Man arrested for triple murder in Gampaha

A 42-year-old man has been arrested in connection with the murder of three individuals from the same family at Maladeniya in Nalla, Gampaha early this morning.

Over 280 kgs of narcotics destroyed using high-powered incinerator in Puttalam

Over 280 kgs of narcotics were destroyed using a new high-powered incinerator built at a cost of over Rs. 11 million at Vanathavilluwa in Puttalam yesterday.

President orders to resume ’Suraksha’ students’ insurance programme

President Ranil Wickremesinghe has directed to resume the ’’Suraksha’’ student insurance programme, which was temporarily halted due to economic issues.

Landslide warnings for seven districts

The National Building Research Organisation (NBRO) has issued landslide warnings for seven districts due to the ongoing heavy rainfall.

Families complain on over 400 Sri Lankans in Russia-Ukraine war

Sri Lanka’s Defence Ministry has received over 400 complaints from family members of citizens recruited by mercenary companies to fight in the Russia-Ukraine war.

Sri Lanka Army promotes 1,509 officers and other ranks

A total of 114 officers and 1,395 other ranks in the Sri Lanka Army have been promoted in view of the 15th Victory Day Anniversary.

UN rights office urges Sri Lanka to reveal fate of the disappeared

The UN human rights office, OHCHR, on Friday urged the Sri Lankan Government to take decisive action to uncover the fates and locations of tens of thousands of individuals subjected to enforced disappearances over the years and to hold those responsible accountable.

Colombo Air Show reschedule for next year

The Colombo Air Show and Defence Exhibition (CADE 2024) which was scheduled to be held from May 29 to June 2 at the Galle Face and Colombo Port City, has been postponed to next year, the Sri Lanka Air Force (SLAF) said.

Sri Lanka’s Dinara among prestigious Forbes “30 Under 30 Asia” list

Sri Lankan actress Dinara Punchihewa is among the prestigious Forbes magazine’s “30 Under 30 Asia” entertainment and sports list.

Dengue cases pegged to surge, calls for clean surroundings

Despite a recent dip in infections, ongoing showers are likely to drive a rise in Dengue cases, health officials predicted.

Report of committee on increasing senior citizens’ accounts interest rates to President next week

The report of the committee appointed to inquire on increasing the interest rates of the bank accounts of senior citizens will be handed over to the President next week, Finance State Minister Ranjith Siyambalapitiya said.

Those in low-lying areas requested to be vigilant over floods

People living in low-lying areas along the river basins of Kala Oya, Deduru Oya, Maha Oya, Attanagalu Oya, Kelani Ganga, Kalu Ganga, Gin Ganga, Nilwala Ganga, Bentara Ganga, Kirama Oya and Uruboku Oya are requested to be vigilent over possible floods with the continuous rain during the next few days, the Irrigation Department said.

Shortage of elephant participation for Kandy Esala Perahera

A situation has arisen where getting the participation of elephants at both peraheras has become a problem due to the holding of the Ratnapura Maha Saman Devalaya Perahera and the Kandy Esala Perahera on the same day, Sri Dalada Maligawa Diyawadana Nilame Pradeep Nilanga Dela said.

Spiritual Leader Gurudev Sri Sri Ravi Shankar to visit Sri Lanka

Global spiritual leader and peacemaker Gurudev Sri Sri Ravi Shankar will be visitng Sri Lanka from 18th to 20th May, on an invitation from the Prime Minister of Sri Lanka, Dinesh Gunawardena. This is Gurudev’s sixth visit to the country.

Arrest of four persons over War Dead Commemoration: Sri Lankan authorities in Canada in dilemma

The recent arrest of four Tamils in the Eastern Province over the commemoration of war dead has left Sri Lankan diplomatic authorities in Canada in a precarious position in countering allegations regarding human rights violations, a top source said.

Sri Lanka to vie at Asian Relays in Thailand

The Sri Lanka Mixed Relay Team will leave for Bangkok on Sunday to participate in the Inaugural Asian Athletic Relay Championships – Paris Olympic Games Qualifying Meet – on May 20 and 21 in Thailand.

SL welcomes over 46,000 tourists from May 1 - 12

Sri Lanka welcomed over 46,000 international tourists for the first 12 days of May, a drop in momentum due to the start of the off peak season.

IMF commends SL’s progress achieved thus far

The International Monetary Fund (IMF) this week commended the progress achieved by Sri Lanka thus far in rolling out the economic reforms, the majority of which have been rather painful to the general public.

Vesak pandals in the making….

As Vesak is just around the corner, people erecting pandals in various locations in Colombo, including Kosgashandiya, Thotalanga, Maradana, Peliyagoda, Orugodawaththa and Dematagoda. Pix by Pradeep Pathirana

CEB records Rs. 88.3 bn profits in 1Q24

State run Ceylon Electricity Board (CEB) for the first quarter ended 31 March (1Q24) has recorded a profit of Rs. 88.3 billion, which is a 349.8 percent change when compared with the Rs. 35.3 billion loss recorded in the corresponding period in 2023.

Sri Lanka Navy promotes over 3,000 sailors

In commemoration of the 15th anniversary of Victory Day, the Sri Lanka Navy has promoted 3,146 senior and junior sailors from the Regular and Voluntary Forces.

No legal representation for Gotabaya Rajapaksa in Supreme Court

The Supreme Court today directed the petitioners to serve notices on former President Gotabaya Rajapaksa as he was not represented by a counsel in connection with five fundamental rights petitions.

Over 400 players to go under the hammer at LPL Auction

Over 400 players, both Sri Lankan and overseas, are poised to go under the hammer during the Player Auction of the Lanka Premier League (LPL) T20 Cricket Tournament on May 21 in Colombo.

'Mehta Toss Rule' for Indian Premier League Playoffs

Dr. Rabindra D. Mehta, an India-origin Sports Aerodynamics Consultant, who, in 1980 used to open the bowling with Imran Khan for the Royal Grammar School in Worcester, and who has researched extensively on swing bowling, has been following the IPL from the USA, where he is now based at.

Election Commission urges prompt action on LG polls

In a bid to resolve ongoing electoral issues and ensure the smooth functioning of local governance, the Election Commission has urged the government to hold the Local Government elections as early as possible.

Ella-Wellawaya road closed again

In light of the ongoing adverse weather conditions, authorities have announced the temporary closure of the Ella-Wellawaya main road, effective from 8:00 p.m. today till 6:00 a.m. tomorrow (18).

Facebook, Instagram suspected to be ’too addictive’

BBC-The European Union is investigating Facebook and Instagram over whether they are so addictive that they are having ’’negative effects’’ on the ’’physical and mental health’’ of children.

21 sailors including Sri Lankan trapped on Baltimore ship for 7 weeks

Twenty-one sailors, 20 from India and one from Sri Lanka, are stuck on board the Dali, a container vessel that collided with the Francis Scott Key Bridge in Baltimore, since March 26 due to the ongoing investigation.

Brazil named as hosts for 2027 Women’s World Cup

Brazil have been named hosts of the 2027 Women’s World Cup after beating a joint bid by Belgium, the Netherlands and Germany (BNG).

Tree falls on policemen’s motorbike

Two policemen of the Anuradhapura Police Traffic Division riding on a motorcycle were seriously injured when a wayside tree fell on them at Kawarakkulama Junction.