Keratoconus on the rise National Eye Hospital warns of growing eye disorder in Sri Lanka

Keratoconus, a progressive eye disorder that distorts vision, is increasingly being detected among Sri Lankans, including schoolchildren, the National Eye Hospital has cautioned.

At least 11 dead, 19 injured after explosion in car near Delhi’s Red Fort

At least 11 people have been killed and 19 injured in an explosion in a slow-moving Hyundai i20 at a signal near Gate No. 1 of New Delhi’s Red Fort (Lal Qila) Metro Station around 6:50 pm on Monday. Three people were in the car when the explosion took place, the New Indian Express reported.

Legal action to be taken over 7,000 unrenewed firearm licenses

Legal action is to be taken against over 7,000 firearm owners who have failed to renew their licenses with the Ministry of Defence last year.

Sri Lankans turning to overseas adult websites for income, Police warn

Police said yesterday that an increasing number of Sri Lankans are reported to be turning to online sexual content production as several adult websites and mobile applications operated overseas offer monetary incentives.

Can Sri Lanka’s 2026 Budget reverse our negative NIIP?

Sri Lanka’s Net International Investment Position (NIIP) remains one of the deepest in Asia nearly USD 68 billion in the red, or about –70% of GDP. This figure reflects decades of accumulated foreign borrowing, weak export earnings, and limited FDI inflows. It is the real balance-sheet story behind our external vulnerability. On paper, this reflects strong IMF-backed fiscal discipline. But beneath the surface, these same IMF preconditions are cho

New education reforms from next year Longer periods, fewer subjects, extended school days

The Education Ministry announced that under the new education reforms for Grades 1 to 6, starting next year, the duration of each subject period will be increased to 50 minutes, while the number of subject periods will be reduced to seven, and the school day extended to 2 p.m., Education Ministry Secretary Nalaka Kaluwewa said.

Tourist on bicycle has narrow shave with leopard

A tourist riding on bicycle along the Galge road in Buttala who ignored the advise of a tourist guide transporting a tourist couple, to be cautious of wild elephants and leopards frequenting the road had encountered a leopard within a short distance.

NPP-controlled Kolonne PS Budget defeated by one vote

The inaugural budget of the Kolonne Pradeshiya Sabha, governed by the National People’s Power (NPP), was defeated by a single vote during its budget debate held yesterday under the chairmanship of Sampath Ranasinghe.

Hype of activities in P’ment for Budget

Hype of activities were witnessed in the Parliamentary complex yesterday with cleaning and colour washing for the budget which is to be presented today.

CEB plans solar-powered EV charging stations with incentive tariffs

The Ceylon Electricity Board (CEB) is set to introduce a new project to install Electric Vehicle (EV) charging stations that will utilize excess solar energy generated across the country, while offering fast-charging facilities with an incentive tariff, CEB Deputy General Manager (Business & Operational Strategy) Noel Priyantha said.

MRIA’s operations cost 14 times higher than income in 2024

The Mattala Rajapaksa International Airport (MRIA) has recorded an operating cost of Rs. 3,600.8 million, nearly 14 times higher than its operating income of Rs. 242 million, the 2024 audit of Airport and Aviation Services (Sri Lanka) (Private) Limited (AASL) revealed.

Sri Lanka begins process to list national heritage sites, drafts new laws

The National Heritage Division of the Ministry of Cultural Affairs has initiated the process of identifying and listing Sri Lanka’s national heritage sites, along with drafting new legislation to protect them.

Sri Lanka’s Stability Vital for India’s Security and Prosperity: Jaishankar

India’s External Affairs Minister, S. Jaishankar, has emphasised that Sri Lanka’s stability is crucial for India’s own security and prosperity.

America’s WTI crude unqualified to enter Sri Lanka due to lack of price competitiveness

Despite Sri Lanka’s decision to import crude oil from the United States, its WTI (West Texas Intermediate) crude has not qualified to enter the Sri Lankan market because it is not price -competitive this time, an official said.

