Court imposes travel ban on Gotabaya Rajapaksa over Easter Sunday attacks probe

Colombo Fort Magistrate Pasan Amarasena imposed a foreign travel ban on former President Gotabaya Rajapaksa and two military officers over an ongoing investigation into the Easter Sunday terrorist attacks.

Agriculture sector facing collapse due to IMF-backed policies: Farmers’ union

The country’s agricultural sector is facing the threat of collapse due to government policies influenced by the International Monetary Fund (IMF) and the World Bank, National Farmers’ Union Chairman Anuradha Tennakoon warned.

Sri Lanka tourist arrivals top one million mark

Sri Lanka’s tourism industry has surpassed the one-million visitor mark, recording 1,022,022 tourist arrivals during the first five months of 2026, according to the Sri Lanka Tourism Development Authority (SLTDA).

Fuel price hike due to government mismanagement & corruption – Namal challenges govt. to prove otherwise

Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna National Organizer and Parliamentarian Namal Rajapaksa yesterday claimed that the government’s decision to increase fuel prices was a direct result of mismanagement, corruption, and irregularities linked to coal imports and power generation.

University of Jaffna students’ body calls for action over Vesak lantern vandalism

The Management Studies & Commerce Students’ Union (MCSU) of the University of Jaffna has strongly condemned the vandalism of a Vesak lantern during a celebration held at the Faculty of Management Studies and Commerce.

Fire breaks out at Embilipitiya garment factory; 22 employees hospitalized

At least 22 female employees were hospitalized this morning (03) following a fire that broke out at a garment factory in the Embilipitiya area. According to the police, the fire originated inside a warehouse of the textile factory located near the Sudupalama area along the Embilipitiya-Nonagama road.

Thailand’s former Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra granted royal pardon

Former Thai Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra has been released from the remainder of his prison sentence after being granted a royal pardon, according to Justice Minister Lt. Gen. Ruttapol Naowarat, local media reported Wednesday.

Iran plans three-day funeral for assassinated supreme leader

Iran says it will hold a three-day state funeral for late supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, who was assassinated in US-Israeli strikes on the first day of the Middle East war, at a date to be announced, AFP reports.

Fuel consumption remains high despite price hike: Nalinda

The fuel consumption in the country has not reduced significantly despite the fuel price hike in the recent past, Cabinet Spokesman and Minister Nalinda Jayatissa said yesterday.

School without students

Ethpattiya Junior School in Badalkumbura in Monaragala Education Zone could be the only school in Sri Lanka without any student.

What is next in the treasury bond case after Supreme Court verdict?

The Supreme Court’s landmark ruling on Monday (1), which set aside a High Court-at-Bar order discharging several accused, including Perpetual Treasuries Ltd. and former Central Bank Governor Arjuna Mahendran, from charges relating to the controversial Central Bank Treasury bond issuance case, has reignited public interest in one of the country’s most high-profile financial case.

Basic cost of living in Sri Lanka tops Rs. 17,000 per person

As the cost of everyday essentials continue to rise, Sri Lankans now need at least Rs. 17,117 a month per person to meet their basic needs, according to the latest official figures.

Deputy Ministers hear public grievances in Trincomalee

Deputy Minister of Defence Major General Aruna Jayasekara (Retd.) and Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Employment Arun Hemachandra jointly chaired a Public Day Programme at the Trincomalee District Secretariat yesterday.

Sri Lanka braces for severe heat in July-August

Sri Lanka is expected to experience significantly hotter-than-normal weather conditions during July and August this year as the developing El Niño phenomenon begins to influence the global climate, the Department of Meteorology warned.

US and Iran launch new strikes as ceasefire negotiations stalled

The US military says it has launched ’’self-defense’’ strikes on Iran and shot down ballistic missiles and drones fired at ships and Gulf countries.

JUMVEA chief proposes chassis number requirement for vehicle import LCs

Chairman of the Japan Used Motor Vehicle Exporters Association (JUMVEA), Jagath Ramanayake, has proposed making a vehicle’s chassis number a mandatory requirement when opening Letters of Credit (LCs) for vehicle imports, in a bid to improve transparency and prevent future controversies.

