Explosion at factory in Badalgama leaves one dead

A minor explosion in a carbon manufacturing factory in Badalgama, Gampaha, has left one worker dead and 19 others injured.

Applications called for Bribery Commission DG

Applications have been called for the position of the Director General to the Commission to Investigate Allegations of Bribery or Corruption, the Parliament Communications Department said.

Elon Musk’s Starship booster captured in world first

Elon Musk’s Starship rocket has completed a world first after part of it was captured on its return to the launch pad.

Adverse weather kills three, affects over 134,000

More than 134,400 people in twelve districts have been affected due to adverse weather conditions around the country, the Disaster Management Centre (DMC) said.

Flood waters recedes in Western, South-Western rivers

The flood situation in the rivers flowing through the western and south-western areas has started to recede due to lesser rainfall in the catchment areas over the past 24 hours, Irrigation (Hydrology) Director Eng. S.P.C. Sugeeshwara Bandara said.

Final decision on Grade 5 scholarship exam to be announced today

The final decision on the Grade 5 scholarship exam, which has been surrounded by controversy, is set to be announced today (14).

15 Chinese nationals arrested for illegal lodging

Fifteen Chinese nationals, including four women, were arrested by the police yesterday for illegally lodging in a housing complex at Ethul Kotte.

Drone attack kills four Israeli soldiers and injures more than 60

Four soldiers have been killed and more than 60 other people injured in a drone strike targeting an army base in northern Israel, the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) has said.

Rainy conditions expected to continue further

The prevailing showery conditions are expected to continue further in 14 districts due to the atmospheric disturbance in the vicinity of Sri Lanka, the Natural Hazards Early Warning Centre of the Meterology Department said.

Britain says it implements strategies to boost trade with SL

In an effort to bolster trade relations between the United Kingdom and Sri Lanka, the Britain says it has initiated various programmes and mechanisms.

22 women among 130 Chinese arrested in connection with a massive cyber crime

Twenty-two women were among the 130 Chinese racketeers arrested for their alleged involvement in online fraud by the Kandy District Crime Investigation Unit during a raid on a five star hotel in Kundasale over the weekend.

Restructuring of all state enterprises on hold till election is over

The government has put on hold key policy decisions on restructuring state owned enterprises including SriLankan Airlines and the transfer of the Mattala international airport until the general election is over, a top source said.

Schools in several education zones close till tomorrow

Due to adverse weather conditions, schools in several education zones, including those in the Western Province, will close till tomorrow

September remittances at US$ 556mn, bringing earnings closer to normal times

The moneys from Sri Lankans working abroad continued to flow in quite robustly in September albeit some softening seen from a month ago, with a potential to bring the full year inflows by the year end at a striking distance from their former levels seen in normal times.

Keheliya says he would re-enter politics after acquittal of immunoglobulin case

Former Minister of Health Keheliya Rambukwlla who had been granted bail after being remanded for nearly nine months over the alleged importation of substandard human immunoglobulin vials said he would temporarily keep away from politics.

SL’s financial system poised for recovery with asset quality gains, stronger capital buffers

Sri Lanka’s financial system is poised for improvement, with asset quality expected to rise and capital buffers to strengthen, while risks are prudently managed, the Central Bank of Sri Lanka (CBSL) said in its Financial Stability Review 2024.

Cinnamon Life at City of Dreams to open doors tomorrow

John Keells Group is set to officially open Cinnamon Life at City of Dreams Sri Lanka tomorrow, marking the completion of the country’s largest private investment project, valued at over US$1.2 billion.

Sri Lanka’s external reserves just shy of US$ 6bn

Sri Lanka’s gross official reserve assets which provide a buffer against external shocks is inching towards US$ 6.0 billion, nearly three years after the usable balance fell under a mere US$ 50 million, triggering the economic crisis in early 2022.

Mahela returns to Mumbai Indians as head coach

Five-time Indian Premier League (IPL) champions Mumbai Indians (MI) have appointed former Sri Lanka captain Mahela Jayawardene as their head coach ahead of the IPL 2025.

Another SJB candidate withdraws from election campaign

SJB Ratnapura District candidate former MP Karunaratne Paranavithana has also withdrawn from the general elections campaign.

Hirunika resigns as National Organizer of Samagi Vanitha Balavegaya

Former Member of Parliament Hirunika Premachandra has resigned as the National Organiser of the Samagi Vanitha Balavegaya.

NPP has introduced ‘retirement’ into Sri Lankan politics: President

The National People’s Power (NPP) government has been able to introduce the word ’retirement’ into Sri Lankan politics where none of the politicians had retired in the past, other than those who had lost in elections or had died, President Anura Kumara Dissanayake said today.

SLAF readies aircraft, troops for emergency response to bad weather

The Sri Lanka Air Force (SLAF) has mobilised aircraft and troops in anticipation of potential emergencies due to the current adverse weather conditions.

Suspect wanted over murder in Fort at large

Police released a photograph of a suspect, seeking to locate him over a murder in Colombo Fort.

Health officials warn of surge in cancer cases

Health authorities in Sri Lanka have raised concerns over a significant increase in cancer cases, with over 33,000 new diagnoses and 19,000 deaths recorded last year.

Floods in Gampaha...

Most of the areas in Gampaha District are under water due to the heavy rains during the past few days. Pix by Kushan Pathiraja

Environment Ministry thwarts attempt to release arsenic contaminated canned fish stock

The Environment Ministry has thwarted an attempt to release a stock of canned fish contaminated with arsenic, a harmful heavy metal, above the permissible level to the market for composting or animal feed manufacturing, an official said.

Expenditure reports of 20 Presidential candidates pending

The deadline for Presidential election candidates to submit their expenditure reports ends today, and only 18 out of the 38 candidates have submitted their election expenditure reports so far.

STF recovers mobile devices from Boossa high security prison

A smart phone and several other mobile devices were discovered hidden near cells at the Boossa High Security Prison, where organised criminals Sanjeewa Kumara Samaratne, alias Ganemulla Sanjeeva and Samantha Kumara alias ’Wele Suda’ are held.

Fifth peacekeeper wounded in southern Lebanon, UN says

A UN peacekeeper has been wounded in southern Lebanon after being hit by gunfire, the UN Interim Force in Lebanon (Unifil) has said, the fifth member of the multinational force to be injured in recent days.