Easter security beefed up...

Security has been beefed up at all churches in view of Good Friday and Easter Sunday. The IGP has instructed the OICs to meet with the priests and boards of trustees of churches to prepare security plans that will be tailored according to the needs of each church while the Holy Masses are in progress today and tomorrow. Pix by Nimalsiri Edirisinghe

Two prisoners escape from Anuradhapura open prison

Two inmates detained in the Anuradhapura open prison escaped this afternoon, sources said.

For Ramadan Festival...

During this Ramadan festival, along with experiencing the vibrant culture and traditional crafts of Pakistan, the trade fair ’’Ramadan Festival’’ will be held at the Excitation Ground at Baladaksha Mawatha, Colombo, where textiles, home appliances and food items will be available. It will be held from noon to midnight till March 31. Pix by Kithsiri De Mel

MI skipper Pandya shoves off Malinga after losing to SRH, netizens slam his behaviour

Hardik Pandya received a hostile reception from the crowd in Ahmedabad and Hyderabad as he was booed during the toss and also subjected to jeers throughout the match.

Tourist rescued after falling down Sri Pada precipice

An Indian tourist who fell down a more than 100 metre precipice at the Ehela Kanuwa, Ratnapura-Sri Pada route in the early hours of this morning was rescued by a team from the Maskeliya Police Special Task Force (STF) camp.

Police confiscate vehicles, property worth over Rs. 110 mn

A fleet of vehicles and property worth over Rs. 110 million have been confiscated by the Police Illegal Assets and Property Investigation Unit today.

Future Harvest Expo 2024

Future Harvest - EXPO 2024 exhibition was hosted at the Bandaranaike Memorial International Conference Hall (BMICH) today. Pix by Kithsiri de Mel

Good Friday!

The Wellapalliya parish of Elakanda Watthala Christians are seen carrying the cross in their traditional way to mark the Good Friday in which Christians commemorate the death of Jesus Christ who was crucified at Calvary 2024 years ago. Pix by Pradeep Pathirana

Polar ice is melting and changing Earth’s rotation

One day in the next couple of years, everyone in the world will lose a second of their time. Exactly when that will happen is being influenced by humans, according to a new study, as melting polar ice alters the Earth’s rotation and changes time itself.

Girl, 8, only survivor as 45 killed in bus crash in South Africa

Forty-five people have died in South Africa after the bus they were in plunged some 50m (165ft) off a bridge into a ravine, authorities say.

’Spas’ face imminent closure amid HIV scare

On the heels of the massive raid conducted on ’Spas’ in the Negombo area resulting in the detection of two HIV cases, illegal spas and Ayurvedic spas that secretly offer prostitution services are facing imminent closure in many parts of the island, Daily Mirror learns.

SLPP heading for split

Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna (SLPP) is heading for a split with one section insisting on fielding its candidate at the presidential election and the other advocating support for the candidacy of President Ranil Wickremesinghe, Daily Mirror learns.

Do not click on links shared on social media platforms: SLCERT

Sri Lanka Computer Emergency Readiness Team (SLCERT) requested people not to click on links shared on social media platforms claiming to receive presents given by popular brand names and their trade marks.

Rise in hand-foot-and-mouth disease among children

Lady Ridgeway Hospital (LRH) Consultant Pediatrician Dr. Deepal Perera said today that there is an increase in the spread of hand-foot-and-mouth disease (HFMD) among schoolchildren these days.

Colombo Hospital staffers refuse uniforms despite allowance

Minor staffers at the National Hospital Colombo (NHC) have chosen not to wear their uniforms, despite receiving an annual allowance for them, according to an official from the hospital.

CAA to withdraw gazette which prevents traders charging for polyethylene bags

The Attorney General today informed Supreme Court that the Consumers Affairs Authority would withdraw its gazette notification issued directing all traders not to charge for polyethylene bags issued to consumers when they are purchasing goods.

March headline inflation drops substantially to 0.9%

Headline Inflation, as measured by the Colombo Consumer Price Index (CCPI), dropped to 0.9 percent in March 2024 from 5.9 percent in February, data from the Department of Census and Statistics (DCS) showed.

Short term parate suspension will not significantly impact financial sector: CB

The Central Bank this week noted that the government’s move to suspend the rights of banks to exercise parate execution will not have severe implications on the financial sector since it is a short term measure.

Sri Lanka confident of meeting conditions for IMF funding soon

Sri Lanka is confident it can iron out debt restructuring issues in the second quarter as external creditors are engaging positively, State Minister Shehan Semasinghe said, as reported by Bloomberg. This will pave the w

Fallen ’Crypto King’ Sam Bankman-Fried gets 25 years for fraud

Sam Bankman-Fried, co-founder of the failed crypto exchange FTX, has been sentenced to 25 years in prison for defrauding customers and investors of his now-bankrupt firm.

Maithripala noticed to appear before Court on April 4

The Maligakanda Magistrate’s Court issued a notice directing former President Maithripala Sirisena to appear before Court and provide a statement regarding his recent controversial revelation regarding the Easter Sunday attacks.

'We should win': Shakib before joining Tigers ahead of second SL Test

Former Bangladesh skipper Shakib Al Hasan said that he believes the Tigers have the capability to do well and even win their upcoming Test against Sri Lanka.

18-member squad for Asian U-20 Meet

Sri Lanka Athletic (SLA) will field an 18-member contingent for the 21st Asian Under-20 Junior Athletic Championship, conducted by the Asian Athletic and to be held from April 24 to 27 in Dubai, United Arab Emirates.

Ven. Siridhamma Thera released from PTA charges

The Colombo Chief Magistrate today ordered to release former Convenor of Inter University Bhikku Federation (IUBF) Ven. Galwewa Siridhamma Thera from a case filed for allegedly committing offences under the Prevention of Terrorism Act (PTA) during the Aragalaya protests in 2022.

Cop sentenced to four years for accepting bribe of Rs. 500

The Colombo Chief Magistrate’s Court sentenced a police sergeant to four years’ imprisonment for accepting a bribe of Rs. 500, the Commission to Investigate Allegations of Bribery or Corruption said.

British tourist flees hotel after false theft complaint

A British tourist, who allegedly made a false complaint about cash and belongings being stolen, is said to have fled from the hotel upon realizing that the police suspected the authenticity of the complaint.

New online reporting system launched for child sexual abuse

A new online reporting system for child sexual abuse was launched today under the leadership of President Ranil Wickremesinghe.

No suitable presidential candidate for SLPP now; Namal has another 5 to 10 years: Prasanna

Claiming that the Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna (SLPP) has no suitable Presidential candidate at the moment, Minister Prasanna Ranatunga said Namal Rajapaksa can contest for Presidency only after another five to ten years’ time.

Reduction of Special Commodity Levy on rice will not lead to imports: Siyambalapitiya

The special commodity levy on rice was reduced not to allow import of rice but to clear a stock of rice currently stuck with the Customs, State Minister of Finance Ranjith Siyambalapitiya said today.

Fire erupts at tyre shop in Colombo

A fire has broken out in a tyre shop located on Armour Street in Colombo.