Digital ID to launch by April 2026 with strong privacy safeguards

The Digital Economy Ministry said that a National Digital Identity (Digital ID) system will be launched by April 2026, with strong emphasis on data privacy and citizen protection.

Drone operations over Perahera route suspended during Perahera days

The Civil Aviation Authority of Sri Lanka (CAASL) has announced a temporary suspension of all drone operations over the procession route during the Kandy Esala Perahera, which will be held from July 30 to August 9, 2025. They said the suspension aims to ensure public safety and security during the annual religious and cultural event, which attracts thousands of devotees and tourists.

Deaths of Opposition Leader of Yatinuwara PS and family Probe launched into suicide note alleging police involvement and threats

Minister of Public Security Ananda Wijepala has directed the Acting Inspector General of Police (IGP) to launch a special investigation into a letter reportedly written by Nilantha Champika, the Opposition Leader of the Yatinuwara Pradeshiya Sabha, who is believed to have taken his own life after allegedly murdering his wife and daughter.

Esala festival begins

First Kumbal Perahera which is a part of Esala Festival got underway in Kandy yesterday.

TID Investigates: Were LTTE-Era weapons supplied to southern crime gangs?

Colombo Additional Magistrate Pasan Amarasena yesterday granted permission to detain for 90 days three suspects arrested on allegations of possessing and renting out weapons stockpiled during the LTTE war period to members of the Southern underworld and criminal gangs.

CID warns public of WhatsApp OTP scams

The Criminal Investigation Department (CID) has issued an urgent warning to the public about fraudulent schemes targeting WhatsApp users through fake calls and messages aimed at stealing One-Time Passwords (OTPs).

Gotabaya willing to give evidence in Lalith-Kugan disappearance probe

Former President Gotabaya Rajapaksa, through his lawyer yesterday informed the Supreme Court that he is willing to provide evidence before a Magistrate’s Court in relation to the Habeas Corpus inquiry into the disappearance of two human rights activists, Lalith and Kugan.

Petition filed in Supreme Court challenging Indo-Lanka Digital Identity Deal

A Fundamental Rights petition has been filed in the Supreme Court seeking an order preventing the government from proceeding with the Memorandum of Understanding between Sri Lanka and India on the implementation of the Sri Lanka Unique Digital Identity (SLUDI) Programme, funded through a grant from the Government of India.

SC extends interim order suspending Pavithra’s gazette on Wedithalathive Nature Reserve

The Supreme Court yesterday further extended its interim order suspending the operation of the Extraordinary Gazette issued by former Wildlife Minister Pavithra Wanniarachchi, which modified the boundaries of the

Tipper driver in Borella accident had no valid licence; brakes defective

The driver of the tipper truck involved in the tragic road accident in Borella on Monday (28) did not possess a valid licence to operate a heavy vehicle, and it was revealed that the truck’s braking system was faulty due to poor

Will Deshabandu be arrested? Court summons CID to clarify on August 5

Colombo Fort Magistrate Nilupuli Lankapura yesterday issued notice to the Director of Unit 3 of the CID’s Special Investigations Division, instructing him to appear in court on August 5 and clarify whether former Senior DIG

Pharma Chamber urges action on delayed drug approvals

The National Chamber of Pharmaceutical Manufacturers Sri Lanka (NCPMSL) has raised serious concerns over prolonged delays in the registration of locally manufactured pharmaceutical products, stating that the process often

155 overstaying Indians arrested from Colombo office

The Department of Immigration and Emigration yesterday arrested 155 overstaying Indian nationals from a Colombo office and had made them pay fines and visa fees amounting to Rs.33.6 million, making it the largest and highest

‘A Cleaner Coastline for the Nation’

As part of President Anura Kumara Dissanayake’s “Clean Sri Lanka” initiative, a nationwide beach cleaning campaign titled “A Cleaner Coastline for the Nation” was launched yesterday, in the coastal regions of Sri Lanka. The initiative is

Politicians involved in illegal transmission of Indian cable TV programmes

Some politicians in the North, East and few elsewhere are involved in illegal transmission of Indian cable TV channels here, Sri Lanka Broadcasters Guild alleged yesterday.

