New look UNP by December: Harin

The United National Party (UNP) will get a new look with new faces by December this year, its Deputy General Secretary Harin Fernando said today.

No approach for regulation despite rice tycoons frenzy for helicopters

Despite the hype created regarding plans by two rice mill owners turned billionaires to purchase aircraft, none of them have so far approached the Civil Aviation Authority of Sri Lanka (CAA) to secure the Air Operator Certificate (AOC) , an official said yesterday.

Lanka doctors in US donate machines to advance mental health treatment

The Sri Lankan Medical Association of North America (SLMANA) has donated two Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (TMS) machines to Sri Lanka, with one machine going to the National Hospital of Sri Lanka in Colombo and the other to Jaffna Hospital in Jaffna, marking a significant advancement in mental health treatment options available across the country.

Foreign tourists enjoy scenic train ride from Ambewela to Ella

A large group of foreign tourists boarded the train from Ambewela to Badulla today (22), heading towards the picturesque Ella Railway Station, Station Master Asendra Dissanayake confirmed.

Jealous husband jailed for life after killing wife in a car park

A 37-year-old man has been given a life sentence after he stabbed his estranged wife to death in a car park after she began a relationship with a work colleague.

Akuregoda lawyer couple killing: Suspect’s AI-generated images released

Police have released AI-generated images of a suspect wanted in connection with the fatal shooting of a lawyer and his wife in Akuregoda earlier this month, seeking public assistance to track him down.

PM Modi meets Sri Lankan President at AI Summit

The meeting was part of a series of high-level engagements undertaken by the Prime Minister with global leaders attending the summit, which is being held in New Delhi and focuses on responsible artificial intelligence governance and inclusive technological advancement.

Global aircraft shortage hits SriLankan Airlines’ fleet renewal

SriLankan Airlines, the national carrier, is in need of at least seven more aircraft for new routes and rationalisation of existing ones, but the current global shortage has hampered the process of acquiring any, a minister said.

President holds series of bilateral talks at AI Impact 2026 Summit

A bilateral discussion between Anura Kumara Dissanayake and Emmanuel Macron took place this afternoon (19) on the side-lines of the AI Impact 2026 Summit in New Delhi.

Police warn against renting vehicles to foreign tourists

The Sri Lanka Police has issued a strong warning to vehicle owners and tourism operators regarding the rental or lease of motor vehicles to foreign tourists without valid driving licences. The move comes after several accidents involving unlicensed foreign drivers, including five fatalities in 2025.

Sri Lanka Air Force presses ahead with multi- billion rupee fleet modernization

Sri Lanka Air Force is planning a major reinforcement of its fleet at a cost of US $ 18 million (Rs.5.4 billion) by acquiring new aircrafts while overhauling the existing ones as it celebrates its 75th anniversary this year amid persistent challenges in maintaining them.

Prof. Maithree Wickremesinghe to appear before CID on Feb 20

Appearing for the Criminal Investigation Department, Additional Solicitor General Dileepa Peeris today informed the Colombo Fort Magistrate’s Court that Professor Maithree Wickremesinghe has been notified to appear before the Financial Crimes Investigation Division of the Criminal Investigation Department on the 20th of this month to record a statement .

Govt. beefs up security to lawyers, investigating officers

In the wake of lawyers urging the government to ensure their security in dispensing their professional duties, Public Security Minister Ananda Wijepala said yesterday the government will take steps to ensure security of lawyers and investigating officers after assessing threats to their lives based on intelligence reports.

Kandy’s Bluff Exposed, Caves in to Colombo Sadism

Defending League rugby champions Kandy SC are poised to go against the very ethics they pontificated to stand for by consenting to contest a play-off match to decide the winners of the 2025-26 League, the Daily Mirror learns.

Bill to abolish MPs’ pensions approved

The Bill to abolish MPs’ pensions was approved in Parliament of Sri Lanka without a vote at the third reading.

