Two shooting incidents reported in Colombo and Negombo

Two separate shooting incidents were reported in the Grandpass police division and in Negombo last night and this morning, police said. A 26-year-old resident of Kelaniya was killed in a shooting near the Mahawatta clock tower in Grandpass last night (5). Two unidentified gunmen on a motorcycle had opened fire at the victim before fleeing the scene. The injured man was admitted to the Colomb

Animal killing on the rise: Authorities go after poachers

In light of the increased illegal hunting activity resulting in the deaths of wildlife, authorities have stepped up efforts to apprehend poachers operating in wildlife reserves.

Govt. soft-pedals on NGOs

The government has delayed the enactment of the proposed piece of legislation for monitoring and supervision of both local and international NGOs despite the availability of a draft worked out during the previous rule, Daily Mirror learns.

SLPP member linked to ICE chemical haul in Middeniya

A Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna (SLPP) member and his brother have been implicated in the discovery of nearly 50,000 kilograms of chemicals used in the production of crystal methamphetamine (ice) during a police raid at a property in Middeniya, Thalawa, on Friday (5).

Tourists join rescue efforts after Ella–Wellawaya bus tragedy

A large number of foreign tourists rushed to assist the injured in the aftermath of the fatal bus accident that took place last night (04) on the Ella–Wellawaya main road.

Sri Lanka’s non-participation in SCO summit a mistake: Opposition MP

Sri Lanka’s non-participation in the recently concluded Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) summit held in China could be a mistake as it will damage its image as a nation with a non-aligned foreign policy in addition to denial of economic benefits, an opposition MP said today.

Trump says India and Russia appear ’’lost’’ to ’’deepest, darkest China’’

U.S. President Donald Trump on Friday said India and Russia seem to have been ’’lost’’ to China after their leaders met with Chinese President Xi Jinping this week, expressing annoyance at New Delhi and Moscow as Beijing pushes a new world order.

Sri Lanka urges space for domestic reforms, rejects international interventions

The Government of Sri Lanka (GoSL) has reiterated its commitment to advancing transformative reforms through domestic processes while rejecting calls for international interventions outlined in the latest report by the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR).

Upcountry line disrupted as track car engine derails twice

Railway traffic along the Upcountry Line was disrupted for nearly four hours today after the engine of a track car carrying a crane for railway repairs derailed on two separate occasions.

Chemicals linked to ICE production seized in Middeniya

A stock of chemical substances believed to be used in the production of crystal methamphetamine (ICE) has been seized in the Middeniya area, allegedly linked to underworld figure Kehelbaddara Padme.

Catholic Church against converting Kachchatheevu island as tourist destination

Bishop of Jaffna Rt. Rev. Dr. Justin Bernard Gnanapragasam voiced his opposition on behalf of the diocese against the government’s move to covert Kachchatheevu Island into a touriist destination.

UK Deputy PM resigns amid stamp duty controversy

Angela Rayner has resigned as housing secretary and deputy prime minister two days after admitting she underpaid the stamp duty due on her £800,000 flat in Hove.

Ella–Wellawaya bus tragedy echoes past accident in 2002

The fatal bus accident that occurred last night (September 04) on the Ella–Wellawaya main road has drawn eerie parallels to a similar tragedy reported at the very same location 23 years ago.

Foreign healthcare worker assists local team after Ella–Wellawaya bus tragedy

A female foreign healthcare worker was seen assisting Sri Lankan medical teams in the aftermath of the tragic bus accident that occurred last night (04) on the Ella–Wellawaya main road.

Oldest member of Royal Family Duchess of Kent dies

The Duchess of Kent has died at the age of 92, Buckingham Palace has announced.

Three injured as three-wheeler plunges down precipice in Watawala

Three people, including two children, were injured when a three-wheeler veered off the road and plunged down a 50-foot precipice in the Watawala today.

Ella–Wellawaya tragedy: Families of victims to receive Rs. 1Mn compensation

The Government has decided to grant compensation of Rs. 1 million each to the families of those who lost their lives in the fatal bus accident that occurred last night (04) on the Ella–Wellawaya main road.

Nepal bans Facebook, X, YouTube, 23 other social media platforms

Nepal said that it would ask its telecommunications agency to block access to several social media platforms including Facebook, Youtube, X and LinkedIn, after a deadline for them to register with authorities had passed the previous day.

Another rapper arrested over explosives case

Kahathuduwa Police arrested another popular rapper in connection with the supply of explosives to Madhava Prasad, also known as ’Maduwa’, who was taken into custody earlier this week.

Thai parliament elects Anutin Charnvirakul as prime minister

Thailand’s parliament has elected Anutin Charnvirakul, leader of the conservative opposition Bhumjaithai party, as the country’s prime minister.

Mahinda saddened by Ella bus accident

Former President Mahinda Rajapaksa said he is profoundly saddened by the tragic bus accident on the Ella–Wellawaya route.

Indian national arrested with Kush worth Rs. 100 mn

An Indian national was arrested while attempting to smuggle in 10.750 kilos of Kush worth over Rs. 100 million through the Green Chanel of the Bandaranaike International Airport early this morning.

Ella bus accident: Seven patients in serious condition, one in ICU: Hospital Director

Seven patients out of those injured in the Ella bus accident are in critical condition, Director of the Badulla Hospital Dr. Palitha Rajapaksa said.

Roshan Mahanama resigns from National Sports Council

Former Sri Lanka cricketer and international match referee Roshan Mahanama has resigned from his position as a member of the National Sports Council (NSC) with immediate effect, due to personal reasons.

Scheduled 9-hour water cut in Colombo cancelled – NWSDB

The National Water Supply and Drainage Board (NWSDB) has said that the previously scheduled 9-hour water cut in several areas of Colombo, set for tomorrow, has been cancelled.

'I and other MPs committed to make policy to prevent road accidents’: Sajith

While expressing his deep sadness on the Ella bus accident, Opposition Leader Sajith Premadasa said today that he and other MPs are committed to taking possible decisions necessary to minimise the occurrence of such incidents in the future.

Two powerful aftershocks hit Afghanistan after earthquakes killed 2,200

Two powerful aftershocks shook eastern Afghanistan in a span of 12 hours, the German Research Center for Geosciences (GFZ) said, triggering fears of more deaths and destruction on Friday in a region where about 2,200 people died in quakes in four days.

’’Conductor shouted all to go down and hold tight as brakes fail’’ Ella accident survivor

Explaining her tragic experience, a survivor of the Ella bus accident said that the conductor of the bus had shouted and said all to go down and hold tight as the brake system of the bus had failed.

Trump signs order to bring lower Japanese auto tariffs into effect

U.S. President Donald Trump signed an order on Thursday to implement lower tariffs on Japanese automobile imports and other products that were announced in July, providing some relief to Japan’s export-heavy economy.

Colombo to face 9-hour water supply interruption tomorrow

Residents in selected areas of Colombo will experience a 9-hour water supply disruption tomorrow (6), the National Water Supply and Drainage Board (NWSDB) announced.