Trump picks Musk to advise on how to ’dismantle’ bureaucracy

US President-elect Donald Trump has picked Elon Musk to lead a newly created Department of Government Efficiency (Doge) for his incoming administration.

IOC calls for suspension of NOCSL Secretary General

The International Olympic Committee (IOC) has called for the immediate suspension of Secretary General of the National Olympic Committee of Sri Lanka (NOCSL) Maxwell de Silva following the conclusions and the recommendations submitted by the NOC Ethics Committee.

Five leading liquor manufacturers to face licence cancellation by Nov 30th

Five leading liquor manufacturers including W. M. Mendis and Co. Limited will face imminent risk of losing its liquor production licence, if an accumulated tax arrears of Rs.8.5 billion is not settled by November 30th, the Daily Mirror learns.

Former MPs asked to hand over firearms by December 30

The Defence Ministry has notified former Members of Parliament, Provincial Councils and leaders of political parties and organisations, and officials in executive positions of the government, to surrender firearms and ammunition issued to them, by December 30, 2024.

New Parliament to convene on November 21

President Anura Kumara Dissanayake has formally summoned the newly elected Parliament to convene for its inaugural session on November 21, 2024, at 10:00 a.m.

International observers meet media

National Mineral Policy needs revision to meet current legal, environmental standards

The National Mineral Policy in Sri Lanka should be revised to align with current legal and environmental conditions.

35 people are killed and 43 injured as motorist 'furious with divorce settlement'

At least 35 people were killed and dozens more injured when a driver who was allegedly unhappy with his divorce settlement drove into a crowd in China, police have revealed.

Pakistan’s toxic smog cover now visible from space

Record-breaking levels of thick, toxic smog that have shrouded eastern Pakistan and northern India since last month can be seen in striking satellite imagery.

Hand, Foot, and Mouth disease on the rise

Sri Lanka has reported a notable increase in cases of Hand, Foot, and Mouth Disease (HFMD) in recent days.

Probe launched into controversial exam paper with political content

The Secretary to the Ministry of Education has directed officials to conduct an immediate investigation into the second-term general knowledge exam paper given to Grade 12 students at CWW Kannangara Central College in Mathugama.

China hit-and-run incident

Election Commission announces vote counting schedule

The Election Commission today announced the vote counting schedule for the general elections to be held on 14th of November.

UN Security Council considers action on Sudan war

The United Nations Security Council is discussing a British-drafted resolution that demands Sudan’s warring parties cease hostilities and calls on them to allow safe, rapid and unhindered deliveries of aid across front lines and borders.

Sufficient buses assigned to operate till Monday: SLTB Chairman

All Sri Lanka Transport Board (SLTB) depots have been instructed to assign their existing bus fleets for operations from today until Monday (18), SLTB Chairman Ramal Siriwardana said.

Fire breaks out at garment factory in Rajagiriya

A fire broke out at a temporary garment factory building on Meda Welikada Road in Rajagiriya.

Hasaranga ruled out of ODI series against New Zealand

Wanindu Hasaranga will miss the upcoming ODI series against New Zealand after sustaining a left hamstring injury while bowling in the second T20I.

Two Chinese women arrested in Kandy

Two Chinese nationals were arrested by the Kandy Tourist Police for allegedly engaging in business activities while on tourist visas in Sri Lanka.

Power and Energy Ministry Secretary summoned to appear before SC

The Secretary to the Ministry of Power and Energy was issued a notice to appear before the Supreme Court on November 19 to explain why his actions should not be considered contempt of court.

Sri Lanka requests U.S. to remove security alert on Arugam Bay

The Foreign Affairs Ministry has requested the U.S. Embassy to remove the security alert issued earlier asking its nationals to avoid the Arugam Bay area until further notice, a spokesperson said yesterday.

Six arrested for forcing man to transfer Rs. 1 Mn after body massage

Six suspects, including a couple, have been arrested for allegedly forcing an individual to transfer Rs. 1 million from his bank account after inviting him for a body massage in Bambalapitiya.

Sri Lankans falling prey to cyber scam centres in Myanmar on the rise, Defence Ministry warns

Sri Lankans currently staying in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) are being sent to cyber scam centres in Myanmar in groups and the National Anti-Human Trafficking Task Force (NAHTTF) has received information through reliable sources that there is an increase in the number of newly recruited Sri Lankan citizens there, the Defence Ministry said.

Schools to be hand over to Grama Niladharis today for election preparations

All schools are to be handed over to the respective Grama Niladhari officers today (12) after classes end, in preparation for the parliamentary elections scheduled for Thursday (November 14), the Education Ministry said.

Low-pressure area over Bay of Bengal may bring thundershowers from tomorrow

The formation of a low-pressure area over the south-west Bay of Bengal today may lead to thundershowers in most parts of the island from November 13, the Meteorology Department said.

Sri Lanka projected to emerge as one of world’s fastest-growing travel destinations in 2025

Sri Lanka is expected to rank among the world’s fastest-growing travel destinations in 2025, with tourism spending forecasted to increase by 40 percent, according to the 2024 WTM Global Travel Report, published in partnership with Tourism Economics.

Policy consistency crucial to boost SL’s apparel exports to US $ 8bn in 2025- JAAF

Policy consistency is key to achieving US $ 8 billion in apparel exports next year, up from an estimated US $ 5 billion in 2024, according to the Joint Apparel Association Forum (JAAF).

Are we going to clean the dirt and create an L board Parliament? :Ranil

Former President Ranil Wickremesinghe who wound up the New Democratic Front (NDF) campaign for the general election said the people of Sri Lanka should decide whether they want to sweep away the dirt and end up with an L board government and a Parliament.

Sri Lanka will receive IMF third tranche by end of February: President

Claiming that the debt restructuring process will be completed by December this year, President Anura Kumara Dissanayake expressed confidence that Sri Lanka will receive the third tranche under the IMF Extended Fund Facility (EFF) by the end of January or early February next year.

CID launches probe into Channel 4 documentary on Sri Lanka’s Easter Sunday bombings

The Criminal Investigation Department (CID) has initiated an investigation into the documentary telecast by Britain’s Channel 4 TV on Sri Lanka’s Easter Sunday bomb attacks in 2019.

Polling cards available online: EC

Ahead of the Parliamentary election scheduled for November 14, the Election Commission has launched an online system enabling voters to access their polling cards.