New electronic monitoring law to ease prison overcrowding

Minister of National Integration and Justice Harshana Nanayakkara announced that a new Act enabling selected prisoners to be placed under house arrest through electronic monitoring is being drafted to address severe prison overcrowding in the country.

Foreigners to Feature in Commander’s Cup Golf

The 13th Commander’s Cup Golf Championship 2026 will tee off at the Eagles Golf Links on Saturday with the first group scheduled to start at 6.00 am. The annual showpiece continues to grow in stature, drawing strong participation from across the island and overseas.

NOCSL to Hold Special General Meeting on March 14

The National Olympic Committee of Sri Lanka (NOCSL) has announced that a Special General Meeting (SGM) will be held on March 14 at 4.00 p.m. at the Hemasiri Fernando Auditorium, Olympic House, Independence Avenue, Colombo.

Namal’s Cambridge union lecture cancelled following diaspora protests

The scheduled lecture of Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna (SLPP) National Organizer and Member of Parliament Namal Rajapaksa at the Cambridge Union has been cancelled following strong opposition from sections of the Tamil diaspora in the United Kingdom.

US and Indonesia finalise deal to cut tariffs to 19%

President Donald Trump’s administration and the Indonesian government say they have finalised an agreement to lower US tariffs on the South East Asian country to 19% from 32%.

Sri Lanka launches Rs.2bn interim promotion campaign to target high-yield tourists

Sri Lanka is set to launch an interim digital and public relations campaign with an investment of Rs. 2 billion, aiming to shift the tourism industry’s focus from mere arrival volumes to attracting high-yielding

Global aircraft shortage hits SriLankan Airlines’ fleet renewal

SriLankan Airlines, the national carrier, is in need of at least seven more aircraft for new routes and rationalisation of existing ones, but the current global shortage has hampered the process of acquiring any, a minister said.

Govt. cracks down on illegal foreign-run tourism businesses

Sri Lanka’s tourism authorities, in collaboration with law enforcement agencies, have intensified their crackdown on illegal tourism operations run by foreigners, resulting in the apprehension of 75 individuals

No need for panic buying ahead of 2.5% SSCL on imported vehicles: Merenchige

The Vehicle Importers Association of Lanka (VIAL) urged the public not to resort to panic buying of vehicles ahead of the Government’s decision to impose a 2.5% Social Security Contribution Levy (SSCL) on imported vehicles from April 1, 2026.

Son of Robert Mugabe questioned in South Africa after reported shooting

Police in South Africa have detained the youngest son of Zimbabwe’s late former President Robert Mugabe after a reported shooting at a property in an upmarket suburb in Johannesburg.

President holds series of bilateral talks at AI Impact 2026 Summit

A bilateral discussion between Anura Kumara Dissanayake and Emmanuel Macron took place this afternoon (19) on the side-lines of the AI Impact 2026 Summit in New Delhi.

Maritime cooperation takes centre stage in U.S.–Sri Lanka talks

The Commander of the United States Pacific Fleet, Admiral Stephen T. Koehler, met with the Defence Secretary, Air Vice Marshal Sampath Thuyacontha (Retd), at the Ministry of Defence today (19 February).

CEJ raises alarm over Mandaitivu cricket stadium construction

The Centre for Environmental Justice (CEJ) has formally urged the Central Environmental Authority (CEA) to intervene in the ongoing construction of the proposed cricket stadium on Mandaitivu Island, citing serious environmental and legal concerns.

Capital goods sector dominates turnover as market consolidates

The Colombo Stock Exchange ended the session on a negative note, with both the ASPI and S&P SL20 retreating after hitting intraday highs above the 24,000 level.

’Law must take Its course’: King Charles III responds after his younger brother arrested

Britain’s monarch, King Charles III, has publicly reacted to the arrest of his younger brother, Prince Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor, stating that the law must be allowed to take its course.

Zimbabwe Shock Sri Lanka to Stay Unbeaten

Zimbabwe national cricket team stunned Sri Lanka national cricket team with a commanding six-wicket victory to remain unbeaten at the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup.

Sri Pada declared plastic-free: National campaign launches to protect sacred sanctuary

In a landmark environmental initiative, the Sri Pada pilgrimage site was officially launched as a plastic-free zone today (19) at the Nallathanniya and Ratnapura entrances.

CEJ files petition to regulate gillnet industry

The Centre for Environmental Justice (CEJ), led by directors Hemantha Withanage and Dilena Pathragoda, has filed a legal petition calling for immediate action to ensure the gillnet fishing industry operates in an environmentally sustainable manner, in line with existing laws and regulations.

Kusal Mendis stumped for the first time in T20 International career

Kusal Mendis experienced a rare moment in his T20 career during Sri Lanka’s clash against Zimbabwe in the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026, as he was stumped for the first time in 104 innings.

Plans underway to redevelop Talaimannar jetty in phases

A phased development plan has been proposed for the Talaimannar Jetty, with the first phase focusing on constructing a 310-meter-long and 7-meter-wide North Jetty to facilitate easier access for passengers and vehicles from the main road to anchored ships.

UK police arrest King Charles’ brother Andrew, BBC reports

BBC TV reported on Thursday that police had arrested King Charles’ younger brother Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor on suspicion of misconduct in public office over his links to Jeffrey Epstein.

First turtle nesting of the year recorded at Galle Face

The first turtle egg-laying of the year was recorded at Galle Face Green on Tuesday night (17), marking the start of the nesting season along the western coastline.

Provide immediate solutions to gas shortage: Namal

Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna National Organizer and Parliamentarian Namal Rajapaksa has called on the Government to take immediate steps to address the prevailing LP gas shortage reported in several parts of the island.

New York City Mayor’s chat with Sri Lankan comedian goes viral

New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani has drawn attention among Sri Lankan social media users after a recent Instagram and TikTok video showed him in a casual street-side conversation with a Sri Lankan comedian.

Canada revises express entry immigration rules, adds military roles

Canada introduced new immigration priority categories on Feb 18 to bring in skilled workers in fields ranging from research and healthcare to aviation, and to include certain military recruits.

Bill Gates pulls out of India’s AI summit amid Epstein files controversy

Bill Gates will not deliver his keynote address at the India AI Impact Summit in Delhi, his philanthropic organisation said hours before the Microsoft co-founder was due to speak.

Police warn against renting vehicles to foreign tourists

The Sri Lanka Police has issued a strong warning to vehicle owners and tourism operators regarding the rental or lease of motor vehicles to foreign tourists without valid driving licences. The move comes after several accidents involving unlicensed foreign drivers, including five fatalities in 2025.

Russia’s Lavrov warns against any new US strike on Iran

Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov, in an interview made public on Wednesday (Feb 18), said that any new US strike on Iran would have serious consequences and called for restraint to find a solution to enable Iran to pursue a peaceful nuclear programme.

No gas shortage, only panic buying: Minister

There is no LP gas shortage, but panic buying has created a difficulty brought on by Laugfs Gas delaying its supply, Minister Wasantha Samarasinghe told Parliament today.

South Korea’s ex-president jailed for life for masterminding an insurrection

Former South Korean president Yoon Suk Yeol has been sentenced to life imprisonment after he was found guilty of rebellion and abuse of authority over his failed 2024 martial law bid.