John Cena gives out costume design Oscar in his ‘birthday suit’

John Cena bared it all at the Oscars on Sunday while presenting the award for best costume design.

’My name removed from speakers’ list’: Navin Dissanayake

Former UNP National Organizer Navin Dissanayake said he did not participate in yesterday’s meeting organized by his party as his name had been removed from the speaker’s list.

SLPP expresses concerns over President’s direct dealing with individual MPs

Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna (SLPP) is reported to have reiterated its concerns with President Ranil Wickremesinghe over his direct dealings with individuals of the party bypassing its hierarchy.

Change from normal judicial practice observed in two appeal cases

A twist from normal judicial practice is observed in two appeal cases that are being heard before the Colombo High Court.

Cillian Murphy wins best actor as Oppenheimer sweeps Oscars 2024

Cillian Murphy has become the first Irish-born winner of the best actor award, as Oppenheimer swept the Oscars.

Prime Minister to head off to China later this month

Prime Minister Dinesh Gunawardena will undertake an official tour of China later this month and hold talks with his counterpart Li Qiang, Daily Mirror learns.

Over 250 Jaffna youths apply to join Sri Lanka Air Force: Sagala

More than 250 youths from Jaffna have applied to join the Sri Lanka Air Force during the ’Air Tattoo 2024’ educational and technological exhibition, which was held in Jaffna in commemoration of the SLAF’s 73rd anniversary.

Dry weather impacts consistent water supply

In light of the ongoing dry weather conditions, the National Water Supply and Drainage Board has highlighted hurdles in maintaining consistent water supply across various regions.

Foreign reserves expand reaching US$ 4.5bn in February

In February, official foreign currency reserves inched up as the Central Bank maintained its efforts to shore up reserves by accumulating foreign currency from banks. This accumulation comes at a time when demand for foreign currency remains subdued compared to the ample supply from remittances, tourism, and robust exports.

Ranil prefers Presidential election first; Rajapaksas want general election: AKD

President Ranil Wickremesinghe is opting to hold the Presidential election first while the Rajapaksas want the General Elections held first, National People’s Power (NPP) leader Anura Kumara Dissanayake said today.

Who’s not moving on from ’timed-out’ celebration?

Sri Lanka secured a thrilling series win over Bangladesh on Saturday when they clinched the third T20 courtesy of a stunning hat-trick from Nuwan Thushara, but the brilliant performance from the visiting Sri Lankan team was probably overshadowed by the split opinions on the ’timed-out’ celebration.

Sajith listening to outsiders and ignoring SJB members: Ranil

Opposition Leader Sajith Premadasa is ignoring members of his own party and is listening to outsiders. This is why he decided not to participate in the debt restructuring process, President Ranil Wickremesinghe said today.

Bangladesh’s Towhid Hridoy found guilty of breaching ICC Code of Conduct

Bangladesh batter Towhid Hridoy was fined 15 per cent of his match fees in the third T20I.

Army returns over 100 acres of land to rightful owners in Jaffna

The government returned a total of 109.56 acres of land, previously occupied by the military, to the rightful owners in the Jaffna peninsula today.

Highlights from 2024 IORA Day...

The 2024 Indian Ocean Rim Association (IORA) Day was held yesterday at the Galle Face, grounds with the participation of diplomatic missions of member countries, partner states and a large number of school students from all provinces of the island. The theme for 2024 IORA Day is ’A Sustainable Indian Ocean for the Future Generation’. The commemoration was held under the chairmanship of President Wickremesinghe. Pix by Kithsiri de Mel

UNP holds first public rally in Kuliyapitiya

The first public rally of the United National Party (UNP) was held in Kuliyapitiya with the participation of President Ranil Wickremesinghe. Pix by Pradeep Pathirana

STF seize Rs.1.1 Mn worth counterfeit fags from Ampara bus stand

A large stock of counterfeit cigarettes worth over Rs.1.1 million, which is suspected to have been smuggled into the country through sea routes, was seized by the Police Special Task Force (STF) from the Ampara bus stand today.

Army troops rescue university student who fell off Alagalla Mountain

The Army troops have rescued a university student who had fallen down the treacherous slopes of the Alagalla Mountain in Kegalle.

Getting busy with Ramazan

As Ramazan, the month of fasting, will start this week, several Muslims were seen in Petta getting busy with their shopping. While buying of clothes is usually done towards the festival of Eid, people were seen getting a head-start, probably since economic conditions have improved from what it was over the last couple of years - Pix by Nisal Baduge

22 Indian fishermen nabbed with 3 trawlers in Sri Lankan waters

The Sri Lanka Navy has apprehended 22 Indian fishermen along with three Indian trawlers while poaching in Sri Lankan waters off the Kovilan Lighthouse in Kareinagar.

KC's overseas education fair - 2024

The KC’s Overseas Education Fair, held today from 10:30 am to 5:00 pm at The Galadari Hotel, Colombo, provided a platform for exploring international education options. Representatives from over 50 universities across 9 countries, including New Zealand, Canada, Finland, Australia, the United States, the United Kingdom, Europe, Dubai and Singapore, were present, offering a diverse array of opportunities. Pix by Kithsiri de Mel

Gotabaya’s book is an attempt to paint image of innocence: National Unity Alliance

The book released by Gotabaya Rajapaksa on an alleged Conspiracy to Oust Him is the latest attempt by the “president who ran away” to paint an image of innocence,National Unity Alliance said.

Sri Lanka reignite timed-out row after T20 series win over Bangladesh

Sri Lanka have reignited the row over the 2023 World Cup timed-out dismissal of Angelo Mathews after celebrating their Twenty20 series win in Bangladesh by pointing to their wrists.

Half number of girls, women do not include sanitary napkins in household expenditures

Due to the affordability of sanitary napkins half the number of girls and women in Sri Lanka do not include sanitary napkins in their household expenditures, the Advocata Institute said.

Ottawa community gathers at vigil to mourn victims of mass killing

More than 300 people gathered in the suburban Ottawa neighbourhood of Barrhaven Saturday for a community vigil following what police have called one of the worst mass killings in the region’s recent history.

Risk of increase in rabies if free-roaming dog population is not controlled: Health authorities

Health authorities warn that there is a risk of an increase in rabies due to the abscence of a proper programme to control the free-roaming dog population in the country.

Stop arresting fresh medical graduates. Arrest quack doctors: Dr. Bellana

Deputy Director of the National Hospital, Colombo and Government Medical Officers’ Forum (GMOF) president, Dr. Rukshan Bellana, claimed that in recent weeks, the police have been arresting fresh medical graduates who were practicing under the supervision of registered doctors while failing to apprehend quack doctors who claimed to be unlicensed practitioners.

Heat advisory raised to caution level in 18 districts

The heat index, the temperature felt on the human body is expected to increase up to ‘Caution Level’ in 18 districts including Colombo, Gampaha and Kalutara districts tomorrow, the Meteorology Department announced today.

Funeral rites according to wishes of victims’ families: Foreign Ministry

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs said it is in communication with the family members in Sri Lanka of the six Sri Lankans who were murdered in Ottawa, Canada and is facilitating their requests with the relevant Canadian authorities through the Sri Lankan High Commission while respecting their privacy.

State Minister of Defence graces Air Tattoo in Jaffna

The fourth day of the ’Air Tattoo 2024’ educational and technological exhibition held at the Muttraweli Ground in Jaffna today. State Minister of Defence Pramitha Bandara Thennakoon, attended the event as the Chief Guest. Air Marshal Udeni Rajapaksa, the Commander of the Air Force, extended a warm welcome to the Chief Guest. Pix by Pradeep Pathirana