SJB Beliatta co-organiser acquitted from court case over illegal firearms possession charge as police fail to establish it

The Tangalle High Court yesterday acquitted Ojith Liyanapathirana, the co-organiser for the Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB) in Beliatta, who had been indicted for the possession of a T56 automatic firearm and 24

Indian Ocean should become independent and a peace zone: RW

Former President Ranil Wickremesinghe stressed that Indian Ocean must remain as an independent region while becoming a peace zone.

TID probes Harak Kata’s allegations against ex-minister, IGP

The Terrorism Investigation Division (TID) has launched an investigation into a statement made by Nandun Chinthaka Wickramaratne, alias ‘Harak Kata,’ concerning former Minister Tiran Alles and suspended IGP Deshabandu Tennakoon.

Abandoned coconut lands to be taken over by government

The Coconut Cultivation Board states that attention has been focused on taking over 500,000 acres of coconut lands that are currently not cultivated and developing them.

University student fined for sharing nude photo

Colombo Chief Magistrate Thanuja Lakmali today imposed a fine of Rs. 5,000 on a university student who pleaded guilty to sharing a nude photograph of a fellow female undergraduate to a WhatsApp group in exchange for Rs. 500.

Media Minister invites media fraternity to make National Media Policy

Minister of Health and Mass Media Dr. Nalinda Jayatissa yesterday invited members of the local media fraternity and trade unions to actively participate in creating a much anticipated National Media Policy, hence not postpone it for another couple of years.

SL summons Canadian HC and objects to Tamil genocide monument in Canada

Foreign Minister Vijitha Herath yesterday (14) summoned the Canadian High Commissioner in Colombo to reiterate the Government of Sri Lanka’s strong objections regarding the unfounded genocide allegations and the approval of constructing a monument, which complicates and undermines the government’s efforts toward reconciliation and national unity.

14 year old child lured to drink illicit liquor

Residents of Barwatta yesterday staged a protest against using a 14 year child to pluck coconuts and offering him a drink of illicit liquor as his wage and compelling the police to take action against the illicit breweries and liquor dens in the area.

MSD Dansala in Colombo

People were seen savouring the flavour of Kadala at a Dansala organised by personnel of the Ministerial Security Division at Ibbanwala Junction, Colombo.

Multiple Dansals with poor hygiene standards suspended

Public Health Inspectors (PHIs) have suspended eight Vesak Dansals across the country after discovering food unfit for human consumption.

Buddha Rashmi Vesak Zone - Day 2

Western Province Governor Hanif Yusoof declared open the second day of the Buddha Rashmi Vesak Zone in Colombo yesterday (May 13), which is jointly organized by the Hunupitiya Gangaramaya Temple, the Presidential

Dansals by Police

A manioc dansal organised by the personnel of the Bloemendhal Police Station, under the leadership of OIC CI Ajith Peduruarachchi, was held opposite the station premises yesterday. The dansal was opened by DIG in charge of the

She-elephant suffering in abandoned gem pit

A she-elephant that fell into an abandoned gem mine in the jungle in Dunkaladeniya on the banks of Kaluganga in Laggala has been on the verge of death for more than four days.

Sri Pada pilgrim season ends

Sri Pada pilgrim season 2024/25 ended yesterday, the day following the Vesak Full Moon Poya Day.

Algerian girl robbed, thrown off cliff in Ella: Retired cop arrested

A retired police inspector working as a taxi driver was arrested yesterday in Nuwara Eliya for allegedly drugging a 26-year-old Algerian tourist, stealing her valuables worth over Rs. 800,000, and pushing her off a precipice near Rawana

D.S. Senanayake College Old Boys’ Association marks 41st AGM

The 41st Annual General Meeting of the D. S. Senanayake College Old Boys’ Association was held recently at the college premises, where the new committee for the term 2025 /2026 was appointed.

Ready to become the next Mayor of Colombo: Dr. Ruvaiz Haniffa

Muhammad Ruvaiz Haniffa who was the Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB) mayoral candidate for Colombo Municipal Council (CMC) yesterday said he is ready to take over Colombo’s Mayor’s post if his party manages to get the support

Forming of CMC administration Independent Group and National People’s Party yet to decide on alliance

One independent group, and the National People’s Party, which secured seats in the Colombo Municipal Council (CMC) at the recently concluded local government election, said yesterday they have not made a final decision on

Geography teacher arrested for allegedly sexually abusing 14-year-old girl

A 39-year-old geography teacher from a school in Devinuwara has been arrested over allegations of sexually abusing a 14-year-old student.

Uncertainty looms over Kadawatha-Mirigama section of Central Expressway

The future of the Kadawatha–Mirigama stretch of the central expressway remains uncertain, with the government mulling whether to renegotiate the project with the foreign contractor selected, to find a new local contractor or else

Govt. admits economic growth decline this year, next year

Deputy Minister of Finance Harshana Suriyapperuma, responding on behalf of the government, acknowledged that Sri Lanka’s real economic growth will begin to decline starting this year.

State Vesak Festival commences today in Nuwara Eliya

The inaugural ceremony of the State Vesak Festival will be held today at 1.30 pm in Nuwara Eliya Town Hall, with President Anura Kumara Dissanayake as the Chief Guest.

Wild elephant electrocuted

A wild elephant that trampled on an electric trap in Udawewa area in Diulapelessa had been electrocuted on Thursday night. (08)

Allegation on spending Rs.1.27 billion for state tours: ranil will respond after indian tour

Former President Ranil Wickremesinghe has spent Rs. 1.27 billion on 23 foreign tours from 2022 to 2024, Chief Government Whip Nalinda Jayatissa told Parliament yesterday.

Woman lures men into love affairs, robs them

An organized gang that uses a woman to build love affairs with young men through WhatsApp messages, lured them to meet at deserted areas in Mihintale and robbed them of their cash, jewellery and motorcycles was arrested by Mihintale police.

Tamil language certificate course for 76 policemen successfully concluded

A certificate awarding ceremony for 76 police officers who had successfully completed a Tamil language course was recently held at the Ministry of Housing and Construction Research auditorium in Colombo 7.

Horse trading begun by the government to woo opposition LG members: Opposition

The ruling party has begun horse trading to woo newly elected members of local bodies in order to form administrations where it does not command a majority, two Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB) MPs told Parliament, thus creating a rumpus.

Seven Mahaviru Day commemorations in the North promoted LTTE in November last year

Parliament was informed yesterday that seven Mahaviru Day commemorations held in the North in November last year had promoted the LTTE.

Overstaying Bangladeshi group arrested by Immigration Dept.

A group of over 30 Bangladeshi nationals who were overstaying their tourist visas was taken into custody by the Department of Immigration and Emigration officials who raided a guesthouse in Seeduwa yesterday afternoon.

Sri Pada pilgrim season ends

Sri Pada pilgrim season 2024/25 will end on Vesak full moon Poya day on May 12.