Vijay could demand Katchatheevu Chamara Samapth

The new Tamil Nadu Vettri Kazhagam administration in Tamil Nadu led by Tamil Cinema Star Joseph Vijay Chandrasekhar is likely to demand Katchatheevu Island which is currently Sri Lanka, opposition MP Chamara Sampath Dassanayake told Parliament.

Select committee to come up with electoral reforms Opposition MPs appointed to the committee to boycott?

Opposition Members appointed to review and make recommendations on laws pertaining to elections, except for laws pertaining to the Provincial Council elections are planning to boycott the committee, it was hinted yesterday.

Child dies after surgery to remove swallowed battery

A child who swallowed a discarded button battery used for wrist watches had died after two days despite being treated at the Galle national hospital.

Supreme Court orders replantation of Nakolagane forest

The Supreme Court yesterday delivered a judgment ordering the Director General of Wildlife Conservation to initiate a replantation programme to restore cleared forest areas in the immediate vicinity of the Nakolagane Purana Raja Maha Viharaya in Ehetuwewa, in the Kurunegala District.

About 10–15% of urban schoolchildren overweight: Expert

Raising concern over the prevalence of childhood obesity in Sri Lanka, Consultant Paediatrician Dr. Maheshaka Wijayawardena said 10–15% of school-aged children are overweight or obese in urban areas.

$ 2.5 million heist was discovered after suspicion arose on another transaction: Deputy Minister

The alleged heist of $ 2.5 million was discovered only after a suspicion arose when a repayment was made to Exim Bank India, Deputy Minister Anil Jayantha told Parliament yesterday.

India-Sri Lanka land bridge: time for wavering over: Indian envoy

Indian High Commissioner Santosh Jha renewed the call for the need to build a land link between Sri Lanka and India and said the time for wavering is over.

St. Servatius College Matara, Colombo OBA’s AGM on Friday

The 49th Annual General Meeting of the St. Servatius’ College, Matara - Old Boys’ Association (Colombo Branch) will be held at the Mercantile Cricket Association, Colombo 7 on 8 May 8, 2026 from 6.00 p.m. onwards.

Hot days, wet evenings; mixed weather forecast for Sri Lanka

Sri Lanka will experience unsettled weather conditions with both hot daytime temperatures and afternoon showers affecting several parts of the country in the coming days.

Govt. says Vesak Poya day was determined by Mahanayake Theras

In the wake of certain people including some Buddhist monks raising concerns over changing the date of Vesak, the government yesterday reiterated that Vesak Poya was rescheduled for May 30 on the request of the Mahanayake Theras.

Deputy Defence Minister calls for urgent action to prevent increased drowning

Deputy Minister of Defence Major General Aruna Jayasekara (Retd) has emphasized the urgent need to strengthen community-based lifesaving capabilities in Sri Lanka, citing the rising number of drowning-related deaths and the absence of a comprehensive national-level plan.

Estate Superintendent among 18 arrested with ICE and heroin in Keppetipola

In a dramatic turn of events which indicates the reach of drugs deep inside the country, a group of 18 drug peddlers including a former Estate Superintendent was arrested and a stock of Methamphetamine (ICE) and heroin was seized by Keppetipola police yesterday.

Taiwan leader visits Eswatini despite China’s attempts to block trip

Taiwan President William Lai Ching-te says his government will never give up on engaging with the world as he visited Eswatini despite China’s efforts to block the trip.

Iranian Ambassador links Minab tragedy with orphaned children in Colombo

Iranian Ambassador Alireza Delkhosh brought together the memory of the Minab school tragedy with the lives of orphaned children in Sri Lanka, turning a simple gathering at the Fathima Orphanage into a moment of shared sorrow,

AI in Higher Education: A shift that cannot be ignored?

