Cape Verde goalkeeper Vozinha’s mother gets visa to attend World Cup

The mother of Cape Verde’s star goalkeeper Vozinha has been granted a visa to enter the United States in time for her 40-year-old son’s next World Cup match, House Democratic leader Hakeem Jeffries announced.

Sugeeshwara Bandara arrested

The leader of the New People’s Front, Sugeeshwara Bandara, has been arrested by the Central Crime Investigation Bureau (CCIB), police said.

Ghost’s children have entered UNP working committee: Ravi K

Ghost’s children have entered the United National Party (UNP) working committee while seniors have been kept out, MP Ravi Karunanayake said today.

Pradeshiya Sabha Chairman deemed to have vacated post after losing budget - Supreme Court

The Supreme Court ruled that a Chairman of a Pradeshiya Sabha who fails to obtain the approval of council members for the annual budget after the first two years is deemed to have vacated his office.

Ukraine strikes key Moscow oil refinery for the second time in a week

Ukraine struck a key oil refinery in Moscow early Thursday morning for the second time this week, Russian officials said, as Kyiv increasingly targets Russian energy infrastructure in long-range attacks.

Nuwara Eliya police probe woman’s body found near Teldeniya hospital

Nuwara Eliya Police have launched an investigation into the discovery of a young woman’s body found inside a vehicle near the Teldeniya Hospital in Kandy on the 17th, following reports that she had been staying at a tourist hotel in Nuwara Eliya with her boyfriend a day earlier, on the 16th.

Crop insurance expanded due to climate volatility and extreme weather risks

Due to growing concerns over climate volatility and extreme weather patterns, the Agricultural and Agrarian Insurance Board under the Agriculture, Livestock, Land and Irrigation Ministry has expanded its crop insurance coverage islandwide, introducing a broader scheme designed to protect farmers from natural disaster-related losses.

Oil down 2% after US, Iran sign ceasefire agreement

Oil prices fell more than $1 per barrel on Thursday after the U.S. and Iran signed ‌an interim agreement that would end the Iran war, reopen the Strait of Hormuz and waive U.S. sanctions on Tehran’s oil, boosting the oil supply outlook.

Apple to raise prices as AI boom pushes up chip costs

Apple plans to raise the prices of its products as the cost of the memory chips it uses has surged, the technology giant’s boss has said.

Sri Lankan delegation visits Borobudur Temple

A delegation from the Temple of the Sacred Tooth Relic in Kandy visited Indonesia’s iconic Borobudur Temple as part of a Religious Familiarization Trip aimed at strengthening cultural, spiritual, and people-to-people ties between Indonesia and Sri Lanka, the Embassy of the Republic of Indonesia in Colombo said.

Sri Lankan monk among seven arrested in Boston prostitution sting, resigns from post

Tufts Buddhist Chaplain Ven. Vineetha Mahayaye was one of seven men arrested on Saturday by the Boston Police Department’s human trafficking unit for allegedly attempting to pay for sexual acts. Mahayaye resigned from his position at Tufts, which he had held since December 2024, on Monday.

Rough sea conditions expected over next 24 hours

The Meteorology Department has warned of strong winds and rough sea conditions in several sea areas around Sri Lanka over the next 24 hours, while showers and thundershowers are also expected in parts of the western and southern coastal waters.

Schools targeted in nationwide dengue Control drive today

In line with the ongoing National Dengue Control Week, authorities have launched a nationwide dengue prevention programme today (18), focusing on schools and other educational institutions as efforts continue to curb the worsening dengue situation across the country.

Nearly 30,000 new teachers to be recruited this year – PM

The government will recruit nearly 30,000 new teachers this year in what Prime Minister Dr. Harini Amarasuriya described as the largest teacher recruitment drive in the country’s history.

Global crude oil prices fall further as U.S.-Iran peace deal eases supply fears

Global crude oil prices extended their decline on Thursday after the United States and Iran signed an interim peace agreement, easing concerns over oil supply disruptions in the Middle East and raising expectations of increased global crude exports.

Decisions on education must prioritise children’s best interests: PM

All decisions relating to education should be guided by the principle of providing the best possible opportunities for children, stressing that the government is making a significant sacrifice to ensure quality education, Prime Minister Dr. Harini Amarasuriya said.

’I’m the boss’, Trump says at G7, as he warms to Ukraine’s war aims

U.S. President Donald Trump on Wednesday told a roomful ​of global leaders ’’I’m the boss’’, as he and other G7 heads acknowledged Ukraine’s improved battlefield fortunes with a unified pledge of ‌support and fresh sanctions against Russia.

Industry calls for direct European charters as shifting airline dynamics challenge Sri Lanka’s tourism yield

The Sri Lanka Association of Inbound Tour Operators (SLAITO) is urging the government to offer incentives for direct European charters to attract high-yielding affluent travellers and defend the core tourism revenue.

US and Iran presidents sign ceasefire agreement, but Trump says he could still resume attacks

The U.S. and Iran released the text of an interim agreement to end their war on ​Wednesday, with U.S. President Donald Trump threatening to resume attacks and kill Iranian officials if they failed to honour their commitments.

Daily vehicle import bill drops below USD 4Mn

Deputy Minister of Finance and Planning Anil Jayantha Fernando said that Sri Lanka’s daily foreign exchange outflow for vehicle imports has fallen to below USD 4 million following the introduction of a temporary surcharge on Customs Import Duties for vehicles.

Medicine prices set to surge

Pharmaceutical prices are expected to rise after the government indicated its willingness to address concerns raised by Indian suppliers regarding the non-renewal of import licenses and the National Medicines Regulatory Authority (NMRA)’s insistence on lowering prices.

Corporates must look beyond banks: SEC Chief

The capital market regulator, the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), is positioning equity and debt markets to play a larger role in financing economic growth, noting that the corporates will increasingly need to look beyond the traditional bank borrowing as the regulatory changes tighten the lending concentration limits and funding needs expand.

Trump threatens to resume bombing campaign if Iran does not ’’behave’’

U.S President Donald Trump said on Wednesday that an ​interim accord with Iran was not final, and that ‌he could resume a bombing campaign if he did not like it or if Tehran did not ’’behave’’.

DVT emerging as ‘silent killer’ among young due to sedentary lifestyles, doctors warn

A growing sedentary lifestyle among young people is increasingly being linked to a higher risk of Deep Vein Thrombosis (DVT), a condition medical experts describe as a “silent killer” due to its sudden and often undetected onset.

Iran sends tankers loaded with oil past US military blockade

Three Iranian tankers loaded with crude oil have passed the US blockade line in the Gulf of Oman, ship-tracking data shows.

Sathosa reduces prices of essential goods islandwide

Lanka Sathosa, the state-owned supermarket chain, has announced a reduction in prices of several essential consumer goods aimed at providing relief to the public.

’I’m the boss’, Trump tells G7 counterparts

’’I’m the boss,’’ Trump said as he strode in to the morning session of the last day of the three-day G7 summit, with the other leaders already in their seats.

Customs seize Rs. 250m smuggled goods

India 'A' power into Tri-Series Final

India ’A’ bounced back from their Super Over loss to Sri Lanka ’A’ by defeating Afghanistan ’A’ by 101 runs and booking their place in the tri-series final.

Profit-taking erases early gains as market ends mixed; banking sector leads activity

The Colombo Stock Exchange ended Wednesday’s session on a mixed note, as early buying momentum faded amid profit-taking activity. The market opened positively, with the ASPI climbing to an intraday high of 93 points during early trading, reflecting improved investor sentiment and increased market volatility.