Kusal Mendis secures visa to USA after delay

Sri Lankan cricketer Kusal Mendis, whose visa was delayed for travel to the USA for the T20 World Cup, is finally set to depart after receiving approval for his visa.

Over 15,000 Sri Lanka Army deserters granted amnesty discharges

More than 15,000 soldiers who had deserted the Sri Lanka Army have received legal discharges during the month-long amnesty period declared by Sri Lanka’s Ministry of Defence.

CB has enough dollars to prevent rising dollar value

The value of the US dollar and the Sri Lanka Rupee is determined by the supply and demand. If the value of the dollar rises significantly, the Central Bank of Sri Lanka (CBSL) has sufficient dollars to control it, Finance State Minister Ranjith Siambalapitiya said.

’We will not allow anyone to harm India’s security’: Ali Sabry

Sri Lankan Foreign Minister Ali Sabry affirmed his country’s commitment to safeguarding India’s national security interests on Monday, stating that Colombo, as a responsible neighbour, will not allow anyone to harm India’s security.

Netanyahu denounces bid to arrest him over Gaza war

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has angrily condemned the International Criminal Court’s prosecutor for seeking arrest warrants for him alongside Hamas’s leaders over alleged war crimes in the Gaza conflict.

Adverse weather: More than 33,000 people in 10 districts affected

More than 33,000 people in ten districts have been affected due to adverse weather conditions around the country, Disaster Management Centre (DMC) Director Pradeep Kodippili said.

France optimistic about conclusion of Sri Lanka’s debt restructuring very fast

French Ambassador Jean-François Pactet expressed optimism yesterday that Sri Lanka’s debt restructuring process could be concluded ‘very fast’ but declined to elaborate on more details

Rain above 100mm today too

Heavy showers of above 100mm are likely in the Western, Sabaragamuwa and North-Western Provinces and in the Galle, Matara, Kandy and Nuwara-Eliya districts, the Forecasting Division of the National Meteorological Centre said.

Sri Lanka launches probe into alleged ISIS links

Sri Lanka’s State Intelligence has launched an immediate probe to obtain further information on the four Sri Lankan individuals alleged to be ISIS suspects who had travelled to India in recent days and were arrested by the Gujarat Anti-Terrorist Squad upon arrival at Ahmedabad Airport, the Daily Mirror learns.

State coffers lose billions as Customs officers enjoy unfair benefits

The state coffers have been deprived of billions of rupees, as Sri Lanka Customs (SLC) officers enjoy unfair benefits in penalties related to customs offenses and overtime pay, a special audit carried out by the Auditor General on the management/administration of various funds in SLC revealed.

Starlink: Govt. initiates drafting new telecommunication regulations

In the wake of plans by tech baron Elon Musk to visit Sri Lanka later this year, the government has initiated the process of evolving fresh regulations to facilitate the launch of Starlink satellite internet service, a Minister said yesterday.

SL proposes 10% levy on annual profits of global tax evasion assets

In an effort to support blended finance projects focused on climate change adaptation and mitigation, Sri Lanka proposed a 10 percent levy on the annual profits of global tax evasion assets deposited in tax havens.

Thai delegation in SL to explore opportunities in renewable energy

A delegation comprising officials representing Thai agencies and private sector is in Sri Lanka to explore feasibility and understand the potentials in future cooperation and investment in renewable energy, particularly in the electricity generation in Sri Lanka.

Man shot dead in Kalutara

An individual was shot dead by two unidentified men who arrived on a motorcycle at Katukurunda in Kalutara.

Sri Lanka declares tomorrow a day of mourning for Iranian President

Sri Lanka declares tomorrow as a day of mourning in view of the death of Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi.

Anura ready for debate with Sajith on June 6: Nalinda Jayatissa

NPP leader Anura Kumara Dissanayake is ready to participate in the proposed debate with Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB) leader Sajith Premadasa on June 6, NPP Executive Committee member Dr. Nalinda Jayatissa said today.

Sri Lanka to get Octane 100 petrol soon

Sri Lanka is about to receive 100 Octane premium petrol, known as XP100 rating fuel, which helps enhance the performance of vehicles, particularly high-end luxury cars and bikes.

ASP Minura Senarath appointed Acting Director of Police Media Division

Assistant Superintendent of Police W. M. Minura Senarath has been appointed as the Acting Director of the Police Media Division by IGP Deshabandu Tennakoon.

Sri Lankan, Thai Missions in Kenya celebrate UN Vesak

The High Commission of Sri Lanka and the Thai Embassy in Kenya hosted the International Vesak Day 2024 celebration at the United Nations Office in Nairobi. This event commemorated the Birth, Enlightenment, and Passing Away of Lord Buddha and marked the 25th anniversary of the UN General Assembly resolution 54/115, recognizing the Day of Vesak internationally.

ICC prosecutor seeks arrest of Israeli and Hamas leaders

The chief prosecutor of the International Criminal Court (ICC) has applied for arrest warrants for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Hamas’s leader in Gaza for war crimes.

Pakistani woman nabbed with heroin worth over Rs. 70 mn at BIA

A Pakistani woman who arrived from Abu Dhabi this morning was arrested by the Customs Narcotic Control Unit at the Katunayake International Airport (BIA) while attempting to smuggle into the country a stock of 02.450 kilograms of heroin.

Court prevents Wijedasa functioning as SLFP Chairman

The Colombo District Court today issued an enjoining order preventing Minister Wijeyadasa Rajapakshe PC and Attorney-at-Law Keerthi Udawatta from functioning as Sri Lanka Freedom Party (SLFP) Chairman and party Acting General Secretary respectively.

Police Sub Inspector arrested with illicit liquor, distilling gear

A police Sub Inspector (SI) who had in his possession a stock of 14 litres of illicit liquor and distilling equipment was arrested by Thirappane Police during a raid on his house.

Four ISIS terrorists hailing from Sri Lanka arrested at Ahmedabad airport

The Gujarat Anti-Terrorism Squad (ATS) has arrested four ISIS terrorists, all of whom are Sri Lankan nationals, at Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport in Ahmedabad.

SLPP has not requested President to hold general elections first: Sagara Kariyawasam

The Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna (SLPP) has not requested President Ranil Wickremesinghe to hold a general election first but only conveyed the opnion of the SLPP to the President, SLPP General Secretary Sagara Kariyawasam said today.

Suspect arrested for sending over 100 persons to Russia on tourist visas

A person was arrested in Dehiwala for facilitating over 100 individuals to go to Russia on tourist visas, police said.

Businessman arrested for assaulting Iranian Ambassador, further remanded

The businessman from Colombo 7 who was arrested and remanded over the alleged assault on Iranian Ambassador Dr. Alireza Delkhosh at the Colombo City Center (CCC) car park, has been further remanded till May 22.

Will stop MPs’ moves to obtain vehicle permits: Anura Kumara

Claiming that 82 MPs have requested vehicle permits, NPP leader Anura Kumara Dissanayake said they would take possible steps to stop the move.

Hold Presidential, General elections simultaneously: SJB MP

Responding to speculations made on the political platform that a general election will precede a Presidential election, Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB) MP Harshana Rajakaruna today urged the authorities to hold the Presidential and General elections simultaneously.

Sri Lanka deeply shocked by tragic death of President Raisi: Ranil

Sri Lanka is deeply shocked and saddened by the tragic death of President Ebrahim Raisi, Foreign Minister Amir Abdollahian and other senior Irani officials, President Ranil Wickremesinghe said in a messege on X.