Court staff member at Chief Magistrate’s court arrested for soliciting bribe

A court staff member was arrested a short while ago by officials of the Commission to Investigate Allegations of Bribery or Corruption (CIABOC) at the Chief Magistrate’s Court for soliciting a bribe of Rs. 3,000 to expedite the release of certified case documents.

Police increase reward for information on illegal firearms

The Sri Lanka Police have decided to increase the reward offered for information leading to the recovery of illegal firearms and hand grenades.

Two Police officers in Galnewa remanded over soliciting Rs. 30,000 bribe

Colombo Chief Magistrate Thanuja Lankamali today remanded a Sub-Inspector and a Police Constable from the Galnewa Police Station till March 21 over the allegations of soliciting a bribe of Rs. 30,000.

Inappropriate to ridicule animal survey: Deputy Minister

Deputy Minister of Environment Anton Jayakody said the assessment scheduled for 15 March is not a wildlife census but merely a simple survey, claiming that it is inappropriate to ridicule this effort.

Nine suspects further remanded over Ganemulla Sanjeewa murder case

The nine suspects arrested over the murder of Ganemulla Sanjeewa at the Hulftsdorp Magistrate’s Court were produced via Skype before Colombo Chief Magistrate Thanuja Lakmali today.

Sri Lanka signs key debt restructuring agreements with Japan, JICA

Sri Lanka has signed the bilateral Amendment Agreement with the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) alongside the Exchange of Notes between the Government of Sri Lanka and the Government of Japan in relation to the External Debt Restructuring Process.

Pope Francis, in stable condition, sends first audio message from hospital

Pope Francis on Thursday sent his first audio message since being hospitalized for double pneumonia nearly three weeks ago, expressing thanks ’’from the bottom of my heart’’ to well-wishers around the world who have offered their support.

Disciplinary action taken against SLTB bus conductor who harassed children in Nuwara Eliya: Bimal

Disciplinary action has been taken against an SLTB bus conductor who harassed a group of school children in Nuwara Eliya by not allowing them to travel in the bus using their season tickets, Minister of Transport Bimal Ratnayke told Parliament today.

Fuel price unchanged for 4 months despite formula price fluctuations

Since December 2024, the market prices of 92 Octane petrol and auto diesel have remained steady at LKR 309 and LKR 286 per litre respectively, despite fluctuations in the formula prices between January and March 2025.

Educate Sri Lanka Expo kicks off at BMICH

The Educate Sri Lanka Expo 2025 Higher Education Exhibition officially opened today at the BMICH in Colombo. The event showcases a wide range of local and international universities, as well as technical and industrial higher education institutions. The exhibition will be open to the public until the evening of March 9. Pix by Kithsiri De Mel.

Eight SSPs transferred in latest police reshuffle

Eight Senior Superintendents of Police (SSPs), including the Director of the Ministerial Security Division (MSD), have been transferred with immediate effect.

South Korea court cancels President Yoon’s arrest warrant, Yonhap says

A South Korean court cancelled on Friday impeached President Yoon Suk Yeol’s arrest warrant, paving the way for his release from jail after he was arrested in mid-January on insurrection charges over his brief imposition of martial law, Yonhap News Agency reported.

Sri Lanka records low rate of alcohol consumption, smoking among women

Sri Lanka has a notably low rate of alcohol consumption and smoking among women, according to the Alcohol Information Centre.

Mattala Airport to be turned into aircraft repair centre

The Government is looking towards converting the Mahinda Rajapaksa International Airport into an aircraft repair centre, Minister Bimal Ratnayake told Parliament today.

I know Easter Sunday attack mastermind, will inform President, top security officials: BBS chief

Bodu Bala Sena (BBS) General Secretary Galagoda Aththe Gnanasara Thera said that he knows the mastermind behind the Easter Sunday terrorist attacks and will inform the President and top security officials.

Women to man trains, buses: Bimal

The Government hopes to engage women to man trains and buses in two years time, Minister of Transport Bimal Ratnayke told Parliament today.

Teen armed with gun overpowered by passengers onboard plane

Police in Australia have charged a 17-year-old who got on a plane with a shotgun and ammunition.

Ranil who claims licence to ride Ferrari cars knocked down by Al Jazeera: Bimal

The one who claimed to have a licence to ride Ferrari vehicles has met with a road accident, Leader of the House Bimal Ratnayke told Parliament today reffering to the issue between former President Ranil Wickremesinghe and Al Jazeera.

3% fine to be imposed if vehicles imported not registered within 90 days

The vehicles imported to Sri Lanka after the ban was lifted must be registered within 90 days and failing which 3% fine will be imposed on unregistered vehicles, subject to a maximum of 45%, the Ministry of Finance said.

Fair weather to prevail over the island

The Forecasting Division of the National Meteorological Centre reports that mainly fair weather will prevail across the island.

Cops arrested for demanding bribe from tourist

A sergeant and two constables were arrested for allegedly soliciting a bribe from an Austrian tourist.

Flights halted at some Florida airports over SpaceX debris

US aviation authorities temporarily halted flights at several Florida airports over concerns about debris from SpaceX’s Starship, which spun out of control shortly after launch.

EU funded agencies called for my resignation - Ranil tells Al Jazeera

Former President Ranil Wickremesinghe criticized the stance of the European Union (EU) against him, claiming the Union had first attempted to depose him before crediting him for Sri Lanka’s economic recovery.

Sri Lanka ranked 91st in latest Henley and Partners International Passport Index

Sri Lanka has been ranked 91st in the latest rankings of the world passports by Henley and Partners International Index for Passports 2025, thus gaining visa free access to 42 countries worldwide.

Health Ministry’s halt on sterilization may lead to killing of stray dogs in future: Dr. Nanayakkara

The decision by the Health Ministry to suspend the sterilization programmes will lead to an increase in the number of stray dogs and may result in the killing of these dogs in the future, Association of Veterinarians for Humane Management of Animal Population said.

Traffic lights, countdown systems to be implemented in all cities to reduce fumes, accidents

The pilot project of installation and renewal of traffic countdown systems for road signs will be initiated around the country as an important and timely step taken to reduce road accidents and to protect the lives of pedestrians, Transport, Highways, Ports and Civil Aviation Minister Bimal Rathnayake said.

Sri Lanka’s luxury SUV market warms up as new Range Rover debuts

The new Range Rover, unveiled in Sri Lanka just weeks ago, has already seen 135 units prebooked. The first shipment of this luxury SUV, offering greater refinement and personalisation than ever before, is set to arrive in the island nation in June.

US-Sri Lanka ties poised for growth in biotechnology and energy: policy expert

Sri Lanka has significant opportunities to collaborate with the United States in the fields of biotechnology and energy, according to a US policy expert.

Tourism leaders push for urgent promos to meet Sri Lanka’s 2025 targets

With Sri Lanka experiencing a rise in tourist arrivals compared to last year, industry leaders are calling for the urgent rollout of global promotional campaigns to sustain the momentum in order to achieve the government’s sector targets for the year.

CEB December quarter profit plunged amid tariff cuts

Ceylon Electricity Board (CEB), the state-owned utility provider, managed to report a profit for the three months ending in December 2024 despite revenues decreasing sharply after it cut tariffs twice. But the sharp fall in the finance cost helped the bottom-line despite rising costs.