dengue threat alone and called for greater cooperation from surrounding communities and the health sector to prevent possible outbreaks, Education and Higher Education Deputy Minister Dr. Madura Seneviratne has said.

Five students transferred to Trincomalee hospital after toxic seed incident

Five Grade 6 students were transferred to the Trincomalee Hospital after falling seriously ill following the suspected consumption of toxic seeds unfit for human consumption at a school in the Kantale area.

Britain is about to get a new leader. Here’s how the transition works

Britain has become accustomed to shuffling through prime ministers at a rapid pace and is now poised to have its seventh leader in a decade. But the transition still requires a few steps.

Boy, 13, dies during World Cup celebrations in Spain

A 13-year-old boy was killed after part of a fountain collapsed in Salamanca province, northwestern Spain, during the country’s World Cup victory celebrations.

People forced to bear burden of poverty despite ’Wealthy Country’ vision: Patali

People are being forced to bear the burden of poverty despite the government’s vision of creating a wealthy country, United Republic Front (UNF) Leader Patali Champika Ranawaka said.

India approves its first dengue vaccine QDENGA after DCGI clearance

India has approved its first dengue vaccine, with the Drug Controller General of India (DCGI) granting market authorisation to vaccine QDENGA, developed by Takeda Biopharmaceuticals India.

Supreme Court dismisses petition challenging gender identity circulars

A Fundamental Rights petition challenging the legality of Government circulars permitting individuals to change their gender identity through medical procedures was today dismissed by the Supreme Court.

Dozens feared dead in Guyana after ferry carrying 133 people capsizes

A passenger ferry carrying at least 133 people has capsized off the coast of Guyana, with rescue teams saving 67 people as they searched to find dozens more still missing at sea.

AG to file District Court cases over Rs. 6 billion liquor tax default

The Attorney General’s Department today informed the Supreme Court that it will institute action before the District Court to recover the tax arrears owed by liquor manufacturing companies.

Over 160 MOH areas declared high-risk zones as dengue cases top 76,000

Sri Lanka has reported 76,044 dengue cases so far this year, with the disease continuing to spread rapidly across the country, the National Dengue Control Unit (NDCU) said.

Applications open for National Police Commission: Here is how to apply

The Constitutional Council has called for fresh applications from qualified individuals to be considered for appointment as Members of the National Police Commission (NPC), with vacancies existing in the Commission and one additional vacancy expected to arise.

Iran says two oil tankers in Strait of Hormuz exploded and immobilised

U.S. forces hit Iran for a ninth consecutive day on Monday as concerns grew over shipping through the Strait of Hormuz after Iran said ‌two oil tankers had exploded and been immobilised.

No ban on religious pilgrimages: Labour Ministry

The Ministry of Labour has rejected as false social media claims alleging that Labour Minister and Deputy Minister of Finance and Planning Dr. Anil Jayantha Fernando had proposed banning religious pilgrimages to Dambadiva and Thailand.

India’s cockroach protesters set to march to parliament

Thousands of students, parents, activists and political leaders are set to march to the Indian parliament following a call from the Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) for reforms in the education system.

One killed over a brawl after cattle destroy vegetable cultivation

A person has been killed over a brawl in Hungama after a brawl he had with another person after his cattle destroyed the vegetable cultivation belonging to the latter.

Soap labels must show product name, fat content

The government has issued an Extraordinary Gazette making it mandatory for soap manufacturers and importers to display specific information on the packaging of soap products sold in Sri Lanka.

Weapons recovered from ASP’s residence

A stock of arms including three live hand grenades and swords were recovered from the house of an ASP at Nattaranpotha in Kandy. A police team from Kandy police carried out the raid and seized the weapons on information provided by the ASPs wife to a senior police official in Kandy.

Large scale scam behind liquor bottle sticker production : COPF chief

There is a large scale scam behind the liquor bottle production and it’s worth eight times more than the amount which is spent annually for the Suwaseriya ambulance scheme, Chairman of Committee on Public Finance Harsha de Silva said.