Astronomers finally detect a rocky planet with an atmosphere

Astronomers have searched for years for rocky planets beyond our solar system with an atmosphere - a trait considered essential for any possibility of harboring life. Well, they finally seem to have located one. But this hellish planet - apparently with a surface of molten rock - offers no hope for habitability.

Club dancer nabbed with Kush at BIA

A 32-year-old club dancer who attempted to smuggle a stock of Kush worth Rs. 500 million into the country was arrested at the Bandaranaike International Airport (BIA) yesterday by the officers of the Police Narcotics Division.

Luis Rubiales to stand trial over World Cup kiss

The former head of the Spanish football federation, Luis Rubiales, will stand trial for sexual assault over his unsolicited kissing of Women’s World Cup player Jenni Hermoso.

Opposition Leader must take full responsibility over issues faced by country: President

Claiming that Opposition Leader Sajith Premadasa must take full responsibility over the issues faced by the country, President Ranil Wickremesinghe said today that if Premadasa had taken up the premiership on April 10, there would have been no issues.

Sri Lanka slated to achieve 3 percent economic growth this year: President

Sri Lanka is slated to achieve a three percent economic growth while inflation has dropped to 1.5 percent by going along on a challenging and correct path, President Ranil Wickremesinghe told Parliament today.

Speaker announces vacancy in Parliament

Speaker Mahinda Yapa Abeywardane announced in Parliament that a Parliamentary seat has fell vacant after the Supreme Court ruled that Diana Gamage is ineligible to be an MP.

Kenyan President lauds Sri Lankan investors in his country

Following the successful acquisition of Liptons East African Tea Plantations across Kenya, Rwanda and Tanzania, Browns has solidified its position as the world’s largest tea producer.

Marine heat waves: coral reefs in Sri Lankan waters risk die-offs

Coral reefs in the sea around Sri Lanka risk die-offs if the current marine heat level persists for another one month or so, a top scientist said yesterday.

No legal barrier for non Sri Lankans to register political parties; Mahinda Deshapriya

There is no legal barrier for the non-citizens to register a political party, Former Chairman of Elections Commission Mahinda Deshapriya said yesterday.

Govt’s pre-poll development drive met with stiff resistance from Election Commission

The government’s development drive ahead of the presidential election met with stiff resistance from the Election Commission (EC) which barred the involvement of political representatives of the ruling side in any such activities, an official said.

SJB legitimacy at stake after SC ruling on Diana: Kanchana

Another court case with regard to Diana Gamage is on the cards as anyone could file another court case calling the Supreme Court to declare whether Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB) MPs could remain in Parliament as per yesterday’s judgement, Minister Kanchana Wijesekera told Parliament yesterday.

Sri Lanka targets economic transition achieving net zero

Plans are underway to introduce legislation in Parliament, which would ensure that all government policies focus on the transformation to a highly competitive export-oriented economy, President Ranil Wickremesinghe said.

Government must fully digitalise Sri Lanka Customs

The government must fully digitalise the services offered by the border agencies, including Sri Lanka Customs, to ensure paperless trade, which will facilitate exports and bring down the cost of living.

Government planning four-stage vehicle import resumption

Following discussions with vehicle importers, the government is focused on resuming vehicle imports in four stages, Finance State Minister Ranjith Siyambalapitiya said.

Ex Major General arrested for trafficking ex-military personnel to Russian-Ukrainian war front

A retired Army Major General and a former Army Sergeant have been arrested by the Criminal Investigation Department on charges of trafficking ex-military personnel to conflict zones in Ukraine.

Former NMRA CEO arrested

The former Chief Executive Officer of the National Medicines Regulatory Authority (NMRA) Dr. Vijith Gunasekera has been arrested.

54-year-old shot dead in Ahungalla

A 54-year-old man was shot dead by two unidentified men who arrived on a motorcycle and opened fire in Bogahapitiya, Ahungalla tonight.

Sri Lankan charged with rape of ex-girlfriend in Malta

A Sri Lankan has been remanded in Malta on Tuesday after being charged with the rape of his ex-girlfriend.

Viyaskanth debuts in IPL with Sunrisers

Leg-spinner Viyaskanth Vijayakanth was handed his Indian Premier League debut today after he was named in the Sunrisers Hyderabad playing XI against the Lucknow Super Giants.

Immigration head, Ministry secretary summoned before CoPF

Secretary to the Ministry of Public Security along with Controller General of the Department of Immigration and Emigration have been summoned before the Committee on Public Finance tomorrow, CoPF Chairman Dr. Harsha De Silva said today.

Mystery surrounds inmate deaths at Magazine Prison

Following the deaths of two inmates at the Magazine Prison allegedly after consuming a parcel of rice containing pork curry, the Department of Prisons has announced an internal investigation into the incident.

Over 2,000 Grama Niladharis appointed today

Following the Grama Niladhari examination conducted till December 2, 2023, a total of 2,100 letters were issued to new recruits appointed to Grama Niladhari positions.

Medawachchiya OIC remanded over lorry driver losing testicle after assault

The OIC of the Anti-Vice Unit of the Medawachchiya police, who had been arrested by the CID for allegedly assaulting a young truck driver and which resulted in a surgery to remove his testicle, was produced before the Medawachchiya Magistrate Nimesha Dharmadasa and remanded till May 15.

Government MP given land at BIA to operate jet fuel storage facility: Dayasiri

The government has provided a plot of land to a government MP at the Bandaranaike International Airport (BIA) to operate a jet fuel storage facility, Parliamentarian Dayasiri Jayasekara revealed today.

AstraZeneca says it will withdraw COVID-19 vaccine globally

AstraZeneca (AZN.L), opens new tab said on Tuesday it had initiated the worldwide withdrawal of its COVID-19 vaccine due to a ’’surplus of available updated vaccines’’ since the pandemic.

No airline in the world making profits: Minister

No airline in the world is making any profits and it is a situation inherent to all airlines, Civil Aviation Minister Nimal Siripala de Silva said today.

Australia raises minimum savings for student visa, warns on fake recruitment

Australia said on Wednesday it would raise the amount of savings international students will need to get a visa and warned several colleges of fraudulent student recruitment practices, as part of efforts to rein in record migration.

Emirates reaffirms strategic cooperation with SLTPB

Underscoring Emirates’ commitment to boost tourism inflows across its network, the airline has reaffirmed its strategic cooperation with Sri Lanka Tourism Promotion Bureau.

Mujibur Rahman likely to replace Diana Gamage?

The Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB) will hold a discussion shortly to decide on who will fill the national list slot that has fallen vacant as a result of the Supreme Court decision that Diana Gamage cannot function as an MP as she is not a citizen of Sri Lanka, party General Secretary Ranjith Madduma Bandara said today.

Sri Lankan Engineers urged to help rebuild nation

Highlighting that Sri Lanka has lost US $ 130 billion from 2006 to 2022 as a result of making wrong decisions, all engineers were called upon to become catalysts of rebuilding the nation.