Suspect dies in police custody

A 21-year-old suspect in police custody died following an abortive attempt to escape custody when he was being taken to the Maniyangama area in Avissawella as part of an ongoing investigation.

Police arrest husband and wife for assault of woman in viral video

A 36-year-old couple, husband and wife, have been arrested by the Kandana Police after a video showing a woman being assaulted in a private institution has gone viral on social media.

Navy arrests 27 Indian fishermen, takes five trawlers into custody for poaching in SL waters

The Sri Lanka Navy took into custody five Indian trawlers, along with 27 Indian nationals poaching in Sri Lankan waters on the seas off Mannar, Delft and Kachchativu Islands in Jaffna.

Major powers must be objective, fair when dealing with hotspot issues: Chinese FM tells US Secretary of State

Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi told US Secretary of State Antony Blinken that when dealing with international and regional hotspot issues, major countries should remain objective, fair and calm, exercise restraint and take the lead in observing international law, according to a tweet from the Chinese mission in Colombo.

New earthquake hits western Afghanistan

A new earthquake has hit western Afghanistan - several days after two large tremors in the region killed more than 1,000 people.

CNN anchor apologizes over claim of ’’Hamas beheading babies’’

A renowned CNN Correspondent Sara Sidner, has issued an apology following a controversial statement she made during a live broadcast stating that the Israeli Prime Minister’s office had confirmed that the Hamas had beheaded babies in Israel.

Chamika replaces Dasun in Sri Lanka World Cup squad

All-rounder Chamika Karunaratne will replace captain Dasun Shanaka for the rest of Sri Lanka’s Cricket World Cup campaign, Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) said.

Rohit hits 86 as India hand Pakistan seven-wicket World Cup rout

Skipper Rohit Sharma’s 86 and an inspired bowling display helped India hammer Pakistan by seven wickets in their high-profile World Cup clash at the 132,000-capacity Ahmedabad stadium on Saturday.

Two SL women detained by Israeli authorities -Ambassador

Two Sri Lankan women, who allegedly attempted to enter Israel illegally from Jordan, were apprehended by Israeli security forces this morning.

Shanaka ruled out for Australia World Cup clash

There were multiple injury concerns for Sri Lanka ahead of Monday’s clash against Australia as captain Dasun Shanaka has joined the list of players who will be unavailable.

Suspect arrested with weapons, ammo in Wellawaya

A 63-year-old suspect was arrested by the Special Task Force (STF) at Wellawaya in possession of a stock of weapons and ammunition last evening, Police said.

New Zealand shifts rights as voters punish ruling party

New Zealanders have given the country’s conservative opposition party a strong lead in Saturday’s election, early results show, as voters punish the ruling Labour Party nine months after former prime minister Jacinda Ardern suddenly resigned.

Red alert to several areas on severe lightning: Met. Dept.

A red alert was issued on thundershowers accompanied by lightning that are likely to occur in the Northern, North-Central, Central, Uva and Sabaragamuwa Provinces during the evening or night, the Meteorology Department said today.

At least 11 journalists killed in Israel-Gaza war

At least 11 journalists — nine Palestinian, one Lebanese and one Israeli — have been confirmed dead this week, according to the Committee to Protect Journalists. At least one Israeli journalist has been reported missing, and many others have been injured.

Passenger ferry service between India and Sri Lanka begins

An international, high-speed passenger ferry service between Nagapattinam on the eastern coast of Tamil Nadu and Kankesanthurai in the northern province of Sri Lanka, has resumed as of Saturday, October 14, 2023, after a gap of nearly four decades.

SL can discuss proposals from private creditors including GDP-linked bonds: IMF

Sri Lanka’s authorities can negotiate any proposals private creditors make, such as issuing GDP-linked bonds, a senior International Monetary Fund (IMF) official said yesterday.

Japan-SL FTZ to boost economy with US $ 15bn investment

The national economy is slated to receive a fresh boost with plans afoot to set up a Japan-SL Free Trade Zone (FTZ) with an investment of US $ 15 billion.

Rising sea levels threaten Sri Lanka: 6,110 hectares to vanish by 2025

The sea level rise, triggered by climate change, will deprive Sri Lanka of 6,110 of land by 2025, and 25,000 hectares by 2100, an expert said yesterday.

Free Visas for Tourists from China, Russia, India, Thailand, and Indonesia

Sri Lanka is to issue visas free of charge to tourists from five nations who are frequent visitors to the island, a cabinet minister said yesterday.

OHCHR concerned about Anti Terrorism Bill, Online Safety Bill

The Office of the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) said it has serious concerns over two bills under consideration in the Sri Lankan Parliament - the revised Anti-Terrorism Bill and the Online Safety Bill - which give the authorities a range of expansive powers and can impose restrictions on human rights, not in line with international human rights law.

NASA spacecraft launched to mysterious and rare metal asteroid

NASA’s Psyche spacecraft rocketed away Friday on a six-year journey to a rare metal-covered asteroid and this is the first exploration of a metal world.

Wickramaratne gets another extension as IGP

With the tussle over appointing a new IGP escalating, C.D. Wickramaratne has been given a three-week extension as the IGP by President Ranil Wickremesinghe.

Colombo Fort Magistrate’s Court registrar arrested

The registrar of the Colombo Fort Magistrate’s Court has been arrested by the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) on charges of forging documents and various other allegations.

GMOA presents proposal to President on health sector issues

In a bid to address the pressing issues of brain drain, health crisis, and concerns impacting doctors, the Government Medical Officers’ Association (GMOA) submitted an 8-step proposal to President Ranil Wickremesinghe today.

Two-kilo pepper theft; Rs. 27.4 million spent to recover Rs.400

In what appeared to be a startling revelation, the Committee on Public Enterprises (COPE) unearthed an incident in which Rs.27.4 million had been spent on litigation related to the case involving the theft of just two kilos of pepper valued only Rs.400 at Elkaduwa Plantations, according to a statement from the Parliamentary Media Unit.

’My father breathed on ventilator donated by our relatives’: Sajitha Anthony

Sajitha Anthony, son of late Jackson Anthony said his father was breathing with the help of a ventilator donated to the hospital by his relatives until his last breath.

Chamari Athapaththu secures ICC Women’s Player of Month

Chamari Athapaththu has been named as the ICC Women’s Player of the Month for September 2023 after inspiring Sri Lanka to a historic series triumph over England.

Israel visa for Sri Lankans subject to recommendation: SLBFE

The Sri Lanka Bureau of Foreign Employment (SLBFE) confirmed that it would have to go through a recommendation process by three establishments when issuing visas for Sri Lankans who intend to seek employment in Israel, following the latest developments with the escalation of the war in the Gaza Strip.

Housemaid burnt in Riyadh shares horrific experience

A Sri Lankan woman, identified as Nayana Dilrukshi, 45, from Gothatuwa, employed as a housemaid in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, shared her dreadful experience after her female employer caused her serious burning injuries using gasoline.

Expulsion of Ven. Rathana Thera from Ape Janabala Party not valid in law: SC

The Supreme Court today determined that the Ape Janabala Party’s decision to expel Ven. Athuraliye Rathana Thera from party membership is not valid in law.