Hirunika’s bail application to be heard on July 4

The bail application (bail pending appeal) filed on behalf of former Colombo district Parliamentarian Hirunika Premachandra was today fixed for July 4 by the Colombo High Court.

Yupun to get wildcard entry for Paris Olympics?

Sprinter Yupun Abeykoon’s hopes of obtaining direct qualification for the 2024 Paris Olympic Games were shattered when he pulled out of the Sri Lanka Athletic (SLA) Special Selection Trials held at the Mahinda Rajapaksa Sports Complex in Diyagama.

Kadiravel Shanmugam to fill vacancy created by Sampanthan’s death

Kadiravel Shanmugam is to enter Parliament filling the vacancy created by the demise yesterday of TNA leader R. Samanthan.

China rocket crashes after ’accidental’ launch

A rocket that accidentally launched after getting separated from its launch pad crashed in China on Sunday.

8-month-old baby among injured in Bandaragama accident

The Bandaragama police report that seven people, including two young children, were injured in a head-on collision at Maragas Junction in Galthude on the Bandaragama-Kalutara Road.

Ravindra Jadeja announces T20I retirement after T20 World Cup victory

Star India all-rounder Ravindra Jadeja has announced his decision to retire from T20 internationals following India’s T20 World Cup 2024 triumph.

Construction sector continues to expand due to new projects

Outlook in the next three months remains positive as many expect an increase in the availability of new and bigger projects

Parinda Ranasinghe sworn in as Acting Attorney General

Senior Additional Solicitor General Parinda Ranasinghe PC took oaths as the Acting Attorney General before the Chief Justice a short while ago.

Indian PM condoles Sampanthan’s death

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi condoled the death of former Tamil National Alliance (TNA) leader R. Sampanthan.

Piumi Hansamali arrives at Illegal Assets Investigations Division

Model Piumi Hansamali arrived at the Criminal Investigation Department’s (CID) Illegal Assets Investigations Division to give a statement following allegations that she has acquired substantial properties through organized crimes.

SL Navy receives critical fisherman brought by ’MV Kota Camil’

The Sri Lankan fisherman who was critically ill after consuming an unknown substance found in a bottle floating in the sea was handed over to the SLNS Vijayabahu from the Singaporean merchant ship ’MV Kota Camil’.

Australia doubles foreign student visa fee in migration crackdown

Australia said on Monday it had more than doubled the visa fee for international students, the latest move by the government to rein in record migration that has intensified pressure on an already tight housing market.

Laundrywatte...

Laundrywatte, a locality in the heart of Colombo, is home to the dhobi community, who have been engaged in washing loads of dirty linen collected from various places for generations. This community, residing around the Beira Lake, has been in this profession since 1928, according to historical records. Pix by Nisal Baduge

Ready to work with all who back my candidacy at the presidential poll: Ranil

Responding to a request made by some government ministers that he should contest for the presidential election, President Ranil Wickremesinghe yesterday said he is ready to work with everyone who made this request.

1 million tourist arrival marked

Sri Lanka tourism reached a key milestone on Saturday, welcoming its one millionth tourist for 2024. The millionth tourist was Patricia Roe and her husband Paul from Ireland, who arrived on 29 June on UL 504 from London. According to the Sri Lanka Tourism Promotions Bureau (SLTPB), this is their first visit to the island nation.

Health Ministry in limbo as exodus of doctors makes a comeback

With the medical brain drain back on the increase after a period of decline, the Health Ministry is in a tight spot as they run out of options to tackle the matter.

Explosion at Turkish restaurant

Five people were killed and at least 63 injured in a gas explosion at a restaurant in Turkey on Sunday, the country’s interior minister said.

Sri Lanka crosses 1 million tourist arrival mark

Sri Lanka tourism reached a key milestone on Saturday, welcoming its one millionth tourist for 2024.

No immediate impact on nominal debt stock via restructuring: Finance Min.

Since official creditors provide debt relief through maturity extensions and interest rate reductions, there is no immediate impact on the nominal debt stock through restructuring, the Ministry of Finance said.

Former TNA Leader R. Sampanthan no more

Veteran Tamil politician and parliamentarian R. Sampanthan passed away at a private hospital in Colombo today evening, aged 91.

MAS Holdings launches Sri Lanka’s largest Public-Private Partnership for developing future Olympians

MAS Holdings, Sri Lanka’s leading apparel-tech conglomerate, has received Cabinet approval to establish the MAS Athlete Training Academy, the nation’s first and largest Public-Private Partnership (PPP) aimed at fostering next-generation Olympians.

Teachers, principals alliance to launch school protests tomorrow against President’s threats

Following discussions, the Teachers and Principals Alliance, has decided to launch protests in front of schools tomorrow against the threats by the President instead of providing solutions to issues in the education system, Ceylon Teachers’ Union (CTU) General Secretary Joseph Stalin said.

Fuel prices reduced from tonight

The Ceylon Petroleum Corporation (CPC) has reduced its fuel prices with effect from tonight.

Mayhem as Referees assaulted

In today heated rugby match between Science College and S. Thomas’ College, a controversial call led to post-match mayhem. Towards the end of play, a Science player appeared to have scored a try, but the main referee, uncertain of the play, sought the line referee’s opinion, and ruled it out.

Chamari Athapatthu to flag off LPL 2024

Sri Lanka Women’s Team Captain, Chamari Athapaththu, will flag off the Lanka Premier League (LPL) 2024 during a vibrant opening ceremony scheduled for tomorrow at the Pallekele International Cricket Stadium, Kandy.

Boy, 13, shot dead by New York police had replica gun, authorities say

Police in New York state have shot dead a 13-year-old boy after he ran from police while holding a replica handgun, authorities said.

Drunk train driver abandons Colombo-Kandy train

The driver of a Colombo to Kandy train, who was reportedly intoxicated and agitated, abruptly stopped the train at Suduhumpola near the Kandy city and fled the scene.

Customs arrests passenger with gold jewellery worth Rs. 20 million

Officers from the Narcotics Control Unit of Sri Lanka Customs at the Katunayake Bandaranaike International Airport arrested a Sri Lankan national arriving from France for attempting to smuggle undeclared 24k gold jewellery through the green channel.

Two Naval Intelligence officers arrested for alleged involvement in drug trade

Two Sri Lanka Navy personnel attached to the Intelligence Unit have been arrested by the Sri Lanka Navy’s Special Investigation Unit over their alleged involvement in a large-scale drug smuggling racket.

Fuel price revision tonight, no bus fare revision again

A fuel price revision will take place tonight, the Power and Energy Ministry said.