Technical fault suspected in deadly SLAF Bell 212 crash, 6 military personnel dead

Apossible mechanical failure is suspected to have caused the crash of a Us-made Sri Lanka Air Force Bell 212 helicopter into the Maduru Oya Reservoir during a Special Forces demonstration yesterday, leaving six personnel dead.

Maga says Pope Leo may be American, but he’s not ’America first’

Catholicism has rarely been more prominent in US politics as the Trump administration openly embraces its advisers and officials who proudly say faith has shaped their politics.

Pope Leo XIV calls Church ’a beacon to illuminate dark nights’ in first Mass

The new Pope, Leo XIV, has called in his first Mass at the Vatican for the Catholic Church to ’’desperately’’ counter a lack of faith.

Sajith mulls mechanism to report and act swiftly on cases of child abuse

Opposition leader Sajith Premadasa yesterday urged the government to formulate a mechanism to report and act swiftly on cases of child abuse.

Emirates eyes India-SL route

Emirates has expressed its openness to increasing direct flight operations between Sri Lanka and various parts of India while emphasising that the respective governments of India and Sri Lanka need to grant the necessary permissions.

Tariff jitters cast long shadow over SL’s rubber sector

The global rubber market is already feeling the tremors of policy uncertainty, with Sri Lanka caught in the crosshairs, analysts said, while warning there could be a prolonged and painful reshuffle of trade routes, pricing and production flows.

Tutor accused in Kotahena school girl’s death provided police protection: MP

The tutor who is accused in the Kotahena school girl’s death has been provided police protection, SJB MP Mujibur Rahman alleged yesterday.

Kotahena suicide incident: Maths tutor requests CID probe

The maths tutor accused of verbally harassing the girl who committed suicide in Kotahena requested an investigation into the allegations made against him and his institution.

Some opposition politicians linked to underworld gangs: Minister

Minister of Public Security Ananda Wijepala told Parliament today that investigations have revealed links between several underworld gangs and opposition politicians.

CSE ends in red on low trading activity

The Colombo Stock Exchange (CSE) closed the session with a subdued performance, ending on a negative note. Trading activity remained low throughout the day, as reflected by reduced volumes and turnover.

Redemption time in 2nd test

The stage is set for a fiery showdown under floodlights at the Racecourse Stadium tomorrow as Sri Lanka prepares to take on the formidable New Zealand Under-85kg side in the second game of the tour.

British Airways plane caught fire after pilot forgot left and right

A British Airways flight caught fire after a pilot confused his left and right hands during take-off.

Teachers’ Union slams Minister over comments on Kotahena schoolgirl’s death

The Ceylon Teachers’ Union (CTU) has strongly criticized Minister of Women and Child Affairs Saroja Paulraj for remarks she made in Parliament regarding the tragic death of a Grade 10 student in Kotahena.

Teacher accused of molesting schoolgirl sent on compulsory leave: Ministry

The teacher allegedly involved in the molestation of a schoolgirl from a leading school in Kotahena has been sent on compulsory leave following the submission of a police B report, the Ministry of Education confirmed today.

Divi Neguma officer sentenced to 20 years for soliciting sexual bribe

A Development Officer with the Divi Neguma Department has been sentenced to 20 years of rigorous imprisonment by Colombo High Court Judge Adithya Patabendige for soliciting a sexual bribe from the mother of a seven-year-old child suffering from kidney disease, in exchange for approving government financial aid for the child’s surgery.

UNP calls for unity in opposition at local bodies where they hold majority collectively

United National Party (UNP) Chairman Wajira Abeywardena said that all the opposition parties should act in unison at the local authorities where they collectively hold majority.

Meat outlets, liquor shops to remain closed for Vesak

All meat selling outlets, including supermarket meat counters, slaughterhouses, betting centres, casinos, nightclubs, and liquor outlets, will be closed on May 12, 13, and 14 in observance of Vesak, the Ministry of Public Administration and Home Affairs announced.

Australian ex-cricketer MacGill spared jail for cocaine supply

Former Australian Test cricketer Stuart MacGill avoided jail time Friday when a Sydney judge sentenced him for taking part in the supply of cocaine.

Police Media Division OIC passes away at 52

Chief Inspector W.A.D.N. Mahakumara, the Officer-in-Charge of the Police Media Division, passed away this morning at the age of 52.

Bill Gates accuses Elon Musk of killing poor children

Microsoft founder Bill Gates accused Elon Musk of killing poor children as he announced that he would give away 99% of his fortune over the next 20 years and that the Gates Foundation would cease operations by 2045.

Govt. to auction 27 luxury and decommissioned vehicles

The Presidential Secretariat has commenced the second phase of bidding for the sale of 27 luxury and decommissioned vehicles, including BMW cars, V08 vehicles and Land Rover SUVs.

Court directs AG to explore resolution in national cricketers’ employee status dispute

The Court of Appeal today directed the Attorney General to inform court whether there is a possibility of resolving the issues concerning Sri Lanka’s national cricket players, following their classification as employees of the national association, Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC), by the Inland Revenue Department (IRD).

Don’t sensationalise Kotahena girl’s death: Bimal tells Opposition

Claiming that the Opposition is trying to use the Kotahena girl’s death for political ends, Leader of the House Bimal Ratnayake today urged the Opposition to refrain from politicising the girl’s death.

IPL 2025 suspended indefinitely due to escalating India-Pak conflict

The ongoing Indian Premier League (IPL) 2025 has been suspended with immediate effect due to the heightened armed conflict between India and Pakistan following the terrorist strike on tourists in Pahalgam, as per media reports.

Govt to introduce mechanism to deal with child molesting cases: PM

The Government is to introduce a mechanism to deal with child molesting cases brininging the relevant Ministries and other institutions together, Prime Minister Harini Amarasuriya told Parliament today.

Parents of Kotahena school girl yet to meet me with petition: Women & Child Affairs Minister

Minister of Women and Child Affairs Saroja Savithri Paulraj said that the parents of Kotahena school girl has not made a formal complaint as yet despite requests to do so.

Decorating the school...

Education Ministry in hot water over Kotahena child’s suicide

A massive protest was staged in front of the Ramanathan Hindu Ladies’ College, Bambalapitiya on May 8 (Thursday) demanding justice for Dilshi Amshika, (15) a former student of the school who took her own life on April 29 as a result of the trauma she had to endure following alleged sexual and psychological abuse by her school mathematics teacher.

Special Forces passing-out parade halted after helicopter crash

Update: Six die in Bell 212 helicopter crash in Maduru Oya

At least six security forces personnel were killed when a Sri Lanka Air Force Bell 212 helicopter, operated by the No. 7 Squadron, crashed into the Maduru Oya Reservoir during a demonstration this morning.