Rasika Peiris appointed as new Commissioner General of Elections

Rasika Peiris, a Special Grade Officer of the Sri Lanka Administrative Service, has assumed duties as the new Commissioner General of Elections this morning.

Hotel staffer arrested for stealing from Dutch tourist

A hotel employee has been arrested by the Fort Police after a Dutch tourist reported the theft of foreign currency from her wallet.

Govt. intensifies crackdown on illegal fishing and maritime crimes

In a decisive move to curb rising incidents of illegal fishing and maritime poaching in Sri Lankan waters, top government and security officials convened a high-level meeting to strengthen enforcement and coordination efforts.

BBC apologises to Trump over Panorama edit but refuses to pay compensation

The BBC has apologised to US President Donald Trump for a Panorama episode that spliced parts of his 6 January 2021 speech together, but rejected his demands for compensation.

Health Ministry fails to meet most sustainable development targets, Audit shows

The latest audit report from the National Audit Office shows that the Health Ministry has failed to report progress on 26 out of 42 sustainable development indicators assigned to it.

Global Ecolabelling chief calls on Sri Lanka to go green to stay competitive in trade

In a call that blended environmental urgency with economic opportunity, Global Ecolabelling Network (GEN) Chair K.S. Venkatagiri urged Sri Lanka’s industries to fast-track the adoption of Type I ecolabels.

Afghans carried out two suicide bombings in Pakistan, says minister

Pakistan said on Thursday Afghan nationals carried out two deadly suicide bombings in its territory this week, amid sharpening tensions between the South Asian neighbours over militant violence.

36th Il Maha Viru Commemoration held

Suspect arrested over illegally acquired assets worth Rs. 30 million

The Illegal Assets Investigation Division has commenced further investigations under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act against a resident of the Eheliyagoda area, suspected of acquiring assets through illegal drug and alcohol trafficking.

New Palmyrah exhibition launch

Elections Commissioner General Saman Sri Ratnayake retires

Commissioner General of Elections Saman Sri Ratnayake has retired from his post and from state service, effective today (13).

CSE pulls back as banking counters drag indices lower

After a strong bullish run in recent sessions, the Colombo Stock Exchange (CSE) took a breather today, with the ASPI falling 198 points as heavyweight banking counters pulled the index down. Investor sentiment turned cautious, with profit-taking seen across key blue-chip counters amid unmet earnings expectations, shifting overall market momentum into negative territory.

MPs’ vehicle permits stopped during Gota’s time: D.V. Chanaka

Claiming that the government was bragging about stopping vehicle permits given to Parliamentarians, Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna (SLPP) MP D.V. Chanaka said today MPs’ vehicle permits were stopped by former President Gotabaya Rajapaksa in 2020.

Non-alcoholic beverages can’t be sold as gin, EU court rules

The name ’gin’ is reserved solely for alcoholic beverages, the European Court of Justice ruled on Thursday.

Sri Lanka invites Pope Leo XIV to mark 50 years of diplomatic ties

Sri Lanka has extended an invitation to His Holiness Pope Leo XIV to undertake an official visit to the country, reaffirming the deepening friendship between Sri Lanka and the Holy See as both nations mark 50 years of diplomatic relations, the Foreign Affairs, Foreign Employment & Tourism Ministry said.

One in five Sri Lankan adults diagnosed with diabetes

Health experts have raised concern over the growing number of diabetes cases in Sri Lanka, revealing that one in five adults in the country is now living with the disease.

Field Marshal steps in to protect Sri Lankan Cricket Team in Pakistan

Pakistan’s Army Chief, Field Marshal General Syed Asim Munir, has assured full security to the visiting Sri Lankan cricket team, Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi said on Thursday. The assurance came after Sri Lankan officials raised concerns following recent security incidents in Islamabad. Naqvi said the matter was personally discussed with Sri Lankan leaders.

Dodangoda Pradeshiya Sabha rejects inaugural Budget of NPP

The inaugural budget of the Dodangoda Pradeshiya Sabha, presented under the chairmanship of the National People’s Power (NPP) Party, was defeated today.

Upgrade underway

World’s first flying car factory begins production in China

Aridge, Xpeng’s flying car subsidiary, has started trial production at the world’s first flying car factory in Guangzhou.

ICTA warns against unauthorized use of logo by training institutes

The Information and Communication Technology Agency (ICTA) has issued a public warning against unauthorized use of its logo by training institutes.

GMOA calls emergency meeting over 2026 budget, Warns of public health risks

The Government Medical Officers’ Association (GMOA) has summoned specialist doctors from across Sri Lanka this week for urgent consultations on the proposed 2026 national budget, raising alarms over potential impacts on the country’s free healthcare system.

FR Petition on May 9 property damage compensation fixed for January 28

A Fundamental Rights petition filed seeking an order directing authorities to conduct an investigation into the compensation payments made for damages caused to properties during the illegal attacks and violence carried out by groups of wrongdoers on May 9, 2022, was today fixed for January 28 by the Supreme Court.

Digambaram tells Namal not to oppose plantation workers’ wage hike

While admiring the government’s decision to allocate Rs. 5,000 million to increase the wages of the plantation workers, Tamil Progressive Alliance (TPA) MP Palani Digambaram today urged opposition MPs such as Namal Rajapaksa and Nizam Kariapper not to oppose the allocation of state funds for the matter.

Happy to be called ’father of brown sugar’: Handunnetti

Claiming that social media has started to call him ’father of brown sugar’ after the opening of a brown sugar outlet in Nugegoda recently, Industries Minister Sunil Handunnetti said today he is happy to be called the ’father of brown sugar’ rather than ’father of white sugar’.

6 Blasts in Delhi-NCR on December 6: ’Doctor Module’ had babri revenge plan

Investigators probing the blast near Delhi’s iconic Red Fort have unearthed a chilling plan: the suspected terror module involving doctors allegedly linked to Jaish-e-Mohammad had planned blasts at six locations in the National Capital Region on December 6.

Daily mirror report on plantation workers’ payments comes to limelight in Parliament

The story published by the Daily Mirror yesterday (November 12, 2025) under the title ’SJB MP seeks bribery. Audit inquiry into Rs. 56 billion allocation for estate workers’’ came to the limelight in Parliament today when Deputy Minister Sugath Thilakaratne quoted it.

Gold prices rise sharply following global spike

Gold prices in Sri Lanka have recorded a sharp increase, mirroring a significant surge in the global market where prices crossed US$ 4,212 per ounce today.

Arrest warrant issued against former National Lotteries Board Director

The Colombo Additional Magistrate, Lahiru Silva, today issued an arrest warrant against former Director of the National Lotteries Board, Thusitha Halloluwa.

Dayasiri, Marikkar brawl with Minister Vidyaratne

Opposition MPs S.M. Marikkar and Dayasiri Jayasekera engaged in a heated argument with Minister Samantha Vidyaratne in Parliament today over privilege issues.