CEA urges public to avoid polythene, plastic for Vesak decorations

The Central Environmental Authority (CEA) has urged the public to refrain from using polythene and plastic materials for Vesak decorations and dansals, warning that the use of several single-use plastic items remains prohibited under the law.

“No one is above the law” must apply equally: Namal

Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna (SLPP) National Organizer and Parliamentarian Namal Rajapaksa said that if the President’s claim that “no one is above the law” is to be upheld, all individuals allegedly involved in wrongdoing must be investigated without exception.

Revenue office worker arrested over alleged bribery deal

A sanitation worker attached to the Polonnaruwa Provincial Revenue District Office was arrested by anti-corruption officials today (13) for allegedly obtaining a bribe to alter a land valuation report linked to a government land transfer.

Banking earnings weigh on market as investor sentiment turns cautious

The Colombo Stock Exchange ended today’s session on a negative note, as weaker-than-expected Banking sector earnings for the quarter dampened overall investor sentiment. Declines in both QoQ and YoY performances across several banking counters triggered selling pressure during the first hour of trading, pushing the ASPI down by over 100 points intraday before the market gradually stabilized.

Trump arrives in Beijing with CEOs ahead of Xi meetings

U.S. President Donald Trump has landed in Beijing for a highly anticipated presidential summit with his Chinese counterpart, Xi Jinping.

UNP questions President’s congratulatory message to TN Chief Minister

The United National Party (UNP) today said it was surprising to see President Anura Kumara Dissanayake extend his personal congratulations to the recently elected Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu, C. Joseph Vijay.

Sri Lanka’s withholding tax remains among lowest in the world: Verité Research

Withholding tax in Sri Lanka remains in the bottom 10 percent of countries that tax interest income even after the increase in withholding tax on interest income from 5 percent to 10 percent in April 2025, the Verité Research said.

Russian drone attacks kill nine in Ukraine after ceasefire expires

Nine people have been killed and at least 28 injured in the latest Russian drone attacks across Ukraine, local officials have said.

Showery weather to continue for next two days

The prevailing showery weather conditions across Sri Lanka are expected to continue over the next two days due to a low-pressure area located to the northeast of the island, the Meteorological Department said in its forecast issued at 4.00 p.m. today (13).

Flash floods disrupt Puttalam railway line; train services restricted to Chilaw

Train services on the Puttalam railway line have been restricted up to Chilaw Railway Station due to flooding caused by adverse weather conditions, the Railways Department announced today.

Rs. 3.1 bn project to add 16 new cath labs to state hospitals

The Health and Mass Media Ministry will install 16 new cardiac catheterisation laboratories (cath labs) in government hospitals this year at a cost of Rs. 3.1 billion, in a major move to strengthen cardiac care services across Sri Lanka.

Sri Lanka launches digital seed certification and traceability system

The Agriculture, Livestock, Lands and Irrigation Ministry and the Agriculture Department, with technical support from the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations, have launched the CROPIX Seed Production, Certification and Traceability System aimed at modernising Sri Lanka’s seed sector through digital technology.

One dead as adverse weather affects over 200 people

One death has been reported from Batticaloa due to the prevailing adverse weather conditions affecting several parts of the country, according to the latest situation report issued by the Disaster Management Centre.

More than 70 million warnings sent to people seeking child abuse material

More than 70 million warning messages have been sent to people attempting to access child sexual abuse material (CSAM) online over the past two years, the Lucy Faithfull Foundation says.

19 major reservoirs spilling, gates opened in nine others: Irrigation Department

The Irrigation Department said 19 major reservoirs across the country were spilling while gates had been opened in nine reservoirs as of 10.00 a.m. today (13), following continued heavy rainfall experienced in several areas.

Student arrested over knife attack on five schoolmates in Eppawala

A Grade 12 student was arrested after allegedly attacking five fellow students with a sharp weapon inside a leading school in Eppawala today (13), police said.

Landslide warnings issued for 11 districts due to adverse weather

The Disaster Management Centre (DMC) has issued landslide early warnings for eleven districts across the country, valid until 9.00 a.m. tomorrow (14), as adverse weather conditions continue to affect several regions.

Google says criminal hackers used A.I. to find a major software flaw

A criminal hacking group recently attempted to launch a widespread cyberattack that appeared to rely on artificial intelligence to detect a previously unknown bug, Google said in research published Monday, highlighting the potential threat that A.I. poses to digital security.

International Nurses Day marked in Colombo

International Nurses Day, which commemorates the birth anniversary of Florence Nightingale—regarded as the founder of modern nursing—was observed yesterday (12).

Sri Lankan Passenger nabbed at BIA Over Rs. 4.8 million cigarette smuggling attempt

A Sri Lankan passenger was arrested by Customs officers at the Bandaranaike International Airport (BIA), Katunayake, after allegedly attempting to smuggle a consignment of foreign-made cigarettes valued at around Rs. 4.8 million through the Green Channel.

“It has only been one day since I came out, and again they are trying to put me inside”

Former SriLankan Airlines CEO Kapila Chandrasena had repeatedly stated, “It has only been one day since I came out and again they are trying to put me inside,” shortly before his death, witness Aravinda de Silva told court yesterday during the magisterial inquiry into Chandrasena’s suspicious death.

eBay rejects $55.5bn offer from GameStop

Online marketplace eBay has rejected a $55.5bn (£40.9bn) takeover offer from video game retailer GameStop, calling it ’’unsolicited’’ and ’’neither credible nor attractive’’.

RDA urges motorists to follow expressway signboard warnings due to bad weather

The Road Development Authority (RDA) has urged motorists to strictly adhere to warning messages displayed on electronic signboards while travelling on expressways, in view of the prevailing adverse weather conditions across the country.

“Govt. yet to prove any allegations against me” - Mahinda Rajapaksa

Former President Mahinda Rajapaksa who was questioned by the Commission to Investigate Allegations of Bribery or Corruption (CIABOC) yesterday said the government was yet to prove any of their allegations against him and blamed the NPP for resorting to political witch hunts.

Govt. says SriLankan will not cut down on long haul flights

Amidst most global airlines cutting flights and shrinking operations due to skyrocketing jet fuel prices, the government has confirmed that national carrier SriLankan Airlines will continue all its current international routes without any cuts, even as major carriers around the world struggle to survive rising costs.

India raises gold and silver tariffs to 15% to curb imports, support rupee

India has raised import tariffs on gold and silver to 15% from 6%, government orders ​said on Wednesday, as part of efforts to curb overseas purchases of the ‌metals and ease pressure on the country’s foreign exchange reserves.

Health Minister holds talks with nurses association on expanding public health nursing sector

A special discussion between Minister of Health and Mass Media Dr. Nalinda Jayatissa and representatives of the All Ceylon Nurses Association was held yesterday at the Ministry of Health and Mass Media, with special attention focused on expanding the public health nursing sector and resolving professional issues affecting nurses.

Trump says he doesn’t need Xi’s help on Iran war as he heads to China

United States President Donald Trump has said he does not need China’s assistance in ending the war on Iran as he departed Washington, DC, for Beijing, where he is set to hold a state visit with Chinese leader Xi Jinping.

Gymnastics turn nasty, ends up in ’Police Custody’

In the absence of an organisation for accountability and responsibility, the Olympic sport has become a free-for-all in Sri Lanka.

Heavy showers exceeding 200 mm likely today

Heavy showers exceeding 200 mm are likely at some places in the Western and Sabaragamuwa provinces and in the Puttalam, Galle and Matara districts, the Natural Hazards Early Warning Centre warned in an advisory issued today (13).