Sri Lanka eyes RCEP alliance; Australia to launch direct flights from August

Sri Lanka has secured the backing of Australia and New Zealand for its bid to join the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP), Minister of Foreign Affairs, Foreign Employment and Tourism Vijitha Herath announced following his official visit to Australia and New Zealand.

BASL urges President not to raise retirement age of Superior Court Judges

The Bar Association of Sri Lanka (BASL), one of the country’s largest professional bodies, has called on President Anura Kumara Dissanayake not to proceed with any proposed constitutional amendment aimed at increasing the retirement age of members of the judiciary, including judges of the Supreme Court and the Court of Appeal.

CBSL launches anti-scam drive as fraud risks grow

The Central Bank yesterday warned that financial scams are emerging as a broader threat to confidence in Sri Lanka’s formal financial system.

’’I refused to accept privately submitted report on USD 2.5M fraud case’’: Harsha

Committee on Public Finance (COPF) Chairman MP Dr. Harsha de Silva says he refused to accept a privately submitted report concerning the alleged fraudulent transfer of US$2.5 million belonging to the Ministry of Finance, insisting that it be formally tabled for parliamentary review.

Police recover rare Mini Uzi-style firearm hidden in Colombo cemetery

Police have recovered a locally manufactured Mini Uzi-style automatic firearm, believed to be the first weapon of its kind seized in Sri Lanka, from a public cemetery in Colombo.

Nuwara Eliya PS chairman claims signature forged to approve salaries

The Chairman of the Nuwara Eliya Pradeshiya Sabha has alleged that his signature was forged to authorize salary payments totaling nearly Rs. 625,000 to 11 employees while he was in remand custody.

Middle east tensions weigh on CSE as selling pressure intensifies

The Colombo Stock Exchange (CSE) closed Tuesday’s session in negative territory, with both benchmark indices recording notable declines as escalating tensions in the Middle East continued to dampen investor sentiment. The uncertainty surrounding global geopolitical developments prompted investors to adopt a more cautious stance, resulting in broad-based selling pressure across the market.

No bus fare hike despite fuel price increase: Deputy Minister

There will be no increase in bus fares at this stage despite the recent rise in fuel prices, said Deputy Minister of Transport and Highways Prasanna Gunasena.

At least 12 people killed, dozens wounded in Russian attacks on Ukraine

Ukrainian authorities say at least 12 people have been killed and dozens wounded in Russian missile and drone attacks across Ukraine, days after President Volodymyr Zelenskyy warned that Moscow was preparing for a major offensive.

Senior lawyers challenge summons issued on High Court Judge

Three senior legal professionals have filed a writ petition before the Court of Appeal seeking urgent intervention to prevent a sitting High Court Judge from being summoned and questioned regarding judicial decisions made in the course of his official duties, arguing that such action poses a serious threat to judicial independence and the rule of law.

Pakistan naval trio arrives at Colombo Port

In a display of naval tradition, the Sri Lanka Navy formally welcomed the Pakistan Navy Ships ‘PNS Taimur’ and ‘PNS Aslat’, alongside the submarine ‘PNS/M Hangor’, arrived at the Port of Colombo. The Pakistan naval units made port in Sri Lanka for a goodwill visit as well as to fulfill replenishment.

Prepare for El Niño, UN warns - it could be the strongest in decades

The World Meteorological Organization said this El Niño is likely to strengthen over the rest of 2026, driving more extreme weather around much of the globe.

Cabinet approves new plan to tackle oil, chemical spills

The Cabinet has approved a new National Plan and digital platform to respond to oil spills and hazardous chemical spills in Sri Lankan waters.

Rs. 1.09bn approved to restore Colombo-Katunayake Expressway lighting

The Cabinet of Ministers has granted approval for a Rs. 1.09 billion project to rehabilitate and upgrade the street lighting system along the Colombo–Katunayake Expressway following extensive damage caused by vandalism and theft.