Teen girl injured in Minneriya shooting

A 17-year-old girl was injured in a shooting incident at Girithale in Minneriya last night, Police said.

Rainy conditions to intensify with showers above 100 mm pegged

The Meteorological Department has issued a weather advisory for several provinces in Sri Lanka, forecasting heavy showers exceeding 100 mm in some areas.

Fatal accident in Pussellawa claims two lives, injures four

An accident in the Helboda area of Pussellawa today (Sunday) has left two individuals dead, including a child, and four others injured after a van plunged down a precipice.

Special train services for post-New Year commuters returning to Colombo

In a bid to accommodate the influx of commuters returning to Colombo after celebrating the Sinhala and Tamil New Year holidays, the Railways Department has announced the commencement of special train services, effective this evening, April 14.

Dengue cases for 2024 top 21,000

The tally of dengue cases recorded for 2024 has topped the 21,000 mark, according to the Epidemiology Unit.

Group of Sri Lankans enroute to Israel stranded in Dubai due to tension in region

A group of Sri Lankans enroute to Tel Aviv in Israel on board Fly Dubai flight FZ 1625 have been stranded in Dubai because air travel is disrupted due to tensions in the region between Iran and Israel.

Advisory issued on severe lightning, heavy showers

The Natural Hazards Early Warning Centre of the Meteorology Department has issued a weather warning for thundershowers accompanied by severe lightning at several places in the Western, Sabaragamuwa, Southern, Central and North-Western Provinces.

Two women killed, two injured in car tragedy at Hali-Ela

Two women were killed and another two injured when a car veered off the road and crashed onto a tree at Hali-Ela on the Badulla-Bandarawela main road.

Efficient healthcare services ensured during festive season: Health Ministry

Health authorities have been instructed by Health Minister Ramesh Pathirana to take necessary steps to ensure efficient and continuous healthcare services during the festive season, Health Secretary Palitha Maheepala said.

Shots fired outside Salman Khan’s house

Shots were fired outside actor Salman Khan’s house in Mumbai’s Bandra on Sunday morning.

Blessings for New Year...

A pirith chanting ceremony was held last night at the Siri Vajiragnana Dhamma School, Maharagama in view of the dawn of the Sinhala and Tamil New Year. Pix by Kithsiri de Mel

Buses operate from today

Buses will arrange for passengers to Colombo today for their requirements, bus associations said.

UN Security Council to meet on Sunday amid Iran’s attack on Israel

The UN Security Council will meet Sunday after Israel demanded an urgent meeting following an Iranian airborne attack.

Sri Lanka Navy brings ashore seized ICE, heroin worth Rs. 3.7 billion

The Sri Lanka Navy brought ashore the seized narcotics, including 179 kgs and 906 gms of Crystal Methamphetamine (ICE) and 83 kgs and 582 gms of heroin, which were seized yesterday in the seas approximately 133 nautical miles (about 246 kms) off Dondra, south of Sri Lanka.

US President extends wishes for Sinhala and Tamil New Year

US President Joe Biden expressed heartfelt wishes to communities celebrating various cultural festivities worldwide including Sri Lankans.

US shoots down Iranian drones bound for Israel

The US has shot down Iranian drones headed to Israel after Iran launched its retaliatory attack early on Sunday.

Starting work, transactions and partaking of meals

Food holds great significance in Sri Lankan New Year celebrations. Traditional sweets like Kavum, Athirasa, Konda Kevum, Unduvel, and Kokis are staples.

Preparing of traditional meals

New Year celebrations are incomplete without special traditional foods and a beautifully adorned table. The festivities begin with boiling milk in a new clay pot, symbolizing prosperity and good fortune for the family. Various traditional customs enrich the New Year celebrations.

Katunayaka expressway plunged into darkness

The majority of the Katunayaka expressway section has been plunged into darkness this evening as the lamp posts have failed to function.

Environmentalists urge public to protect pets from fireworks

As the Sinhala and Tamil festive season approaches, environmentalists in Sri Lanka have sounded the alarm on the detrimental impact of fireworks on pets and wildlife.

Happy New Year!

We wish our readers a happy Sinhala and Tamil New Year!

Dawn of the New Year

As the new year begins, Sri Lankans kick off with a cherished tradition: lighting the hearth to make milk rice, a staple dish symbolizing prosperity for the festive feast.

RDA earns Rs. 126 million within three days from expressway users

The Road Development Authority (RDA) has generated Rs. 126 million in revenue from expressway users between April 10 and 12.

Madagascar woman trying to enter SL with Rs.26 Mn worth swallowed Coke nabbed at BIA

A female Madagascar national who tried to enter Sri Lanka with swallowed capsules containing cocaine worth over Rs. 26 million was intercepted by the Sri Lanka Customs at the Bandaranaike International Airport (BIA) yesterday (12) evening.

New Year gifts to needy children...

The distribution of New Year gift parcels to children under the care of 336 Child Development Centres nationwide in celebration of the Sinhala and Tamil New Year commenced this morning in the Colombo, Kalutara and Gampaha districts.

BASL calls for action against police brutality in Medawachchiya

The Bar Association of Sri Lanka (BASL) has called for swift and transparent action over the alleged assault of a young man by officers of the Medawachchiya Police Traffic Division.

Wild elephant rampage leaves family injured in Dimbulagala

Three members of a family were injured after a wild elephant wreaked havoc, attacking their house in Dimbulagala.

Six dead in mass stabbing at Sydney shopping center

Six people have been killed and several others injured, including a child, in a mass stabbing at a busy shopping center in Sydney, Australian police said.

Sri Lankans in Israel asked to exercise caution

Following the latest development of tension between Israel and Iran, Sri Lankans living in Israel have been asked to exercise caution in anticipation of any emergency.

Inauspicious time begins

The inauspicious time, known as the Nonagathaya, begins today at 2:41 p.m. and lasts until 3:29 a.m. tomorrow, April 14th.