Two former Presidents, former Deputy Minister, MP behind Kurunegala land fraud: Deputy Minister

Two former Presidents, former Deputy Minister Salinda Dissanayake and former MP Manjula Dissanayake have been involved in a 1,000 acre land deal in Kurunegala, Deputy Minister Sunil Ranasinghe told Parliament today.

Railway controllers to launch 48-hour token strike tonight

The Railway Controllers’ Union has announced that it will launch a 48-hour token strike starting from midnight today (19), in protest against the authorities’ failure to resolve several longstanding issues.

Duminda Dissanayake produced before court

Former Minister Duminda Dissanayake, who is currently in remand custody, was produced before the Mount Lavinia Magistrate’s Court today (19).

Six arrested at BIA for attempting to smuggle foreign cigarettes worth Rs. 12.6 Million

Six passengers attempting to smuggle a stock of foreign-made cigarettes valued at Rs. 12.6 million were arrested this morning by Customs officers at the Bandaranaike International Airport (BIA).

Government ready to bring back Sri Lankans in Israel at any time

The government has made all arrangements to bring back Sri Lankan expatriate workers in Israel if a special need arises due to the war situation, Foreign Minister Vijitha Herath said today.

Iran, Israel trade fresh air attacks as Trump weighs US involvement

Iran and Israel traded further air attacks on Thursday as President Donald Trump kept the world guessing about whether the United States would join Israel’s bombardment of Iranian nuclear facilities.

Program launched to improve attitudes of three-wheeler drivers in tourism sector

The Clean Sri Lanka Secretariat has introduced a new initiative aimed at enhancing the attitudes, ethics, and service standards of three-wheeler drivers operating within the country’s tourism sector, the President’s Media Division (PMD) said.

CAA raids shops selling overpriced, labelled edible salt

The Consumer Affairs Authority (CAA) launched a series of raids targeting businesses selling edible salt at inflated prices without proper labelling.

’No-bra, no-exam’ rule at Nigerian university sparks outrage

A university in Nigeria has sparked outrage after a video went viral showing female students being touched to see if they were wearing bras before taking part in an exam.

11.6 percent youngsters addicted to smoking, 18 percent to drinking -survey

A recent study reveals that 11.6 percent of youngsters aged 15 to 21 in Sri Lanka are actively smoking and 18 percent actively drink alcohol.

No final decision yet, committee appointed to review SOP – Foreign Ministry

Amid the ongoing controversy over the UN research vessel’s visit, the Sri Lankan Foreign Ministry has clarified that no final decision has been made yet on the matter.

Govt rejects UN request to allow research vessel visit to SL

Sri Lanka has rejected a UN request to allow a research vessel into its waters from July 15 to August 20, which will assess the long-term food security in Sri Lankan seas, citing delays in finalizing Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) for foreign research vessels as the reason for the refusal, a UN document revealed.

Supreme Court orders Rs. 2 Mn compensation to victim of police torture

In another landmark ruling reaffirming the Constitutional protection against torture and arbitrary detention, the Supreme Court ordered two police officers attached to the Uragasmanhandiya Police Station to personally pay Rs. 2 million in compensation to a man who was illegally arrested, detained and tortured in 2019.

All set for Starlink to begin commercial operations in Sri Lanka this month

Sri Lanka is gearing up to welcome Starlink, the satellite internet service by tech billionaire Elon Musk, with commercial operations expected to commence later this month.

CID launches probe into false claims on President’s Germany visit

The Criminal Investigation Department (CID) informed Colombo Chief Magistrate Thanuja Lakmali Jayathunga today that an investigation has been launched into individuals who allegedly attempted to spread false information regarding President Anura Kumara Dissanayake’s official visit to Germany.

Rahim, Das grind hosts in Galle

Mushiqur Rahim and Litton guided Bangladesh after the early dismissal of skipper Najmul Hossain Shanto on day two of the first Test against Sri Lanka at the Galle International Stadium.

South Africans welcome home Test champions the Proteas

Several thousand supporters were at the main airport in Johannesburg on Wednesday to welcome home World Test Championship winners South Africa.

No fuel shortage despite Middle East crisis, assures Energy Minister

Energy Minister Kumara Jayakody today urged the public not to create or circulate false information claiming there will be a shortage of petroleum products due to the ongoing crisis in the Middle East.

MP Ajith P. Perera’s vehicle meets with accident

The vehicle in which Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB) MP Ajith P. Perera was travelling met with an accident today.

Keheliya, wife and daughter remanded after failing to meet bail conditions

Former Minister of Health Keheliya Rambukwella, his wife Kusum Priyadarshini Epa, and their daughter Chandula Ramali Rambukwella, who were granted bail by the Colombo Magistrate’s Court, have been remanded after failing to comply with the bail conditions set by the court.

CSE keeps falling as Middle East tensions rise

The Colombo Stock Exchange (CSE) ended the day in negative territory, continuing its recent decline, as both the All Share Price Index (ASPI) and the S&P SL20 fell. Selling pressure increased throughout the session, mainly due to rising tensions in the Middle East.

Keheliya, wife and daughter granted bail

Former Health Minister Keheliya Rambukwella, along with his wife Kusum Priyadarshini Epa and daughter Chandula Ramali Rambukwella, were granted bail today (18) by the Colombo Magistrate’s Court.

Parliament sessions end abruptly amid tense situation

Parliament sessions came to an abrupt end today as MP Ajith P. Perera, who was to move an adjournment debate on the Iran-Israel conflict was absent.

NPP secures control of Kolonnawa Municipal Council with SJB support

The National People’s Power (NPP) has taken control of the Kolonnawa Municipal Council with the backing of a Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB) councillor, who had secured the highest number of preferential votes in the last local government election.

President commends service of outgoing Treasury Secretary Mahinda Siriwardana

President Anura Kumara Dissanayake today (18), lauded Mahinda Siriwardana, the outgoing Secretary to the Treasury, for his exemplary service, stating that it is the responsibility of public officials to strive to prevent adverse outcomes and contribute to positive change, the President’s Media Division (PMD) said.

Tobacco use declines as ADIC highlights trends and impact

The Alcohol and Drug Information Centre (ADIC) has conducted its annual trend survey for 2024 to monitor and map the evolving patterns of tobacco use across Sri Lanka, aiming to support evidence-based policymaking and awareness initiatives.

Keheliya, wife, daughter arrested

Former Minister Keheliya Rambukwella, his wife and daughter have been arrested by the Commission to Investigate Allegations of Bribery or Corruption on charges of money laundering.

Jeremy Irons arrives in Sri Lanka

Oscar and Emmy Award-winning British actor Jeremy Irons arrived in Sri Lanka last night (17) to star in Cage Bird, an internationally-backed film directed by veteran Sri Lankan filmmaker Chandran Rutnam.

Supreme Court to hear BASL petition seeking action against university ragging

A Fundamental Rights petition filed by the Bar Association of Sri Lanka (BASL), seeking the Supreme Court’s intervention to prevent ragging in Sri Lanka’s universities, was today fixed for support by the Supreme Court.

Tilvin seeks furthering of ties with Communist Party of China

JVP General Secretary Tilvin Silva who is now in China at the invitation of the Communist Party of China (CPC) met with the Minister of the International Department of the CPC Central Committee, Liu Jianchao and other officials.