Deepavali daily ferry service launched between India and KKS

The “Shiva Gangi” Shipping Company will operate a daily passenger ferry service between India and Kankesanthurai (KKS) from October 8 to 28 to mark the Deepavali festival.

8 Products 8 Themes Exhibition showcases Sri Lankan excellence in Beijing

The Embassy of Sri Lanka in Beijing successfully organised an exhibition under the theme of “MADE IN SRI LANKA: 8 PRODUCTS 8 THEMES” which was held on 27th and 28th September, 2025 at the Embassy of Sri Lanka.

Deputy Minister warns opposition politicians not to talk nonsense any more

Deputy Minister Mahinda Jayasinghe said yesterday that politicians such as Wimal Weerawansa and Udaya Gammanpila must be ready to face investigations if they continue to talk nonsense.

Govt. must show backbone to probe deals between political leaders and Prabhakaran: Sarath Fonseka

Former MP and Field Marshal Sarath Fonseka has called on the current government to demonstrate political will by appointing a powerful commission to investigate alleged deals between past political leaders and the LTTE, particularly during the final stages of Sri Lanka’s civil war.

Government assures necessary security for MR

Amidst various concerns about the security of former president Mahinda Rajapaksa, Deputy Minister Mahinda Jayasinghe said the government has assured him the required security and no issue will arise regarding that.

Supermoon shines over Vap Poya Day

A supermoon was lighting up the sky on Vap Poya Day, appearing approximately 7% larger than a typical full moon, the Arthur C. Clarke Institute for Modern Technologies (ACCIMT) said.

President opens archaeological museum and research institute at Somawathi

A newly constructed two-storey building housing the Archaeological Museum and the International Archaeological Research Institute at the historic Somawathi Sacred Area in Polonnaruwa was officially opened yesterday under the patronage of President Anura Kumara Dissanayake, the President’s Media Division (PMD) said.

Tragic fall claims life of young buddhist monk at university

A 24-year-old Buddhist monk succumbed to injuries sustained after a falling from the second floor of the university hostel, police confirmed.

Child-to-Child Approach Strengthens Socio-Emotional Readiness for Preschoolers

A groundbreaking initiative is demonstrating how children themselves can be powerful educators. The Child-to-Child (CtC) approach, introduced through a research collaboration led by the Faculty of Education, University of Colombo, in

Expressway construction Chinese EXIM Bank increases interest rate from 2.5 per cent to 3.5 per cent

The Committee on Public Finance (COPF) which said that EXIM Bank of China had increased the interest rate from the initially agreed 2.5 per cent to 3.5 per cent for the loan extended to finance the Kadawatha -Mirigama stretch of

Tamim Rahman to face High Court charges in LPL corruption case

The Police Unit for the Prevention of Sports-Related Corruption yesterday informed Colombo Chief Magistrate Asanga S. Bodaragama that the Attorney General has decided to file indictments in the High Court against Tamim Rahman,

Homagama HC jails man for 12 years for sexually abusing three-year-old niece

The Homagama High Court has sentenced a man to 12 years of rigorous imprisonment along with a fine of Rs. 25,000, after he was found guilty of sexually abusing a child under 16 years at Hokandara, who is his niece.

Hotel owned by former NCP Governor’s wife demolished

The hotel on Perimiyankulama tank reservation belonging to former North Central Province Governor Maheepala Herath was demolished on the order of the Divisional Secretary in keeping with the ongoing demarcation of tank

“Step to the Rhythm Dance Night 2025”

“Step to the Rhythm Dance Night 2025”, an inspiring charity event is presented by SHEYDI Entertainment in collaboration with the Mercy Lanka Foundation.

Nugegoda St. Joseph’s Girls’ School Annual Prize-Giving

The annual prize-giving of Nugegoda St. Joseph’s Girls’ School was held recently at the Royal International School Auditorium. The event was organised under the auspices of the Principal Mrs. Rupa Rohini de Silva.

