Taylor Swift concerts canceled after ISIS plot narrowly foiled by police

Taylor Swift’s Eras Tour shows in Vienna have been canceled because of what Austrian police say was a planned terrorist attack targeting the concerts.

Online Safety (Amendment) Bill presented in Parliament

The Online Safety (Amendment) Bill which aims to amend the recently enacted Online Safety Act was presented in Parliament today.

New alliance formed as ’Samagi Jana Sandanaya’

Several political parties signed an agreement today to form an alliance as the ’Samagi Jana Sandanaya’.

Former Minister Arjuna Ranatunga joins Samagi Sandanaya

Former Minister Arjuna Ranatunga joined the SJB led Samagi Sandanaya alliance that is expected to back Opposition Leader Sajith Premadasa at this year’s Presidential election.

SC affirms death sentence for Vaas Gunawardena and five others

The Supreme Court five-judge bench today decided to dismiss the appeal petitions filed by former DIG Vaas Gunawardena, his son Ravindu Vaas Gunawardena, and four police officers who challenged the Colombo High Court’s judgment to impose the death sentence and convict them of committing the murder of millionaire businessman Mohamed Shyam.

Former Prisons Commissioner Lamahewa acquitted from prison riot case

The Supreme Court today order to acquit former Prisons Commissioner Emil Ranjan Lamahewa who was sentenced to death by Colombo High Court Trial-at-Bar over the killing of eight inmates on November 09, 2012.

Passenger dies, cop injured in Kotugoda checkpoint shooting

A 38-year-old passenger died and a police constable sustained serious injuries in a shooting incident during a checkpoint search in Kotugoda early this morning.

Pig,Dog out of election symbol list for independent candidates

The Election Commission has amended the list of symbols to be assigned to independent presidential candidates, leaving out ones that can cause embarrassment and offend religious sensitivities, an official said.

’’I am ready to work with Sajith, Anura and Namal if I win’’ - Ranil Wickremesinghe

President Ranil Wickremesinghe yesterday expressed his willingness to work with all parties if he wins the September 21 Presidential election and extended an open invitation to Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB) leader Sajith Premadasa, National People’s Power (NPP) leader Anura Kumara Dissanayake, and the newly elected Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna (SLPP) presidential candidate Namal Rajapaksa to form a national government.

3,694 Lankans depart for work in South Korea by August: SLBFE

As of August this year, a total of 3,694 Sri Lankans have left for work in South Korea, with another 100 individuals set to depart soon, the Sri Lanka Foreign Bureau of Employment (SLBFE) said.

SF to make a special statement tomorrow

Independent Presidential candidate Field Marshal Sarath Fonseka is to make a special statement tomorrow (Friday August 9).

Growing demand for SL travel accommodations: Google specialist

Sri Lanka is becoming a favoured destination among the international travellers, with a notable increase in Google searches for accommodation, according to a US-based Google specialist.

Entrepreneurial confidence grows as private company registrations expand in 2024

The number of new private company registrations in the country has shown a significant year-on-year (YoY) increase since the economic crisis in 2022, official data showed.

Justice Ministry brought under President’s purview

The Ministerial portfolios of Justice, Prison Affairs and Constitutional Reforms have been brought under the purview of the President through a Gazette Extraordinary issued by the President.

’Ice’ worth over Rs. 51 Mn seized in Katunayake

More than five kilograms of Methamphetamine (Ice) valued at more than Rs. 50 million were seized from a container yard in Katunayake today.

Sri Lanka seals first ODI series win against India since 1997

After enduring a 3-0 whitewash in the T20I series, Sri Lanka scripted a remarkable turnaround on Wednesday in the final ODI of the three-match series by defeating India by 110 runs, ending their 27-year drought for a bilateral series win against India.

Presidential candidate count reaches 22

Four more candidates placed their cash deposits today (07) for the upcoming Presidential election, taking the total number of candidates to 22.

Ayurvedic practitioners to get additional service allowance: Sisira Jayakody

The additional service allowance, which was previously only available to western medicine doctors, will be given to Ayurvedic practitioners as well, State Minister for Indigenous Medicine Sisira Jayakody said today.

ACMC to reveal its stand on Presidential election next week

MP Rishad Bathiudeen who stressed the need to safeguard the present status of the economy said his party’s stand on the Presidential election 2024 will be revealed on August 14, 2024.

Sri Lanka Cricket names squad for England Test series

The Sri Lanka Cricket Selection Committee has approved an 18-member squad for the upcoming three-match Test series against England.

ICC congratulates Madugalle on 400th ODI as Match Referee

The International Cricket Council (ICC) has congratulated Ranjan Madugalle on becoming the first Match Referee to officiate in 400 Men’s ODIs.

Afghanistan batter handed 5-year ban for anti-corruption code breach

Top-order batter Ihsanullah Janat has been banned from all forms of cricketing activities for five years following breaches of ACB and ICC Anti-Corruption Codes during the 2nd edition of the Kabul Premier League.

Navy recovers 4.74 kgs of gold in Kalpitiya lagoon

The Sri Lanka Navy recovered a parcel containing 4 kgs and 740 gms of gold during a special search operation conducted at the Thorayadi Lagoon in Kalpitiya.

German hotel partially collapses, killing one; eight others trapped

A hotel partially collapsed overnight near the banks of the river Moselle in Germany, killing one person and trapping eight others, some of whom suffered severe injuries in the incident, local police said on Wednesday.

Election Commission summons officials from key organizations

The Election Commission is poised to host a spate of discussions with multiple organizations including election monitoring organizations today.

’I have no competition,’ says President

In a discussion with heads and representatives of media institutions, President Ranil Wickremesinghe said he has no competition as his focus is on advancing the country.

34 government projects abandoned wasting over Rs. 6 billion: Parliamentary Committee reveals

Some 34 development projects initiated for the last five to six years spending public funds of Rs.6.37 billion have been abandoned without putting to any use, the Parliamentary Committee revealed today.

SLFP-Dayasiri faction signs MOU with SJB

The Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB) and the SLFP faction led by MP Dayasiri Jayasekara signed an MOU today.

Khelif wins again to reach final amid eligibility row

Boxer Imane Khelif will fight for an Olympic gold medal on Friday after putting aside the row surrounding her eligibility to comprehensively win her semi-final against Janjaem Suwannapheng in Paris.

Declining USD pushing gold prices to record highs

The price of gold surged to historical highs of over $2450.00 per ounce in the second quarter of 2024, propelled by the accelerating decline of the US dollar.