Education reforms to boost Pirivena schools: PM

The quality of Pirivena education is expected to improve through ongoing education reforms, Prime Minister and Minister of Education, Higher Education, and Vocational Education Dr. Harini Amarasuriya said.

CSE edges closer to 22,000 as banking sector leads turnover

The Colombo Stock Exchange (CSE) extended its upward momentum, edging closer to the 22,000 mark as renewed investor sentiment pushed the market to fresh highs. Investor focus remained on upcoming quarterly earnings releases and dividend announcements, driving strong inflows into equities.

CIABOC chief denies political links, dismisses allegations

Director General of the Commission to Investigate Allegations of Bribery or Corruption (CIABOC) Ranga Dissanayake today rejected allegations of political affiliation, insisting that he has never been part of any political party’s legal committee.

SJB not willing to defend every Opposition politician penalised for crime: MP

The Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB) is not willing to defend and back each and every Opposition politician if they are penalised for serious crimes, SJB MP Harshana Rajakaruna said today.

MR’s former security officer remanded till October 17

Colombo Magistrate Asanga S. Bodaragama today ordered that Neville Wanni Arachchi, the former security officer of ex-President Mahinda Rajapaksa, who was taken into custody by the Bribery Commission, be remanded till October 17.

Don’t slash SVAT for SL exports: Sajith tells IMF representatives

Opposition Leader Sajith Premadasa today urged the International Monetary Fund (IMF) not to slash the Simplified Value Added Tax (SVAT) for Sri Lankan exports to Europe.

Supreme Court to hear Bathiudeen’s FR petition on March 25

A Fundamental Rights petition filed by Parliamentarian Rishad Bathiudeen, challenging his arrest and detention in 2021, was today fixed for hearing on March 25 next year by the Supreme Court.

Don’t jump the gun over Thajudeen’s death: Mahinda Jayasinghe tells Namal

Claiming that Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna (SLPP) MP Namal Rajapaksa’s excitement on fresh investigations into the death of Wasim Thajudeen is suspicious, Deputy Minister Mahinda Jayasinghe urged Namal Rajapaksa not to panic and jump the gun.

Yal Devi train to face delays due to repairs between Vavuniya and Omanthai

The Yal Devi express train operating between Colombo Fort and Kankesanthurai (KKS) will experience delays due to essential repair work on the railway line between Vavuniya and Omanthai, the Railways Department announced.

Fully fledged hospital dedicated to heart patients in Colombo soon: Nalinda

Health and Media Minister Dr. Nalinda Jayatissa announced plans to build a state-of-the-art cardiac hospital near the National Hospital, Colombo with an estimated investment of Rs. 13 billion.

Train derails at Ragama, disrupting Puttalam line

A train transporting Prima flour derailed near the Ja-Ela end of the Ragama railway station today, causing significant disruption to train services on the Puttalam line, the Railways Department said.

Mahinda Rajapaksa’s Chief Security Officer arrested

Neville Wanniarachchi, Chief Security Officer (CSO) of former President Mahinda Rajapaksa, was arrested a short while ago after arriving at the Commission to Investigate Allegations of Bribery or Corruption.

White House says layoffs ’imminent’ with no end to shutdown in sight

Mass layoffs of US federal workers will begin within two days, the White House says, as lawmakers trade blame over the first government shutdown in almost seven years.

Bribery Commission to act tough on those spreading false news about Commission

The Bribery Commission said today that legal action will be taken under the Anti-Corruption Act and other laws against those who spread false news on the Bribery Commission and disgrace it and its activities.

Sri Lankan found hanging in luxury hotel in Colombo

A 45-year-old man was found hanging in his room at Colombo’s luxury hotel, Nuwa in the City of Dreams on Tuesday evening.

Two arrested with Rs. 14.2M worth foreign cigarettes

Two passengers were arrested at the Katunayake Airport last night for attempting to smuggle in a stock of foreign cigarettes worth Rs. 14.2 million.

MR yet to hand over Wijerama residence; Ministry to take necessary action: Nalinda

Claiming that former President Mahinda Rajapaksa has not officially handed over his official residence at Wijerama Mawatha as yet, Minister Nalinda Jayatissa said action will be taken regarding the matter by the respective Ministry.

SL braces for possible influenza outbreak amid surge in Delhi

Health authorities in Sri Lanka say they are closely monitoring the situation in India, where a spike in influenza cases—particularly the H3N2 strain—has been reported across northern regions, including the Delhi metropolitan area.

Alston Koch appointed envoy to Australia and the Pacific by Commonwealth Union

The Commonwealth Union (CU) has appointed internationally acclaimed artist and award-winning entertainer Mr. Alston Koch as its Envoy to Australia and the Pacific Region.

“What is happening in Gaza is a massacre happening in broad daylight; world leaders must act’’ - Sri Lankan medical professional

A Sri Lankan medical professional, Pradeep Samanjeeva attached to the international organization Doctors without Borders, has called on all world leaders including the Sri Lankan government to lobby for a ceasefire in Palestine and push for the access of urgent humanitarian aid for the Palestinian people.

'My father had no hand in Thajudeen’s death’ - Kajja’s son

A 16-year-old boy who called himself as recently murdered underworld figure Aruna Vidanagamage, alias ’Kajja’s son claimed that his father had no hand in the murder of Wasim Thajudeen.

Crimes like Thajudeen’s murder not committed by ’Siripala’ or ’Gnanaratnam’ in the village: Bimal

Crimes like the murder of Wasim Thajudeen were not committed by Siripala or Gnanaratnam in the village, but by rulers who governed the country, Minister Bimal Ratnayake said yesterday.

Shah Rukh Khan joins Billionaire Club with $1.4 billion net worth

Bollywood superstar Shah Rukh Khan has officially become a billionaire, with an estimated net worth of $1.4 billion, making him the richest entertainer in the world, according to the M3M Hurun India Rich List 2025.

Drug addiction on the rise, prisons overflow

Sri Lanka is facing increasing challenges with drug addiction and prison overcrowding. Authorities are struggling to provide effective rehabilitation for the growing number of people affected by substance abuse.

CAA directs traders to charge for plastic bags from November 1

The Consumer Affairs Authority (CAA) has issued a new directive under Section 10(l)(b)(ii) of the Consumer Affairs Authority Act No. 9 of 2003, stating that traders are prohibited from providing certain plastic bags free of charge to consumers.

Musk becomes world’s first half-trillion-dollar man

Tesla boss Elon Musk has become the first person ever to achieve a net worth of more than $500bn (£370.9bn), as the value of the electric car company and his other businesses have risen this year.

Israeli naval ships intercept Gaza-bound flotilla

The Israeli navy has intercepted boats carrying aid to Gaza and detained the activists aboard, including Swedish climate campaigner Greta Thunberg.

Gazette issued making seat belts mandatory for all expressway passengers

Drivers and passengers, including those seated in the back seats of vehicles, are now required to wear seat belts when travelling on expressways, following an extraordinary gazette notification issued by the government.

Top business chambers challenge VAT collection without refund system

Three leading business chambers in Sri Lanka have filed a writ application in the Court of Appeal, challenging the Inland Revenue Department’s (IRD) move to collect the Value Added Tax (VAT) from October 1, without first implementing the legally mandated automated refund mechanism.

Tourist arrivals hit record high in September

Sri Lanka’s tourism sector celebrated a historic milestone, recording its highest-ever number of tourist arrivals for the month of September, primarily fuelled by a remarkable surge in visitors from neighbouring India.