Tourist arrivals cross 700,000 mark in 14 weeks

Sri Lanka crossed the 700,000 tourist arrival milestone within the first 14 weeks of the year, almost half the time frame taken to reach the mark in 2023.

Tough action against those inconveniencing foreign visitors: Diana Gamage

Strict measures will be taken against anyone causing inconvenience to foreigners visiting the country. She expressed concern over a group of individuals engaging in such indecent behavior, labeling them as disgraceful, Tourism State Minister Diana Gamage said.

Highest possible level of transparency provided in bondholders talks: Semasinghe

In a bid to set the record straight, State Minister Finance Shehan Semasinghe pointed out that authorities continue to engage all debt restructuring negotiations in good faith, within principles of equitable treatment among creditors, and with maximum transparency within the norms of such negotiations.

Police CCTV Cameras to integrate public and private CCTVs for crime detection

The Police department has decided to enhance crime detection by integrating public and private CCTV camera systems with the Police CCTV camera system, a senior police officer said.

Chamari Athapaththu’s record 195* levels ODI series against SA-W

Sri Lanka women’s captain Chamari Athapaththu made history by registering the 3rd highest individual women’s ODI score of 195* off 139 balls. Her stellar performance led Sri Lanka women’s team to victory against South Africa Women, in the 3rd ODI leveling the 3-match ODI series 1-1.

We are struggling with severe shortage of staff: Excise Chief

The Excise Department of Sri Lanka, one of the three main revenue generating arms of the country’s Ministry of Finance is struggling with a severe dearth of staff even to perform day-to-day duties, as the 17 top rung positions are vacant for months now, the Daily Mirror learns.

Received full presidential commission report on Easter Sunday attacks: Cardinal

The Catholic Church has received the remaining parts of the report submitted by the presidential commission which probed the Easter Sunday attacks, Archbishop of Colombo Cardinal Malcolm Ranjith said today.

Decrease in personal monthly expenses

The monthly expenses of a person in Sri Lanka decreased in February compared to January, the Census and Statistics Department said.

Fire breaks out near Police DIG office in Kandy

A fire broke out in the Mana forest area near the official residence of the Police DIG in the Bahirawakanda Grama Niladhari area in Kandy this evening, the Kandy Disaster Management office said.

100 Police personnel trained to target criminal motorbike riders

In response to alarming shootings by criminals, IGP Deshabandu Tennakoon said that a team of 100 police personnel is undergoing training to go after motorbike riders engaging in criminal activities.

Iran rescues 21 Sri Lankan crewmen from sinking tanker in Gulf of Oman

Iranian authorities said they rescued 21 Sri Lankan crewmen from a Cook Islands-flagged tanker sinking in the Gulf of Oman, the state news agency IRNA reported today, according to Reuters.

Post-mortem reveals cause of Palitha Thewarapperuma’s death

The post-mortem examination of former Deputy Minister Palitha Thewarapperuma has determined that severe internal organ damage from electrocution had caused his death.

Sri Lanka continues to engage in debt restructuring talks with bondholders

In a bid to address its financial challenges, Sri Lankan authorities will continue to engage in debt restructuring negotiations, demonstrating their commitment to equitable treatment among creditors and transparency within the norms of such negotiations.

Be cautious when eating more sweets, different food after New Year

Eating a wide range of foods, including sweets, during the Sinhala and Tamil New Year festivities can lead to higher blood sugar and cholesterol levels, Registrar in Clinical Nutrition at the Health Ministry Dr. Janaka Marasinghe said.

CID summons Fr. Cyril Gamini Fernando

Member of the Communications Committee of the Archdiocese of Colombo Fr. Cyril Gamini Fernando has been summoned by the CID for questioning on Friday, April 19.

Complaint lodged over Piumi Hansamali's possession of Gota’s Range Rover

Mage Rata organization president Sanjaya Mahawatta today, lodged a complaint with the Illegal Assets Investigations Division, calling for an inquiry into model Piumi Hansamali using the Range Rover vehicle previously used by former President Gotabaya Rajapaksa.

Plantation community alleges presence of ’scam’ behind Indian Housing project, CWC faces heat

The Ceylon Workers Congress (CWC) is presently facing the heat as allegations have surfaced that the party is forcing Estate Superintendents within the estate community to select members loyal to the CWC as beneficiaries for an Indian grant which gives houses funded by the Indian government.

Using abusive language towards foreigner: Street food vendor granted bail

A street food vendor who used abusive language towards American YouTuber Emeka Iwueze after quoting the price for a portion of Kottu Roti at Rs.1,900 at a street food stall in Hulftsdorp, was granted bail today after being produced before the Colombo Chief Magistrate’s Court.

Damitha, husband further remanded

Popular actress Damitha Abeyratne and her husband, who were held in remand custody over an alleged financial fraud, were today ordered to be further remanded till April 24 after being produced before the Colombo Chief Magistrate’s Court.

Fifteen Sri Lankan fishermen imprisoned in Myanmar granted amnesty

The fifteen Sri Lankan fishermen who were imprisoned in Myanmar last December were granted amnesty, Sri Lankan Ambassador in Myanmar Janaka Bandara said.

Dehiwala Zoo earns Rs. 4.85 million during New Year days

The Dehiwala Zoological Gardens collected a total of Rs. 4.85 million as revenue during April 13, 14 and 15, Zoological Gardens Assistant Director Dinushika Manawadu said.

GCE (O/L) admissions for candidates by next week

Admissions for the GCE Ordinary Level (O/L) examinations will be issued by next week, the Examinations Department said.

Dr. Ariyaratne’s final rites to be held with State Honours

Preparations are underway to bid farewell to late Dr. A. T. Ariyaratne, the founder and President Emeritus of the Sarvodaya Shramadana Movement with full state honors.

Final rites of Thewarapperuma to be held on Friday

According to the family members, the funeral service for former Deputy Minister Palitha Thewarapperuma is scheduled to take place this Friday (10).

Flooding in Dubai turns planes into boats

A fierce storm has lashed Dubai with the “exceptional weather” conditions sparking travel chaos.

Child diarrhoea on the rise

Health officials have noticed significant prevalence of diarrhoeal disease among children these days, urging parents to exercise caution.

Lankan students to shine on global stage with robotics innovations

Six students from the Burhani Serendib School in Colombo have qualified to take part in a prestigious global robotics competition, marking the first time Sri Lankan schoolchildren...

SL-bondholders talks on restructuring terms fail

Government officials continued to sound upbeat in striking a deal with the bondholders, however, authorities this week failed to reach a consensus regarding the terms of restructuring.

Excise Officer arrested for distorting, sharing song on social media

An Excise officer was arrested in Wariyapola for distorting and sharing the ’Sooriya Mangalya’ song on social media.

Leaving for work

In many parts of Sri Lanka, particularly in villages, people still wait until the auspicious time to commence work after the New Year. In urban areas, however, people typically do not adhere to a specific time and resume work immediately after the New Year holidays.