Gnanasara Thera claims death threat handbills circulated in Eravur

Bodu Bala Sena (BBS) General Secretary, Venerable Galagoda Aththe Gnanasara Thera, alleged that a large number of threatening handbills were distributed among worshippers attending the Friday Jumma sermon in Eravur, in the Eastern Province, a few weeks ago.

Plunging roof tiles at 650-year-old tourist attraction in China spark investigation

A 650-year-old drum tower in eastern China that just underwent repairs last year has sparked an investigation after its roof tiles came crashing down on May 19, narrowly missing tourists milling outside its majestic walls.

Defence Ministry opens Internal Affairs Unit

The Ministry of Defence has established an Internal Affairs Unit (IAU) at its premises to handle inquiries and complaints related to public service delivery.

Debit, credit card payment system introduced on expressways from today

The Transport Ministry announced that a new payment system allowing debit and credit card transactions at expressway toll gates was officially launched today (21), marking a significant step in the government’s ongoing digitalisation drive.

Police probe knife attack between brothers in Badulla

The Badulla Police have launched an investigation into a violent incident during which a man was seriously injured in a stabbing attack on the pavement of King Street in Badulla.

Garment factory in Katunayake FTZ shuts down indefinitely, 2,000 jobs at risk

The NEXT apparel manufacturing factory, a long-standing apparel exporter in the Katunayake Free Trade Zone (FTZ), has closed its operations indefinitely as of yesterday (20), leaving around 2,000 employees in uncertainty.

Shammi obtains enjoining order against Roshan Ranasinghe

The Colombo District Court issued an enjoining order preventing former Sports Minister Roshan Ranasinghe from making defamatory statements against Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC), its President Shammi Silva and its Secretary. The order will remain in effect till June 3.

Parliament, Independence Square and Presidential Secretariat buildings declared in need of urgent repair

Three of Sri Lanka’s most iconic government buildings - the Parliament Complex in Sri Jayewardenepura Kotte, the Old Parliament Building at Galle Face (now the Presidential Secretariat), and Independence Square in Colombo 7 - have been officially identified as requiring significant maintenance and structural upgrades.

Youth Boxers bow out claiming 3 more medals

Five Sri Lankans will feature in today’s Under-22 Men semi-finals scheduled to begin at 12.00 p.m. including gold medal hopefuls and reigning Sri Lankan national champions Umayanga Mihiran and Usaith Yazmin.

Shemal Fernando cleared by Court of Appeal

The Director General of Sports, Professor (Rear Admiral) Shemal Fernando was cleared by the Court of Appeal yesterday from the allegations of Contempt of Court.

IBM gives thumbs up for Sri Lanka’s digital push

Global technology giant IBM yesterday gave thumbs up for Sri Lanka’s efforts in digital transformation while implying the country has the right foundation to achieve its ambitions under the Digital Economy Strategy 2030.

A Million rupees spent looking for ’Sumedha’, but yet to be found

Over Rs. 1 million has been spent on the ongoing operation to locate ‘Sumedha’, the elephant that went missing after an accident in Galapitagala, Maradankadawala in Habarana on March 7. The accident occurred when the elephant collided with a lorry.

Labour Department suspends services for 3 days due to network maintenance

The Labour Department announced that several of its services, including the payment of funds to its members, will be temporarily suspended for three days starting tomorrow (21).

Prison officers, driver suspended for allowing inmate’s family on prison bus

Two prison officers and a prison bus driver attached to the Angunakolapelessa Prison have been suspended over an incident where an inmate and his family members were found travelling in a prison bus parked outside Weligama town, Prison Media Spokesperson Gamini B. Dissanayake said.

Directive from President to renovate canals, drainage system in Colombo

In response to the rapid rise in dengue and chikungunya cases in the Colombo District, President Anura Kumara Dissanayake has directed the relevant officials to promptly address the urgent repairs needed for the canals and drainage system.

President appoints committee to probe corruption at SriLankan Airlines

President Anura Kumara Dissanayake has ordered the formation of a special committee to investigate allegations of corruption and irregularities at SriLankan Airlines.

Wildlife Dept. gets 3,500 permanent Multi-tasking Officers to maintain electric fences

The Public Service Commission has approved the permanent appointment of 3,500 Multi-tasking Officers attached to the Wildlife Department to maintain electric fences, Environment Minister Dr. Dammika Patabendi said.

Gold-coloured firearm found in Colombo apartment complex

A suspected T56 assault rifle was recovered from a luxury apartment at the Havelock City housing complex in Colombo following a tip-off from a security officer, police said.

President demoted war heroes to ordinary soldiers: Namal

While difficultly paying tribute to the war heroes, President Anura Kumara Dissanayake reduced the war heroes to ordinary soldiers, Parliamentarian Namal Rajapaksa said.

CSE ends lower as investor activity slows ASPI and S&P SL20 decline

The Colombo Stock Exchange (CSE) closed on a negative note, reversing its recent upward momentum. The downturn was attributed to low investor activity during the day.

US Embassy warns public of fake social media accounts posing as officials

The U.S. Embassy in Sri Lanka has issued a warning to the public about a recent surge in fake social media accounts impersonating embassy officials.

Presidential Secretariat donates five vehicles to support disabled war veterans

The Presidential Secretariat has donated five vehicles today to support the rehabilitation of disabled war veterans, where the ceremonial handing over took place at the secretariat vehicle yard.

NPP confident Vraie Balthazaar will be sworn in as CMC Mayor

The National People’s Power (NPP) today expressed confidence that it will form an administration in the Colombo Municipal Council (CMC) where Vraie Cally Balthazaar will be sworn in as the new Mayor, Deputy Minister Sunil Watagala told Parliament today.

New Zealand Deputy Prime Minister to visit Sri Lanka

The Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs of New Zealand, Winston Peters, will undertake an official visit to Sri Lanka from May 24 to 28.

National security not lost yet, but possible: MR

It is not yet possible to say that the country’s national security will be lost, but it could happen, former President Mahinda Rajapaksa said at the War Heroes’ Memorial in Battaramulla today.

Harak Kata brought to court under tight security after bribery claims

Just days after making serious allegations to the media, notorious underworld figure Nadun Chinthaka Wickremeratne, alias ’Harak Kata’, was produced before court today under tight security, with officers shielding him from the media during his arrival.

Ven. Sumanarathana Thera suspended from his position as Chief Sanghanayake

Ven. Katumuluwe Sumanarathana Thera of the Padeniya Rajamaha Vihara has been suspended from his position as Chief Sanghanayake of the Devamedi Hatpatuwa by the Malwatta Chapter for holding the ’Sihinaya’ programme on May 17 at the Padeniya Rajamaha Vihara.

Applications open for 2025 A/L Vocational Stream admissions regardless of O/L results

The Education Ministry announced that applications are now being accepted for admission to Grade 12 under the Advanced Level (A/L) Vocational stream for the academic year 2025.

Three Sri Lankan women from Thailand nabbed with Rs.120 Mn worth Kush at BIA

Three local females attempting to smuggle in Rs. 120 million worth of Kush concealed in electrical appliances from Thailand were arrested by the Sri Lanka Customs at the Bandaranaike International Airport today.

Cabinet approves relief for low-income depositors affected by withholding tax

The Cabinet has approved a proposal to provide relief to low-income individuals affected by the recent increase in the withholding tax rate from 5% to 10%, introduced under the Inland Revenue (Amendment) Act No. 2 of 2025, effective from April 1, 2025.