Joint Opposition secures majority of hung local bodies – Opposition member

The joint opposition has succeeded in gaining control of a majority of the local government bodies that remained hung following this year’s local election, a senior opposition member claimed yesterday.

Another J’pura doctor resigns

In yet another resignation involving a controversially appointed official, Chairman of the Sri Jayawardenepura General Hospital, Dr. Jayanga Tilakaratna, has tendered his resignation to the Minister of Health, the Daily Mirror learns.

President taken to Court over delay in RTI Commission appointment

A Fundamental Rights petition has been filed before the Supreme Court seeking an order directing the President to appoint an acting Chairperson to the Right to Information (RTI) Commission.

Female unemployment contributes more to the overall unemployment of the country

Female unemployment in Sri Lanka, which currently is 16.3 per cent for ages 25 to 29, contributes much higher to overall unemployment compared to 6.8 per cent unemployment for males in the same age group, a survey released by the Department of Census and Statistics (DCS) on labour force in the first quarter of 2025 mentions.

Baby elephant rescued after falling into well in Thanthirimale

A baby elephant in a herd that roamed into a cultivated land in Thanthirimale in the Anuradhapura District last morning had fallen into an unguarded well.

No shortage of essential medical items: Ministry of Health officials

The Ministry of Health officials informed the Sectoral Oversight Committee on Health, Media and Women’s Empowerment that there is no shortage of essential medical items at present.

Crane truck driver suspected to be high on cannabis causes fatal crash in Borella

The crane truck driver arrested yesterday morning following the accident near the Kanatte roundabout in Borella, which left one person dead and seven others injured, is suspected to have been under the influence of cannabis.

Attorney with 37 years’ experience disbarred for fraudulent land deal

The Supreme Court has found an attorney with over 37 years of legal practice guilty of deceit and struck him off the roll of Attorneys-at-Law for misconduct and malpractice. He was also permanently barred from engaging in notarial practice.

Rs. 43Mn financial fraud: Court summons Colombo business couple

Colombo Fort Magistrate Nilupuli Lankapura issued notice to businessman Narej Parasuram Bhoomani and businesswoman Meena Bhoomani, instructing them to appear before court on August 20 in connection with a cheque fraud case involving over Rs. 43 million.

Concerns raised over elephants feeding on garbage

Residents of the area expressed concern about the danger facing them from a herd of wild elephants feeding on garbage disposed of by the government and private sector institutions at Katuwawila Road by the ZD canal in Welikanda.

Concerns mount over delays in Provincial Council elections

Concerns are growing over the continued delay in holding Provincial Council (PC) elections, with some accusing the Elections Commission of deliberately stalling the process under the pretext of legal uncertainty.

Ensuring effective education reforms Parliamentary Committee to consult experts

Whilst an extensive public debate is being carried out on the government’s education reforms, the Sectoral Oversight Committee on education has decided to seek the assistance of experts who have been involved in compiling education reforms in the past.

Giant manta ray weighing over 500 kilograms caught in Mannar

A giant manta ray weighing over 500 kilograms was caught today in the coastal waters of Mannar’s Mutharipputhurai area.

Eu, Sri Lanka Host International Conference on Child Protection

Marking a critical push to combat all forms of violence against children in Sri Lanka, the International Conference on Child Protection (ICCP’25) was inaugurated yesterday and will run until July 27.

Gen Z women postponing motherhood: what does it hold for Sri Lanka in future?

Gen Z women, those born between 1997 and 2012, want to postpone motherhood due to economic hardships and change in lifestyle from the previous generations. It holds uncertainty for the future of Sri Lanka and the world. The concerns that draw most attention are declining