Magistrate orders speedy probe Into Kapila Chandrasena’s mobile phone

Colombo Fort Magistrate Pasan Amarasena ordered investigators to expedite investigations into the mobile phone belonging to the deceased Kapila Chandrasena and report the findings to court without

Breaking the Silence: “Grace for Her” Initiative Confronts Sri Lanka’s Period Poverty Crisis

In a country where conversations around menstruation are still often muted by stigma, a growing crisis continues to affect the health, education, and dignity of young girls. Period poverty defined as the lack of

Former minister under arrest warrant

Matara magistrate yesterday issued an arrest warrant on former Minister Basil Rajapakse who failed to appear in court in connection with the case against him on his alleged purchase of a land at Browns Hill

Southwest monsoon deluge triggers flash floods

Asked whether the 336 mm of rainfall in Kegalle yesterday was the highest during recent times, Mr. Mendis said it was not. “Some areas experienced rainfall as much as 400mm during the cyclone Ditwah.

Serve hot beverages, not soft drinks at Dansals: Health Ministry

The Ministry of Health has urged Vesak Dansal organisers to serve hot beverages such as tea and coffee instead of soft drinks, warning of a higher risk of waterborne diseases linked to soft drink Dansals.

Writ petition claims Rs. 2.2 Bn loss from inferior coal imports

The writ petition filed before the Court of Appeal over the alleged supply of substandard coal to the Lakvijaya Power Plant states that the country has incurred losses amounting to Rs. 2,237.7 million due to the importation of low-quality coal.

144 financial cybercrime cases under investigation this year

Handle the economy diligently: Opposition

Few opposition political parties yesterday urged the government to act diligently and manage the sliding of the rupee to save the economy.

South-West monsoon gradually establishing itself over Sri Lanka

The Meteorology Department says the South-West monsoon is gradually establishing itself over the island, bringing increased rainfall and strong winds to several parts of the island.

Over 92,000 applications received for 1,989 Health Assistant vacancies

More than 92,000 applications have been received for the recruitment of 1,989 vacancies for the post of Health Assistant (Junior) Grade III in government hospitals and healthcare institutions, the Ministry of Health and Mass Media stated.

Provincial Council elections cannot be conducted this year - Tilvin

The elections to the Provincial Councils cannot be conducted this year because of current developments in the country, an official said.

Can Sri Lanka navigate its way out of crisis?

As the nation grapples with a volatile cocktail of fiscal mismanagement, soaring inflation, an escalating energy crisis, high taxation, and the looming threat of El Nino, economic forecasters are revising their growth projections for 2026. In this week’s analysis, One could examine the entangled challenges threatening the island’s fragile recovery and asks the critical question on every citizen’s mind, “how do we move forward”

Insect in imported chrysanthemum flowers destroying Sri Lankan food crops: MP

An insect called ‘White Fly’ which was inside 16 containers of chrysanthemum flowers is destroying Sri Lankan food crops, Opposition MP D. V. Chanaka told Parliament yesterday.

Those who called others thieves have become thieves themselves - Cardinal Malcolm Ranjith

While claiming that he is fed up with politicians, the Archbishop of Colombo, Cardinal Malcolm Ranjith, said that “today, it seems that those who called others thieves have become thieves themselves.”

Tobacco-Free Generation policies face legal and practical challenges

The concept of creating a ‘Tobacco-Free Generation’ (TFG) through legislation that bans tobacco sales to people born after a specified year is facing increasing scrutiny globally, with critics pointing to legal, economic and practical challenges experienced by countries attempting to introduce such measures.

Health Ministry on alert over Ebola threat

The Ministry of Health will implement measures consisting of five steps in line with the recommendations of the World Health Organization (WHO), following the WHO declaration of the Ebola virus epidemic situation as a Public Health Emergency of International Concern.

Government to reduce imports, fuel usage against rising dollar

President Anura Kumara Dissanayake yesterday stressed the need to reduce import cost and fuel usage in a move to curtail the outflow of the Dollar reserves in the country adding that the Government has already submitted proposals to the International Monetary Fund (IMF) regarding the matter.

