Sri Lanka celebrates 77th Independence Day...

The official ceremony to mark the 77th Independence Day of the Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka got off the ground at the Independence Square this morning. The event saw the participation of President Anura Kumara Dissanayake, Prime Minister Harini Amarasuriya, Opposition Leader Sajith Premadasa, visiting foreign dignitaries, diplomats, military personnel, religious leaders and politicians. Pix by Pradeep Pathirana

Trump pauses tariffs on Canada, Mexico for a month

US President Donald Trump suspended his threat of steep tariffs on Canada and Mexico on Monday, agreeing to a 30-day pause in return for concessions on border and crime enforcement with the two neighboring countries.

’We are all warriors on the same battlefield’: President

President Anura Kumara Dissanayake said today that all the people are warriors on the same battlefield in the quest to attain comprehensive economic, social and cultural freedom.

Bring real freedom through political, economic and legal reforms: Cardinal

Archbishop of Colombo Cardinal Malclom Ranjith today called for vast political, economic and legal reforms which will bring real freedom for the people of Sri Lanka.

Catholic mass led by Cardinal Ranjith

Fair weather will prevail over sea areas

Fair weather conditions will prevail over the sea areas around the island, the Meteorology Department said.

Military presence minimal at 77th Independence Day parade

The number of tri-service personnel deployed for this year’s Independence Day celebrations has been reduced by 40%, with the decision not to include tri-services armoured vehicles in the parade.

Rise in Chikungunya cases, highest number of infections reported

Sri Lanka is experiencing a rise in Chikungunya cases, with the highest number of infections being reported across the country.

Govt. to conduct first-ever nationwide monkey census

The government is set to conduct its first island-wide census of the monkey population, aiming to address the alarming destruction of coconut crops caused by these primates.

Stand strong and united to take part in shaping a modern vision of freedom

President Anura Kumara Dissanayake in his Independence Day message invited all Sri Lankans to stand strong and united, to take part in shaping a modern vision of freedom, and to contribute to the collective beginning of this new era of revival.

Moderate volumes and limited activity persist ahead of auction

The secondary market yield curve experienced limited activity and below moderate trading volumes yesterday.

February begins in red

The ASPI closed in red as a result of price losses in counters such as Hatton National Bank, LOLC Holdings and Bukit Darah with the turnover crossing Rs. 3.0 bn.

Japan provides 300 million Yen grant for ‘Clean Sri Lanka’ programme

The Government of Japan has extended a grant of 300 million Japanese Yen (approximately LKR 565 million) to Sri Lanka to enhance waste management infrastructure facilities under the ‘Clean Sri Lanka’ programme, the President’s Media Division (PMD) said.

285 prisoners to be freed on Independence Day: Prison spokesman

A total of 285 prisoners, including six female prisoners, are to be released from prisons island-wide tomorrow on a Presidential amnesty to mark the 77th Independence Day, Commissioner General of Prisons Gamini B. Dissanayake said.

Namal Karunaratne responds to Dudley; says will not allow anyone to play with country’s rice supply

Responding to large-scale rice supplier Dudley Sirisena’s recent statement on rice supplies, Deputy Minister of Agriculture Namal Karunaratne said the government will not allow anyone to play with the rice supply in the country and assured to resolve the rice shortage.

I’m not responsible for rice shortage, says Dudley Sirisena

While asserting that he is not responsible for the rice shortage in the country, large-scale rice supplier Dudley Sirisena stated that rice mill owners are required to purchase paddy at the government’s controlled price, which he believes should be revised.

1,600 Meta, 60-70 WhatsApp cyber crimes recorded in SL: SLCERT

Sri Lanka Cyber Emergency Readiness Team’s (SLCERT) Senior Information Engineer, Charuka Damunupolla revealed that during the last year approximately 1,600 Meta and 60-70 WhatsApp cyber crime related incidents have been recorded in Sri Lanka.

WFP food aid found rotting in Veyangoda, Food Commissioner’s Dept. yet to decide on further action

The Food Commissioner’s Department is expecting a decision from the World Food Programme (WFP) and the Rural Development, Social Security and Community Empowerment Ministry to take further action on the stock of 1,623 metric tonnes of food items found rotting in a warehouse in Veyangoda, Food Commissioner Upul Shantha de Alwis said.

Myanmar’s assistance sought for early rescue of trapped Sri Lankans

Sri Lanka has sourt urgent assistance of the Myanmar Government to facilitate the early rescue and safe repatriation of 18 Sri Lankan nationals who have been trafficked to the Myawaddy area in Myanmar to work in Cybercrime centres.

Wildlife Dept. refutes claims of dogs used as bait for leopards

Following a complaint to the Minister of Wildlife urging immediate action to stop the unethical use of dogs as bait to lure leopards for tourism in national parks, the Wildlife Department claimed that no such incident was revealed following investigations conducted using CCTV footage.

Independence Square ready...

Spain football kiss 'stained' World Cup win, player tells trial

Jenni Hermoso has told the trial of former Spanish football chief Luis Rubiales that the kiss he gave her at the 2023 World Cup ’’stained one of the happiest days of my life’’.

Chamodi named in U-19 WC Team of the Tournament

Sri Lankan left-arm spinner Chamodi Praboda has been named in the Team of the Tournament for the ICC Women’s Under-19 T20 World Cup 2025.

Minister Ananda Wijepala’s Parliamentary seat challenged in court

A writ petition has been filed before the Court of Appeal seeking a declaration that Minister Ananda Wijepala is disqualified from serving as a Member of Parliament and is therefore not entitled to hold office as an MP.

Indian fishermen continue poaching in Sri Lankan waters: 10 arrested

Just a week after India’s Ministry of External Affairs lodged a strong protest over an incident involving Indian fishermen in Sri Lankan waters, the Sri Lanka Navy seized an Indian fishing boat and arrested 10 Indian fishermen for poaching in Sri Lankan waters.

UNP, SJB to contest Local Government polls together?

The United National Party (UNP) and the Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB) are aiming to form an alliance to contest the Local Government elections, MP Gayantha Karunathilleka indicated today.

President to launch GovPay digital platform

The initial step in the digitalisation of government services, ‘GovPay’, will be officially launched under the patronage of President Anura Kumara Dissanayake on February 7th, 2025.

‘It’s on fire, please get us out’: Passengers scream in panic as plane engine catches fire

During takeoff, a United Airlines plane’s engine caught fire, causing panic and an emergency evacuation of all passengers and crew.

Elon Musk calls USAID a ’’criminal organization’’

Elon Musk attacked the US Agency for International Development on Sunday, calling it a ’’criminal organization’’ after Donald Trump moved to freeze the bulk of Washington’s foreign assistance for three months.

Wind turbine blade destroys storeroom in Kalpitiya

A storeroom in the Kurinjipitiya area of Kalpitiya was demolished after a blade from a wind turbine belonging to a leading renewable energy company’s wind farm, fell on it yesterday.