England’s record wicket-taker Jimmy Anderson awarded a knighthood

Jimmy Anderson is to be awarded a knighthood for “services to cricket” a year on from the final Test of his record-breaking England career.

Small plane crashes in Florida; all 3 on board killed

All three people on board a small plane were killed when the aircraft crashed in Boca Raton, Florida, on Friday morning, according to local officials and the Federal Aviation Administration.

Trump signs executive order on water pressure to ‘restore shower freedom’

A global trade-war rollercoaster was not enough to distract Donald Trump from fulfilling one of his longtime priorities on Wednesday: changing the federal definition of “shower head”, a move the White House said would “end the Obama-Biden war on water pressure”.

Bank card payments for expressway tolls to be implemented from May 1

Bank card transactions will be implemented from May 1 to facilitate toll payments on all expressways, Transport Minister Bimal Rathnayake announced.

Awareness programme held on new GovPay system for traffic fine payments

A special awareness programme was held today to inform the public about the pilot project enabling traffic fine payments through the GovPay online system. The event took place at the Government Information Department.

Pope Francis seen without usual papal attire

Pope Francis has been seen without his traditional papal attire as he visited St Peter’s Basilica on Thursday.

Lankan man, dog electrocuted in Malaysia during Shah Alam flood

A Sri Lankan man and a dog were found dead, believed to have been electrocuted, during a flood at a construction material storage facility in Taman Alam Indah, Section 25, here today.

Verite Research calls for united response for US tariff

Colombo based think-tank Verite Research called on the Sri Lankan government, and the world, to forge a multilateral approach in tacking the recently announced US tariff.

Market declines amid global caution and pre-holiday positioning

ASPI and S&P SL 20 indices ended lower today, as investor sentiment turned cautious ahead of the upcoming holiday season and amid continued global macroeconomic headwinds.

US has no capacity to impose its will on the rest of the world: Ranil

The U.S. does not have the economic capacity to impose its will on the rest of the world, former President Ranil Wickremesinghe said today.

No special access for elites at sacred tooth relic exposition

There will be no special queues or tickets for elite individuals during the exposition of yhe Sacred Tooth Relic of the Buddha, which is open to the public, Deputy Chief Prelate of the Asgiri Chapter and Deputy Secretary Venerable Narampanawa Ananda Thera said.

Special New Year open visits arranged for prisoners

The Prisons Department has announced special open visits for inmates on April 13 and 14 to mark the Sinhala and Tamil New Year, Prisons Commissioner and Media Spokesman Gamini B. Dissanayaka said.

No Rs.10,000 payout for migrant workers: SLBFE

The Sri Lanka Bureau of Foreign Employment (SLBFE) denied the content of a video circulating on YouTube, which falsely claims that the Bureau will provide migrant workers with Rs. 10,000 for the Sinhala and Tamil New Year.

Govt must stop playing dirty politics with northern people’s emotions: Namal

The government’s move to reopen the Palaly Road in Jaffna with heavy restrictions is truly concerning, MP Namal Rajapaksa said.

Heavy traffic in cities as New Year nears

Traffic congestion has been reported in major cities across the country, including Colombo, as people travel to shop and visit relatives ahead of the Sinhala and Tamil New Year.

China raises tariffs on U.S. imports to 125%

China on Friday said it was raising its tariffs on American goods to 125 percent, from 84 percent, retaliating for the third time in the escalating trade war between the two superpowers.

73 election law violations reported in 24 hours

A total of 73 election law violations were reported during the 24-hour period ending at 4:30 p.m. yesterday (10), the Election Commission announced.

Sri Lanka expected to suffer due to delay in economic, political reforms: Vajira

Sri Lanka is expected to face consequences due to delays in implementing economic and political reforms, UNP Chairman Vajira Abeygunawardena said today.

Ranil summoned by Bribery Commission over MP probe

Former President Ranil Wickremesinghe has been summoned to appear before the Commission to Investigate Allegations of Bribery or Corruption on April 17, in connection with an ongoing investigation involving Member of Parliament Chamara Sampath Dassanayake.

Aswesuma allowance for April from today

The Welfare Benefits Board announced that Aswesuma beneficiaries can receive their allowance for the month of April starting today (11).

Businessman nabbed at BIA with stock of illegal cigarettes

A 29-year-old businessman was arrested this morning at the Bandaranaike International Airport (BIA) with a stock of illegally imported cigarettes worth over Rs. 2.2 million.

Held productive talks with Govt: IMF says

The International Monetary Fund (IMF) staff team held highly productive discussions with the Sri Lankan authorities regarding the economic performance and policies underlying the Fourth Review of the IMF Extended Fund Facility (EFF) arrangement.

CEB signs power purchase agreement for Sahasdhanavi Power Plant

The Ceylon Electricity Board (CEB) announced the signing of a Power Purchase Agreement (PPA) for the Sahasdhanavi Power Plant.

Prince Harry in surprise visit to Ukraine to meet war victims

The Duke of Sussex met war victims in Ukraine on Thursday when he visited a clinic which rehabilitates wounded military personnel and civilians, a spokesperson has said.

Keheliya at CID for second day

Former Health Minister Keheliya Rambukwella arrived at the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) today for the second consecutive day to give a statement regarding the allegation of importing substandard Human Immunoglobulin vaccines.

CA revokes interim order on Colombo Municipal Council election

The Court of Appeal today revoked its earlier interim order issued preventing the relevant Returning Officers from conducting Local Government elections for 18 institutions, including the Colombo Municipal Council.

Air quality moderate around the country, good in six cities

According to the Sri Lanka Air Quality Index (SL AQI), a moderate level of air quality was recorded in most cities during the past 24 hours, while a good level of air quality was observed in Kegalle, Nuwara Eliya, Mullaitivu, Batticaloa, Kalutara and Hambantota.

Hudson River helicopter crash kills family of five

Six people, including three children, were killed after a helicopter carrying a family of tourists crashed into the Hudson River in New York, authorities have said.

Sinhala New Year events under tight security watch

Police said yesterday that special security and traffic arrangements will be in place during the upcoming Sinhala and Tamil New Year festive season.

Over 30 new projects to launch under “Clean Sri Lanka”

The government’s flagship “Clean Sri Lanka” programme, spearheaded by President Anura Kumara Dissanayake, is set to launch 34 new projects this year, with work on many of them scheduled to begin by the end of April.