Customs find Rs.40Mn worth gold gel from passenger’s underwear

Sri Lankan passenger who tried to smuggle in gold gel worth of Rs.40 million, which had been concealed in his undergarment was nabbed by the Customs at the Bandaranaike International Airport (BIA) this morning.

Plans approved for £61.8m redevelopment of Lord’s

Plans for a £61.8m redevelopment of two stands at Lord’s have been approved. The work, voted through by Marylebone Cricket Club (MCC) members last week, will increase the ground’s capacity by 1,100 seats.

I am coming back, says Diana

Former State Minister Diana Gamage, whose parliamentary seat was recently declared illegal by the Supreme Court over her citizenship issue, expressed her determination to return to the political arena.

New special unit to monitor Sri Lankan involvement in Russia-Ukraine conflict

The Ministry of Defence has announced the establishment of a special unit to gather information on the human trafficking of retired Sri Lankan military personnel to the Russia-Ukraine war through illegal channels.

Two Ambassadors, High Commissioner meet Anura Kumara

Japanese Ambassador to Sri Lanka Mizukoshi Hideaki, Ambassador to Switzerland Siri Walt and South African High Commissioner to Sri Lanka Sandile Schalk met National People’s Power (NPP) leader Anura Kumara Dissanayake this afternoon.

Mujibur Rahuman gazetted as MP

The Samagi Jana Balavegaya has nominated Mujibur Rahuman to fill the void left in Parliament following the disqualification of Diana Gamage as a Member of Parliament.

Women Parliamentarians’ Caucus wants SJB to appoint female to Diana’s seat

The Women Parliamentarians’ Caucus (WPC) has requested the Samagi Jana Balavegaya to appoint a suitable woman to the parliamentary seat of Diana Gamage.

Sri Lanka announces squad for T20 World Cup 2024

The Sri Lankan Cricket Selection Committee has unveiled the much-anticipated 15-member squad set to represent the nation in the upcoming ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2024.

Two years since ’Aragalaya’, no compensation for buses destroyed: Gemunu

Two years have passed, but no compensation has been received from the government for the bus owners whose buses were destroyed during the Aragalaya period on May 9, 2022, Lanka Private Bus Owners’ Association (LPBOA) Chairman Gemunu Wijerathne said.

STF officers honored for rescuing hostage children

A team of Special Task Force (STF) officers, lauded for their bravery in rescuing two children held hostage by their father in Jalthara, Hanwella, were honored with cash prizes in recognition of their exemplary service.

Inquiry on visa scam: CoPF decides not to divulge information

The Committee on Public Finance (CoPF) has decided not to temporarily divulge any details on the visa fiasco because of its sensitive nature, CoPF Chairman Harsha de Silva said today.

Reduced New Year drinking leads to less quarrels

Cutting back on alcohol consumption during the Sinhala and Tamil New Year festival has resulted in notable dip in incidents of conflict and quarrels associated with alcohol use during the festival season.

Popular Youtuber Will Davis exposes data breach in Sri Lanka’s visa system

Popular travel influencer Will Davis, also known as ’TrekTrendy’ on YouTube, took to Instagram to raise alarm about a concerning data breach related to Sri Lanka’s visa issuing system.

Presidential poll to be held between September 17, October 16

The Election Commission formally announced that the 2024 Presidential election will be held on a day between September 17 and October 16.

Court imposes travel ban on Diana Gamage

The Colombo Chief Magistrate’s Court today issued an order preventing State Minister Diana Gamage from leaving the country.

37 liquor permits issued this year, 474 more can be given: Siyambalapitiya

A total of 37 new liquor permits (FL4) were issued by the Excise Department during the first four months of this year, State Minister of Finance Ranjith Siyambalapitiya said today.

Govt. provides USD 25 million for Smart Climate Irrigation Agriculture Project

The government had decided to provide USD 25 million for the Smart Climate Irrigated Agriculture Project (SCIAP) for this year in many difficult districts through this project, Agriculture and Plantation Industries Minister Mahinda Amaraweera said.

Astronomers finally detect a rocky planet with an atmosphere

Astronomers have searched for years for rocky planets beyond our solar system with an atmosphere - a trait considered essential for any possibility of harboring life. Well, they finally seem to have located one. But this hellish planet - apparently with a surface of molten rock - offers no hope for habitability.

Club dancer nabbed with Kush at BIA

A 32-year-old club dancer who attempted to smuggle a stock of Kush worth Rs. 500 million into the country was arrested at the Bandaranaike International Airport (BIA) yesterday by the officers of the Police Narcotics Division.

Luis Rubiales to stand trial over World Cup kiss

The former head of the Spanish football federation, Luis Rubiales, will stand trial for sexual assault over his unsolicited kissing of Women’s World Cup player Jenni Hermoso.

Opposition Leader must take full responsibility over issues faced by country: President

Claiming that Opposition Leader Sajith Premadasa must take full responsibility over the issues faced by the country, President Ranil Wickremesinghe said today that if Premadasa had taken up the premiership on April 10, there would have been no issues.

Sri Lanka slated to achieve 3 percent economic growth this year: President

Sri Lanka is slated to achieve a three percent economic growth while inflation has dropped to 1.5 percent by going along on a challenging and correct path, President Ranil Wickremesinghe told Parliament today.

Speaker announces vacancy in Parliament

Speaker Mahinda Yapa Abeywardane announced in Parliament that a Parliamentary seat has fell vacant after the Supreme Court ruled that Diana Gamage is ineligible to be an MP.

Kenyan President lauds Sri Lankan investors in his country

Following the successful acquisition of Liptons East African Tea Plantations across Kenya, Rwanda and Tanzania, Browns has solidified its position as the world’s largest tea producer.

Marine heat waves: coral reefs in Sri Lankan waters risk die-offs

Coral reefs in the sea around Sri Lanka risk die-offs if the current marine heat level persists for another one month or so, a top scientist said yesterday.

National women's cricket team returns

The Sri Lanka national women’s cricket team, which won the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup Qualifier final, arrived at the Bandaranaike International Airport this morning. Pix by T.K.G. Kapila

No legal barrier for non Sri Lankans to register political parties; Mahinda Deshapriya

There is no legal barrier for the non-citizens to register a political party, Former Chairman of Elections Commission Mahinda Deshapriya said yesterday.

Govt’s pre-poll development drive met with stiff resistance from Election Commission

The government’s development drive ahead of the presidential election met with stiff resistance from the Election Commission (EC) which barred the involvement of political representatives of the ruling side in any such activities, an official said.

SJB legitimacy at stake after SC ruling on Diana: Kanchana

Another court case with regard to Diana Gamage is on the cards as anyone could file another court case calling the Supreme Court to declare whether Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB) MPs could remain in Parliament as per yesterday’s judgement, Minister Kanchana Wijesekera told Parliament yesterday.

Sri Lanka targets economic transition achieving net zero

Plans are underway to introduce legislation in Parliament, which would ensure that all government policies focus on the transformation to a highly competitive export-oriented economy, President Ranil Wickremesinghe said.