EC agrees to hold LG polls at earliest date: Tilvin

The Elections Commission agreed to hold the Local Government elections at the earliest possible date, JVP General Secretary Tilvin Silva said today.

Term of 337 local bodies to begin by June 2, 2025

Minister of Provincial Councils and Local Government A.H.M.H. Abeyratne has gazetted a new regulation under the Municipal Ordinance and Pradeshiya Sabha Ordinance declaring that the new term of 334 local bodies will have to begin by June 2, 2025.

Wijeya Newspaper’s Janaka Rathnakumara awarded best COO of the year

Chief Operating Officer of the Wijeya Newspapers Ltd. Janaka Rathnakumara has been awarded the Best Chief Operating Officer (COO) of the Year at the 23rd Business Leader of the Year event at The Taj Lands End, Mumbai.

Rajeev Amarasuriya elected new BASL President

Attorney-at-Law Rajeev Amarasuriya has been elected as the 29th President of the Bar Association of Sri Lanka (BASL) for the year 2025-2026 after securing a clear majority over his rival candidate Attorney-at-Law Dr. Sunil Abeyaratne.

Ganemulla Sanjeewa’s shooter revealed as ex-Army Intel

The main suspect arrested over Ganemulla Sanjeewa’s murder has been reportedly identified as a former Intelligence member of the Sri Lanka Army, the Daily Mirror learns.

Postponed LG polls: Apply for reimbursement of deposit money before February 28

The Election Commission today requested the candidates who have paid deposits for the postponed local government elections to apply for the reimbursement of their funds before February 28, 2025.

Gunman in Ganemulla Sanjeewa shooting arrested

The main suspect in the Ganemulla Sanjeewa murder has been arrested by the Police Special Task Force (STF) in the Palaviya area of ​​Puttalam.

Witness statement recording to go totally online soon: Justice Minister

A new legislation will be introduced soon to do away with physical transportation of witnesses to and from courts and to record statements online, Minister of Justice Harshana Nanayakkara said.

Deputy Minister pledges solutions to Ports Authority, ECT issues

Ports and Civil Aviation Deputy Minister Janitha Ruwan Kodituwakku pledged to provide prompt solutions to issues concerning the administration of the Ports Authority and to establish a committee comprising all relevant parties to address matters related to the Eastern Container Terminal (ECT) of the Colombo Port, Joint Alliance of Port Trade Unions (JAPTU) Co-convener Udeni Kaluthantri said.

Philippine town offers bounty for mosquitoes as dengue rises

Authorities in one of the Philippines’ most densely-populated urban centres are offering a cash reward for mosquitoes in an attempt to stop the spread of dengue.

Gill reclaims NO.01 ODI batter spot, Theekshana becomes Top-ranked bowler ahead of Champions Trophy

Just ahead of the ICC Champions Trophy 2025, in a significant shake-up, the data reveals that India’s Shubman Gill and Sri Lanka’s Maheesh Theekshana have proudly escalated to the No.1 rankings in the latest ICC Men’s ODI Player Rankings.

Probe reveals woman’s role in Ganemulla Sanjeewa shooting

An investigation has revealed that a woman, disguised as a lawyer, had brought a revolver to the Colombo Hulftsdorp Court Complex with the intention of handing it over to the gunman responsible for the shooting of notorious underworld figure ’Ganemulla Sanjeewa.’

MP Archchuna requests for security amidst Hulftsdorp shooting

In the wake of shooting incident in the Hulftsdorp Court complex this morning, Jaffna District MP Ramanathan Archchuna requested security for him at least during public sessions.

Police to implement strict checks on lawyers following court shooting

Following the shooting incident inside the Hulftsdorp Court Complex, where underworld figure ’Ganemulla Sanjeewa’ was killed by a gunman disguised as a lawyer, Acting Inspector General of Police (IGP) Priyantha Weerasooriya said that all lawyers will undergo inspections before entering court premises in the future.

