Govt rejects UN request to allow research vessel visit to SL

Sri Lanka has rejected a UN request to allow a research vessel into its waters from July 15 to August 20, which will assess the long-term food security in Sri Lankan seas, citing delays in finalizing Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) for foreign research vessels as the reason for the refusal, a UN document revealed.

Supreme Court orders Rs. 2 Mn compensation to victim of police torture

In another landmark ruling reaffirming the Constitutional protection against torture and arbitrary detention, the Supreme Court ordered two police officers attached to the Uragasmanhandiya Police Station to personally pay Rs. 2 million in compensation to a man who was illegally arrested, detained and tortured in 2019.

All set for Starlink to begin commercial operations in Sri Lanka this month

Sri Lanka is gearing up to welcome Starlink, the satellite internet service by tech billionaire Elon Musk, with commercial operations expected to commence later this month.

CID launches probe into false claims on President’s Germany visit

The Criminal Investigation Department (CID) informed Colombo Chief Magistrate Thanuja Lakmali Jayathunga today that an investigation has been launched into individuals who allegedly attempted to spread false information regarding President Anura Kumara Dissanayake’s official visit to Germany.

Rahim, Das grind hosts in Galle

Mushiqur Rahim and Litton guided Bangladesh after the early dismissal of skipper Najmul Hossain Shanto on day two of the first Test against Sri Lanka at the Galle International Stadium.

South Africans welcome home Test champions the Proteas

Several thousand supporters were at the main airport in Johannesburg on Wednesday to welcome home World Test Championship winners South Africa.

No fuel shortage despite Middle East crisis, assures Energy Minister

Energy Minister Kumara Jayakody today urged the public not to create or circulate false information claiming there will be a shortage of petroleum products due to the ongoing crisis in the Middle East.

MP Ajith P. Perera’s vehicle meets with accident

The vehicle in which Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB) MP Ajith P. Perera was travelling met with an accident today.

Remanded again...

Landmine clearance completed...

Keheliya, wife and daughter remanded after failing to meet bail conditions

Former Minister of Health Keheliya Rambukwella, his wife Kusum Priyadarshini Epa, and their daughter Chandula Ramali Rambukwella, who were granted bail by the Colombo Magistrate’s Court, have been remanded after failing to comply with the bail conditions set by the court.

CSE keeps falling as Middle East tensions rise

The Colombo Stock Exchange (CSE) ended the day in negative territory, continuing its recent decline, as both the All Share Price Index (ASPI) and the S&P SL20 fell. Selling pressure increased throughout the session, mainly due to rising tensions in the Middle East.

Keheliya, wife and daughter granted bail

Former Health Minister Keheliya Rambukwella, along with his wife Kusum Priyadarshini Epa and daughter Chandula Ramali Rambukwella, were granted bail today (18) by the Colombo Magistrate’s Court.

Parliament sessions end abruptly amid tense situation

Parliament sessions came to an abrupt end today as MP Ajith P. Perera, who was to move an adjournment debate on the Iran-Israel conflict was absent.

NPP secures control of Kolonnawa Municipal Council with SJB support

The National People’s Power (NPP) has taken control of the Kolonnawa Municipal Council with the backing of a Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB) councillor, who had secured the highest number of preferential votes in the last local government election.

President commends service of outgoing Treasury Secretary Mahinda Siriwardana

President Anura Kumara Dissanayake today (18), lauded Mahinda Siriwardana, the outgoing Secretary to the Treasury, for his exemplary service, stating that it is the responsibility of public officials to strive to prevent adverse outcomes and contribute to positive change, the President’s Media Division (PMD) said.

Tobacco use declines as ADIC highlights trends and impact

The Alcohol and Drug Information Centre (ADIC) has conducted its annual trend survey for 2024 to monitor and map the evolving patterns of tobacco use across Sri Lanka, aiming to support evidence-based policymaking and awareness initiatives.

Keheliya, wife, daughter arrested

Former Minister Keheliya Rambukwella, his wife and daughter have been arrested by the Commission to Investigate Allegations of Bribery or Corruption on charges of money laundering.

Jeremy Irons arrives in Sri Lanka

Oscar and Emmy Award-winning British actor Jeremy Irons arrived in Sri Lanka last night (17) to star in Cage Bird, an internationally-backed film directed by veteran Sri Lankan filmmaker Chandran Rutnam.

Supreme Court to hear BASL petition seeking action against university ragging

A Fundamental Rights petition filed by the Bar Association of Sri Lanka (BASL), seeking the Supreme Court’s intervention to prevent ragging in Sri Lanka’s universities, was today fixed for support by the Supreme Court.

Condemning assault on UNP’s CMC Councillor

Tilvin seeks furthering of ties with Communist Party of China

JVP General Secretary Tilvin Silva who is now in China at the invitation of the Communist Party of China (CPC) met with the Minister of the International Department of the CPC Central Committee, Liu Jianchao and other officials.

Speaker approves emergency debate on Iran–Israel conflict

Speaker Jagath Wickramaratne has granted approval for an emergency debate on the ongoing Iran–Israel conflict, scheduled to take place at 3:30 p.m. today.

Many flights to Indonesia’s Bali cancelled after volcano eruption

Several flights to the Indonesian resort island of Bali were cancelled and the airport in Maumere in East Nusa Tenggara province was closed due to the eruption of Mount Lewotobi Laki-laki, officials said on Wednesday.

Inmates stage rooftop protest at Boossa Prison

A group of inmates at Boossa Prison climbed onto the facility’s roof this morning (18) in protest against intensified search operations being conducted within the prison premises.

ICFS to host Study Abroad Open Day in Colombo on June 21

Students seeking to pursue higher education abroad will have a valuable opportunity to take the next step in their academic journey at the ICFS Study Abroad Open Day, scheduled for Saturday, 21 June 2025, at the Courtyard by Marriott, Colombo.

Vraie Cally Balthazaar assumes duties as Colombo’s 26th mayor

Vraie Cally Balthazaar of the National People’s Power (NPP) officially assumed duties today as the 26th Mayor of the Colombo Municipal Council (CMC).

Patients charged up to Rs. 250,000 for hospital-supplied item worth Rs. 17,500 - Bribery Commission

Patients were forced to pay between Rs. 120,000 and Rs. 250,000 for a medical item labelled EVD, used in surgeries at a government hospital in 2022 that had been officially procured and supplied to a government hospital at just Rs. 17,500 (its current market value being around Rs. 46,500), the Commission to Investigate Allegations of Bribery or Corruption (CIABOC) revealed yesterday.

Over 20 injured in bus-lorry collision in Eheliyagoda

A total of 23 people were injured following a head-on collision between a Sri Lanka Transport Board (SLTB) bus and a lorry at Minnana Junction in Eheliyagoda this morning.

Ravi slams Government’s mixed signals on renewable energy

A heated debate broke out in Parliament yesterday (17) as UNP MP Ravi Karunanayake criticised the government’s handling of the country’s renewable energy policy and power sector management.