Anudi advances to Miss World 2025 Head-to-Head challenge

Anudi Gunasekara has advanced into the Top 5 from Asia in the Head-to-Head Challenge at the 72nd Miss World pageant, marking a historic achievement as the first Sri Lankan to reach the finalist stage in this segment.

’’No beds, no rights’’: UK woman held over £1.2m Kush haul cries foul in Sri Lanka jail

Sri Lanka’s Prisons Department yesterday has denied claims of mistreatment made by a British woman who was remanded on drug charges, insisting she is being treated in accordance with prison regulations and is not entitled to any special privileges.

Labour Department to probe NEXT Manufacturing closure amid worker rights concerns

The closure of operation by NEXT Manufacturing, a factory owned by UK group, in the Katunayake industrial zone over high operating costs, will come under probe by the Labour Department over possible violations of the law related to workers’ rights, a Minister said yesterday.

CB cuts rates to pre-empt any fallout from trade uncertainty

The Central Bank delivered a surprise rate cut yesterday at its third monetary policy meeting for the year, reducing its key policy rate, the Overnight Policy Rate (OPR), by 25 basis points to 7.75 percent.

Supreme Court rules police violated rights of Jehovah’s Witnesses women in 2014 arrest

The Supreme Court ruled that the fundamental rights of four women affiliated to the Christian Congregation of Jehovah’s Witnesses were violated by the police during a 2014 arrest in the Walasmulla area.

CSE up following CBSL policy rate cut and improved investor sentiment

The Colombo Stock Exchange (CSE) closed on a positive note today, reflecting an overall optimistic market outlook.

Auditor General Dharmapala Gammanpila granted six months extension

President Anura Kumara Dissanayake’s request to allow incumbent Auditor General Dharmapala Gammanpila to remain in the post for six more months has been approved by the Constitutional Council (CC) today.

BOC, NSB record historic profits

The Bank of Ceylon (BOC) and the National Savings Bank (NSB) reported record-breaking profits for the year 2024, the President’s Media Division said.

National cricketers’ writ petitions fixed for further hearing on May 28

The writ petitions filed by Sri Lanka National Cricket players challenging the classification of Sri Lanka’s national cricketers as employees of the national association, Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) by the Inland Revenue Department (IRD) were today fixed for further hearing on May 28 by the Court of Appeal.

Supreme Court overturns PCoI findings against former Solicitor General

The Supreme Court today quashed the findings, report and recommendations made by the Presidential Commission on Political Victimisation (PCoI) in relation to former Solicitor General Dilrukshi Dias Wickramasinghe, President’s Counsel.

Namal blames Govt for BOI apparel factory closure

Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna (SLPP) Parliamentarian Namal Rajapaksa criticized the government over the recent closure of an international apparel factory operating under the Board of Investment (BOI), citing it as yet another example of the administration’s failure to maintain a stable and supportive business environment.

Heavy rain disrupts life in several Indian cities

Four people have reportedly died, with more than a dozen injured in the capital Delhi and nearby areas according to local media, after a severe hailstorm hit the city on Wednesday.

Harini meets UN Resident Coordinator to strengthen cooperation

Prime Minister Dr. Harini Amarasuriya, met today with United Nations Resident Coordinator in Sri Lanka Marc-André Franche, at the Parliament, reaffirming the strong and enduring partnership between the Government of Sri Lanka and the United Nations system.

Injured female elephant treated at Siwalagama Forest Reservation

A female elephant, believed to be around 25 years old, was found badly injured at the Siwalagama Forest Reservation, prompting an urgent response from wildlife and veterinary officers in the area.

BASL condemns attempts by authorities to breach attorney-client confidentiality

The Bar Association of Sri Lanka (BASL) expressed deep concern over recent reports indicating attempts by Law Enforcement Agencies and Prosecuting Authorities to obtain information from Attorneys-at-Law related to their professional duties.

No threat from new COVID-19 variant: Health Ministry

The Ministry of Health has reassured the public that there is no threat of a new COVID-19 variant spreading in Sri Lanka.

Lakmali Hemachandra appointed Chairperson of Sectoral Oversight Committee on Economic Development

NPP MP Lakmali Hemachandra was appointed as the Chairperson of the Sectoral Oversight Committee on Economic Development and International Relations, the Communications Department of Parliament said.

British ’drugs mule’, 21, speaks from behind bars in Sri Lanka

A young British woman facing years locked in a grim Sri Lankan jail after being caught with £1.2 million worth of cannabis has told of her despair – and insisted she has been set up.

Veterinary Association criticises Health Ministry for poorly managed sterilisation programmes

The Association of Veterinarians for Humane Management of Animal Population has raised serious concerns about how the Health Ministry is running the country’s animal sterilisation programmes.

Cybersecurity firm Kaspersky uncovers sophisticated CEO impersonation scam

Kaspersky has detected a series of targeted cyber attacks where fraudsters impersonated company CEOs to deceive finance departments into paying fake invoices. These sophisticated Business Email Compromise (BEC) attacks involved emails mimicking correspondence between executives and alleged contractor companies, urging urgent payments for ’’consulting services.’’

Five men smuggling Rs. 71 Mn worth Kush arrested at BIA

Five local males attempting to smuggle in Kush worth Rs. 71.5 million from Bangkok were arrested by Sri Lanka Customs at the Bandaranaike International Airport (BIA) last night.

Former Kundasale PS Chairman Asela Ekanayake granted bail

Asela Ekanayake, the former Chairman of the Kundasale Pradeshiya Sabha, who was arrested today by the Commission to Investigate Allegations of Bribery or Corruption, was released on bail today.

No more Prabakaran’s salt: Handunnetti tells Archchuna

A heated argument erupted between Industries Minister Sunil Handunnetti and Independent MP Ramanathan Archchuna in Parliament over the salt issue.

Sri Lanka battles surge in dengue, chikungunaya

Health athuorities warn the public to stay alert as cases of dengue and chkiungunaya are increasing, driven by the current weather conditions that favour mosquito breeding.

Indian plane makes safe landing despite significant damage during hailstorm

An Indian passenger jet that encountered a hailstorm mid-flight and left passengers terrified, made a safe landing, despite significant damage to the plane.

Suspended sentence imposed on Sakvithi, his wife

Chandana Weerakumara, also known as Sakvithi Ranasinghe and his wife Kumari Anuradhani were convicted by Colombo High Court Judge Adithya Patabandige for operating a company in the Nugegoda area between November 1, 2006 and September 11, 2008, in violation of the Finance Companies Act.

Over 100 kgs of narcotics seized in Weeraketiya, two arrested

Two suspects were arrested in Weeraketiya with over 100 kilograms of narcotics.

Stray dogs even in Parliament premises; Deputy Minister questions effectiveness of sterilisation

Deputy Minister of Health Dr. Hansaka Wijemuni raised questions on the effectiveness of the sterilisation programmes, claiming that if the programme is successful, there cannot be stray dogs everywhere, even in Parliament.

Over 284,000 pregnancies in 2022: Health experts call for better infant care

Sri Lanka has recorded a total of 284,008 pregnancies in 2022, reflecting 257,953 live births, the College of Community Physicians of Sri Lanka (CCPSL) said.

Hunupitiya Gangaramaya Temple to be declared a sacred site: Prime Minister

The Hunupitiya Gangaramaya Temple is to be declared as a sacred site, Prime Minister Harini Amarasuriya told Parliament today.