Trump says he will increase his new global tariffs to 15%

US President Donald Trump has said that he will impose global tariffs of 15%, as he continued to rail against a Supreme Court ruling that struck down his previous import taxes.

Two injured as lorry overturns in Watawala

Two persons were injured when a lorry travelling along the Hatton–Colombo road veered off the roadway and overturned in the Watawala area during the early hours yesterday (21).

Avoid parking vehicles near landslide-prone areas: DMC

Residents in the western slopes of the Central Hills have been urged to avoid parking vehicles near landslide-prone areas as heavy rains continue to lash the region, increasing the risk of earth slips.

Somawathiya road closed as Mahaweli river overflows at Manampitiya

The Somawathiya Road in the Lankapura Divisional Secretariat Division has been closed to traffic after the Mahaweli River overflowed at Manampitiya due to torrential rains in the upper catchment areas.

Peradeniya recorded the highest rainfall in the country

Peradeniya recorded the highest rainfall in the country during the 21-hour period ending at 6.00 a.m. today, with a significant 213.2 mm of rain reported in the Mahaweli Basin, according to the latest hydrological data.

Islandwide river levels normal; minor flood reported at Manampitiya

Water levels in most major rivers across the country remained within normal limits as of 6.30 a.m. today (22), according to the latest Islandwide Water Level and Rainfall Situation Report.

Red alert declared: Evacuation orders issued for four districts

The Disaster Management Center (DMC) has initiated the evacuation of residents to safe centers following a red notice issued by the National Building Research Organization (NBRO) today (21).

Suspect arrested over Akuregoda shooting

Police have arrested one of the two suspects allegedly involved in the fatal shooting of a lawyer and his wife in Akuregoda.

Explainer: Where are the world’s most endangered languages?

On International Mother Language Day, we explore which languages are most at risk of disappearing, where they are spoken, and why preserving them matters for all of us.

Namal welcomes Fonseka’s statement on Mahinda Rajapaksa

Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna (SLPP) National Organizer and Parliamentarian Namal Rajapaksa said that it is a positive development that Sarath Fonseka has publicly said that former President Mahinda Rajapaksa is not a murderer.

CEB seeks 13.56% tariff hike, PUCSL opens public consultation

The Ceylon Electricity Board (CEB) has proposed a 13.56% increase in electricity tariffs for the second quarter of 2026, prompting the Public Utilities Commission of Sri Lanka (PUCSL) to open public consultations from February 25 to March 18.

Sri Lanka reports record tourism and remittance earnings in 2025

Sri Lanka recorded significant economic achievements in 2025, with tourism arrivals reaching 2.36 million, generating USD 3.2 billion, while migrant worker remittances exceeded USD 7.8 billion, highlighting the country’s expanding global economic presence, Foreign Affairs, Foreign Employment & Tourism Minister Vijitha Herath said.

Heavy rainfall warning issued for several provinces

Residents in the Central, Uva and Sabaragamuwa provinces, as well as the Ampara, Batticaloa and Polonnaruwa districts, have been urged to remain vigilant due to a low-level atmospheric disturbance in the vicinity of Sri Lanka.

Life-saving drugs scarce in hospitals

Despite assurances from the Health Ministry that medicines are available, medical associations say shortages of essential drugs continue to plague government hospitals.

Environmentalists call for halt to Jaffna Cricket Stadium project

The Wildlife and Nature Protection Society (WNPS) has urged authorities to immediately suspend construction of the proposed Jaffna International Cricket Stadium and Sports Complex on Mandaitivu Island alleging that the project is proceeding without mandatory environmental clearances.

Govt-LTTE ideologies alike, says Namal after Cambridge union cancellation

The ideology of the Government and that of the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) now appear similar, Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna National Organiser and MP Namal Rajapaksa alleged, following the cancellation of his scheduled lecture at the Cambridge Union in the United Kingdom.

Patients caught in crossfire as GMOA strike enters 12th day

The ongoing trade union action launched by the Government Medical Officers’ Association (GMOA) entered its 12th day today, with the union claiming that the Health Ministry has still failed to provide concrete solutions to the issues raised.

One injured in shooting in Gandara

A shooting incident has been reported in the Gandara area of Matara.

Kandalama Tank overflow disrupts Dambulla-Wewala traffic

The overflow of Kandalama tanks yesterday obstructed traffic on the Dambulla-Wewala main road, causing inconvenience to tourists and disrupting civilian life.

Two convicted of murder sentenced to death by Balapitiya HC

Two accused who stood indicted with murder were found guilty and sentenced to death by Balapitiya High Court Judge Priyantha Liyanage.Wijeyamuni Darshana Dinesh de Silva (37) and Laththuwahandi Ranga Pradeep de Silva (41) had, on September 04, 2005, hacked to death a resident of the area Porawagamage Manoj Champika Kumara at Maduwa in Balapitiya.

Health issues prevent Maithree Wickremesinghe from appearing before CID

Professor Maithree Wickremesinghe has informed the Financial Crimes Investigation Division of the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) that she is unable to appear before them yesterday to record a statement regarding the alleged misappropriation of state funds during a private visit to London by former President Ranil Wickremesinghe, Police Spokesman ASP F.U Wootler said.

Nasa targets early March to send humans back around the Moon

Nasa is targeting early March to launch a crew around the Moon for the first time in more than 50 years, in what would be humankind’s furthest trip into space.

Divisional Secretaries up in arms against political interference in land administration

The Association of Divisional Secretaries and Assistant Divisional Secretaries has alleged that the private secretary to Deputy Minister Aravinda Senarath had been severely interfering with their work, particularly in the discharge of duties related to land matters.

Ven Kotapitiye Rahula Thera urges President and PM to retract controversial remarks

Venerable Professor Kotapitiye Rahula Thera, Anunayake of the Sri Kalyani Samagri Dharma Maha Sangha Sabha, has called on the President and Prime Minister to withdraw their recent remarks made in Jaffna and Mannar, emphasizing that they should publicly apologize.

Man arrested in Mount Lavinia with ice drugs worth over Rs. 800,000

A 33-year-old man from Ratmalana was arrested in the Soysapura area of Mount Lavinia while transporting ice drugs valued at over Rs. 800,000. Police recovered 50 grams of the substance and Rs. 44,000 in cash, suspected to be proceeds from drug trafficking.

Jealous husband jailed for life after killing wife in a car park

A 37-year-old man has been given a life sentence after he stabbed his estranged wife to death in a car park after she began a relationship with a work colleague.

Landslide alert issued for central and Uva provinces

The National Building Research Institute (NBRO) has called for heightened vigilance across several Divisional Secretariat areas in the central and Uva provinces, citing ongoing risks of landslides due to prevailing conditions.

Moratorium on foreign research totally an unwise decision, meant to serve political agendas: Expert

The government’s moratorium on foreign research vessels is totally an unwise decision and meant to serve the political agendas only, an expert said.

Trump brings in new 10% tariff as Supreme Court rejects his global import taxes

US President Donald Trump has imposed a new 10% global tariff to replace ones struck down by the Supreme Court, calling the ruling ’’terrible’’ and lambasting the justices who rejected his trade policy as ’’fools’’.

Inferior coal purchase causes Rs 7.9 billion loss?

The debate in Parliament on the alleged purchase of inferior quality coal yesterday led to the disclosure that the deal has cost the government approximately Rs 7.9 billion.