Deputy Secretary General of Parliament suspended

Deputy Secretary General of Parliament Chaminda Kularatne has been suspended by the Staff Advisory Committee of the House, sources said.

Sri Lanka to become second in South Asia to license drone pilots

The Civil Aviation Authority of Sri Lanka (CAASL) said that it will introduce a licensing system for Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS) pilots engaged in commercial and professional operations, marking a first for the country.

Lorry rams traffic police during pursuit in Vavuniya, driver arrested

A shocking incident unfolded yesterday on the Jaffna–Kandy main road in the Kalukunnammaduwa area when a lorry deliberately struck two traffic police officers riding a motorcycle during a pursuit, police said.

Sri Dalada Maligawa faces mounting financial pressure amid rising operational costs

The Sri Dalada Maligawa is confronting unprecedented financial challenges, with annual operational costs soaring to 1.5 billion rupees (approximately $5 million USD), the Chief Lay Custodian, Diyawadana Nilame Pradeep Nilanga Dela, revealed yesterday.

Sri Lanka, Venezuela foreign ministers hold telephone talks

Foreign Affairs, Foreign Employment and Tourism Minister Vijitha Herath, held a telephone conversation yesterday (23) with the Foreign Affairs of Venezuela,l Minister Yván Gil Pinto, according to official sources.

More than 77,000 arrested under ‘Ratama Ekata’ drug operation

More than 77,000 individuals have been arrested under the island-wide ‘Ratama Ekata’ national drug prevention programme since its launch last year, police said, as daily search operations continued across the country.

China no longer Pentagon’s top security priority

China is no longer the top security priority for the US, according to the Pentagon’s new National Defense Strategy.

Rare Sri Lankan leopard gives birth to 3 cubs in Singapore Zoo

Three Sri Lankan leopard cubs were born in the zoo on Jan 1, bringing the population of the rare animal at Mandai Wildlife Reserve to seven.

US braces for ’extremely dangerous’ winter storm

More than 200 million Americans are expected to face an unusually brutal winter storm starting Friday, with heavy snows and freezing rains forecast.

Türkiye offers to sell drones to Sri Lanka

Türkiye has offered to sell drones manufactured there as part of defence ties between the two countries, according to Ambassador Semih Lütfü Turgut.

11,000 complaints regarding disappearances, investigations to be completed in two years

Justice Minister Harshana Nanayakkara said that there are as many as 11,000 complaints regarding missing persons, and investigations into them will be completed within two years.

Extremely cold weather and dense fog disrupt life in central hills

Extremely cold and dense foggy conditions have continued to affect the central hills, causing disruptions to public life and vehicular traffic.

GMOA 48-hour token strike continues for second day

The 48-hour token strike launched by the Government Medical Officers Association (GMOA) over several unresolved demands continues for the second consecutive day today (24).

Several areas to experience showers and misty conditions

Showers will occur at times in the Northern, North-Central, Eastern and North-Western provinces as well as in the Matale and Nuwara-Eliya districts, the Meteorology Department said.

Indian medical team provides aid to cyclone-affected families in Badulla

An Indian medical team from the city of Cochin, Kerala, has begun providing essential healthcare services to residents displaced by Cyclone Ditva and currently staying at the “Suraksha” camps in Sri Lanka’s Badulla district.

Sri Lanka Navy seizes two trawlers, arrests 11 in anti-narcotics operation

The Sri Lanka Navy has seized two multi-day fishing trawlers and arrested eleven suspects during a major anti-narcotics operation carried out on the high seas south of Sri Lanka.

Sri Lanka tightens organic agriculture rules with revised national standard

Sri Lanka has strengthened its regulatory framework for organic agriculture with the revision of its national standard, a move aimed at curbing misleading organic claims, improving traceability and aligning local production with international market requirements, the Export Development Board (EDB) said.

16-20 per cent passenger bus drivers are drunk or drugged: Transport Minister

As many as 16-20 per cent of passenger bus drivers operate under the influence of alcohol or narcotics, posing a threat to public safety, a Minister said.

Colombo ranked as world’s most unaffordable city for homebuyers in 2026

Colombo has been identified as the most difficult city globally for local income earners to purchase property in 2026, revealing a severe decoupling between asset prices and domestic wages.

AASL denies link between asset gap and BIA Terminal 2; clarifies audit queries

Airport and Aviation Services (Sri Lanka) (Private) Limited (AASL) has categorically rejected any connection between the audit qualifications cited in its 2024 annual report and the ongoing BIA Terminal 2 project (BIADP Phase II).

What Sri Lankans Can Watch This Weekend: Football, Cricket and Australian Open Action

Sri Lankan sports fans have another strong weekend of viewing ahead, with Premier League football under the lights, international cricket at home and abroad, and the Australian Open reaching its decisive rounds. From Saturday afternoon through Sunday night, there is no shortage of sport to follow.

England fans’ World Cup arrest record shows Infantino joke inaccurate

Maybe Fifa president Gianni Infantino just thought he was making a light-hearted quip. But it fell flat in England.

T20 cricket World Cup row overshadows India’s Olympic ambitions

India hopes next month’s T20 World Cup will bolster its credentials as a global sports host -- and the country’s Olympic ambitions -- but preparations have been rocked by a diplomatic row with Bangladesh and accusations of political interference.

Higher tea offerings meet fair demand at weekly auction

The auction offering totalled 6.4 million kilogrammes (M/Kgs), up from a 6.0 M/Kgs on offer the previous week.

U19 WC 2026: Comfortable Wins for Australia and Bangladesh

Australia bundled out Sri Lanka on 58 before cruising to a nine-wicket win. Bangladesh was set a target of 200 runs, which it shot down in the 42nd over with seven wickets to spare.

China to donate 100 electric buses to Sri Lanka

The Chinese government has decided to donate 100 electric buses to Sri Lanka to reduce environmental pollution caused by carbon emissions from fossil fuels.

STCML Alumni welcome new Warden and Sub Warden

Dudley Sirisena responds to Daily Mirror article on Phantom fiasco

In response to the Daily Mirror article published under the title ’Dudley Sirisena’s Rolls-Royce gets him into tax mess’ which appeared on Friday (23) newspaper, business tycoon Dudley Sirisena has broken his voice silence over the high-profile import of a Rolls-Royce Phantom 8, which has drawn attention not only for its luxury price tag but also for alleged customs violations.

Ready to quit once people decide: Harini

Claiming that the Opposition is not required to bring in a no-confidence motion against her, Prime Minister Harini Amarasuriya said today she is ready to quit and go home when the people of this country decided that the Prime Minister must change.

Parliament approves civil society members to Constitutional Council

Parliament today approved the motion moved by Prime Minister Harini Amarasuriya, pertaining to the appointment of three new non-Members of Parliament to the Constitutional Council.