Russian tourist dies after falling from Badulla-Colombo train when taking selfie

A Russian tourist travelling on the Badulla-Colombo Podimanike train died after falling off the train when attempting to take a selfie while hanging from the train footboard between the Badulla and Hali Ela railway stations today, the Hali Ela Police said.

Doctors’ overtime calculated on increased total basic salary: Health Minister

Health Minister Dr. Nalinda Jayatissa said today there is no reason for doctors to worry about their overtime payments as overtime and holiday payments of medical officers are calculated on the total basic salary which was increased in the budget even though the basic is increased in three stages.

Cassilingam calls for digitization of Jaffna Library

While thanking President Anura Kumara Dissanayake for allocating Rs. 100 million in this year’s budget for the development of the Jaffna Library’s infrastructure, Geethanath Cassilingam, the Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna (SLPP) Jaffna District Organizer, suggested using the part of the funds to digitize the library’s collection.

Suspects in Colombo Court shooting identified: Sunil Watagala

All the suspects in the shooting incident inside the Hulftsdorp Court complex, Colombo which resulted in the death of underworld figure Ganemulla Sanjeewa, have been identified, Deputy Minister of Public Security Sunil Watagala said.

Parliament heats up over Hulftsdorp shooting

Opposition MPs raised concerns over the shooting incident in the Hulftsdorp Court complex this morning, claiming that murders have escalated in the country putting peoples’ lives at risk.

Ready to discuss with opposition on allocation of slots in Parliamentary committees: Bimal

The government is ready to discuss with the opposition parties to resolve issues over the allocation of members in the Parliamentary committees, Leader of the House Bimal Ratnayake said today.

Trump blames Ukraine over war with Russia

United States President Donald Trump has said he will “probably” meet Russian President Vladimir Putin this month while launching a broadside effectively accusing Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy of being to blame for Moscow’s invasion.

No plans to reduce or stop solar power: Energy Minister

The government is not expecting to limit, reduce or stop purchasing solar power as claimed by some politicians, Energy Minister Kumara Jayakody said today.

Mandatory transport for SLTB season ticket holder

Transporting school children, technical college and university students, and senior citizens holding season tickets purchased from the Sri Lanka Transport Board (SLTB) has been made mandatory.

Gunman in lawyer's attire shoots 'Ganemulla Sanjeewa' at court

Underworld figure Ganemulla Sanjeewa was shot dead following a shooting incident at the Colombo Hulftsdorp Court complex a short while ago.

More than 150 whales stranded on remote Australian beach

More than 60 false killer whales have died and authorities are trying to save dozens more after a mass stranding on a remote Australian beach.

Chamari Athapaththu to exit WPL early for Sri Lanka’s tour

UP Warriors team’s Chamari Athapaththu will be out of the final stage of the Women’s Premier League (WPL) 2025, as she will join the Sri Lankan team for the white-ball tour of New Zealand starting from March 4 in Napier. Her departure will be the second major blow to UP Warriors, who are already playing without regular captain Alyssa Healy due to injury.

Moderate air quality recorded in most cities, slightly unhealthy in some

While slightly unhealthy air quality levels were recorded in Ratnapura, Embilipitiya and Moneragala, most other cities experienced moderate air quality yesterday, the Vehicular Emission Test Trust Fund of the Department of Motor Traffic said.

Goods and services to be taxed more to fund budget 2025

Tax on goods and services will dominate the government’s revenue for 2025, and it will be more than 50 percent of the total tax revenue estimated, according to the budget presented in Parliament.

Pope Francis has pneumonia in both lungs, Vatican says

Pope Francis has developed pneumonia in both his lungs and his condition remains ’’complex’’, the Vatican says.

BASL election Today: Lawyers to elect new President

The election for the post of President of the Bar Association of Sri Lanka (BASL) for the year 2025-2026 will be held today (19).