No criminal offence in sugar tax reduction in 2020- CID tells court

The Criminal Investigation Department (CID) informed the Colombo Magistrate’s Court yesterday that the Attorney General has concluded no criminal offence had occurred in the process of reducing the special commodity levy on

SriLankan Airlines adjusts European flight routes amid Middle East tensions

Airlines traversing the Middle East face new challenges after Israel launched air strikes against Iran, leading a number of countries in the region to close their airspace.

Sri Lanka’s economic growth to drop to 3.5 per cent this year, 3.1 next year, World Bank Reports

Sri Lanka’s economic growth is forecast to decelerate to 3.5 per cent this year, reflecting the scarring effects of the crisis, structural impediments to growth, and heightened global economic uncertainties, according to the World Bank.

Animal census not scientific, data cannot be used for any conclusion on wildlife population: Environmentalist

The recent data on the animal census conducted by the Agriculture Ministry cannot be used to identify whether the animal species counted are endangered or not, due to a lack of scientific methods to back the results, a senior

Royal College to hold unique conference today

The English Literary Association of Royal College, Colombo 07, will hold the 5th Royal College Model United Nations Conference today.

Thousands of tourists to arrive in Sri Lanka to attend Dawoodi Bohra conference

Sri Lanka has pledged its full support to ensure the successful hosting of the Global Dawoodi Bohra Community’s Spiritual Assembly and Convention, scheduled to take place later this month in Colombo, the President’s Media Division said.

Animal cruelty still punishable by Rs.100 fine : Animal Welfare Coalition

Wickremesekera said that while the Sri Lanka Police continue to make efforts to tackle animal cruelty cases, the absence of robust, modern laws hinders their ability to impose adequate punishments and raise public awareness through legal action.

COVID-19 situation under control despite rise in respiratory illnesses

Health authorities have confirmed that the COVID-19 situation in the country remains under control despite a noticeable increase in respiratory illnesses being reported in recent weeks.

Opposition secures some local bodies

In a significant political development, four opposition parties — Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB), Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna (SLPP), United National Party (UNP) and the People’s Alliance (PA) — have announced an agreement they have reached to jointly form administrations in local government bodies where the ruling National People’s Power (NPP) does not command a majority.

BASL raises serious concerns over unauthorized prison release under Presidential Pardon

The Bar Association of Sri Lanka (BASL) has written to President Anura Kumara Dissanayake expressing its serious concern over recent reports of an inmate allegedly being released from the Anuradhapura Prison under the guise of a Presidential Pardon without adherence to due legal process.

SC grants leave to proceed with FR petition on procurement guidelines

The Supreme Court yesterday granted leave to proceed with a Fundamental Rights petition filed by Transparency International Sri Lanka (TISL) and its Chairman,

Major dengue outbreak around the corner?

With more rains expected in the coming weeks, health authorities are on high alert to avert a major outbreak of dengue across the country.

We were misled by our superiors; Former CCD OIC

Former Colombo Crimes Division (CCD) OIC Anslem de Silva yesterday said he and others who were sent to Weligama on a raid in December 2023 were misled by senior police officers.

Heavy rains in central hills

Spill gates at the Wimalasurendra and Kotmale hydropower reservoirs were opened last morning when the two reservoirs reached spill level due to heavy rain being experienced in the catchment areas.

Kaduwela Mayor claims fall at event part of conspiracy against NPP

Kaduwela Mayor Ranjan Jayalal has alleged that his recent fall at a public event was not accidental but part of a conspiracy targeting the National People’s Power (NPP).

Probe launched into alleged threats by ruling party MP to Police Sergeant

Cabinet Spokesman and Minister Nalinda Jayatissa said that an investigation has been launched into allegations involving a National People’s Power MP from the Kalutara District, who allegedly berated a police sergeant attached to the Welipenna Police for taking action against an illicit liquor trader.

Keheliya’s maid remanded over alleged misuse of state funds linked to Health Ministry appointments

Colombo Chief Magistrate Thanuja Lakmali yesterday remanded a woman who had worked as a housemaid for former Minister Keheliya Rambukwella till June 17 in connection with a case involving the misuse of public funds through fraudulent appointments to the Ministry of Health.

Missing elephant ‘Sumedha’ spotted at Minneriya National Park

‘Sumedha’, the elephant that went missing after a road accident in Galapitagala, Maradankadawala on March 7, has been spotted in the Minneriya National Park, officials confirmed.

Mithuruwela Cancer Support Network celebrates 20th Anniversary

Mithuruwela Cancer Support Network celebrated its 20th Anniversary yesterday at a special forum organized at the Marino Beach Hotel Colombo. Chairman Indira Cancer Trust Dr. Lanka Jayasuriya Dissanayake was the Chief Guest

Hospital laboratory scientists say Tacrolimus test delays put liver, kidney transplant patients at risk

Tacrolimus level tests, which are essential for liver and kidney transplant patients, have been indefinitely delayed in government hospitals due to a shortage of the chemicals required for the test, government hospital laboratory

Heavy influx of pilgrims

A heavy influx of pilgrims was experienced in Anuradhapura Atamasthana temples including Jaya Sri Maha Bodhi, Ruwanweliseya, Mihintale and Thanthirimale sacred cities on Poson full moon Poya day yesterday as the advent of

EPIGS’25 - Global South Integrity Summit launched today in Colombo

An international conference on electoral integrity, platform accountability, and information resilience will be held today and tomorrow at Cinnamon Life, Colombo.

Presidential pardon misused, CID

An ongoing investigation by the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) into allegations that several inmates were released illegally during the 2025 Vesak period, revealed that a number of inmates were illegally released under the guise of the Presidential Vesak Pardon this year.

Granting presidential pardon to Anuradhapura inmate: Opposition to fight it out in Parliament

Alleging that the President’s office and the Prisons Department had made contradictory statements on alleged granting of pardon to a person who was found guilty of misappropriating Rs 4 million just ten days after he was convicted , Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB) MP Ajith P. Perera yesterday said he will raise the matter in Parliament during the next sitting week.

Engine driver injured after Peacock hits the train

The driver of the Beliatta bound slow train from Matara was injured when a peacock was hit by the train at Bambarenda over the weekend.

WNL Sponsors Thanthirimale Aloka Pooja on Poson Poya

The Poson Aloka Pooja sponsored by Wijeya Newspapers Ltd. will get off the ground at the historic Thanthirimale Raja Maha Viharaya today.

Plastic particles in the oceans will outnumber fish by 2050

The number of plastic pieces in the sea will outnumber the fish that by the year 2050, a Marine Environment Authority official said yesterday.

Work on Uma Oya Development Project to Resume on June 23

Construction work on the Uma Oya Lower Valley Development Project, which had previously been stalled, will resume on June 23, Ministry of Lands and Irrigation announced yesterday.

Government aims to cut down eight hour work shift; FLSP

The government is planning to introduce a legislation which will do away with the eight hour work shift, The Front line Socialist Party (FLSP) alleged yesterday.

National Tax Week was need of the hour to corner tax evading masses : IRD, Customs, Excise

Coming to a consensus in a while, the three revenue generating arms of the Ministry of Finance namely the Department of Inland Revenue, Sri Lanka Customs and the Excise Department of Sri Lanka yesterday welcomed the