Two arrested with Rs. 150 mn worth of cocaine in Panadura

Two suspects were arrested in the Hirana area of Panadura with three kilograms of cocaine valued at around Rs. 150 million, Police said.

Chief Prelates warn President over LGBTQ tourism plans

The Chief Prelates of all three Buddhist Chapters have written to President Anura Kumara Dissanayake expressing concern over certain government initiatives including LGBTQ tourism promotion, warning that they could harm cultural values and lead to serious social consequences.

Police reveal fresh information in Thajudeen murder case

Police today (30) confirmed that Anura Vidanagamage, alias “Kajja”, who was recently shot dead along with his two children in Middeniya, had been in the vehicle that followed the late rugby player Wasim Thajudeen’s car moments before his death.

CSE closes quarter on a strong note with boost in turnover

The Colombo Stock Exchange (CSE) ended the June–September quarter on a firm footing, with the market extending its upward momentum. Turnover surged to LKR 6.27 Bn, significantly higher than yesterday’s performance, underscoring renewed investor activity.

’’You can call me an idiot, but at least I am not gay’’: Archuna

Jaffna District MP Ramanathan Archuna caused a stir today, saying, “You can call me an idiot, but at least I am not gay.”

Court orders full medical report on Shashindra’s illness

Colombo Chief Magistrate Asanga S. Bodaragama today ordered that a full medical report, detailing the exact nature of former State Minister Shashindra Rajapaksa’s illness and the treatment received during remand, be submitted to Court.

Heat alerts issued for several districts

The Department of Meteorology has warned of hot weather in the North-Central and Eastern provinces, and in Vavuniya, Mullaitivu and Monaragala districts.

Ward Place blocked due to student protest

Traffic movement along Ward Place in Colombo 7 has been completely blocked following a protest demonstration staged by university students.

Not prepared to wipe off allegations we have made against RW in the past: SJB MP

Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB) MP S.M. Marikar said today that he is not prepared to wipe off allegations he and other SJBers have made against former President Ranil Wickremesinghe even if all Opposition parties come on one platform.

IUSF in Protest

High Posts Committee blocks Vijitha Bandara Herath’s diplomatic posting

Following Parliament’s High Posts Committee’s demonstration and its commitment to accountability by halting the nomination of H.M.V.B. Vijitha Bandara Herath to a diplomatic posting, citing grave allegations ranging from falsification of official records to the unlawful use of a government-issued passport.

Sri Lanka reaffirms commitment to UN on enforced disappearances

Sri Lanka has reaffirmed its commitment to the United Nations Committee on Enforced Disappearances (CED), with Minister of Justice and National Integration Harshana Nanayakkara leading the country’s delegation to the 29th Session of the Committee in Geneva.

39 children living with their mothers in Sri Lankan prisons: Authorities raise concerns

A total of 39 children are currently living with their mothers in 10 prisons across Sri Lanka, the Prisons Department reported.

Police explain how to obtain clearance certificates

Police clearance certificates are issued for both domestic and overseas purposes. For domestic purposes, applicants can obtain certificates from local police stations by submitting an application letter along with a copy of their National Identity Card, a valid driver’s license, or a valid passport. Police stations provide a sample application form to assist applicants.

Tourism Ministry says no move to promote LGBTQ tourism

Following severe concerns raised by the public within the past few days, the Tourism Ministry today said the government had not decided to run a specific tourism promotion campaign targeting LGBTQ tourists.

Court orders eviction of encroachers from Wilpattu National Park

The Court of Appeal today directed the Department of Wildlife Conservation to evict encroachers and take legal action against those occupying land inside Wilpattu National Park.

Woman celebrates 113th birthday in Anuradhapura

A senior citizen from Sangili Kanadarawa in Rambewa in the Anuradhapura District, Punchage Kalumenike, celebrated her 113th birthday.

President invites Japanese business community to explore emerging economic opportunities in SL

President Anura Kumara Dissanayake invited the Japanese business community to join in exploring the emerging economic opportunities in Sri Lanka, while further strengthening bilateral trade and investment relations between Japan and Sri Lanka and encouraging private sector participation.

Underage student arrested for sharing altered nude image of schoolgirl

A schoolboy, under the age of 18, who had merged a schoolgirl’s photo with a nude image and had circulated it online, was produced before Galle Additional Magistrate Maheshika Wijetunga and released on personal bail of Rs. 200,000.

Applications called for to fill vacancy in OMP

Applications have been called for to fill a vacancy in the post of Member in the Office on Missing Persons (OMP), the Communications Department of Parliament said.

Chinese woman convicted after ’world’s biggest’ bitcoin seizure

A Chinese national has been convicted of playing a key role in what is believed to be the single largest cryptocurrency seizure in the world, worth more than £5bn ($6.7bn).

Hadunnetti regrets his Nobel Prize remarks

Claiming that it was a mistake to have mentioned the Nobel Prize instead of the Guinness record, Industry and Entrepreneurship Development Minister Sunil Hadunnetti today expressed his regret if his statment had caused any inconvenice to any party.

Gamini Fonseka remembered

Ministry clarifies Nobel Prize mix-up on tea achievement

The Industry and Entrepreneurship Development Ministry has clarified that the minister mistakenly referred to the Nobel Prize when speaking about the latest global achievement of Sri Lankan tea.

Govt cracks down on illegal ‘Hakka Patas’ and ‘Cheena Patas’ explosives

The Ministry of Defence has today announced strict measures to curb the illegal production and use of banned explosives known as “Hakka Patas” and “Cheena Patas.”

Govt. accused of secret plan to privatise fertiliser imports

The government is preparing to implement a secret plan to privatise the import of fertiliser and the supply chain, National Farmers’ Union Chairman Anuradha Tennakoon claimed.

Two male bodies found in Colombo

Police have launched investigations after two male bodies were discovered in separate incidents in Grandpass and Dehiwala yesterday.

School van–bus collision injures three children

Three schoolchildren and a van driver were injured this morning when a school van collided with a Sri Lanka Transport Board (SLTB) bus on Vauxhall Street, Colombo 02.

’Feminist Collective’ condemns attack on peaceful protestors in Mannar

The Feminist Collective for Economic Justice, Sri Lanka has condemned the attack on peaceful protestors in Mannar, claiming that many protestors, including women and children, have ended up in hospital.

University lecturers launch one-day strike over unresolved issues

University lecturers across the country have launched a one-day strike today, citing the government’s failure to address ongoing problems in the higher education sector.