$1 Trump coin draft is ‘real,’ US Treasurer says

A portrait of President Donald Trump may be featured on a commemorative $1 coin issued by the United States Mint in honor of America’s 250th birthday in 2026, according to first drafts of the images confirmed by the US Treasury.

Fisherman nabbed for smuggling Rs. 4.5 million worth of cigarettes at BIA

A 44-year-old fisherman from Kalpitiya, Puttalam, was arrested this morning (5) for attempting to smuggle foreign-made cigarettes worth Rs. 4.5 million into Sri Lanka.

Government committed to equal service for all citizens: Minister

Past governments, whether from the North or based in Colombo, had failed to provide equal services to all citizens, Transport, Highways, Ports and Civil Aviation Minister and Leader of the House of Parliament, Bimal Ratnayake, said.

Three killed in accident in Narammala

Three people have died in a tragic road accident that occurred early this morning (05) near Narammala town on the Narammala–Kurunegala road, when a lorry collided head-on with a Sri Lanka Transport Board (SLTB) bus.

US navy ship USS Fitzgerald departs Colombo

The USS Fitzgerald (DDG 62) of the United States Navy, which arrived in Colombo for a replenishment visit, departed the island on yesterday.

Fuel station to be established on Delft island for the first time

An agreement was reached today with the Ceylon Petroleum Corporation (CPC) to establish a fuel station on Delft Island for the first time in history, Highways, Ports and Civil Aviation Minister and Leader of the House, Bimal Ratnayake said.

84 people affected by adverse weather in five provinces: DMC

A total of 84 people from 49 families have been affected by the prevailing inclement weather in the Central, North Central, Northern, Southern, and North Western Provinces, the Disaster Management Centre (DMC) reported.

Netanyahu says he hopes to announce hostage release in the ’coming days’

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has said he hopes to announce the release of hostages being held in Gaza ’’in the coming days’’.

Sri Lanka v Australia Women’s World Cup game washed out

The league stage match between defending champions Australia and Sri Lanka at the ICC Women’s Cricket World Cup 2025 was abandoned without a ball bowled at the R Premadasa Stadium in Colombo.

Sri Lanka gets Julian Wood as batting coach

Sri Lanka’s cricket board on Saturday announced expanding its coaching team with the induction of Julian Wood, known for his power-hitting programme, and spin specialist Rene Ferdinands.

Army team deployed to rescue three groups stranded on Narangala mountain

Some 22 individuals belonging to three groups who were camping on the Narangala mountain in Badulla have faced a risky situation due to heavy rains and strong winds.

Adverse weather conditions prompt DMC to issue landslide warning

Adverse weather conditions have promoted the National Building Research Organisation (NBRO) to issue landslide warnings in the Moneragala, Matale, Badulla, Kurunegala and Nuwara Elya Districts.

Ask government if situation is good: Ranil

Commenting on whether the present government follows his policies, former President Ranil Wickremesinghe said today that those in the government should answer this question.

Young couple killed in lorry-motorcycle collision

A young couple was killed at Kananwila on the Horana-Moragahahena Road when a motorbike collided with a lorry this afternoon.

MR returns his bulletproof vehicle

The bulletproof vehicle provided by the government to former President Mahinda Rajapaksa has been retuned, his media spokesman Manoj Gamage said.

Over 8,000 child-related complaints reported: NCPA

The National Child Protection Authority (NCPA) said that over 8,000 complaints related to children have been reported from across the country.

Sanae Takaichi set to become Japan’s first female prime minister

Japan’s ruling conservative party has elected Sanae Takaichi as its new leader, positioning the 64-year-old to be Japan’s first female prime minister.

One injured in lorry-train collision

One person was seriously injured when a lorry collided with the Beliatta bound train from Maradana at the Kabalana railway crossing in Ahangama this morning.

Tunisian sentenced to death for Facebook posts criticising president

A Tunisian man has been sentenced to death on charges of insulting the president and assaulting state security through posts on social media, the head of the Tunisian League for Human Rights and his lawyer said on Friday.

Bribery Commission cracks down on hidden assets under new crime act

The Commission to Investigate Allegations of Bribery or Corruption (CIABOC) is probing several properties, including a hotel and multiple houses connected to public officials, under Sri Lanka’s new Proceeds of Crime Act, Director General Ranga Dissanayake said.

Fresh probes on Thajudeen launched based on Manamperi’s disclosures: Nalinda

Fresh investigations into the death of ruggerite Wasim Thajudeen have been launched based on the disclosures made by Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna (SLPP) local politician Sampath Manamperi, who was remanded over a drug case, Minister Dr. Nalinda Jayatissa said yesterday.

Government refutes increase in President’s expenses for 2026

The Finance Ministry refuted certain media reports on the President’s expenditure head in the Appropriation Bill for 2026 which claimed that the President’s expenditures had gone up by three times.

Govt out to abolish Aswesuma: Sajith alleges

The Government is out to abolish the Aswesuma social security programme soon, Opposition Leader Sajith Premadasa said today.

Trump to Israel: ‘Stop Bombing Gaza’; Hamas agrees to release hostages

The US leader had earlier warned he would unleash ’’all hell’’ if Hamas did not respond to his proposals.

China, U.S. Japan show interest in petroleum refinery in Sri Lanka

Twenty foreign companies, including those from China, the United States (U.S.), and Japan, have expressed interest in investing in the expansion of Sri Lanka’s Sapugaskanda oil refinery, an official said yesterday.

ZeroPlastic Movement demands Rs.10 minimum price for plastic bags, cites flaw in new regulation

The ZeroPlastic Movement is calling on the government to impose a minimum price of at least Rs.10 on all plastic shopping bags, warning that a new gazette set to take effect on November 1, 2025 may fail to reduce plastic pollution, due to a significant loophole.

Chinese EXIM Bank increases interest rate from 2.5 per cent to 3.5 per cent

The Committee on Public Finance (COPF) which said that EXIM Bank of China had increased the interest rate from the initially agreed 2.5 per cent to 3.5 per cent for the loan extended to finance the Kadawatha -Mirigama stretch of Central Express Way, requested the government to re-negotiate it.

Trade fair in Colombo

Domestic flights with 70-seater aircraft could take off in six months- Peter Hill

Sri Lanka could see the launch of a scheduled domestic airline service using 50-70-seater aircraft within the next six months, a move that could solve a long-standing barrier to tourism growth, according to aviation veteran and former SriLankan Airlines CEO Peter Hill.

Sri Lanka Women look to end Australia’s unbeaten streak

Sri Lanka Women will be looking to bounce back when they face defending champions Australia in their second ICC Women’s World Cup 2025 match at the R. Premadasa Stadium in Colombo on Saturday.