Artificial Intelligence (AI) is no longer a distant concept; it is already integrated into the daily lives of everyone, including students across Sri Lankan higher education institutions. AI tools have revolutionised everyday academic

2026 in a nutshell so far

Bandara alleged that payments originally made to contractors in 2023 were duplicated through this online system recently. “Exactly the same amounts paid for contracts in 2023 have been paid again by mistake, totaling over 380

“Dog ‘Aloka’ may have been a monk in previous life” – Ven. Pagnakara Thera

Vietnamese Buddhist monk Ven. Pagnakara Thera says he believes a dog named ‘Aloka’ may have been a monk in a previous life, speaking at a Dhamma session held yesterday at the Kelaniya Rajamaha Viharaya.

Massive stock of seized narcotics and contraband destroyed

A massive stock of illegal intoxicants, including heroin, ganja, and foreign cigarettes seized by the police and the Anti-Narcotic Bureau and produced in court were destroyed in the incinerator in Wanathawilluwa yesterday after conclusion of case proceedings.

130,000 Kg of narcotics seized under “Ratama Ekata” to be destroyed

At least 130,000 kilograms of narcotics seized during the ongoing “Ratama Ekata” (A Nation United) operation from October 30, 2025 to date are to be destroyed, police said.

Sri Lanka faces looming seed crisis as import reliance hits 92%, Farmers warn amid global uncertainty

Sri Lanka is at risk of a serious seed shortage in the future due to heavy reliance on imports and global political instability Chairman of the National Farmers’ Union Anuradha Tennakoon has warned.

No threat to Ditwah fund: Minister

Amidst uncertainty over Treasury Funds after the missing of USD 2.5 million, Deputy Minister of Finance and Planning Anil Jayantha said yesterday there is no threat to funds received by the “Rebuilding Sri Lanka Fund” established to provide relief to communities affected by Cyclone Ditwah.

Joint opposition lodge complaint on US $ 11 million diesel purchase scam

The Joint opposition yesterday lodged a complaint with the Commission to Investigate Allegations of Bribery or Corruption (CIABOC) on an alleged US $ 11 million scam in connection with the procurement of diesel through an unsolicited tender.

Eta Aquarids meteor shower on May 6

The Eta Aquarids meteor shower, one of the most anticipated celestial events of the year, is set to reach its peak on May 6, 2026, according to the Astronomy Division of the Arthur C Clarke Institute for Modern Technologies.

Dispute over land turns tense as MP Archchuna allegedly draws weapon

Controversial Jaffna District Member of Parliament, Ramanathan Archchuna, was allegedly involved in a heated confrontation on Saturday (April 25), during which he was seen brandishing a firearm while arguing with a woman over a disputed plot of land in the Periyavilan area.

Labour officer sentenced to prison for bribery

A Labour Officer who stood indicted with a charge of bribery was sentenced to six year imprisonment by Colombo High Court Judge Mohamed Mihail. He was fined Rs. 15,000 in addition to imprisonment.The accused had accepted a bribe of Rs.15,000 from a poultry farmer of Weerasekaragama in Wellawaya.

Joint opposition to lodge complaint with CIABOC on Diesel scam today

Representatives of some opposition political parties is to lodge a complaint with Commission to Investigate Allegations on Bribery or Corruption (CIABOC) on alleged Diesel scam today , official sources said yesterday.

12 kilos of heroin seized at Homagama - one arrested

A close confidante of an underworld gangster and drug trafficker popularly known as” Homagama Gagana” hiding in a foreign country was arrested and a stock of 12kilos of heroin seized during a raid in Homagama by the Western Division (North) Crime Investigation Unit.

22 Men in Saffron robes arrested at BIA with drugs

A group of 22 men in robes who had attempted to smuggle illegal intoxicants including Hash and Kush were arrested on Saturday night(25) at the Katunayake International Airport by the Police Anti- Narcotics Bureau.

Health Ministry goes on alert over potential measles outbreak

The Ministry of Health has directed all medical professionals to immediately report any suspected cases of measles through the national surveillance system.

World quiz championship 2026 to be held in June

Arrangements have been made to host the World Quizzing Championships 2026 edition in Colombo on Saturday 6 June 2026.