President returns from Maldives visit

President Anura Kumara Dissanayake arrived at the Bandaranaike International Airport (BIA) this morning (30), concluding a three-day official visit to the Maldives.

First Kumbal Perahera

Hasalaka OIC violated woman’s fundamental rights by arresting her clothing with ship wheel, rules SC

The Supreme Court declared that the former Officer-in-Charge (OIC) of the Hasalaka Police Station had violated the Fundamental Rights of a woman who was arrested and detained for wearing an item of clothing bearing a ship’s wheel, which was mistakenly interpreted as a depiction of the Dhammachakra.

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) Program, funded through a grant from the Government of India.

President attends ceremonial tree planting...

Be cautious with new Plastic Credit solutions: Environmentalist warns

The country must exercise extreme caution when adopting new solutions such as plastic credits, the Centre for Environmental Justice (CEJ) chairperson and senior advisor Hemantha Withanage warned.

CDF soldier assigned for monitoring electric fence killed in elephant attack

A Civil Defence Forces (CDF) soldier who was engaged in monitoring electric fences has been killed in a wild elephant attack in South Siyambalangamuwa.

CEJ urges Defence Ministry to halt issuing guns to kill elephants

The Centre for Environmental Justice (CEJ) has sent a letter of demand to Additional Secretary of the Defence Ministry, P.D. Indika L. Wijegunawardhana, urging the immediate suspension of any process involving the issuance of firearms intended to harm or kill wild elephants.

CSE ends higher despite intra-day volatility

The Colombo Stock Exchange (CSE) closed in positive territory today, following a session marked by sharp volatility. The All Share Price Index (ASPI) initially surged nearly 145 points before retreating by 148 points mid-session.

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

Colombo Additional Magistrate Pasan Amarasena today 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.

Army Commander granted one-year service extension

President Anura Kumara Dissanayaka granted a one-year service extension to Commander of the Sri Lanka Army, Lieutenant General Lasantha Rodrigo.

Motorists exceeding 120 km/h on expressways to face legal action

Motorists caught driving over 120 km/h on expressways will face court proceedings even if fines are paid through the GovPay app, DIG of Traffic and Road Safety, Range Indika Hapugoda said.

Sri Lankan Opposition pro Palestine, Government pro Israel?

Responding to a question as to whether Sri Lanka’s Opposition in Parliament is pro Palestine while the government is pro Israel, Opposition MP Mujibur Rahman said today that what the Opposition intends doing is maintaining Sri Lanka’s traditional non-aligned foreign policy, while the Janatha Vimukthi Peramuna (JVP) led National People’s Power (NPP) government seems to have changed its stance.

Warm weather advisory issued for several areas

The Natural Hazards Early Warning Centre of the Department of Meteorology has issued a ’’Warm Weather Advisory – Extreme Caution Level’’ for the Northern, Eastern and North-Central Provinces and the Moneragala and Hambantota districts, valid for tomorrow.

Immigration arrests 155 overstaying Indians in biggest detection in history

The Department of Immigration and Emigration today arrested 155 overstaying Indian nationals from a Colombo office and made them pay fines and visa fees amounting to a staggering Rs.33.6 million, making it the largest and highest valued detection in Sri Lankan history.

90-day free on-arrival tourist visa for Sri Lankan citizens visiting Maldives

The Government of the Maldives has announced that Sri Lankan citizens traveling to the Maldives for tourism purposes will be granted a free 90-day on-arrival tourist visa.

Nishantha Ulugetenne further remanded

Former Commander of the Sri Lanka Navy, Admiral (Retired) Nishantha Ulugetenne, was further remanded until August 13 following his appearance before the Polgahawela Magistrate’s Court today.

Save elephants in Sri Lanka…

Employee arrested for stealing Rs. 7 million worth of office items

A 43-year-old office worker from Kotagala has been arrested for stealing office items, including 35 water filters and 13 televisions, valued at Rs. 7.03 million.

Gotabaya willing to give evidence in Lalith-Kugan disappearance probe

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

Crowds gather for Kandy’s Esala festival

Large crowds have already gathered in Kandy to witness the first Kumbal Perahera of the Kandy Esala Festival, set to parade through the city tonight.

Court prevents YouTuber ’Sudaa’ from defaming Manusha Nanayakkara

The Colombo District Court today issued an enjoining order restraining YouTuber Sudantha Thilakasiri, also known as ’Sudaa,’ from publishing defamatory statements or content against former Minister Manusha Nanayakkara.

Tsunami hits Alaska, Hawaii, next set of waves may be 10 feet high

Waves as high as 10 feet are expected to hit Hawaii following an 8.8 magnitude earthquake off the coast of Russia. Authorities across the Pacific are on high alert following the undersea earthquake off the eastern coast of Russia’s Kamchatka Peninsula that has triggered tsunami warnings stretching from the northern Kuril Islands to the Hawaiian archipelago and as far east as the western coastline of the United States.

Meta launches Instagram teen accounts with parental controls in Sri Lanka

Meta has officially launched supervised teen accounts on Instagram in Sri Lanka, introducing a range of parental control features designed to enhance online safety for young users, the Ministry of Digital Economy said.

Wrongfully detained drug suspect dies by suicide

The Mount Lavinia Lawyers’ Association has raised serious concerns over wrongful detentions in drug-related cases following the death of a suspect who was posthumously cleared of all charges.

Sri Lanka appreciates Korea’s swift response to migrant worker incident

The Sri Lankan government has expressed appreciation to South Korean President Lee Jae-myung for his prompt response to the viral video showing a Sri Lankan worker being mistreated at a factory in Naju.

Trump says ’good friend’ India may face up to 25% tariffs

India could face tariffs as high as 25% if it fails to finalise a trade deal with the US this week, President Donald Trump has said.

Prime Minister Harini appointed chairperson of Sri Lanka’s National Commission for UNESCO

Prime Minister Dr. Harini Amarasuriya has been appointed as the Chairperson of the Sri Lanka National Commission for the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO), the Prime Minister’s Media Division announced.

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).

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

Colombo Fort Magistrate Nilupuli Lankapura yesterday (29) 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 Deshabandu Tennakoon is to be arrested.