Liquor shops record increased sales on Aswesuma day

Owners of liquor shops in several areas in the up country said their income shoots up on Aswesuma payment day in a large proportion when compared to the previous days.

Court reaffirms conditional approval for BYD imports

The Court of Appeal has ordered that the importation of specified BYD vehicle consignments be permitted on the same basis as previously directed by court, subject to the submission of a corporate guarantee covering the duty difference.

Medical panel confirms Daisy Forrest unfit for trial, Court orders release

The Colombo High Court Judge Udesh Ranatunga yesterday ordered the release of Daisy Forrest, an accused in a case involving allegations of unlawful acquisition of assets valued at over Rs. 70 million, including ownership of property, citing that she was not mentally fit to stand trial.

Environmental groups vow not to allow project to proceed at same location

Concerns were raised after it was revealed that construction work on the proposed Jaffna International Cricket Stadium had commenced without obtaining mandatory environmental clearance. Environmental groups and civil

The loneliest train in the world?

A train halted near the Ulapane–Warakapitiya Railway Station has remained stranded for four months after a landslide triggered by heavy rains associated with the Ditwah cyclone caused severe damage to the railway line, railway

Extraditing Arjuna Mahendran not a simple procedure: Nalinda

Claiming that the government is making a diplomatic intervention to extradite former Central Bank Governor Arjuna Mahendran from Singapore, Cabinet Spokesman Dr Nalinda Jayatissa said yesterday that extraditing Mahendran is

Unusual sex clinic disguised as homeopathy centre raided in Ambatale

A sex centre operating under the guise of a homeopathic treatment clinic in the Ambatale area of the Mulleriyawa Police Division was raided by officers of the Western Province (South) Crime Division. Police said three suspects and

A Long-Awaited Reform: Understanding Sri Lanka’s Proposed Rescue, Rehabilitation and Insolvency Law

Sri Lanka has long recognised the need to modernise its insolvency framework, yet meaningful reform has remained in the pipeline for years.

Rev. Dr Kirinde Assaji Awarded Lifetime Achievement Honour by KITT University

Ven. Dr Kirinde Assaji, Chief Incumbent of Gangaramaya Temple, has been conferred the prestigious Lifetime Achievement Award by KITT University in recognition of his exceptional contributions to Buddhist scholarship, spiritual leadership, and the strengthening of Sri Lanka–India cultural relations. Notably, this marks the first time in history that a Sri Lankan has received this distinguished Lifetime Achievement Award.

Probe launched after fake police officers trick victims into crypt transfers

The Criminal Investigation Department (CID), through its Computer Crime Investigation Division, has launched investigations into multiple complaints regarding individuals fraudulently obtaining money from the public by impersonating police officers.

Police on the lookout for four persons for killing, roasting monitor lizard

Rideemaliyadda Police have initiated investigations to arrest four suspects who killed a monitor lizard and roasted it over an open fire.The suspects had laid a trap and killed the iguana for meat and fled from the scene during the raid.

Lawyer caught using “Ice,”, remanded

A lawyer who was arrested for allegedly using crystal methamphetamine, commonly known as “Ice,” in an abandoned building in Keselwatta has been remanded until February 26 after being produced before the Maligakanda Magistrate’s Court.

A’pura doctor rape case Suspect given six-month sentence, suspended for two years for smartphone robbery

The suspect, who is alleged to have raped a lady doctor at Anuradhapura Hospital and robbed her of the smartphone belonging to her was sentenced to six months’ compulsory imprisonment and fined Rs. 1,500 by Anuradhapura Chief Magistrate Siyapath Pasindu Wickremaratne when the suspect pleaded guilty to the latter charge. Suspect K.B. Maduranga Ratnayake, of Galnewa in Anuradhapura, was a former soldier.

Oxford Union apologises to Namal for not allowing him to talk

While apologising to Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna (SLPP) National Organiser Namal Rajapaksa for not being able to proceed with his address to the Union, the Oxford Union has informed Namal that it had been rescheduled for a future date so that the lecture could be delivered without compromising the safety of the attendees.

