New Miss USA crowned, capping tumultuous year of pageant controversy

Michigan’s Alma Cooper, a US Army officer, was named Miss USA on Sunday, becoming the third person to hold the title this year following the shock resignation of 2023’s winner.

Kandy Esala perahara festival begins today

The Kandy Esala perahara festival will commence today, with the auspicious ‘Kap’ planting ceremony at the four main Devalayas.

Former Sri Lankan cricketer Hashan Tillakaratne joins SJB

Former Sri Lankan cricketer Hashan Tillakaratne has obtained membership in the Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB) party and pledged support to opposition leader Sajith Premadasa for this year’s presidential election, party sources said.

Election Commission refutes reports on voting at any polling station

The Election Commission categorically refuted media reports suggesting that voters will be able to cast their votes at any polling station at the upcoming Presidential election.

Lyles wins sensational 100m gold by 0.005 seconds

US sprint star Noah Lyles won the Olympic 100m title by five-thousandths of a second from Jamaica’s Kishane Thompson in a dramatic photo finish at Paris 2024.

Bandula says he never accused RW of bond scam

Minister of Transport, Highways, and Mass Media Dr. Bandula Gunawardena reiterated that he had never accused President Ranil Wickremesinghe of the Central Bank bond scam, for which the individuals appointed by him were responsible.

HRCSL urges police to ensure impartiality during election period

The Human Rights Commission of Sri Lanka (HRCSL) stressed the importance of the responsibility of the Sri Lanka Police and the State officials to provide equal protection of the law devoid of any form of bias or discrimination as prescribed in Article 12 of the Constitution of Sri Lanka.

Ballot paper price increases fourfold, more candidates cost taxpayers dearly

The cost of security paper used for ballot paper printing has increased fourfold compared to 2019 when the last Presidential Election was conducted and therefore it is economically beneficial for the country to have a minimum number of candidates in the fray, two sources said.

Key batter ruled out as England name squad for Sri Lanka Tests

Regular opener Zak Crawley will miss the series due to a fractured right little finger sustained in the third Test of the recently concluded series against the West Indies, which the hosts won 3-0.

Vandersay and Asalanka star as Sri Lanka clinch 32-run win, lead series 1-0

Career-best bowling figures from spin bowler Jeffrey Vandersay and skipper Charith Asalanka’s brilliance with the ball led Sri Lanka to a 32-run victory over India in the second ODI. The win gives Sri Lanka a 1-0 lead in the 3-match series at R. Premadasa Stadium in Colombo on Sunday.

Djokovic beats Alcaraz to win long-awaited Olympic gold

Novak Djokovic beat Carlos Alcaraz in thrilling fashion to secure a long-awaited Olympic title and complete the career ’Golden Slam’.

Bangladesh imposes indefinite curfew

The government of Bangladesh declared an indefinite nationwide curfew starting at 6 p.m. (1200 GMT) on Sunday, the first time it has taken such a step during the current protests that began last month.

Intelligence services warn government on NPP’s tri-forces forum, overseas Sri Lankans a threat: Anura Kumara

The state intelligence services have warned the government in its recent report that overseas Sri Lankans and the Retired Tri-Forces Forum of the National People’s Power (NPP) have been the influential factors in the NPP’s victory, NPP leader Anura Kumara Dissanayake said today.

Dilith Jayaweera named ’Sarvajana Balaya’ Presidential candidate

Mawbima Janatha Pakshaya leader Dilith Jayaweera has been named the Presidential candidate of the ’Sarvajana Balaya’ alliance.

HRCSL to accept complaints on election law violations

The Human Rights Commission of Sri Lanka announced that it will accept complaints regarding violations of election laws by police and other government officials ahead of the Presidential election.

India seeks duty concession on cars, commercial vehicles, machinery in FTA with Sri Lanka

India is seeking customs duty concession on a number of goods including cars, commercial vehicles and machinery from Sri Lanka under a comprehensive free trade agreement (FTA), talks for which are underway, an official said.

Paying last respects ...

Thousands of people have gathered at the Gangaramaya Temple in Colombo to pay their respects to Venerable Galboda Gnanissara Thera (Podi Hamuduruwo). Pix by Kithsiri de Mel

Rohitha to support Ranil in Presidential election

SLPP Kalutara District MP Rohitha Abeygunawardena has announced that he will support President Ranil Wickremesinghe in the upcoming presidential election.

Sri Lankans including singers arrested in Kuwait, released

The Sri Lankans, including the singers who were arrested in Kuwait, have been released.

US urges citizens to leave Lebanon on ’any available ticket’

The US embassy in Beirut has urged its citizens to leave Lebanon on “any ticket available”, amid soaring tensions in the Middle East.

Alfred storms to Olympic 100m gold in Paris

Julien Alfred stormed to the women’s 100m title at Paris 2024 to make history as St Lucia’s first Olympic medallist.

Hasaranga ruled out of ODI series due to injury

Sri Lanka’s team, already facing challenges due to a shortage of fast bowlers, has suffered another setback as spinner Wanindu Hasaranga has been ruled out for the remainder of the ODI series against India with a left hamstring injury.

'Queen of the pool' Ledecky wins record-equalling ninth gold

American superstar Katie Ledecky equalled the record for the most gold medals by a female Olympian as she won the 800m freestyle title at the Paris Games.

ICC to rectify match officials’ 'human error': Super Over rule to be implemented in next two matches

The International Cricket Council (ICC) has sent a notification to its match officials to implement the Super Over rule for the next two ODI matches, if it happens to be a tie at the end of the 50-over match. This was confirmed by one of the top officials.

Cop commits suicide after allegedly killing three in Moneragala

A police constable attached to Karadugala Police Station in Inginiyagala, Moneragala has committed suicide after reportedly killing another police constable, a woman, and a 17-year-old girl.

Police release photos of three suspects in Athurugiriya shooting

Police today released photographs of three suspects wanted in connection with the Athurugiriya shooting on July 8, where two persons, including ’Club Wasantha’, were killed and several others were injured.

Sri Lankans who attended JVP-affiliated ’Ethera Api’ event nabbed in Kuwait: Manusha

Labour and Foreign Employment Minister Manusha Nanayakkara said 24 Sri Lankans who had attended an event organized by the JVP-affiliated ‘Ethera Api’ Organization have been arrested in Kuwait.

Election commission halts Urumaya land distribution programme

The Election Commission has banned the ‘Urumaya’ land distribution programme spearheaded by President Ranil Wickremesinghe.

COPA mulls promoting cultivation of Wallapatta plant

The Committee on Public Accounts (COPA) has highlighted the need to promote the cultivation of Wallapatta plants claiming that it is a plant that has a high potential to bring foreign exchange to Sri Lanka.

Paying last respects ...

A large number of people arrived at the Gangaramaya temple today to pay their last respects to the late Ven. Galboda Gnanissara Thera. The remains of the Thera are laid at the Gangaramaya Temple for the devotees and the public to pay their respects. Pix by Pradeep Dilrukshana