Former Presidents misused foreign visits: Harini reveals details

Former Presidents have misused foreign visits, where former President Mahinda Rajapaksa had spent Rs. 3,572 million of public funds for foreign visits for four years during 2010 and 2014, whereas President Anura Kumara Dissanayake had spent only Rs. 1.8 million for his three visits so far, Prime Minister Harini Amarasuriya said today.

Hakeem, Bimal in showdown in Parliament

Opposition MP Rauff Hakeem and Leader of the House Bimal Ratnayake engaged in a showdown in Parliament where the former alleged that he has been kept out of the Business Committee despite the assurance given by President Anura Kumara Dissanayake that he has been included in the committee.

No significant increase in crimes: Minister

There has been no significant increase in the number of crimes during the recent past, Public Security Minister Ananda Wijepala said today.

43 elephants dead within January alone: Minister

Some 43 elephants died due to human-elephant conflicts in January, 2025 while three persons were killed during the same period, Minister of Environment. Dr. Dhammika Patabandi said today.

Showers expected in several provinces

Showers may occur at times in the Northern, North-Central, Eastern and Uva Provinces and in the Matale, Nuwara-Eliya and Hambantota districts, the Forecasting Division of the National Meteorological Centre said.

Singapore declines to extradite Arjuna Mahendran implicated in bond scam

The Singaporean authorities have cited inability to extradite former Central Bank Governor Arjun Mahendran to Sri Lanka in terms of the legal system of that country, posing a fresh challenge for the government in its attempt to investigate the bond scam which caused a loss of Rs.10 billion in 2015, Daily Mirror learns.

CBSL Chief urges banks to tighten controls as SL prepares for critical AML/CFT review

Central Bank of Sri Lanka (CBSL) Governor Dr. Nandalal Weerasinghe urged the banking sector to prepare for Sri Lanka’s third Anti-Money Laundering and Counter-Terrorism Financing (AML/CFT) framework evaluation,

Budget 2025 charts clear path for stability and growth: Treasury Secretary

The Budget 2025 is a critical milestone in Sri Lanka’s economic recovery journey, as it has managed to strike a careful balance between maintaining fiscal discipline and addressing the immediate needs of the public, according to Secretary to the Treasury, K.M. Mahinda Siriwardana.

Higher illicit cigarette sales weigh on CTC’s 4Q performance

Ceylon Tobacco Company PLC (CTC) reported a decline in revenue and profit for the three months ended December 2024, its fiscal fourth quarter, attributing the weaker performance to the increased presence of lower-priced smuggled cigarettes.

15% tax does not cause injustice to digital service export providers: Minister

Claiming that no injustice has been caused to the service export providers due to the imposition of the 15% tax on service exports, Minister of Labour and Economic Development Anil Jayantha said that under the country’s income tax policy, every person is liable to pay income tax.

Removal of tax exemptions on digital service exports threatens economic recovery: Harsha

Claiming that the Governemnt’s removal of tax exemptions on digital service exports threatens Sri Lanka’s economic recovery, SJB MP Dr. Harsha De Silva said Sri Lanka must reconsider these shortsighted taxes.

President discusses country’s security situation with senior Navy officers

President Anura Kumara Dissanayake held discussions with senior Sri Lanka Navy officers on maritime operations conducted to ensure national security.

UN Human Rights Office following double standards :RW

Whilst highlighting that UN Human Rights Office is following double standards by treating Ukraine and Sri Lanka differently, Former President Ranil Wickremesinghe today said both the current government and the rest of the political parties should take this matter seriously.

Two lorries seized for illegally transporting donkeys, residents concerned animals being skinned

Norochcholai Police foiled an attempt to transport donkeys to other areas, by seizing two lorries carrying six donkeys and arresting the drivers during a raid in the Narakkalliya area yesterday.

No political victimisation on Namal: Public Security Minister

Claiming that there is no political victimisation behind questioning of politicians, Public Security Minister Ananda Wijepala said today that many more politicians will be summoned by the law enforcement authorities daily in the future according to their investigations.

Dry weather causes island-wide water disruptions

The prevailing dry weather across the island has caused significant disruptions in the water supply in several regions, the National Water Supply and Drainage Board (NWSDB) said.

'Malaiyaha': The word that stumped Weerawansa

In a TV talk show on a Sri Lankan TV channel on 24 February, 2025, a list referred to by former Minister and current leader of the National Freedom Front (NFF) Wimal Weerawansa carried a word that stumped the former Parliamentarian, as well as the moderator. The moderator too showed signs of being unaware of the reference.

Australia spinner cleared of suspected bowling action

Australia spinner Matthew Kuhnemann, who was reported for an illegal bowling action during the second Test against Sri Lanka last month, has been cleared by the world cricket’s governing body.

RM Parks’ Shell fuel station symbolizes Sri Lanka’s openness to foreign investments: US envoy

U.S. Ambassador Julie Chung, delivering remarks at the opening of the first California based RM Parks’ Shell fuel station in Sri Lanka, said that in alignment with President Donald Trump’s vision of making America safer, stronger, and more prosperous, today’s event reinforces the United States as a global energy leader.

Over two million people donate eye corneas

A total of 2.5 million people have started to focus on donating their eye corneas after their death, marking a significant step in supporting eye donation efforts, the Sri Lanka Eye Donation Society (SLEDS) said.

At least 18 killed after tour bus falls into ditch in Thailand

At least 18 people died and 23 were injured after a tour bus overturned and fell into a ditch in eastern Thailand on Wednesday.

Namal leaves CID

Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna (SLPP) MP Namal Rajapaksa left the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) a short while ago, after providing a statement for nearly four and a half hours regarding investigations into a SriLankan Airlines Airbus deal.

Finally, some rain! Showers on the cards in several areas

After days of dry weather in some regions, relief is on the way as showers or thundershowers are expected in several parts of the country.

Pope’s condition remains critical but stable

The Holy Father’s clinical condition remains critical but stable. There have been no acute respiratory episodes, and hemodynamic parameters continue to be stable, Holy See Press Office said.

Sri Lanka welcomes first Shell fuel station

The first Shell-branded fuel station in Sri Lanka has officially opened at B.S. Cooray Filling Station in Ambathale, marking a significant milestone in the country’s energy sector.

Shooting in Minuwangoda leaves one injured

A shooting incident in the Minuwangoda area left one person injured today (26), police said.

US citizenship for $5 million: Trump

President Donald Trump said that the US would sell a “gold card” to wealthy foreigners, giving them the right to live and work in the US and offering a path to citizenship in exchange for a $5 million fee.

Over 12,000 people affected by drought

A total of 12,308 people from 2,295 affected families are facing difficulties due to the prevailing dry conditions disrupting their daily lives, the Disaster Management Centre said.

Namal Rajapaksa arrives at CID

Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna (SLPP) MP Namal Rajapaksa arrived at the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) this morning (26) to provide a statement regarding the SriLankan Airlines Airbus deal.

Only Kegalle reported a good level of air quality

A moderate level of air quality was recorded in most cities yesterday, while only Kegalle reported a good level, according to the Vehicular Emission Test Trust Fund of the Department of Motor Traffic.