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.

Litton guides Bangladesh to win over Hong Kong in Asia Cup T20

Skipper Litton Das top-scored with 59 as Bangladesh beat a spirited Hong Kong by seven wickets in their first match of the Asia Cup on Thursday.

Central, Provincial bodies must work together – President

President Anura Kumara Dissanayake today emphasized the importance of close coordination and unified action between the central government and provincial institutions in the implementation of development projects.

MR trying to win sympathy: Minister

Dramas are being staged for former President Mahinda Rajapaksa to win public sympathy, Minister of Industries Sunil Handunetti said today.

Nepal’s young protesters back former chief justice as interim head

Nepal’s ’’Gen Z’’ protesters backed the country’s first female chief justice to temporarily lead the troubled nation and called for parliament to be dissolved on Thursday, two days after deadly demonstrations forced the prime minister to quit.

Suspended sentence, Rs.25 Mn fine to stand as Prasanna Ranatunga drops Appeal

An appeal filed by former Minister Prasanna Ranatunga, challenging the Colombo High Court’s judgment to impose a suspended term of imprisonment in connection with the Meetotamulla extortion case, was withdrawn by him today before the Court of Appeal.

Budget speech to be delivered on November 7

The second reading of the Appropriation Bill for 2026, commonly known as the Budget Speech, will be held on November 7, 2025. the Secretary General of Parliament, Kushani Rohanadeera said.

Market pulls back after early gains, ASPI ends in red

The Colombo Stock Exchange (CSE) reversed sharply today, erasing the previous session’s gains and closing in negative territory. During the first half hour of trading, the ASPI climbed more than 120 points, but momentum quickly faded, with the index sliding 270 points to end lower. Intraday volatility remained elevated, with a trading range exceeding 270 points between the session’s high and low.

Mahinda Rajapaksa receives grand welcome at Carlton House

Former President Mahinda Rajapaksa, who vacated his official residence on Wijerama Mawatha in Colombo today, was seen receiving a grand welcome upon his arrival at Carlton House in Tangalle.

Strong stench from Beira Lake forces hotels to close

The strong stench emanating from Beira Lake has become a serious issue, making it difficult for hotels around the lake to operate, Western Province Solid Waste Management Authority Chairman Chathura Kahandawarachchi said.

15 Sri Lankan underworld figures with Red Notices arrested overseas

Fifteen Sri Lankan underworld members, who were the subject of Interpol red notices, have been arrested in Russia, Oman, Dubai and India, Public Security Minister Ananda Wijepala said.

Former UDA DG, Ex-Director granted bail

Former Director General of the Urban Development Authority (UDA), Sampath Ratnayake and former Director, Weerawansa Perera, who were arrested over corruption allegations were released on bail.

Army Lt. Colonel arrested for allegedly supplying ammunition to underworld

A Lieutenant Colonel attached to a Army Camp in Mallavi has been arrested by the Western Province (North) Crime Division over allegations of supplying ammunition to underworld figures Kehelbaddara Padme and Comando Salintha.

Namal unaware of Mahinda vacating Wijerama: Sagara

Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna (SLPP) General Secretary Sagara Kariyawasam said that MP Namal Rajapaksa was not aware of former President Mahinda Rajapaksa leaving his official residence today.

Chelsea face 74 charges over agent payments

Chelsea have been charged by the Football Association with 74 alleged rule breaches related to payments to agents between 2009 and 2022.

Govt.’s treatment of Mahinda would please Prabhakaran: Spokesman

If LTTE leader Velupillai Prabhakaran were alive today, he would be pleased with the way this government has treated Mahinda Rajapaksa, Attorney-at-Law and spokesperson for the former President, Manoj Gamage, said.

SC grants leave to proceed with FR challenging Namal’s controversial electricity bill

The Supreme Court today granted leave to proceed with a Fundamental Rights petition filed by a lawyer seeking an order directing the Ceylon Electricity Board (CEB) to produce before Court all relevant files maintained by the CEB regarding an alleged unsettled electricity bill amounting to Rs. 2.6 million, in connection with the supply of electricity to former President Mahinda Rajapaksa’s residence in Weeraketiya.

'Match should go on’: SC rejects plea to cancel India-Pak Asia Cup clash

The Supreme Court (SC) on Thursday refused to urgently list a plea seeking cancellation of the cricket match between India and Pakistan in the upcoming Asia Cup. The match is scheduled for September 14 at Dubai International Cricket Stadium.

MV X-Press Pearl case: Two IT officials granted bail

Two officials of Sea Consortium (Pvt) Ltd, the local representative of MV X-Prosper vessel, who were arrested on suspicion of erasing the vessel’s data system and email records following the fire onboard, were released on bail by Colombo Additional Magistrate Oshadha Migara Mahaarchchi today.

’I will never quit politics’: MR

Former President Mahinda Rajapaksa, who left his Wijerama residence, said he will never quit politics.

’’My father returns to the place where it all began’’ - Namal

“My father returns to the place where it all began,” MP Namal Rajapaksa posted on X today, announcing that former President Mahinda Rajapaksa has left his official residence in Colombo and returned to his hometown of Tangalle.

’Chichi’ leaves Wijerama before MR

Former President Mahinda Rajapaksa’s youngest son, Rohitha Rajapaksa, known as ’Chichi’, was seen leaving the former President’s official residence at Wijerama Road, Colombo, this afternoon (11), a moment before the former President vacated the residence.

Historic all-female match official panel revealed for CWC25

The International Cricket Council (ICC) today announced a landmark moment in the history of the sport: an all-female Emirates ICC Panel of Match Officials will oversee the ICC Women’s Cricket World Cup 2025.

Soft power, strong future: Why Sri Lanka’s story matters

There is something magical about Westminster on a crisp London evening. Last week, as I walked past the historic buildings glowing in the soft light, I felt the hum of global conversations taking place all around me.

Alms giving held in memory of Ella bus accident victims

An almsgiving ceremony for the Maha Sangha was held yesterday at the 15th kilometre post in Rawanaella, along the Ella–Wellawaya Road, in memory of the 15 passengers who lost their lives in the recent fatal bus accident. The event also sought blessings for the speedy recovery of the injured still undergoing treatment.

Bribery Commission arrests former UDA officials

The Commission to Investigate Allegations of Bribery or Corruption (CIABOC) has arrested two former senior officials of the Urban Development Authority (UDA).