Government on warpath with Laugfs Gas

The government which had faulted Laugfs Gas for the issue in gas supply had summoned its officials for a discussion this week, it was reported yesterday.

Heavy showers to ease, but storm aftermath looms across Sri Lanka

Lower atmospheric disturbance that is currently prevailing has caused a minor flood situation in Manampitiya and in Kandy district, Disaster Management Centre (DMC) said yesterday.

Minister, MP clash in Parliament over allegation

A verbal clash erupted between Minister of Power and Energy Kumara Jayakody and opposition MP Ajith P. Perera, after the latter came up with an allegation that the Minister was removed from the Fertiliser Corporation due to a

Moratorium on foreign research totally an unwise decision, meant to serve political agendas: Expert

The government’s moratorium on foreign research vessels is totally an unwise decision and meant to serve the political agendas only, an expert said.

Mastermind, shooter identified in lawyer, spouse murder: Minister

Public Security Minister Ananada Wijepala yesterday revealed that the mastermind and shooter involved in the murder of Attorney-at-Law Buddhika Mallawaarachchi and his wife at Akuregoda, Thalangama have been identified and that

Divisional Secretaries up in arms against political interference in land administration

The Association of Divisional Secretaries and Assistant Divisional Secretaries has alleged that the private secretary to Deputy Minister Aravinda Senarath had been severely interfering with their work, particularly in the discharge of duties

Health issues prevent Maithree Wickremesinghe from appearing before CID

Professor Maithree Wickremesinghe has informed the Financial Crimes Investigation Division of the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) that she is unable to appear before them yesterday to record a statement regarding

Over six tonnes of drugs seized, 100,000 arrested in four months

In less than four months since the launch of the “Ratama Ekata” national operation on October 30, 2025, police have uncovered the staggering scale of Sri Lanka’s drug crisis, seizing more than 6,000 kilograms of narcotics and

Chamara says he warned of gas crisis, says new supplier lacks capacity

While claiming that he had predicted a looming gas shortage months ago, Opposition MP Chamara Sampath Dassanayake yesterday told Parliament that the crisis had materialised because the new supplier selected by the government lacked the capacity to ensure a steady supply.

No need for panic buying ahead of 2.5% SSCL on imported vehicles: Merenchige

The Vehicle Importers Association of Lanka (VIAL) urged the public not to resort to panic buying of vehicles ahead of the Government’s decision to impose a 2.5% Social Security Contribution Levy (SSCL) on imported vehicles from April 1, 2026.

Sarath Fonseka claims Rajapaksa’s tried to let LTTE leaders surrender ‘If it had happened, Prabhakaran could have been Chief Minister now’

Dropping another bombshell, Field Marshal Sarath Fonseka revealed yesterday that Rajapaksas had negotiated with the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) and Amnesty International to allow LTTE leaders including Velupillai Prabhakaran to surrender whereas the army wanted to wipe them out, and claimed that if they were to surrender, Prabhakaran would have been the Chief Minister of the North now.

Staff members, civil society activists up in arms against transfer of Badulla District Secretary

The staff of the Badulla District Secretariat, the Divisional Secretariat and representatives of civil society organizations yesterday staged a protest in front of the District Secretariat against the transfer of District Secretary Panduka Sri

Anti-corruption drive key to Sri Lanka growth: IMF chief

With the current government committed to good governance and anti-corruption reforms, visiting Managing Director of the International Monetary Fund (IMF), Kristalina Georgieva said that Sri Lanka now has a unique opportunity to

Japan seeks further improvement of business climate in Sri Lanka

In order to attract investment and encourage market entry into Sri Lanka, Japan has emphasized that it is essential to further improve the business environment by addressing challenges faced by Japanese companies operating in the

Sri Lanka emerges as cheapest place to retire in 2026

Sri Lanka has been named the most affordable destination to retire in 2026 by the prestigious Travel + Leisure magazine.

Foreign tourist visiting Sigiriya trampled to death by wild elephant

A foreign tourist on a visit to Sigiriya had been trampled to death by a wild elephant at Pidurangala area. Victim Prof. Joe Anton, 67, was a Hungarian tourist.