Four acting ministers appointed during President’s UN visit

Four Acting Ministers have been appointed to key ministries following the departure of President Anura Kumara Dissanayake to the United States to attend the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA).

NMRA breaks silence on decade-long delay in cancer treatment machines

The National Medicines Regulatory Authority (NMRA) confirmed that a decision has been reached regarding the long-delayed procurement of five Linear Accelerator Radiation Therapy Machines, with an official announcement to be made in due course.

Statement by Easter bombing victim’s father to OHCHR will affect Sri Lanka: Sajith

The statement made by the father of Vihanga Tejan, the child who died in the 2019 Easter Sunday explosion at the Shangri-La Hotel, to the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR), will have an adverse impact on Sri Lanka, Opposition Leader Sajith Premadasa told Parliament today.

Functions of private maritime security companies handed over to Navy

The functions of private companies providing maritime security have been handed over to the Sri Lankan Navy by President Anura Kumara Dissanayake, Speaker Jagath Wickramaratne announced in Parliament today.

Just not cricket: how India-Pakistan tensions spill onto the pitch

India and Pakistan’s refusal to shake hands during their Asia Cup cricket matches bent the code of the so-called ’’gentleman’s game’’, as sport once again served as a proxy battlefield.

Hong Kong braces for travel chaos as super typhoon approaches

Hong Kong has shut schools and some businesses, while the airport will ground most flights from Tuesday evening as the city braces for a super typhoon - the strongest storm of the year so far.

Non-Smoking Sri Lanka in future?

Sri Lanka is presently heading towards a ‘no-smokers’ zone’ due to the youngsters aged 15-25 staying away from the habit, an official from the Alcohol and Drug Information Centre (ADIC) said.

Leave of CEB employees cancelled until further notice

The Ceylon Electricity Board (CEB) has cancelled the leave of all its employees with immediate effect until further notice, according to a written directive issued by the General Manager.

Three Pakistanis arrested for robbing driver using chemical-laced currency note in Peradeniya

In what appeared to be a rare tactic employed in robberies, three Pakistani nationals have been arrested for allegedly robbing a lorry driver of Rs.90,000 after rendering him unconscious using a chemical-laced Rs. 5,000 currency note.

Restructuring of CEB in disarray: Opposition MP

Opposition MP Dayasiri Jayasekara yesterday criticised the ongoing restructuring of the Ceylon Electricity Board (CEB), describing the process as being in disarray and raising concerns over the welfare of its employees.

Ousmane Dembélé wins 2025 Men’s Ballon d’Or

Ousmane Dembélé has been awarded the 2025 Men’s Ballon d’Or, with other honours going to Lamine Yamal, Luis Enrique, Viktor Gyökeres and Gianluigi Donnarumma.

Government begins unbundling of CEB

The government has initiated the unbundling of the Ceylon Electricity Board (CEB) into four state-owned companies, with the attachment of employees to the new entities already underway, the Ministry of Power and Energy announced yesterday.

CEB unions reject gazette, continue trade union action over consumer rights: CEWU

CEB unions reject gazette, continue trade union action over consumer rights: Ceylon Electricity Workers’ Union

Veteran actor Nalin Pradeep Udawela passes away

Veteran actor Nalin Pradeep Udawela has passed away, family sources confirmed today.

Singapore firm rejects $1 billion Sri Lankan pollution damages

A Singapore shipping company told AFP on Tuesday it will refuse to pay Sri Lankan court-ordered damages of US$1 billion for causing that country’s worst case of environmental pollution.

France formally recognises Palestinian state

France has formally recognised a Palestinian state, becoming the latest in a wave of countries to take the step.

President departs for the United States to attend UN general assembly

President Anura Kumara Dissanayake left the country last night (22) to attend the 80th Session of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) in New York.

Inflation edges up in August on base effects

The consumer prices, as measured by the National Consumer Price Index (NCPI), climbed 1.5 percent in August from a year earlier, accelerating from July’s 0.7 percent.

CSE hits fresh record high following sovereign rating upgrade

The Colombo Stock Exchange (CSE) scaled to a new all-time high on Monday, supported by renewed investor optimism after S&P Global Ratings upgraded Sri Lanka’s foreign currency rating from SD/SD (Selective Default) to CCC+/C. The upgrade strengthened confidence in the country’s economic outlook, fueling broad-based market momentum.

Report on Ella bus accident proposes introducing fail-safe brake system for passenger buses

The final report of the committee on the Ella-bus accident was handed over to Transport Minister Bimal Rathnayake today, the Ministry of Transport and Highways said.

Brothers booked for online betting in Sri Lanka-Bangladesh Asia Cup match

The Crime Branch of the Pimpri Chinchwad police busted an alleged cricket betting racket and have booked two brothers who had been receiving online bets on a match between Sri Lanka and Bangladesh in the ongoing Asia Cup. Police launched a search for accomplices of the two suspects.

Police deny issuing letter “Attn: The Alleged Victim” circulated over social media

The police today denied issuing a letter which is being circulated on social media, called “Attn: The Alleged Victim” dated September 20, 2025.

Sajin de Vass ordered to submit written explanations on Rs. 36.9M tax evasion charge

The Colombo Additional Magistrate today ordered former State Minister Sajin de Vass Gunawardena to submit written explanations to court on December 16 regarding the alleged evasion of income tax amounting to Rs. 36.9 million payable to the State.

SJB MPs meet former president Mahinda Rajapaksa in Tangalle

Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB) parliamentarians Hesha Withanage and Dilip Wedaarachchi recently visited former President Mahinda Rajapaksa at his Carlton residence in Tangalle.

Energy sector will continue to be entirely state-owned: President

President Anura Kumara Dissanayake emphasised that the Government will always stand for the country’s energy sovereignty, making it clear that there is no requirement whatsoever to entrust the power sector to private institutions.

CID tells court: 6,000 LTTE-linked gold items handed over to Central Bank

The Criminal Investigation Department (CID) today informed Colombo Chief Magistrate Asanga S. Bodaragama that out of 10,000 gold items believed to have belonged to the LTTE and discovered in camps, illegal banks and buildings in the Northern and Eastern Provinces during the humanitarian operation and thereafter sent to the National Gem and Jewellery Authority on court orders, 6,000 items have now been handed over to the Central Bank of Sri Lanka.

Speaker endorses certificate on National Audit (Amendment) Bill

Speaker Dr. Jagath Wickramaratne today (22) endorsed the certificate on the National Audit (Amendment) Bill, the Communications Department of Parliament said.

Jacqueline’s plea dismissed: SC refuses to intervene in Rs 200 crore money laundering case

Jacqueline Fernandez has suffered a legal setback after the Supreme Court refused to interfere in a case involving alleged money laundering.

Bodies lead police to recover another 200kgs of ice in Tangalle

Police have recovered another stock of suspected Crystal methamphetamine, commonly known as Ice, weighing over 200 kilograms from a lorry parked at the same premises in Seenimodara, Tangalle, where two bodies were discovered earlier.

Quack arrested after 20 years of posing as medic

A 54-year-old man who had allegedly been posing as a doctor for nearly two decades was arrested in Egoda Uyana last evening (21).