10-year concessionary loan scheme at 5% for small businesses in Nuwara Eliya

The Ministry of Industries has initiated a new loan scheme to support the development of small businesses in the Nuwara Eliya District, offering loans at a concessionary interest rate of five per cent to be repaid over a period of 10 years.

Qatar Airways to start limited relief flights for stranded passengers from Muscat, Riyadh beginning today

Qatar Airways will keep its flight operations remain temporarily suspended due to the continued closure of Qatari airspace, with services set to resume only after authorities declare it safe to reopen. However, the airlines said to operate a limited number of relief flights from today.

Many things happening within Indian Ocean than you think: Govt tells opposition

The Sri Lankan government is working towards maintaining peace within the Indian ocean, Chief Government Whip Nalinda Jayatissa told Parliament today.

Retired Health Ministry chief clerk arrested over Rs. 20 million bribe

A retired Chief Clerk of the Ministry of Health has been arrested for allegedly demanding and accepting a bribe of Rs. 20 million.

Govt in talks with ICC to hand Sri Lanka Cricket to Interim Committee: Minister

Minister of Youth Affairs and Sports, Mr. Sunil Kumara Gamage said that discussions are underway with the International Cricket Council (ICC) to hand over the administration of Sri Lankan cricket to an Interim Committee aimed at rebuilding the sport.

Experts warn of health risks to children as air quality turns unhealthy

With air pollution levels in Colombo rising to unhealthy levels, health experts are raising alarm over the potential impact on public health, particularly on children.

Customs foil major cannabis smuggling attempt at BIA

Officers attached to the Narcotics Control Unit of Sri Lanka Customs intercepted two Indian nationals attempting to smuggle a large consignment of narcotics into the country via Bandaranaike International Airport (BIA) yeaterday.

Middle East war spills over to Indian Ocean, adjacent to Sri Lanka

Indian Ocean security appears to be in jeopardy after an Iranian warship sank just outside Sri Lanka’s territorial waters in the midst of war flaring up in the Middle East following the United States and Israel attack on Iran, which launched retaliatory strikes.

PUSCL confirms possible power cuts as a result of inferior quality coal

The report of the Public Utilities Commission has confirmed that there is a risk of power cuts as a result of inferior coal, it was reported yesterday.

US Senate fails to advance war powers measure to rein in Trump’s Iran war

The United States Senate has failed to pass a resolution seeking to rein in US President Donald Trump’s war with Iran.

US strikes Iranian warship within Sri Lanka's Exclusive Economic Zone

In the midst of the Middle East war escalating, over 100 people are missing, and dozens of others have been wounded after an Iranian warship, IRIS Dena- a Moudge-class frigate from the Southern Fleet of Iran Navy- sank within the Exclusive Economic Zone of Sri Lanka following a torpedo strike by a U.S. submarine.

Allen’s 33-ball century rewrites T20 World Cup history

Finn Allen delivered one of the most explosive knocks ever seen in a T20 World Cup, rocketing from a 19-ball fifty to a breathtaking 33-ball hundred.

Allen’s record ton rockets New Zealand through

Finn Allen smashed the fastest century in T20 World Cup history as New Zealand national cricket team crushed the South Africa national cricket team by nine wickets in their semi-final at Eden Gardens.

Extend hospitality beyond borders: Timely opportunity for Sri Lanka’s tourism: Former Diplomat

With number of tourists currently stranded in Sri Lanka due to the ongoing international flight disruptions, former diplomat Kananathan has called on authorities to adopt a proactive and compassionate response to safeguard the country’s tourism reputation and future investment prospects.

CID yet to report facts to court on detention of retired Major General Suresh Sallay

Colombo Fort Magistrate Isuru Neththikumara stated today that the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) has not yet reported facts to Court regarding retired Major General Suresh Sallay, who is currently being detained and questioned under the Prevention of Terrorism Act.

87 bodies of crew in sunken Iranian ship recovered: Minister

At least 87 bodies of those who had been on board the Iranian ship which sank off Sri Lankan waters have been recovered, Minister of Foreign Affairs Vijitha Hearth said.

109 Sri Lankans stranded in Saudi & 22 in Oman Airports

At least 109 Sri Lankans are stranded in Saudi Arabia Airport while 22 were stranded in Oman Airport, Minister of Foreign Affairs Vjitha Herath said while assuring that some of them might have already returned to Sri Lanka.

President telephones UAE President; expresses sadness over recent attacks

President Anura Kumara Dissanayake telephoned President of the United Arab Emirates Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed to express his sadness over the recent attacks suffered by the UAE.

Spain’s Sanchez doubles down on stance against US-Israeli attack on Iran despite Trump’s threats

Spanish Prime Minister Pedro ‌Sanchez on Wednesday doubled down on his opposition to the attack on Iran by the United States and Israel, warning that the conflict risked triggering a major global disaster.

Iran postpones Khamenei’s funeral citing anticipated massive crowds

Iran has delayed the state funeral of Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, originally scheduled for Wednesday evening in Tehran, citing expectations of an exceptionally large public turnout, according to state television.

Iranian warship off Sri Lanka ‘attacked by foreign submarine’- Sources

The Iranian warship that sank off Sri Lanka’s southern coast had been attacked by a foreign submarine while it was outside Sri Lankan waters, defense sources confirmed to Daily Mirror.

Sri Lanka should not become a victim or intermediary in Middle East war: Minister

Cabinet Spokesperson and Minister Dr. Nalinda Jayatissa said that Sri Lanka should never become an intermediary or a victim in the ongoing Middle East conflict.

AG undertakes to update court on human-elephant conflict measures

The Attorney General today gave an undertaking before the Court of Appeal to inform the Court of the progress on the steps taken by the authorities, including the implementation of a National Action Plan to mitigate the human-elephant conflict in the country.

Ravi K questions Govt over prolonged low inflation

UNP MP Ravi Karunanayake raised serious concerns over Sri Lanka’s continued below-target inflation, questioning whether official economic indicators reflect the rising cost of living faced by the public.

Was Iranian ship hit within Sri Lanka’s exclusive economic zone?: Namal questions

SLPP MP Namal Rajapaksa today questioned whether the Iranian ship was hit within Sri Lanka’s Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ).

Defence, Public Security to absorb bulk of 15,839 public sector jobs

The bulk of the 15,839 public sector vacancies approved by the Cabinet of Ministers will be absorbed by the defence and public security sectors, according to details of the latest recruitment drive.

Tight security deployed at tourist centres amid Middle East crisis

Tourist arrival centres, including Israeli Chabad Centres across the country, have been placed under heightened security in view of the ongoing Middle East crisis, Cabinet Spokesman and Minister Nalinda Jayatissa said.

Over 100 missing after Iranian warship sinks outside Sri Lankan waters

More than 100 crew members are missing, and over 75 are wounded after an Iranian warship sank outside Sri Lankan territorial waters, about 25 miles south of the island, early this morning, authorities said.

Japan to grant 8 low-floor buses to Sri Lanka

Sri Lanka will receive eight used low-floor buses from the Japanese Government as a grant, following discussions on supporting the country’s public bus transport sector.

Govt moves to curb crop damage, human-wildlife conflicts

The government has taken steps to tackle the growing problem of crop damage and human-wildlife conflicts, which have severely affected rural agricultural livelihoods and national food security.