SJB to bring No-Confidence Motion against Speaker

The Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB) said they would bring a No-Confidence Motion (NCM) against Speaker of Parliament Jagath Wickramaratne, alleging that he is unfit to hold office due to his recent handling of Parliamentary procedures.

Rise in antibiotic use limits discoveries, warns Health Secretary

The discovery of new antibiotics has become increasingly rare due to their widespread use in humans, animals, foods and soil—a trend that poses a serious concern for the country, Health and Mass Media Ministry Secretary Dr. Anil Jasinghe said.

Officers who ignored Easter attacks intel engage in repeat performance: Namal

Two intelligence officers who neglected the prior warnings on the Easter Sunday bomb attacks have engaged in a repeat performance by neglecting prior warnings on two containers comprising narcotic drugs, SLPP MP Namal Rajapaksa told Parliament today.

Over 1,000 children fall ill from free school lunches in Indonesia

More than 1,000 children have fallen ill from free school lunches in Indonesia this week, according to authorities – the latest in a string of mass food poisoning events linked to President Prabowo Subianto’s multi-billion-dollar nutritious meals programme.

Former Presidents mourn victims of Na Uyana Monastery tragedy

Former Presidents Ranil Wickremesinghe and Mahinda Rajapaksa have expressed deep sorrow over the tragic accident at the Na Uyana Monastery in Pansiyagama, Melsiripura, which claimed the lives of seven Buddhist monks.

India imposes curfew in Ladakh after statehood protests turn violent

Indian security forces have imposed a curfew in Leh, the capital of the Himalayan region of Ladakh, after at least four people were killed in violent clashes between police and protesters demanding statehood for the federal territory.

D.V. Chanaka files lawsuit against radio station over false underworld links

Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna (SLPP) Parliamentarian D.V. Chanaka has filed a lawsuit against a private radio station claiming that the station aired false statements linking his late uncle to underworld activities.

Namal urges proactive measures to protect Northern families ahead of monsoon

SLPP MP Namal Rajapaksa today called on the government to take immediate, proactive steps to safeguard families in Sri Lanka’s northern regions who are at risk of displacement during the upcoming monsoon season.

ICFS to host International Education Expo on September 27

The International Centre for Foreign Studies (ICFS) is set to host its highly anticipated International Education Expo on September 27, 2025, at the Cinnamon Grand Hotel, Colombo, from 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.

Nicolas Sarkozy found guilty of criminal conspiracy in Libya case

Former French President Nicolas Sarkozy has been found guilty of criminal conspiracy in a case related to taking millions of euros of illicit funds from the late Libyan leader Col Muammar Gaddafi.

Daily Mirror report sparks debate in parliament

SLPP MP Namal Rajapaksa today highlighted the Daily Mirror’s report on the Sri Lanka Navy’s struggles to meet modern maritime standards.

Bribery Commission summons Manusha Nanayakkara

Former Minister of Labour and Foreign Employment Manusha Nanayakkara has been summoned to appear before the Commission to Investigate Allegations of Bribery or Corruption (CIABOC).

Denmark reports ‘unidentified’ drones at several airports

Denmark’s Aalborg airport has been closed as several of the country’s airports reported unauthorised drone activity.

CPSTL ends political bias in hiring, promotions, transfers: Chairman

The Ceylon Petroleum Storage Terminals Ltd. (CPSTL) today announced that future recruitments, transfers, and promotions will no longer be influenced by political affiliations, personal connections, or directives from the chairman.

Wife of ‘Backhoe Saman’ further remanded

Colombo Chief Magistrate Asanga S. Bodaragama today ordered that Shadhika Lakshani, the wife of the detained ‘Backhoe Saman’, be further remanded until October 9 under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act.

YANGWANG U9 Xtreme is the World’s fastest production car, with top speed of 496.22km/h

YANGWANG, the luxury sub-brand of global new-energy vehicle (NEV) leader BYD, has set a new global production-car top-speed record of 496.22km/h at the ATP Automotive Testing Papenburg test track in Germany.

Over 5 million toque monkeys in Sri Lanka: Recent census reveals

The recent census has revealed that there are 5.1 million toque monkeys, 1.7 million other monkeys in Sri Lanka while it has been found that the population of Grizzled Giant squirrels is 2.6 million.

Archchuna wants Parliament public toilet open at night

Police officers on duty in Parliament face difficulties as the public toilet in the Parliament Complex is padlocked at night, Jaffna District MP Ramanathan Archchuna said today.

Sri Lanka among countries seeking to join RCEP trade bloc

Hong Kong, Sri Lanka, Chile and Bangladesh are seeking to join the China-backed Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership, the world’s largest trade bloc, Southeast Asian officials said on Thursday.

Speaker reiterates no-confidence against Deputy Defence Minister cannot be debated

Speaker Jagath Wickramaratne today reiterated that the no confidence motion against Deputy Defence Minister Aruna Jayasekera cannot be debated as per Standing Orders, the Constitution and international parliamentary practices.

Presidential Secretariat upholds rejection of RTI request on President’s domestic travel costs

The Designated Officer at the Presidential Secretariat has upheld the Information Officer’s earlier decision to reject an information request made by a YouTuber under the Right to Information (RTI) Act regarding the expenditures incurred for domestic travel and accommodation by President Anura Kumara Dissanayake during the past 12 months.

Private bus ticketing to be mandatory from next month

The Western Provincial Road Passenger Transport Authority (WPRPTA) has announced that issuing and obtaining tickets on private buses will become mandatory from the first of next month, WPRPTA Chairman Gamini Jayasinghe said.

Four killed in head-on collision between van and lorry in Anuradhapura

Four people were killed early today when a Dolphin van collided head-on with a lorry in Mihirigama, Thalawa, Anuradhapura, police said. The accident occurred at around 4:50 am on the Anuradhapura-Kurunegala Padeniya road.

Breast cancer claims three lives daily in SL- health officials

Sri Lanka sees approximately 15 new breast cancer cases daily, with around three women dying from the disease each day, health authorities revealed yesterday.

Malawi’s ex-president wins election in comeback at age 85

Malawi’s former President Peter Mutharika has been declared the winner of last week’s elections, in a huge comeback for the 85-year-old.

Ramanathapuram court releases Sri Lankan police officer who illegally entered India

The Ramanathapuram Principal District Court here on Wednesday ordered the release of a Sri Lankan police officer who entered India illegally.

GovPay platform records Rs. 285 million in transactions

Since its launch, the GovPay digital platform has facilitated payments exceeding Rs. 285 million, Digital Economy Minister Eranga Weerarathne said.

Bribery Commission to probe over Rs. 2,500 million reagent purchases at CNH

The Bribery Commission has decided to launch an investigation into the purchase and misuse of laboratory reagents worth over Rs. 2,500 million at the Colombo National Hospital (CNH).

PM calls for global cooperation to stop drug trafficking in Indian Ocean

Prime Minister Dr. Harini Amarasuriya yesterday said that international support is essential to stop illegal activities in the Indian Ocean, especially drug trafficking, which has become a serious threat to security and stability.

Controversial number plate tender to incur over Rs.516mn loss to Govt.

A multi-billion rupee government tender to supply vehicle number plates is mired in controversy after the two lowest bidders were disqualified on technical grounds, paving the way for the contract to be awarded to the highest bidder at a potential loss of over Rs. 500 million to the state.