Kabir Hashim appointed as head of COPA

Opposition MP Kabir Hashim has been appointed as chairman of the Committee on Public Accounts (COPA), the Parliament Media Unit said.

Former Catholic Church Media Director Fr. Benedict Joseph passes away

Former Director of Media of the Catholic Church, Rev. Fr. Benedict Joseph, passed away this morning.

No decision yet on arresting Gammanpila: CID

The Criminal Investigation Department (CID) today informed the Court of Appeal that no decision has yet been taken to arrest former Parliamentarian Udaya Gammanpila over a recent statement he had made to the media.

No action yet on Beira Lake stench despite promises: SJB Councillor

Responding to a Daily Mirror article titled ’Strong stench from Beira Lake forces hotels to close,” SJB Council Member Chamith Wijesundara has criticised Colombo Mayoress Vraie Cally Balthazar for failing to address the issue, despite previous assurances.

NextGenSL holds constructive talks with US Ambassador Julie Chung

NextGenSL met with US Ambassador Julie Chung on Tuesday afternoon for a productive discussion aimed at strengthening people-to-people ties between Sri Lanka and the United States, while advancing a shared vision of peace and prosperity.

Norwood three-wheeler accident: Six preschool children injured

Six preschool children and a teacher were injured in a tragic accident this morning (12) on the Hatton–Bagawanthalawa main road in the Norwood Neweligama area.

Central Province to honour A/L high achievers on Sunday

A programme to recognize district-level outstanding achievers of the 2023/2024 GCE Advanced Level Examination in the Central Province will be held on Sunday (14) in Kandy under the patronage of Prime Minister Dr. Harini Amarasuriya.

Chinese Ambassador meets Ranil

Chinese Ambassador to Sri Lanka Qi Zhenhong has held a special meeting with former President Ranil Wickremesinghe in Colombo.

Former Minister Shashindra Rajapaksa further remanded

Former Minister Shashindra Rajapaksa was today ordered to be further remanded till September 19 by Colombo Chief Magistrate Asanga S. Bodaragama.

Govt spends nearly Rs. 500 Mn on ex-Presidents, widows since 2017

The government has revealed that a total of Rs. 491.2 million (Rs. 491,203,422) has been spent on expenses for former presidents and their widows from 2017 to the first six months of 2025.

Minister of Women’s Affairs insulted female MPs in Opposition

Minister of Women’s Affairs Saroja Paulraj has insulted female MPs in the Opposition through the remarks she made yesterday, MP Chamindrani Kiriella told Parliament today.

Two nabbed at BIA with phones, cosmetics, cigarettes worth Rs. 5 million

Two passengers attempting to smuggle in mobile phones, tablet computers, cosmetics and a large stock of cigarettes and cannabis wrapping paper worth Rs. 5 million were arrested this morning by Customs officers at the Bandaranaike International Airport (BIA).

Two arrested for smuggling birds in Mannar

The Sri Lanka Navy arrested two suspects who were trying to smuggle 91 birds near Sirithoppuwa beach in Mannar this week.

COPF proposes granting full independence to CIABOC

The Committee on Public Finance (COPF) proposed granting full independence to the Commission to Investigate Allegations of Bribery or Corruption (CIABOC), by allowing the institution to manage its finances on its own.

No plans to shut down Ceylon Fisheries Corporation: Deputy Minister

Deputy Minister of Fisheries Ratna Dhamija told Parliament today that there are no plans to shut down the Ceylon Fisheries Corporation, dismissing recent media reports claiming otherwise as false.

Doctor left patient for sex with nurse in operating theatre

A married doctor had sex with a nurse in an operating theatre while a patient was under anaesthetic, a medical tribunal heard, foreign media reported.

Mother, son hacked to death in Karandeniya

Karandeniya Police have launched an investigation after a mother and son were founf brutally hacked to death inside their home at Kotawela in Karandeniya.

Ella bus accident: Bus owner overspent on design, Neglected maintenance

The owner of the bus involved in the recent Ella tragedy, which killed 15 people and seriously injured many others, spent more on decorating the bus than its actual value, but had not properly maintained it, Nuwara Eliya District Chief Motor Vehicle Inspector Jaliya Bandara said.

Police constable arrested for accepting bribe from businessman

A Police constable attached to the Karathivu Police Station in Ampara has been arrested by the Bribery Commission for allegedly accepting a bribe of Rs. 10,000 from a businessman.

Three-tier ADR in the works to boost investor confidence: BOI

Sri Lanka is overhauling its investor agreements with a three-tier dispute resolution mechanism, negotiation, mediation, and arbitration, as part of efforts to strengthen foreign investor confidence, the

Woman arrested for attempted smuggling of exotic snakes at BIA

A 40-year-old Sri Lankan woman was arrested by customs officers while attempting to smuggle six live exotic snakes into the country at Bandaranaike International Airport (BIA).

Unsung Rajeew gets his loudest call

One of the country’s silent warriors in rugby, Rajeew Perera, has received a call-up to be the team manager and assistant coach of the Sri Lanka Sevens squad that is faced with an important schedule ahead.

Sujeewa Senasinghe withdraws notice for Israel–Sri Lanka friendship association

Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB) Parliamentarian Sujeewa Senasinghe has withdrawn a letter convening the inaugural meeting of a proposed Sri Lanka–Israel Parliamentary Friendship Association, acknowledging it was issued in error.

‘I will move in two months’ time’- CBK

In the wake of the enactment of the Presidents’ Entitlements (Repeal) Act, former president Chandrika Bandaranaike Kumaratunga who governed between 1994 and 2005, said that she would vacate her official residence in two months’ time.

New policy could halt dog sterilisation, lead to mass culling: AWC warns

The Animal Welfare Coalition (AWC) has raised concerns that the Health Ministry, in collaboration with the World Health Organisation (WHO), is formulating a policy to implement only rabies vaccination programmes instead of dog sterilisation, a move they warned could increase the stray dog population and ultimately lead to mass culling.

Ex-team selector Pramodya over the moon

Sri Lanka step into the 2025 Asia Cup with a sense of genuine optimism and memories of 2022, when the islanders stunned the cricketing world to lift the trophy. Former chairman of team selectors Pramodya Wickremasinghe believes the current squad is well equipped to repeat that achievement.

Brazil’s former President Bolsonaro sentences to 27 years over coup plot

Former Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro has been sentenced to 27 years and three months in prison, shortly after a majority of a Supreme Court panel voted to convict him on charges related to an attempted military coup.

China covers entire school uniform need for 2026

The Chinese government has agreed to provide the entire quantity of school uniform materials required for 2026 as a grant to Sri Lanka, covering all students in government and government-aided schools, the Ministry of Education said yesterday.

Palm oil ban deepens forex drain for SL, industry warns

The ban on palm oil cultivation has cost the country millions in foreign exchange and risks worsening its fragile economic recovery, the Planters’ Association of Ceylon (PA) said, urging the government to reverse

Ceylon Chamber pushes private sector-led growth in National Budget 2026 proposals

The Ceylon Chamber of Commerce (CCC) yesterday presented its priority proposals for the National Budget 2026 during its first official meeting of the new board with President Anura Kumara Dissanayake.