Sri Lanka to host 60th anniversary of World Buddhist Sangha Council

The commemorative celebration marking the 60th anniversary of the World Buddhist Sangha Council (WBSC), together with the 2nd Executive Committee meeting of the 11th General Assembly, is scheduled to be held in Sri Lanka from 28 November to 2 December, President’s Media Division (PMD) said.

Ali Sabry raises concerns over arrest of Suresh Sallay

Former Minister Ali Sabry has expressed concern over the arrest of former State Intelligence Chief Suresh Sallay, describing it as a troubling development for the Sri Lanka Army and its Intelligence Corps.

Court frees Daisy Forrest in money laundering case

The Colombo High Court today ordered that Daisy Forrest, the grandmother of Yoshitha Rajapaksa, be released from the case filed against her under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act.

Wildlife Department to probe misuse of national park tourist bungalows

The Wildlife Conservation Department has announced that it will conduct a formal investigation following reports that tourist bungalows in some national parks are being booked online and used for purposes other than wildlife viewing.

Sri Lanka face must-win clash against New Zealand in Super Eight showdown

Sri Lanka will be desperate to correct their course when they take on New Zealand in a crucial Super Eight encounter of the T20 World Cup in Colombo on Wednesday.

Land ownership granted to long-term residents in Anamaduwa

A special program to grant legal land ownership to families who have lived for many years without proper rights was held yesterday (24) at the Anamaduwa Divisional Secretariat. The event was presided over by State Administration, Provincial Councils and Local Government Minister Prof. Chandana Abayarathna.

Suresh Sallay to be detained for 72 hours

Former State Intelligence Services (SIS) Chief, Major General (Retired) Suresh Sallay who was arrested under the Prevention of Terrorism (Temporary Provisions) Act, is to be detained for 72 hours for questioning, police said.

Sri Lanka, Portugal to form committee on return of artefacts

Sri Lanka’s Foreign Minister Vijitha Herath and Portugal’s Foreign Minister Paulo Rangel agreed to establish a joint committee to conduct a preliminary study on the return of Sri Lankan artefacts currently held in Portugal.

Opposition politicians meet Ranil on forming joint force

Representatives of opposition political parties met former President Ranil Wickremesinghe today at his office to discuss joint mechanisms under which all opposition parties could work together.

Sri Lanka aims to increase digital foreign earnings to $5 billion by 2030

Sri Lanka currently earns 1.6 billion US dollars in foreign exchange from the digital industry, and plans are underway to increase that amount to 5 billion dollars by 2030, Deputy Minister of Digital Economy Eranga Weeraratne said.

Hypocrisy of the Tamil Diaspora

Every time a Sri Lankan leader lands in a Western capital, a predictable yet hypocritical drama unfolds. A small but vocal segment of the Tamil diaspora gathers outside, waving the flag of the LTTE and chanting slogans about justice and human rights. They accuse. They condemn. They disrupt.

Inland Revenue launches taxpayer privilege card scheme

The Department of Inland Revenue has introduced a new Taxpayer Privilege Card Scheme to recognize and reward individual taxpayers who consistently meet their tax obligations. The initiative is designed to encourage voluntary self-assessment payments, reduce tax evasion, and honor citizens who make significant contributions to the national revenue.

Sri Lanka seeks to broaden workforce collaboration with South Korea

Discussing ways to advance Sri Lanka’s engagement under the Employment Permit System (EPS) and broaden collaboration beyond existing frameworks, Foreign Affairs and Overseas Employment Deputy Minister Arun Hemachandra, met with officials of the Korean Human Resources Development Institute (HRDK) in Seoul yesterday (24).

Three former Trade Ministry officials arrested on corruption charges

Three former senior officials of the Ministry of Trade have been arrested by the Commission to Investigate Allegations of Bribery or Corruption (CIABOC) over alleged corruption linked to a procurement process.

UK to enforce travel permit requirement from Feb 25 on foreign visitors

Starting on Feb 25, visitors to Britain from 85 countries must obtain an electronic permit in advance of their trip or they will be barred from travelling, the British Interior Ministry said.

Liquor income surges on Aswesuma payment day

Liquor shop owners across several areas in the upcountry report a significant increase in sales on Aswesuma payment day compared to previous days.

Police arrest second suspect in Akuregoda lawyer and wife shooting

Police have arrested the second suspect allegedly involved in the shooting death of a lawyer and his wife in Akuregoda, Thalangama, the Police Media Division said yesterday (24).

Tuk-tuk rental company asks for its rights

Referring to the recent decision by the Court of Appeal to issue an interim order preventing the police from taking action against foreign tourists who ride three-wheelers, (from tuktukrental.com), a company which rents three wheelers to foreign tourists who hold international driving licenses, yesterday said police media spokesperson is engaged in issuing contradictory statements,

Extraditing Arjuna Mahendran not a simple procedure: Nalinda

Claiming that the government is making a diplomatic intervention to extradite former Central Bank Governor Arjuna Mahendran from Singapore, Cabinet Spokesman Dr Nalinda Jayatissa said yesterday that extraditing Mahendran is not a simple procedure.

Unusual sex clinic disguised as homeopathy centre raided in Ambatale

A sex centre operating under the guise of a homeopathic treatment clinic in the Ambatale area of the Mulleriyawa Police Division was raided by officers of the Western Province (South) Crime Division.

Former SIS Chief Suresh Sallay arrested

Former State Intelligence Services (SIS) Chief Major General (Retired) Suresh Sallay has been arrested in connection with ongoing investigations into the 2019 Easter Sunday terror attacks, Police Spokesman ASP F.U Wootler said.

Govt. has not taken any decision to stop construction of Jaffna stadium: Nalinda

The government has not taken any decision to stop the construction of the proposed international cricket stadium in Jaffna, and that construction work will go ahead as planned, Cabinet Spokesman Minister Dr Nalinda Jayatissa said yesterday.

Environmental groups vow not to allow project to proceed at same location

Concerns were raised after it was revealed that construction work on the proposed Jaffna International Cricket Stadium had commenced without obtaining mandatory environmental clearance.

Japan to deploy missiles on island near Taiwan by 2031

Japan plans to deploy surface-to-air missiles to its remote western island near Taiwan by March 2031, its defence minister said, as regional tensions simmer.

The loneliest train in the world?

A train halted near the Ulapane–Warakapitiya Railway Station has remained stranded for four months after a landslide triggered by heavy rains associated with the Ditwah cyclone caused severe damage to the railway line, railway department sources said.

Air Force hands over modern IT facility to rural school

In line with its forthcoming 75th Anniversary, the Sri Lanka Air Force (SLAF) ceremonially handed over a fully equipped Information Technology (IT) laboratory to BT/BT/Koddaimunai Kanishta Vidyalaya in Batticaloa.

Sri Lankan probed at Italy cricket scandal

I talian cricket is in crisis days after the country’s T20 World Cup debut, as it emerged that a senior national governing body official has been investigated over a sexual assault allegation.

Spiritual godfather of cricketers passes away

Charismatic clergyman, Rev Fr. Stephan Abraham who was the rector of St. Anthony’s College at Katugastota, a school that produced many a cricketer, passed away last Saturday.

Aghanistan appoint new head coach after Trott’s departure

The Afghanistan Cricket Board have named Richard Pybus as Jonathan Trott’s successor.

Exports rebound sharply in January

The local export sector kicked off 2026 on a firmer footing with January earnings rising 13.7 percent year-on-year (YoY) to US$ 1.53 billion, offering an early boost to foreign exchange inflows and growth expectations.