Steady increase in Thalassaemia cases in coming years -Health Authorities

Between 45 and 60 children are born annually with major thalassemia in Sri Lanka, while health authorities have warned of a growing risk of the hereditary blood disorder increasing steadily in the future despite the comparatively low number of patients currently reported.

Double trouble for some school children in the Central Province: Hakeem

Children in schools in the Central Province which have been earmarked for relocation after the Ditwah cyclone faced double trouble when their education was disrupted once again as a result of the recent adverse weather conditions, Opposition MP Rauff Hakeem told Parliament yesterday.

Delay in appointment of judges: Justice Minister declines to answer

Justice Minister Harshana Nanayakkara declined to answer a question related to the delay in the appointment of eight judges to the country’s superior courts.

Minister’s daughter residing in house belonging to diaspora member in UK: Chamara

The daughter of a minister who is engaged in higher studies in the UK is currently lodging in a house belonging to a member of the Tamil diaspora, Opposition MP Chamara Sampath Dassanayake alleged in Parliament yesterday.

Accused sentenced to death

An accused indicted with murder was found guilty and sentenced to death by Anuradhapura Predecessor High Court Judge Lakmali Hewawasam.

Rs.141million worth of Kush seized

A consignment of 14.562 kilos of Kush was seized and two Sri Lankan passengers arrested in their attempt to smuggle it into the country through the Green Channel at the Bandaranaike International airport last morning.

Supreme Court to hear Handunnetti’s FR petition against alleged Sugar Scam

The Fundamental Rights petition filed by Minister Sunil Handunnetti, during his tenure as an opposition Parliamentarian, seeking an Order to recover Rs. 15.9 billion from those responsible for the alleged sugar import fraud in 2020, was yesterday fixed for support by the Supreme Court.

Country to experience Southwest Monsoon soon: Met Department

Sri Lanka is about to experience the Southwest Monsoon while it is expected to get fully established during the next few days, the Department of Meteorology said yesterday.

Wanawasala derailment: Signal system alone suffers loss of over Rs. 2 Mn in damages

The Sri Lanka Railway Department said it has suffered significant financial losses following the Wanawasala train derailment, which officials say was triggered by the deliberate removal of critical track and signalling components.

Adverse weather prevents resettling of families displaced by Ditwah - DMC

The current adverse whether conditions have further delayed resettlement of 1,337 people belonging to 465 families who were displaced by Cyclone Ditwah, Disaster Management Centre (DMC) said yesterday.

Vendor shields Vesak lanterns amid bad weather

The inclement weather that followed a months long spell of drought is affecting the lives of various groups of people in various ways. With the annual Vesak festival fast approaching, here a vendor is covering her handmade Vesak lanterns with plastic sheets and cloth at a roadside stall in Gampaha, trying to protect her merchandise and make sales amid adverse weather conditions. Pic by Kushan Pathiraja

Vehicle importers announce estimated vehicle price hikes

Industry estimates suggest price increases across several categories as follows: Mini Cars / Kei CarsAlto/Carol – Rs. 421,750, Alto/Carol Hybrid – Rs. 542,250, WagonR/Flair – Rs. 482,000, WagonR/Flair Hybrid – Rs. 602,500, Dayz Highway Star – Rs. 662,750, EK X – Rs. 723,000, Compact CarsPasso/Boon – Rs. 542,250, Yaris – Rs. 602,500, Axio Hybrid – Rs. 903,750, SUVs / Hybrid SUVsRaize/Rocky/Rex Hybrid – Rs. 903,750, Vezel X – Rs. 1,084,500, Vezel Z

Wild elephant tramples father, daughter to death

In a tragic turn of events increasing the death toll in the human- elephant conflict, a young woman and her father were trampled to death by a wild elephant at Moragahaulpotha in Wilgamuwa in the Matale district last morning,