Beira Lake now an aerodrome to start seaplane service between Colombo and Katunayake

Cinnamon Air’s demonstration flight to reinstate Beira Lake as a Water Aerodrome departed from Katunayake International Airport and touched down at the Cinnamon Lakeside Pier on Beira Lake yesterday, under the patronage

Sri Lanka lost Rs.237 billion on economic, health costs associated with alcohol in 2022 - UNDP

Sri Lanka’s health and economic costs associated with alcohol was estimated at Rs. 237 billion in 2022, an amount that far outweighed total excise tax revenue earned, according to a study done by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP).

Iranian Foreign Minister writes to Sri Lanka seeking solidarity on UN sanctions

In the wake of the United Nations’ sweeping economic and military sanctions reimposed on Iran—a decade after they were lifted—Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi has written to his Sri Lankan counterpart, Vijitha Herath, asking for Sri Lanka’s solidarity, according to Iranian Ambassador Alireza Delkosh.

Sri Lankan syndicate’s attempt to obtain Malaysian passport thwarted in KL

He said the syndicate’s modus operandi involved using the birth certificate of the local woman’s biological child to enable the Sri Lankan national to apply for a Malaysian passport by posing as her son. Both individuals were detained for further investigation under the Passport Act 1966 (Act 150).

Warm weather advisory issued for five districts

The Natural Hazards Early Warning Centre of the Department of Meteorology has issued a warm weather advisory for Polonnaruwa, Batticaloa, Ampara, Monaragala and Hambantota districts.

Arms and ammo recovered from Yala tank bund

A haul of arms and ammunition was recovered last morning from the tank bund near sluices in Veheragala tank in Yala National Park in Buttala by Gonagalara police.

Tragedy strikes on Children’s Day: Four-year-old dies after fall into well

Children’s Day turned into a day of heartbreak for one family in Ihala Bomiriya, as a four-year-old boy who had just returned home after attending a children’s day celebrations at his preschool tragically lost his life in an accident.

Supreme Court refuses to proceed with bottom trawling petition

A Fundamental Rights application filed by a fishing community challenging the decision of the Department of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources not to grant licenses for bottom trawling in Kalpitiya was dismissed yesterday by the Supreme Court.

Gazette to enforce charges for polythene bags from November 1

The Ministry of Environment and other authorities yesterday assured the Supreme Court that a gazette notification will be issued, effective from November 1, requiring traders to charge consumers for polyethylene bags issued at the point of purchase.

Education director prevented from leaving school after attempt to enforce principal’s transfer

The Zonal Director of Education, N. Dulanjali, was prevented from leaving the Kantale Agrabodhi National School yesterday afternoon after she arrived with an official transfer letter for the school’s acting principal.

Villagers’ effort revives Sirisarasavi Primary School

Batapothaela Sirisarasavi Primary School in Giriulla, established in 1957 and nestled in the scenic countryside of Narangoda, has overcome near closure to emerge once again as a leading primary school in the area.

Former top officials in compensation office face arrest: Bribery Commission

The Bribery Commission yesterday informed Colombo Chief Magistrate Asanga S. Bodaragama that steps had been taken to arrest a former Additional Secretary and Director attached to the Office of Compensation, in connection with a

Tourism Ministry makes a U-turn on LGBTQ tourism project

Following severe concerns raised by the public within the past few days, the Tourism Ministry yesterday said the government had not decided to run a specific tourism promotion campaign targeting LGBTQ tourists.

Ninth ABU media summit to be held in SL for the 1st time

The Ninth Asian Broadcasting Unit (ABU) Media Summit on Climate Action and Disaster Prevention ‘25 is to be hosted in Sri Lankan soil for the first-ever time in the nine-year history, come November 25-27, organisers said.

Handunnetti regrets his Nobel Prize remarks

Claiming that it was a mistake to have mentioned the Nobel Prize instead of the Guinness record, Industry and Entrepreneurship Development Minister Sunil Handunnetti today expressed his regret if his statement had caused any