NPP Govt faces test of rhetoric and delivery

The National People’s Power (NPP) government led by President Anura Kumara Dissanayake has now completed a year into its tenure. It is now at a critical juncture where people watch whether its campaign rhetoric meets delivery on the ground. The NPP was swept into office on a wave of anti-establishment sentiments that arose in the wake of the 2022 economic crisis.

SLTB to recruit women with air hostess-level uniforms

Women will soon join the Sri Lanka Transport Board (SLTB) as drivers and conductors, dressed in newly designed uniforms at air hostess level, Transport Minister Bimal Rathnayake said.

Committee appointed to probe Pettah fire

A committee has been appointed to investigate the fire that broke out at an electrical appliance store on 1st Cross Street, Pettah yesterday. The committee is headed by Deputy Minister of Public Security, Attorney-at-Law Sunil Watagala.

Ranil proposes 1,000 joint opposition rallies, satyagrahas, protests

Former President Ranil Wickremesinghe today called for the organisation of 1,000 joint opposition rallies, satyagrahas and protests, claiming that the incumbent government is attempting to establish a constitutional dictatorship in Sri Lanka.

Sri Lanka’s food production sees unsteady path

Sri Lanka’s fisheries sector, crop cultivation and animal husbandry see an unstable path with some sectors seeing a shift in production for the second quarter of 2025 compared to the same period last year due to adverse weather and market conditions, according to the Department of Census and Statistics (DCS).

Sajith request more time to declare assets and liabilities

Opposition Leader Sajith Premadasa has made a written request from the Commission to Investigate Allegations of Bribery or Corruption (CIABOC) to submit his assets and liabilities in a digital format.

Ali Roshan jailed for 15 years, fined Rs. 20.6 mn over elephant trafficking

A three-judge bench of the High Court today sentenced Niraj Roshan, alias ’Ali Roshan’ to 15 years of rigorous imprisonment and imposed a fine of Rs. 20.6 million, after finding him guilty of unlawfully keeping five elephants without valid permits.

Estimated Govt. expenditure to go up by a further 3 billion in 2026

The total estimated government expenditure for 2026 has shot up by a further Rs. 3 billion, compared with the current year, according to the Appropriation Bill for 2026.

Dunith Wellalage’s father passes away during Asia Cup match

Suranga Wellalage, father of Sri Lankan all-rounder Dunith Wellalage, passed away in Colombo after suffering a cardiac arrest. On the same day his father died, Dunith took the field for Sri Lanka in their Asia Cup encounter against Afghanistan.

Sri Lankan passport almost in par with North Korea, Palestine

The Sri Lankan passport which ranked at 91 among 105 countries dropped a further 6 spots since March this year to 97, further weakening the standing of Sri Lankan passport holders to travel to other countries.

Minister gets tough on Railway officials; ‘Work or resign’

Transport Minister Bimal Rathnayake has said that officials who cannot ensure the proper functioning of railway services should resign from their positions.

SL sees alarming rise in shootings, murders, and fatal accidents in 2025

Sri Lanka is witnessing growing concern over a surge in violent incidents this year, with the number of shootings, murders, and fatal road accidents already surpassing figures recorded during the same period last year.

Sri Lankan passport slips to 97th in Global Ranking

Sri Lanka’s passport has dropped one place to 97th in the Henley Passport Index 2025 Global Ranking, released on September 11.

President reveals politicians’ links to underworld figures

Information has surfaced linking certain Members of Parliament and former ministers to underworld figures, some of whom were arrested recently in Indonesia, President Anura Kumara Dissanayake said today.

Trade Minister faces questions over declared assets, wealth

Minister of Trade, Commerce, Food Security and Cooperative Development Wasantha Samarasinghe has come under fire in social media over his massive assets as said to have been declared in his declaration of assets and liabilities.

Govt to resume Gatambe flyover construction

The government has approved the completion of ground-level roads using local funds through the current contractor and the resumption of construction work on the Gatambe flyover.

President to sign Rs. 1.94 Bn Japanese grant agreements during state visit

President Anura Kumara Dissanayake is set to sign key bilateral agreements during his upcoming state visit to Japan, securing a total grant of 963 million Japanese yen (approximately Rs. 1.94 billion) from the Government of Japan.

New EU laws after 2027 set to pose fresh hurdles for Sri Lanka’s exports

In the wake of Sri Lanka facing headwinds in its export growth because of U.S. tariffs and GSP+, it is now poised to encounter further challenges to overcome in accessing the European Union market because of new laws that will come into effect after 2027, according to a German expert.

Expert committee’s report on BYD due within next few weeks: AG informs Court

The Attorney General today informed the Court of Appeal that the expert committee’s report on the engine capacity of BYD vehicles is expected within the next few weeks.

Another suspected ICE production factory uncovered in Hambantota

Another suspected crystal methamphetamine (ICE) production factory operating from an apartment complex in Hambantota, has been discovered by the Kalutara Crimes Investigations Division.

Online sex trade intensifies in Sri Lanka

Police have intensified attention to address the rapid rise of online prostitution platforms, amid growing concerns over cyber fraud, exploitation, and the involvement of vulnerable individuals, including minors. It was revealed that several tourists on tourist visas are engaging in such activities, further raising alarm, the Daily Mirror learns.

Airport security officer arrested for attempted gold smuggling

A Security Officer at Bandaranaike International Airport (BIA) was arrested by airport customs officers on Sunday morning for attempting to smuggle gold biscuits worth Rs. 215 million.

Kadawatha–Mirigama Expressway work to resume on September 17

Construction work on section of the Central Expressway between Kadawatha and Mirigama, which had been stalled since mid-2022 due to the economic crisis, will resume on September 17.

Sri Lanka expresses concerns over strikes on Qatar without naming Israel

In the wake of Israeli strikes on Doha targeting Hamas leaders, Sri Lanka has expressed solidarity with Qatar.

“Sri Lanka facing ‘Political Terrorism’ of personal revenge – Mahinda

Sri Lanka is witnessing “political terrorism” driven by personal revenge and a lack of discipline and professionalism, former President Mahinda Rajapaksa said on his official Facebook account today.

Ramith Rambukwella indicted for failing to declare assets acquired illegally

The Commission to Investigate Allegations of Bribery or Corruption (CIABOC) has filed indictments against Ramith Rambukwella, son of former Minister Keheliya Rambukwella, for failing to disclose assets worth over Rs. 270 million acquired illegally.

Will not associate with Israel until peace dawns in Gaza Strip: Sajith

Opposition Leader Sajith Premadasa said in Parliament that he stands firmly for protecting the rights of the Palestinian people because it is just and fair.

Doctor left patient for sex with nurse in operating theatre

A married doctor had sex with a nurse in an operating theatre while a patient was under anaesthetic, a medical tribunal heard, foreign media reported.

‘I will move in two months’ time’- CBK

In the wake of the enactment of the Presidents’ Entitlements (Repeal) Act, former president Chandrika Bandaranaike Kumaratunga who governed between 1994 and 2005, said that she would vacate her official residence in two months’ time.

Army Lt. Colonel arrested for allegedly supplying ammunition to underworld

A Lieutenant Colonel attached to a Army Camp in Mallavi has been arrested by the Western Province (North) Crime Division over allegations of supplying ammunition to underworld figures Kehelbaddara Padme and Comando Salintha.