Seven students hospitalised after tasting chemical substance in science lab

Seven Grade 7 students from a school in Dambulla were admitted to the Dambulla Hospital due to a chemical exposure today.

Alarming number of people now vape, says WHO

More than 100 million people, including at least 15 million children, use e-cigarettes, fuelling a new wave of nicotine addiction, the World Health Organization (WHO) is warning.

CSE Opens Week on a Positive Note with Strong Turnover

The Colombo Stock Exchange (CSE) began the week on a positive note, extending its bullish momentum with a turnover of LKR 7.95 Bn. Investor sentiment remained upbeat, marking new highs during the session, largely supported by strong buying interest in the Banking sector, which emerged as the top contributor with LKR 1.92 Bn in turnover, accounting for 24% of total market activity.

AIIB assures support on green energy, green transportation

The President of the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank (AIIB), Jin Liqun affirmed the AIIB’s commitment to supporting Sri Lanka’s development, particularly in the promotion of the green energy sector, the President’s Media Division (PMD) said.

Rs. 757.4 million in dividends from state enterprises handed over to treasury

A total of Rs. 757.4 million in dividends from state-owned enterprises under the Ministry of Industries and Entrepreneurship Development was handed over to the Treasury in Parliament today (07).

Sri Lanka still to pay USD 37 bn foreign loans, Rs. 19.6 trillion domestic loans

The State Debt Management Office has informed the Committee on Public Finance (CoPF) that Sri Lanka has still to repay foreign loans amounting to USD 37 billion and domestic loans totalling Rs. 19.6 trillion.

Earthquake of magnitude 6.6 shakes Lae city in Papua New Guinea

An earthquake of magnitude 6.6 struck near Lae, the second largest city in Papua New Guinea, on Tuesday, the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) said.

Supreme Court upholds death sentence on Julampitiye Amare

The Supreme Court today upheld the death sentence imposed by the Tangalle High Court on Geeganage Gamage Amarasiri, alias ‘Julampitiye Amare,’ who was found guilty of killing two individuals and injuring another in 2012 at Katuwana, Hambantota.

IMF remains key strategic partner in Sri Lanka’s ongoing journey towards financial stability: President

President Anura Kumara Dissanayake reaffirmed that the International Monetary Fund (IMF) remains a vital partner in Sri Lanka’s accelerated journey from crisis to recovery, emphasising that the government regards the IMF support not merely as external assistance, but as an integral element of its comprehensive strategy for sustainable economic progress.

Opposition calls for appointment of PSC to probe container clearance issue

The Opposition called for the appointment of a Parliamentary Select Committee to probe the clearance of 323 red red labelled containers.

Severe lightning warning for five provinces

The Department of Meteorology has warned of severe lightning in the Northern, North-Central, Central, Eastern, and Uva Provinces.

Doctors call off strike in Eastern Province

Doctors in the Eastern Province have called off their strike following the release of recommendations by the Health Ministry Secretary, which confirmed that the transfers at the center of the dispute were carried out legally.

Air India Colombo-Chennai flight lands safely after bird hit

An Air India Colombo-Chennai flight carrying 158 passengers suffered a bird hit on Tuesday, forcing the airline to cancel its return journey, airport authorities said.

Albanian judge shot dead in court by man on trial

A judge in Albania has been shot dead after a man opened fire during a trial at the Court of Appeal in the capital Tirana.

Udeni Rajapaksa presents credentials to South African President

High Commissioner of Sri Lanka to South Africa, Air Chief Marshal Udeni Rajapaksa (Retd), officially presented his Letters of Credence to the President of the Republic of South Africa, Cyril Ramaphosa, at the Sefako M. Makgatho Presidential Guesthouse in Pretoria.

CDC stops recommending COVID-19 shots for all

The Centers for Disease Control (CDC) and Prevention has adopted recommendations by a new group of vaccine advisers, and stopped recommending COVID-19 shots for anyone — leaving the choice up to patients.

Boy dies after tragic accident at Colombo Swimming Club

The eight-year-old boy who was critically injured in an incident at the Colombo Swimming Club has passed away, according to hospital sources.

Former Presidents’ security vehicles can be returned to them if requested: Minister

Vehicles returned by former Presidents can be given back to them as the Presidents’ Entitlement Bill which was approved by Parliament recently does not cover security details given to them, Minister for Public Security Ananda Wijepala told Parliament today.

Dengue, Chikungunya threat rises with heavy rains: PHIs

The Sri Lanka Public Health Inspectors’ Association has warned that the ongoing heavy rainfalls could lead to a rise in Dengue and Chikungunya cases.

Sri Lanka’s growth strong but uneven, warns World Bank

Sri Lanka’s recent economic performance has shown strong progress, but the country’s recovery remains incomplete, with growth still lagging behind pre-crisis levels and poverty remaining significantly high, according to the latest Sri Lanka Development Update released by the World Bank today.

Lawyers in Jaffna launch strike in protest against police action

Lawyers in Jaffna staged a strike today (Tuesday) in protest against the police, accusing them of unlawfully entering and searching the home of a lawyer without any court authorization.

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Gold hits record high above $3,900

Gold surged to an all-time high above $3,900 per ounce on Monday, buoyed by growing expectations of a Federal Reserve rate cut this month, as well as economic and political uncertainty in the U.S., France and Japan.

Strict Sri Lankan vegetarian passenger dies on board Qatar Airways

A Southern California cardiologist flying Qatar Airways from Los Angeles to Sri Lanka was denied the vegetarian meal he had ordered, then died after choking on a piece of food while attempting to “eat around” the meat in meal he was given instead, according to his grieving family, The Independent UK reported.

CM Stalin’s Katchatheevu talk ’’pure political drama’’ to divert attention from Karur stampede: BJP’s Annamalai

Launching a scathing attack on the DMK government, BJP leader K Annamalai said that Tamil Nadu Chief Minister MK Stalin is doing ’’pure political drama’’ by talking about retrieving the Katchatheevu island from Sri Lanka to divert attention from the administrative failure of his government in handling the Karur stampede.

Shortage of dialysis needles resolved: Minister

Acknowledging that there has been a shortage of dialysis needles in Sri Lanka, Minister of Health Nalinda Jayatissa told Parliament today that arrangements have been made for the state hospital to make local purchases.

Couple hacked to death in Hungama

A couple was found hacked to death with sharp weapons at a house in Wadigala, Hungama, early this morning, police said.

Postal Department must become profitable: Minister

The Postal Department must become a self-sustaining institution, warning that if it fails to generate profit, the government may need to reconsider maintaining it with treasury funds, Health and Mass Media Minister Dr. Nalinda Jayatissa has said.

Delays, distrust, dynamic prices - how ’welcoming’ will World Cup be?

Fifa president Gianni Infantino has repeatedly insisted that ’’the world will be welcome’’ during next summer’s men’s World Cup, which will be held mostly by the USA, with some matches in Canada and Mexico.

Security-held lands in Trincomalee to be released for tourism — Deputy Minister

All land currently held by the security forces in the Trincomalee district will be released for tourism projects soon, Deputy Minister of Tourism Ruwan Ranasinghe told Parliament today.