Karu Jayasuriya congratulates US President-elect Donald Trump

Karu Jayasuriya, former Speaker of the Parliament and President of the National Movement for Social Justice congratulated US President-elect Donald Trump on his return to the prominent role in global leadership.

Azur Air resumes seasonal flight operations during winter

Azur Air launched direct seasonal flights to Sri Lanka today with 332 passengers, the Airport and Aviation Services (Sri Lanka) (Private) Limited (AASL) said.

Four Customs officials sentenced to 35 years for largest bribery scandal in Sri Lanka’s history

Four former senior Customs officials found guilty in connection with the largest-ever recorded bribe nabbed by the Bribery Commission in Sri Lanka, were sentenced today to 35 years of rigorous imprisonment by the Colombo High Court.

Trump claims victory after Fox News projects he has won US presidency

Trump was first elected president in 2016, defeating former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton and vowing to ’’Make America Great Again.’’

Government refutes curtailing CBK’s security; says 57 officers assigned

The government today refuted curtailing security detail of former President Chandrika Bandaranaike Kumaratunga as claimed by her.

Court acquits Dr. Shafi of all charges

Kurunegala Magistrate’s Court has acquitted specialist Dr. Shafi Sihabdeen of all charges today (06).

Cabinet approves use of Galle Face Green for social events

Cabinet approval was granted to use Galle Face Green for various social activities, including festivals, musical events and other celebrations, subject to specific criteria.

China to supply 11.82 million metres of uniform fabric for schoolchildren in 2025

The Chinese government has agreed to supply a total of 11.82 million metres of fabric to be used as uniform material for schoolchildren in 2025.

Sri Lanka names squads for T20I and ODI series against New Zealand

The Sri Lanka Cricket Selection Committee has selected the squads to take part in the T20I and ODI series to be played against the New Zealand National Men’s Team.

Online appointment system for passports now available

The Department of Immigration & Emigration has launched the Online Passport Appointment System to make it easier for applicants to register for passport applications.

Muslim Marriage and Divorce Act will not be changed: Minister

The government will not change the Muslim Marriage and Divorce Act (MMDA), Minister Vijitha Herath said today.

Youth arrested for blackmailing individual through nude photos, videos

A 20-year-old man was arrested by the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) for blackmailing an individual and extorting Rs. 700,000 by threatening to release his nude pictures and videos on social media.

Animal Health Dept eases restrictions on African Swine Fever control

The Department of Animal Production and Health issued a gazette notification relaxing certain restrictions previously imposed to prevent the spread of and control infected areas affected by the African swine fever outbreak and Porcine Reproductive and Respiratory Syndrome (PRRS).

Two dead as vehicle swept away by strong currents in Thummodara canal

Two individuals drowned after their vehicle, which attempted to cross the Thummodara Canal on the Eswatta Manakada Road in Kosgama was swept away by strong water currents.

Lighting of crackers at election meetings a disturbance?

A recent incident which took place during an election meeting suggested that lighting crackers has become a disturbance. This incident seemed to have made the candidates contesting this year’s General Election to think that it is a disturbance.

SL rated ’medium risk’ for money laundering, terrorist financing

With Sri Lanka being identified as a country with medium risk for money laundering and terrorist financing even with the involvement of NGOs, the National NGO Secretariat signed a MoU with the Finance Intelligence Unit of Central Bank yesterday to step up national efforts in curbing such unlawful activities, an official said yesterday.

Customs launch online tracking system for CusDec and containers

Sri Lanka Customs today announced the launch of its new tracking system for Customs Declarations (CusDec) and containers, which is available online for the public from today (6).

Ceylon Chamber presses for streamlined cargo clearance to boost economy

Sri Lanka’s cargo clearance delays are a significant impediment to economic growth, the Ceylon Chamber of Commerce (CCC) stated in a recent report, calling for improvements in customs efficiency, inter-agency coordination, and increased use of technology.

Landslide warning issued for eight districts

The National Building Research Organisation (NBRO) today (05) issued early landslide warnings for eight districts.

Appeal Court upholds four-year jail term for ex-deputy minister

The Court of Appeal today upheld the four-year rigorous imprisonment sentence imposed by the Colombo High Court on former Deputy Minister Shantha Premaratne for soliciting and accepting a bribe in 2007.

Sri Lanka to experience heavy showers tonight, tomorrow

The Department of Meteorology has predicted substantial rainfall for most parts of the island tonight.

Rural development, government’s primary objective this term: President

President Anura Kumara Dissanayake said that rural development and upgrading the rural people’s social and economic well-being is one of the primary objectives of the government during this term.

Chief Jailor, another official of New Magazine Prison interdicted

The Chief Jailor and a Prison Guard (storekeeper) at the Colombo New Magazine Prison have been interdicted after they were found to have supplied mobile phones to inmates.

Polls open for 2024 US Election Day

Polls have opened for the 2024 United States election, a national vote that will decide not only the next president of the country but also the makeup of the House of Representatives and the Senate.

Tensions rise as Nawalapitiya villagers confront Pastor Jerome

A tense situation arose between the security officers of Pastor Jerome Fernando and villagers of Nawalapitiya when Jerome arrived in the area to oversee the construction of a rehabilitation centre for children.

Ill-fated KDU bus driven by driver with suspended license

The driver of the bus that encountered a fatal accident in Badulla had driven the bus with a fake license after his license was suspended by the Galle Magistrate over an accident.

CBK raises concerns over assassination plot amid security cut

Former President Chandrika Bandaranaike Kumaratunga raised alarm over a significant reduction in her security detail, warning of the potential for a targeted assassination, similar to the politically motivated killing of her husband, Vijaya Kumaratunga.

Dubai consulate extends amnesty period by two months

The general amnesty period announced by the Dubai Consulate General, initially set to end on October 31, has been extended by two months, the Sri Lanka Bureau of Foreign Employment (SLBFE) said.

Sri Lankan migrants stranded on Diego Garcia offered move to UK

Migrants stranded for years on the remote Indian Ocean island of Diego Garcia will be offered the right to come to the UK, under a government proposal.

Ex-Minister Wijesekera denies CPSTL chairman’s claim on compensation agreement

Former Power and Energy Minister Kanchana Wijesekera condemned a recent statement by Ceylon Petroleum Storage Terminals Limited (CPSTL) Chairman D.J.A.S De S. Rajakaruna, clarifying that the previous government did not enter into any agreement with other operators to compensate them for losses incurred on sales or pricing.