Magnitude 6.3 earthquake strikes northern Philippines

An earthquake of magnitude 6.3 struck the Philippines’ main island on Thursday, authorities said, halting some railway operations in the capital Manila.

Wealthy Lifestyle Unveiled: Millionaire young woman’s fortune linked to Sex Work

A 24-year-old woman has confessed to amassing over Rs.100 million in wealth, including property and luxury motor vehicles through earnings from sex work.

SLPP raises concerns with RW - ’’Do not interfere in SLPP affairs’’

The Sri Lanka Podujana Permuna (SLPP) has raised concerns with President Ranil Wickremesinghe over a meeting convened with SLPP district leaders on Monday saying that the party leaders were not informed of such a move and if the President intends to call for such meetings, then the party has to be consulted first.

At least 79 people drown after migrant boat sinks off Greek coast

At least 79 people died after a migrant boat carrying hundreds of people sank off the Greek coast in the early hours of Wednesday, that country’s Coast Guard said, as fears mount that there could be more fatalities.

As It Happened: Lanka Premier League Player Auction

Jaffna Kings made the two biggest purchases of the auction, spending USD 92,000 on left-arm fast bowler Dilshan Madushanka after having successfully bid for batsman Charith Asalanka for a sum of USD 80,000.

Some groups trying to grab power through sabotage: Ruwan

There are groups including those from the opposition to grab power as the country had reached some stability, UNP Deputy Leader Ruwan Wijewardene said yesterday.

Customs and CTC to destroy largest fag haul in SL history today

Sri Lanka Customs along with the Ceylon Tobacco Company (CTC) will destroy the largest haul of illicit cigarettes detected in the country’s history, which is over 200 million sticks came in 21 containers in 2021 with an estimated value of Rs.9.7 billion, in Muthurajawela today.

SL goes on alert over Malaria threat

Health authorities have set alarm bells ringing over the threat of Malaria again due to the presence of a major malaria vector called Anopheles stephensi mosquito in six MOH areas in the Northern and Eastern Provinces.

Fmr MP Abeyratne arrested for firing shots to scare group in Horana

Former MP and present SJB organiser for Horana, P.D. Abeyratne has been arrested for shooting into the air with his firearm to scared a group of people at Boralugoda in Horana.

Beware of buying whitening creams online: Dermatologist

Consultant Dermatologist Dr. Indira Kahawita today warned the public about the widely sold skin-whitening creams and other products online.

’Where were these experts four years ago to predict country’s economy reaching zero?’ asks Susil

While rejecting reports on Sri Lanka’s growing food insecurity and child labour, Education Minister Susil Premajayantha questioned on where these experts were four years ago and why they failed to predict that the country’s economy would come to zero.

Over 5,000 graduate teachers will be absorbed to education sector soon: Minister

New appointments will be given on June 16 to 7,500 teachers from Colleges of Education and 5,500 graduate teachers in all three mediums of language, Education Minister Susil Premajayantha said.

People now can apply for passports online

Fifty-one divisional secretariats across the island will start issuing passports via online from tomorrow (15), Public Security Minister Tiran Alles said.

US$ rate reaches Rs.300; in-depth study on vehicle imports stressed: Siyambalapitiya

In a situation where the US dollar, which is overvalued by 78%, has been devalued by about 20%, Finance State Minister Ranjith Siyambalapitiya said that the proposal to give permission to import vehicles should be studied in depth.

Gajendrakumar’s arrest is unequal treatment of individuals, communities: NPC

The arrest of Jaffna parliamentarian and leader of the Tamil National People’s Front Gajendrakumar Ponnambalam is another incident that feeds into the sense of unequal treatment of individuals and communities in the country, the National Peace Council (NPC) of Sri Lanka said.

Pada Yatra pilgim trampled to death by jumbo

An elderly woman in a group of pilgrims on Pada Yatra through the Yala sanctuary to attend the Kataragama Esala festival was trampled to death by a wild elephant last evening (13).

Dengue claims two more lives

Against a backdrop where medical experts have set alarm bells ringing over a hyper-dengue epidemic, Sri Lanka continues to report more dengue-related deaths.

Congestion in prisons gone up over 250%: COPA reveals

A Parliamentary Committee has revealed that the congestion in prisons has increased up to 259 percent, where 26,791 inmates are occupying the prisons at present whereas all the prisons in the country could accommodate only 11,762 inmates.

ICC to limit overseas players at T20 franchise leagues: report

In a bid to curb the growing influence of franchise cricket leagues, the International Cricket Council is set to introduce two changes, including placing a limit on the number of overseas players franchises can sign.

President made wrong statement: Ven. Medagoda Abhayatissa Thera

Venerable Prof. Medagoda Abhayatissa Thera criticized President Ranil Wickremesinghe on his recent statements regarding the Department of Archaeology. The Thera said the President’s criticisms diminish the work to protect Buddhist heritage through private funds.

SL rupee surpasses Rs. 300 again against USD

Despite the Sri Lankan Rupee maintaining a steady rate of around Rs. 285 against the US Dollar during the last few weeks, it further depreciated today crossing the Rs. 300 mark, according to the Central Bank of Sri Lanka.

French President invites RW to address high-level panel discussion

President Ranil Wickremesinghe is to address a high-level panel discussion at the Global Leaders’ Summit for a New Global Financing Pact scheduled to take place in Paris on June 22 and 23, 2023, the President’s Media Division (PMD) said.

Fonseka sees a leader in the mirror

Field Marshal Sarath Fonseka said he sees a person who can give leadership to the country when he goes in front of the mirror.

US Treasury Secretary praises India’s support to SL

India’s proactive actions have been critical in supporting Sri Lanka’s reform efforts, US Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen said on Tuesday.

Child labour on the rise for first time in 20 years: ILO

For the first time in 20 years, child labour is on the rise, the International Labour Organisation (ILO) shared.

Sri Lanka to extend capital controls by further six months

The government has decided to extend capital controls by further six months limiting the movement of foreign currency out of the country in order to continue to re-build the country’s foreign...

Thai elephant in SL: Ailing elephant’s return flight date not locked in

The Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment of Thailand will decide on June 28 if the ailing male Thai elephant in Sri Lanka is ready to take a six-hour flight to Chiang Mai.

Expert says 7.5 Mn starving in SL, Govt. says no

The Government yesterday (13) rejected claims by an expert that at least 7.5 million Sri Lankans are in acute food insecurity.

Army doctors enter Guinness World Records

A group of Army doctors has removed a large size kidney stone from a man, which is said to be the world’s largest and heaviest kidney stone (calculus) removed following a major operation, the Army said.

Government to implement 25 recommendations to promote tourism

The Cabinet green-light has been granted to implement 25 proposals mooted by the Ministerial Sub-Committee on Tourism for tourism promotion.