C.B. Ratnayake ordered to pay Rs. 250 mn to Sujeewa Senasinghe

The Mount Lavinia District Court today ordered former Minister C.B. Ratnayake to pay a compensation of Rs. 250 million to Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB) MP Sujeewa Senasinghe for defaming him.

Azad Maulana should be questioned: Catholic Church

Whilst highlighting that Criminal Investigation Department (CID) should be allowed to carry out investigations on the Easter Sunday attacks independently, Member of the Communications Committee Archdiocese of Colombo Fr. Cyril Gamini Fernando today said onetime Secretary of MP Sivanesathurei Chandrakanthan Azad Maulana should be probed.

MPs begin paying Rs. 2,000 for daily meals in Parliament

Members of Parliament began paying the increased amount of Rs. 2,000 for their daily meals from today, February 5 2025.

Court summons Namal Rajapaksa over Krrish deal

The Colombo High Court today issued summons to Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna (SLPP) Parliamentarian Namal Rajapaksa, ordering him to appear in court on February 18 in connection with the Krrish deal case filed by the Attorney General.

Taliban raids, suspends Afghanistan’s only women’s radio station

The Taliban suspended the operation of Afghanistan’s only women’s radio station after raiding its premises on Tuesday, deepening the exclusion of women from public life and society since the group took power in 2021.

Ministers need to arrange their own transport amid economic challenges: Cabinet Minister

Amid the current economic situation in the country, the government has decided not to import vehicles for Ministers

Antonio Marceglia arrives in Colombo

Italian Naval Ship Antonio Marceglia arrived at the port of Colombo on a replenishment visit this morning.

Vehicle trader arrested over illegal import of Land Cruiser

A vehicle trading businessman has been arrested by Bribery Commission officers for illegally importing a Land Cruiser jeep and registering it with the Motor Transport Department.

Largest Bhadrasana Buddha statue unveiled

Ramanathan Archchuna creates commotion in Parliament

Independent MP Ramanathan Archchuna created a commotion in Parliament today, resulting in Speaker Jagath Wickramaratne deciding to expunge various statements he made.

Cabinet approves 24/7 passport issuing programme

The Cabinet has approved a programme to issue 4,000 passports per day by operating the Immigration and Emigration Department 24/7 with the recruitment of additional staff, including pensioners on contract basis.

Three held for smuggling pigeons, African love birds, flying squirrels

Three suspects were arrested in Pesalai, Mannar during a joint operation by the Sri Lanka Navy and Police, for smuggling pigeons, African love birds and flying squirrels into the island.

Cabinet approves Lufthansa Technik for SriLankan Airlines engine repairs

The Cabinet has approved awarding the contract for repairing CFM 56-5B engines of SriLankan Airlines to Lufthansa Technik (LHT)/Hamburg for four years.

Govt. to import coconut kernel equivalent to 200 Mn coconuts

The government has approved the import of coconut kernels and other coconut-related raw materials equivalent to 200 million coconuts to address the ongoing shortage in the country.

Brigadier Waruna Gamage appointed new Director of Army Media

Brigadier Waruna Gamage has been appointed as the new Director of Media and Psychological Operations of the Sri Lanka Army today.

You become a real queen when you fix each other’s crowns –Ishadi Amanda

Sri Lanka’s Ishadi Amanda who won first runner-up at the recently concluded Mrs. World 2024 pageant in Las Vegas spoke about the challenges she had to overcome along her journey to win the coveted title at a media briefing held yesterday (February 4) following her arrival in the country.

Govt. announces paddy purchase prices

The government today (05) announced the prices at which the Paddy Marketing Board will buy paddy.

Indian High Commissioner meets MR

Indian High Commissioner to Sri Lanka, Santhosh Jah paid a courtesy call on former President Mahinda Rajapaksa at his Wijerama residence in Colombo this morning.

Toxic gas exposure suspected for Colombo City hostel deaths

Authorities suspect toxic gas exposure in the deaths of two foreign guests at a Colombo city hostel, prompting an urgent investigation.

Dip in quality failures of drugs in 2024

The quality failures of drugs reported in the 2024 was comparatively lower than the quality failures recorded in the 2023, according to Medical Supplies Division of the Health Ministry.

There is provision to hold local government polls by April 24

There is provision to hold local government polls by April 24, 2025, even after considering the Supreme Court determination, Leader of the House Bimal Ratnayake told Parliament today.

Public advised to wear face masks amid slightly unhealthy AQI levels

The Vehicular Emission Test Trust Fund of the Department of Motor Traffic (DMT) urged the public to wear face masks whenever possible and seek immediate medical attention if experiencing breathing difficulties due to slightly unhealthy air quality levels recorded in several districts.

Supreme Court determination on LG Election Bill not received yet: Speaker

Speaker Jagath Wickramaratne told Parliament today that he has not received the Supreme Court determination on the Local Government Elections (Special Provisions) Bill.

Colombo City hostel closed after mysterious deaths of foreign guests

The Fort Magistrate’s Court has ordered the closure of the Miracle Colombo City Hostel in Colombo 03 following the mysterious deaths of two foreign guests.

Trump says US will ‘take over’ and ‘own’ Gaza in redevelopment plan

United States President Donald Trump has said the US will “take over” and “own” Gaza after resettling Palestinians elsewhere under an extraordinary redevelopment plan that he claimed could turn the enclave into “the Riviera of the Middle East”.

Lasantha murder case: AG recommends release of three key suspects

The Attorney General has provided his legal opinion to the Criminal Investigations Department (CID) regarding the possibility of releasing three individuals, including an army intelligence officer and a former DIG, who had been named as suspects in the magisterial inquiry before the Mount Lavinia Magistrate’s Court in connection with the murder of The Sunday Leader Editor Lasantha Wickrematunge

Liquid Cocaine seized for first time in SL history

Liquid Cocaine or cocaine in the form of a liquid basis was seized for the first time in the country’s history by Sri Lanka Customs yesterday.

Konstas sent home from Sri Lanka

Teenage Test opener trades Galle for Gabba to further enhance his experience in a fledgling first-class career

Police say around 10 people killed in Sweden school campus shooting

Police say around 10 people have been killed in a shooting at an education centre in central Sweden, including the suspected gunman.

Water Board debt rises to Rs. 16 billion due to unpaid bills

The National Water Supply and Drainage Board (NWSDB) announced today that its debt has risen to Rs. 16 billion due to the non-payment of outstanding water bills.