68 more inmates illegally freed under Presidential Pardon - ASG Peeris

A total of 68 more inmates were illegally released under the guise of a Presidential Pardon during Christmas in 2024 and on Independence Day this year, despite not meeting the required criteria, Additional Solicitor General

Presidential pardon for prisoners marred by oversights, corruption

Serious lapses and possible corruption involved in securing presidential pardons for prisoners has surfaced with the latest controversy surrounding the release of prisoner W.H. Athula Tilakaratne in view of Vesak.

Local Pharma industry sounds alarm on potential drug shortage

In light of the acute shortage of essential medicines, the Sri Lanka Chamber of the Pharmaceutical Industry (SLCPI) is urging the Ministry of Health to act immediately and to rethink its reliance on Government-to-Government (G2G) procurement warning that it may come too late to meet urgent needs.

Exotic Beauty kidnapped from Zoo

A Blue and Yellow Macaw at the Dehiwela Zoo which is said to cost Rs 500,000 has been stolen few days ago.

SriLankan operates relief flight after emergency landing in Indonesia

A special relief flight, UL 302, operated by SriLankan Airlines departed Bandaranaike International Airport (BIA) for Medan International Airport in Sumatra, Indonesia to transport 101 passengers and crew members stranded following

Coconut harvest to drop further this year, imports to continue

The Coconut Research Institute has forecast a further decline of 250 million nuts crop for the first half of 2025 harvest during the first half of this year compared to last year, the current harvest stands at 1,407 million nuts for the first half

Former Chief Justice Jayantha Jayasuriya presents letters of credence to UN

Former chief justice Jayantha Jayasuriya presented his Letters of Credence as Sri Lanka’s Permanent Representative to the United Nations, the Foreign Ministry said yesterday.

Indian CJ , colleagues publicly pledge to refuse post-retirement jobs

Chief Justice of India BR Gavai has said that he and his colleagues in the Supreme Court have publicly pledged to not undermine the public’s trust in judicial integrity by accepting post-retirement roles or positions from the government.

Obtaining old aircraft on lease will not do any good to national carrier: Opposition MP

Obtaining an old aircraft on lease and making it fly around the country will not do any good to the national carrier which is already hampered with heavy losses, Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB) MP Nalinda Bandara Jayamaha said in response to Leader of the House Bimal Ratnayake who claimed that people are impressed with the new aircraft.

Chaos at Colombo National Hospital as Director vacancy continues

The Colombo National Hospital, the largest and most vital medical institution in Sri Lanka, has been operating without a permanent director for over three months.

I am not disappointed that I did not enter the top 40. I was realistic about it: Anudi

Miss Sri Lanka for Miss World 2025, Anudi Gunasekara who recently returned back to the country after participating in the pageant in India said she was not disappointed for failing to enter the top 40 and had been realistic about this throughout the competition.

World Bank identifies Sri Lanka too hot for people to work 6 hours a Day

Sri Lanka is among a few South Asian countries identified with a temperature level that is considered too hot for people to be able to work safely outdoors for an average of six hours a day, according to a report compiled by the World Bank.

Sri Lankan to fly high with A330-200 refurbished airbus

An Airbus A3330-200, to be added to SriLankan Airlines’ fleet today, is an aircraft which is only a dozen years old and obtained on dry lease as part of re-fleeting efforts, an official said

Heart attacks in the young: A Cardiologist’s perspective on a growing crisis

As a cardiologist practising for over 25 years, I have seen a disturbing rise in heart attacks among young adults—especially in Sri Lanka and other South Asian countries. What was once rare in people under 40 has now become

Mechanism in place to release containers without any checking If importers track record good: Minister

In the wake of controversy over the release of 323 containers, Cabinet Spokesman Minister Nalinda Jayatissa said yesterday that it is not a big issue and claimed that there is a mechanism to release containers to ease the

Not expecting to take part in any other pageants, says Anudi

Anudi Gunasekara, who represented Sri Lanka at the 72nd Miss World Festival Grand Final, said she was not expecting to take part in any other pageants.

Battle for CMC supremacy continues, date for first session to be announced today

A tough tussle is going on between the ruling National People’s Power (NPP) and the opposition parties, including Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB), to gain control of the Colombo Municipal Council (CMC).

SriLankan Airlines’ new A 330 to perform low fly-past over colombo and katunayake tomorrow

SriLankan Airlines’ latest Airbus A330-200 aircraft is set to arrive in Sri Lanka tomorrow (4), with a special low-altitude fly-past over Colombo and Katunayake before landing.

Sri Lanka drugged to the hilt

The geographic location of Sri Lanka has invariably positioned the country as a pivotal conduit in the international drug supply chain, linking the East to the West.

Iconic tusker ‘Bhatiya’ lies ill, responds to treatment

The tusker, popularly known as “Bhatiya,” which is considered the only tusker of its generation in the jungles bounded by Nikaweratiya and Ambanpola, has been critically ill and is under the treatment of wildlife veterinary surgeons from Maho.

New Covid variant No evidence of increased severity or complications: Health Secretary

The Covid variant, which has been detected in Sri Lanka, is not a novel variant, and no evidence of increased severity or complications has been reported, the Health Ministry said.

Teddy bears turn out to be new Cocaine carriers

In the largest consignment of Cocaine seized in the history of the Bandaranaike International Airport, a female trafficker from Thailand had used three big soft toys to conceal the contraband with a street value of over Rs.517

Colombo trees no longer likely to create a major disaster: CMC

The Colombo Municipal Council (CMC) yesterday assured that tress in the Colombo city are no longer a great threat to city dwellers and others as it is unlikely that these will cause a major disaster as the CMC has been removing and

Global warming gotten in the way of salt production in Sri Lanka

Unexpected rainy weather conditions, a phenomenon of global warming, have triggered concerns for salt production in Sri Lanka because at least 40–45 days with uninterrupted sunlight are required for manufacturing and

Only mat and pillow for bedtime for ex-ministers in jail

Former ministers Mahindananda Aluthgamage and Nalin Fernando, who were sentenced to rigorous imprisonment, have been admitted to a common ward alongside other convicted prisoners, the Prisons Department said.

Anudi First Runner-Up from Asia in the Miss World Multimedia Challenge

In a landmark moment for Sri Lanka, Anudi Gunasekara etched her name into pageant history by claiming the title of First Runner-Up from Asia in the Miss World Multimedia Challenge at the 72nd Miss World Festival in the vibrant city of Telangana, India.

NPP’s anti corruption blitz Over 20 more ex-MPs under probe

Following the imprisonment of former Ministers Mahindananda Aluthgamage and Nalin Fernando, it came to light that the government has instructed for the expedition of investigations into well over 20 more similar cases involving former MPs and officials.

Sri Lankans spend Rs.520 million per day on cigarettes

In lieu of the upcoming World No Tobacco day, a study revealed that Sri Lankans spend Rs. 520 million per day on cigarettes and the health and economic costs of smoking were Rs.214 billion in 2019, the Alcohol and Drug Information Centre (ADIC) in a media briefing about tobacco habits said.

Two trawlers seized with 600kg of narcotics off Southern Coast

Two multi-day fishing boats intercepted by the Sri Lanka Navy off the southern coast were found carrying more than 600 kilos of heroin and Crystal methamphetamine (ICE).

Deshabandu links cops to drug mafia

The ongoing investigation into the Weligama incident is primarily based on evidence submitted by supporters of the National People’s Power (NPP) party, according to Sanjeewa Weerawickrama, legal counsel for Inspector General of Police (IGP) Deshabandu Tennekoon.