Lawyer’s murder not within high security zone: Minister refutes allegations

Public Security Minister Ananda Wijepala said today that Akuregoda, where the murder of Attorney-at-Law Buddhika Mallawaarachchi and his wife took place recenlty, is not a high security zone as claimed.

Government faces mounting pressure over public security lapses

The recent cold-blooded murder of Attorney-at-Law Buddhika Mallawaarachchi and his wife in Akuregoda, Thalangama, has sparked widespread outrage and pushed public security to the centre of political debate once again.

From humble beginnings to a Rolls-Royce

Businessman Maithripala Lankeshwara, the owner of Rathna Group, has shared the story of his rise from humble beginnings to acquiring what is widely described on social media as one of Sri Lanka’s most expensive vehicles — the Rolls-Royce Cullinan Series II.

Strict plastic ban to be enforced at Sri Pada

Strict regulations will be enforced under the ‘Samanola Siri – Haritha Wandana’ national mission to safeguard the fragile ecosystem of Sri Pada from the harmful impact of plastic and polythene, Additional Secretary to the President (Clean Sri Lanka Project) S.P.C. Sugeeshwara said.

Lawyers’ islandwide strike forces postponement of ’Krrish’ case

The Colombo High Court today ordered that the case filed against Parliamentarian Namal Rajapaksa over the ‘Krrish’ transaction be postponed till February 19.

Leading miller to take wings to U.S. for private helicopter purchase

Reaffirming his plan for investment in the aviation business, Sri Lanka’s leading mill owner Mithrapala Lankeshwara said that he would fly to the United States tomorrow to finalise the purchase of yet another aircraft for commercial purposes in Sri Lanka.

Locals go crazy over non-availability of tickets

With the much-anticipated India–Pakistan clash at the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026 taking place today, many Sri Lankan cricket fans say they have struggled to secure tickets, as availability remained extremely limited and prices soared in the secondary market.

CEB seeks 13.56% electricity tariff hike for April–June period

The Ceylon Electricity Board (CEB) has submitted a proposal to the Public Utilities Commission of Sri Lanka (PUCSL) seeking a 13.56 percent increase in electricity tariffs for the second quarter of this year.

Police seek dash cam video to identify Akuregoda double shooting suspects

The Sri Lanka Police have sought public assistance to identify the suspects involved in the fatal double shooting that took place in Akuregoda yesterday.

Music, Helmets, Knives, and Bottles Banned at India–Pakistan Match

Police in Colombo have decided to enforce a zero-tolerance policy on prohibited items that will include musical instruments, helmets, jackets, glass bottles, large travel bags, alcoholic beverages, knives, sharp objects, drones and

Lawyer, wife shot dead in Akuregoda; underworld link suspected

An attorney who had represented underworld figure known as “Karandeniya Sudda” and his wife were shot dead this evening (13) near a supermarket in Akuregoda, police said.

2.5% tax on imported vehicles to take effect from April 1

The Vehicle Importers’ Association of Sri Lanka (VIASL) has announced that a 2.5% tax will be imposed on imported vehicles starting from April 1, 2026.

From rice mills to runways, Sri Lankan rice mill owners aim for luxury jets

Days after business tycoon and rice mill owner Dudley Sirisena sparked interest by hinting that he wanted to purchase a helicopter for his personal use, another major figure from the country’s agri-business industry Mithrapala Lankeshwara said he plans to purchase a private jet for his travels as well as for commercial use.

SLMC councillor Sohara loses CMC seat

Sohara Buhari, a member of the Sri Lanka Muslim Congress (SLMC) in the Colombo Municipal Council (CMC), has lost her council seat following disciplinary action taken by her party for violating party directives.

Legal action being taken against unlawful activities in Ambuluwawa: Lal Kantha

The Ministry of Buddhasasana, Religious and Cultural Affairs and the Justice Ministry are in the process of taking legal action against unlawful activities at the Ambuluwawa site in Gampola, Minister Lal Kantha said today.