Umariya says there are much bigger issues than her sister

Umariya Singhawansa, the sister of Umara Sinhawansa who made headlines for the distorted singing of the National Anthem at the LPL opening, said today that her sister does not deserve whatever that is happening at the moment as there are much bigger issues underlining this country.

SL seeks WHO guidance to set up accredited drug testing lab

The health authorities are contemplating seeking guidance from the World Health Organization (WHO) to implement an accredited laboratory in Sri Lanka to further facilitate and improve medicinal drug testing.

Fitch downgrades US credit rating over debt and governance concerns

The US’s credit rating has been downgraded after the months-long debate over raising the debt limit that brought the country to the brink of default.

SC suspends order on Bathiudeen to implement tree planting programme

The Supreme Court today issued an interim order suspending the operation of an order made by the Court of Appeal to implement a tree planting programme on Parliamentarian Rishad Badiuddeen to bear the full cost, in any area equivalent to the reserve forest area used for resettlement of IDPs.

Local milk production rises again: Minister

Even though the dairy industry in the country had declined, the local production of milk has increased again, Agriculture Minister Mahinda Amaraweera said when he met the heads of the government-owned dairy companies.

Second coconut triangle to be started in Northern Province: Minister

The second coconut triangle will be started in the Northern Province this year on the President’s directive, coinciding with World Coconut Day on September 2nd, Plantation Minister Dr. Ramesh Pathirana said today.

Bus, lorry collide head-on in Warakapola killing woman

A 50-year-old woman died and at least 10 other passengers were injured after a bus collided head-on with a lorry at Thulhiriya in Warakapola this morning.

SL Rupee strengthens against USD after days of depreciation

The Sri Lanka Rupee (SLR) has considerably appreciated against the US Dollar (USD) today compared to the last 15 days, the Central Bank of Sri Lanka (CBSL) said.

Bus driver arrested for threatening Police officer in viral video

A driver of a bus has been arrested by the Welikada Police following a viral video in which he threatened a traffic police officer after being fined for a traffic violation. The video gained widespread attention on social media platforms.

Parents accuse doctors of negligence over another untimely death

The parents of the 10-year-old boy who died while being treated at the Lady Ridgeway Hospital claim that the doctors failed to properly identify the disease the boy was suffering from during the time of admission.

All set to recruit 5,450 new graduates as teachers: Susil

Cabinet approval has been granted to recruit 5,450 graduates as teachers according to the Teacher Service Constitution, Education Minister Susil Premajayantha said.

Donald Trump charged with bid to overturn 2020 US election result

Former US President Donald Trump has been charged with plotting to overturn his 2020 election defeat.

Seeking asylum in Italy was modus operandi: Five Lankans with bogus German passports reveal

Tearing their travel documents at Milan Malpensa Airport and seeking asylum was the modus operandi of an effort to end up in a European country, was divulged by five Sri Lankan males who were apprehended by Immigration authorities whilst attempting to flee the country with fake German passports.

You are also at fault: Mihintale Chief Prelate tells Sajith

Chief Prelate of the Mihintale Raja Maha Vihara, Venerable Walahagunawewa Dhammarathana Thera has told Opposition Leader Sajith Premadasa that he and all other politicians are responsible for the country’s predicament.

SL women Parliamentarians tour New Zealand

Members of Sri Lanka’s Women Parliamentarians’ Caucus are currently engaged in a study tour in New Zealand, Parliament sources said.

Route alternate to Adam’s Bridge to be considered

In the establishment of land connectivity between India and Sri Lanka, an alternate route, instead of ancient Ram Setu or Adam’s Bridge, is considered to avert Hindu religious sensitivities, Daily Mirror learns.

Avishka blitzes Jaffna for eight-wicket Dambulla win

An excellent team effort with the ball and a stunning half-century from their ace batsman Avishka Fernando, gave the Dambulla Aura a comprehensive eight-wicket win over the Jaffna Kings in the Lanka Premier League on Tuesday.

IOC Ethics Committee probing top Sri Lanka NOC official over role in OCA Elections

Secretary General of Sri Lanka’s National Olympic Committee (NOCSL), Maxwell de Silva, has come under intense scrutiny of the International Olympic Committee’s (IOC) Ethics Committee after allegedly meeting a banned IOC official, Sheikh Ahmad Al-Fahad Al-Sabah of Kuwait, at a hotel in Bangkok, Thailand.

NASA loses contact with Voyager 2

NASA has lost contact with the Voyager 2 spacecraft, after a human error nudged its antenna away from Earth.

Sri Lanka can become leader in cannabis industry: Diana

Cannabis cultivation is gaining prominence globally, and Sri Lanka has the potential to become a leader in this industry, State Minister of Tourism Diana Gamage said.

Medical specialists question legality of SLMC President, Legal Officer

Medical Specialists have raised serious concerns with regard to the legality of the Sri Lanka Medical Council (SLMC) President and its Legal Officer in the context of where they enjoy high posts simultaneously against the Establishments Code.

Russia responsible for Niger coup, says top Ukrainian official

A Ukrainian official has accused Moscow of orchestrating the coup in Niger, referring to alleged involvement as a “standard Russian tactic”.

Distorting National Anthem: CID launches investigation

The Criminal Investigation Department (CID) has commenced a separate investigation into the distorted singing of the National Anthem at the LPL opening, Public Security Minister Tiran Alles said.

Minister decides to call for tenders for issue of e-passports instead of EOI

Public Security Minister Tiran Alles decided to suspend the Expression of Interest (EOI) related to the issuance of electronic passports or ’e-passport’ and call for tenders.

Prison congestion on the rise; capacity exceeds by 200%

The congestion in prisons has climbed up to 200 percent, compelling prison authorities to take immediate actions to address the concerns.

Aung San Suu Kyi jail term reduced after some pardons

Former Myanmar leader Aung San Suu Kyi has been pardoned in five of 19 charges brought against her by the military.

Vegan raw food influencer Zhanna D’Art dies of starvation at 39: Report

Vegan influencer Zhanna Samsonova, a Russian national, has died reportedly of starvation after years of following an entirely raw vegan diet. She was 39.

Vavuniya prison closed due to contagious disease

Vavuniya Remand Prison has been closed for two weeks due to a contagious disease spreading among the detainees.

Sri Lankan caught at Islamabad airport with 10kg of heroin

The Airport Security Force (ASF) foiled an attempt to smuggle 10 kilograms of ice heroin to Qatar and detained a Sri Lankan national at the Islamabad International Airport, sources told Dawn.

SLPP can win any election: Johnston

The SLPP can win any election as it has reorganised itself in more than 70 percent of electorates, former Minister and MP Johnston Fernando said.