Russian President Vladimir Putin honours former Sri Lankan ambassador

Dr. Saman Weerasinghe has been awarded the Order of Friendship (Orden Druzhby) by Russian President Vladimir Putin at a ceremony held at the Kremlin in Moscow.

Environment Ministry halts unapproved elephant-driving operation in Hambantota and Anuradhapura

The Environment Ministry has ordered the immediate suspension of an ongoing operation to drive wild elephants from villages back into forest reserves in Hambantota and Anuradhapura, stating that no official approval had been granted for the campaign.

Millions spent, lives still lost on the road

An audit report on the National Council for Road Safety (NCRS) has revealed that although 1,169 hit-and-run accidents were reported in Sri Lanka over the past five years, only 247 compensation applications were submitted during that period.

Prices of 40 varieties of goods reduced by 19% last month: Minister

Prices of 40 varieties of goods that are most frequently purchased by consumers has reduced by 19 percent in October this year when compared to October last year, Trade, Commerce, Food Security and Cooperative Development Minister Wasantha Samarasinghe said yesterday.

NPP PS member arrested for allegedly obstructing police

A member of the Hingurakgoda Pradeshiya Sabha representing the National People’s Power (NPP), Saman Udaya Kumara, has been arrested in connection with an incident in which he allegedly obstructed police officers at the Hingurakgoda Police Station.

Proposal to extend school hours up to 4.30pm : Prime Minister

There is a proposal to extend school hours until 4.30 pm, Prime Minister Harini Amarasuriya revealed over the week end.

Nearly half of Sri Lanka’s Railway journeys delayed in 2024

The audit of the Department of Sri Lanka Railways for 2024 revealed that 49 per cent of train journeys (58,693 trains) were delayed last year, highlighting serious issues in the punctuality of train operations.

Where Adam first stepped - A story Sri Lanka must tell!

It is an ancient belief that Adam was the first human on Earth, and he was sent down by God because he disobeyed His command. While Adam asked for forgiveness, some believe that God also wanted him to begin humanity on Earth. Although Adam was shocked, God decided to send him to a place that had the closest resemblance to Heaven. He informed Adam that while His decision to remove him from Paradise would not change, He would send him to a place ca

Ridiyagama, Pinnawala zoos in want of animals

Despite attracting large crowds at Dehiwala Zoo and Pinnawala Zoo, a recent audit has highlighted serious challenges affecting visitor experience at the Ridiyagama Safari Park, Sri Lanka’s only safari park, and the nearby Pinnawala Zoo

Security situation stable, Minister rejects claims of threats to MPs

Public Security and Parliamentary Affairs Minister Ananda Wijepala has said that the current security situation is not serious enough to warrant routine protection for ministers, parliamentarians, or Pradeshiya Sabha chairpersons.

Only 38.7% Sri Lankans believe govt. can curb corruption: Survey

Only 38. 7 per cent of Sri Lankan people believe that the current government will be effective in addressing corruption, a report of a survey has revealed.

Female lawyer linked to Ganemulla Sanjeewa’s murder– CID tells court

The Criminal Investigation Department (CID) yesterday informed Colombo Chief Magistrate Asanga S. Bodaragama that it intends to obtain a 90-day detention order against the female lawyer arrested on suspicion of aiding and

President or govt. cannot take political decisions on opposition MPs’ security: SJB

Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB) General Secretary Ranjith Madduma Bandara said the President or the government cannot take political decisions on opposition MPs’ security.

Live ammunition found from Jaffna University library ceiling

A stock of live ammunition has been recovered from the ceiling of the Jaffna University library during repairs to the roof on Thursday evening.

Chaos at Colombo Eye Hospital: Patients face hours of standing amid severe congestion

Colombo Eye Hospital is facing unprecedented congestion and mismanagement, leaving patients many of them senior citizens struggling to access care in inhumane conditions.

Man sentenced to 17 years for raping woman and her two daughters

The Homagama High Court Judge Navarathna Marasinghe yesterday sentenced a man to 17 years of rigorous imprisonment for breaking into a house and sexually assaulting a woman and her two daughters while the husband, a soldier was away on duty.