“Dog ‘Aloka’ may have been a monk in previous life” – Ven. Pagnakara Thera

Vietnamese Buddhist monk Ven. Pagnakara Thera says he believes a dog named ’Aloka’ may have been a monk in a previous life, speaking at a Dhamma session held yesterday at the Kelaniya Rajamaha Viharaya.

Harassing calls and messages now punishable under law: Police

As incidents of digital harassment and misuse of personal contact details continue to rise, Police have reiterated the legal safeguards available to protect the public.

Another USD 625,000 goes missing

Days after a major controversy took the nation by storm over the missing USD 2.5 million money heist which went missing from the Treasury which was to be paid to Australia’s Export Finance Agency, Cabinet Spokesman Minister Nalinda Jayatissa yesterday revealed another shocking theft claiming that USD 625,000 which had been released by the Sri Lanka Post to be paid to the US Post had also gone missing.

Trump’s face to feature on commemorative US passports

The US will release a limited number of passports that feature a portrait of US President Donald Trump, the White House has confirmed.

Trump says King Charles does not want Iran to have nuclear weapon

President Donald Trump said on Tuesday Britain’s King Charles did not ​want Iran to have a nuclear weapon, introducing the fraught subject of ‌the Middle East conflict into comments at a White House state dinner for the visiting royal.

Essential services declared under Emergency regulations following Cyclone Ditwah

A Gazette Extraordinary has declared a wide range of public services as essential in response to the post-disaster situation caused by Cyclone Ditwah.

Japan Airlines trials humanoid robots as ground handlers

Japan Airlines (JAL) will start using humanoid robots in ground handling tasks at Tokyo’s Haneda airport from May, in a two-year trial it said is aimed at easing employees’ workload.

Indian billionaire’s son offers to save Escobar’s hippos

An Indian billionaire’s son has offered to help Colombia get rid of a problem it has grappled with for years - a herd of hippos linked to notorious drug lord Pablo Escobar.

Ehipassiko peace walk ends; monks depart Sri Lanka with ‘Aloka’

A group of monks, including Vietnamese nationals Pannakara and Ratanaguna, who visited Sri Lanka to take part in the “Ehipassiko – A Global Walk for Peace,” concluded their journey and departed the country this morning (29).

Babar–Mendis blitz powers Peshawar Zalmi into PSL final

Peshawar Zalmi stormed into the PSL final with a commanding 70-run win over Islamabad United, driven by a scintillating partnership between Babar Azam and Kusal Mendis.

’Indian airline industry on verge of stopping operations,’ says FIA; seeks govt intervention

The airline Industry in India is under extreme stress and on the verge of closing down or stopping operations.” This dire warning has been issued by the Federation of Indian Airlines (FIA), which represents Air India, IndiGo and SpiceJet, in an “urgent” SOS sent to the government, seeking the latter’s “urgent intervention” in aviation turbine fuel (ATF) pricing.

Treasury Secretary summoned before COPF

Treasury Secretary Harshana Suriyapperuma has been summoned to appear before the Committee on Public Finance (COPF) to provide explanations regarding a cyber theft involving the alleged loss of USD 2.5 million.

BIA arrest of monks: President convenes urgent meeting

A high-level discussion was held this afternoon (28) at the Presidential Secretariat under the patronage of President Anura Kumara Dissanayake, focusing on the recent arrest of a group of Buddhist monks at Bandaranaike International Airport (BIA) over the possession of narcotics and the developments that followed.

Market edges up on value buying as crossings surge

The Colombo Stock Exchange closed with marginal gains today, as both indices ended in positive territory amid steady market activity. Improved turnover and share volumes signaled a gradual pickup in participation, while increased crossing transactions pointed to renewed interest from value investors.

Kusal Mendis - PSL Run-Machine

Kusal Mendis may have had his up and downs in his career, but the right handed wicketkeeper has been in prolific form in the last couple of years. Ever since he moved down the order in Test cricket, the former Prince of Wales College captain has had a decent run of form in all formats.

USD 2.5 Mn Treasury funds missing: CID moves court

The Criminal Investigation Department (CID) today presented facts before Colombo Fort Magistrate Isuru Neththikumara over the incident of the disappearance of approximately USD 2.5 million from the Treasury.

Ex-motor traffic Deputy Commissioner arrested

A former Deputy Commissioner of the Department of Motor Traffic has been arrested by the Commission to Investigate Allegations of Bribery or Corruption (CIABOC), officials said.

UAE to leave OPEC and OPEC+ oil producer groups

The United Arab Emirates said on Tuesday it was quitting OPEC and OPEC+, dealing a heavy blow to the oil exporting groups and their de ​facto leader, Saudi Arabia, at a time when the Iran war has caused ‌a historic energy shock and unsettled the global economy.

“Bring the account holder”: Indian man takes sister’s remains to bank

In a bizarre incident, a man in Odisha made headlines for bringing his dead sister’s skeleton to the bank. The 50-year-old reportedly brought the skeleton as part of his bid to withdraw the money deposited in his sister’s name at the bank.

Cable car projects proposed at Sri Pada and key tourist sites

Attention has been drawn to proposals for introducing cable car systems at several key tourist destinations, including Sri Pada (Adam’s Peak), as part of efforts to enhance the country’s tourism infrastructure.

President revives centuries-old tradition with Sri Maha Bodhi sapling presentation

President Anura Kumara Dissanayake today ceremonially presented a sapling of the Sri Maha Bodhi to a group of monks led by Venerable Paññākāra Thera at Independence Square.

Shammi Silva, SLC Executive Committee decide to resign

Shammi Silva, President of Sri Lanka Cricket, along with the SLC Executive Committee, has decided to step down following a special committee meeting held today.

Austrian man admits plot to attack 2024 Taylor Swift concert

A man accused of plotting a terror attack at one of Taylor Swift’s concerts in Vienna in 2024 pleaded guilty on Tuesday.

Monks led by Ven. Paññākāra Thera conclude peace walk at Independence Square

A group of monks led by Venerable Paññākāra Thera, who had been walking across major cities including Anuradhapura, Kandy, and Colombo to promote compassion, mindfulness, and unity, reached Independence Square a short while ago.

Bangladesh starts fuelling its first nuclear power station

Bangladesh will begin loading uranium fuel into its first nuclear power station on Tuesday (Apr 28), a key step towards bringing the 2,400 megawatt plant online to ease pressure on the overstretched power grid.

Food security is vital to ensuring a nation’s sovereignty and national security – PM

Prime Minister Dr. Harini Amarasuriya has said that, amid the prevailing turbulent global environment, the agriculture sector is facing significant challenges, while food security has become a key factor influencing a country’s stability, sovereignty, and national security.

Taylor Swift files trademarks for voice and image amid concern over AI misuse

Taylor Swift has filed applications to trademark her voice and image in a move seemingly designed to protect against AI misuse.

Cabinet approves permanent appointments for nearly 9,800 public sector workers

The government has approved a proposal to grant permanent appointments to employees currently serving in public institutions on temporary, casual (daily paid), substitute, contract, and relief basis.

Interim housing project approved for Ditwah cyclone-affected families

The Government has approved an interim housing construction project to support families affected by the Ditwah Cyclone who are currently living in safe centres, temporary shelters, and relatives’ houses.

‘Hacker called, forged signatures to steal funds’ – Namal

Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna National Organiser and MP Namal Rajapaksa today alleged that a recent financial fraud involving a government account was carried out through forged documents rather than a genuine cyberattack.