Tree uprooting racket in Sigiriya Forest Reserve busted

A large-scale racket of uprooting trees in Sigiriya forest reserve and selling them to a hotel project was foiled by the wildlife conservators yesterday.

Sri Lanka’s February tourist arrivals cross 60,000 mark in first eight days

The tourist arrivals to the island nation crossed the 60,000 mark in the first week of February, indicating improved interest in the destination.

Prof. Siva urges Sri Lankan expatriates to invest in nation’s youth

A prominent American academic of Sri Lankan origin, Prof. Siva Sivanathan, called on Sri Lankan expatriates to be part of Sri Lanka’s growth story by contributing a portion of their earnings to the island nation’s children and youth.

Tax files for everyone impractical to be done- Champika Ranawaka

MP Patali Champika Ranawaka, leader of the United Republic Front underscores the impracticality of preparing tax files for every citizen of Sri Lanka.

Pathum Nissanka runs riot; becomes first Sri Lankan to slam ODI double ton

An inevitable win for Sri Lanka was only delayed by Afghanistan’s sixth wicket pair, Mohammad Nabi and Azmatullah Omarzi, who both cracked tons and shared a 242-run stand, as it turned out to be insufficient and too late.

Diana’s expulsion case postponed as SC bench not properly constituted

The three-judge-bench of the Supreme Court that was set to hear the expulsion petition filed by State Minister Diana Gamage challenging the Samagi Jana Balawegaya’s (SJB) decision to expel her from party membership has been postponed yet again since the Supreme Court bench was not properly constituted.

India and Australia set to renew rivalry in U19 Men’s Cricket World Cup Final

India and Australia overcome dramatic semi-finals to seal their spot in mouthwatering final

Jayasuriya congratulates Nissanka on breaking his record

Former national captain Sanath Jayasuriya was full of praise for opener Pathum Nissanka, who became the first Sri Lankan to score an ODI double century,

Sri Lanka’s first double centurion

Sri Lanka opener Pathum Nissanka created history when he became the first batter from the country to reach the 200-run mark in ODIs. Nissanka scored the country’s first-ever double century in the format during the first ODI of the series against Afghanistan in Pallekele.

Pakistan election 2024: Imran Khan-backed candidates take lead

With Imran Khan’s PTI-backed independent candidates taking the lead, Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) chief Nawaz Sharif said that his party did not have the numbers to form the government, adding that it would have been good if they had a clear majority, Reuters reported.

Train derailment halts up-country line operations

Sri Lanka Railways has announced a disruption in railway operations along the Up-country Line due to a derailment near Ihala Watawala railway station.

Pathum Nissanka becomes Sri Lanka’s first double centurion

Opener Pathum Nissanka broke Sanath Jayasuriya’s 23-year old record for the highest score by a Sri Lankan in ODI cricket, also becoming the country’s first double centurion.

Harsha de Silva re-appointed as Chair of Committee on Public Finance

SJB MP Dr. Harsha de Silva has been re-appointed to serve as the Chairman of Committee on Public Finance.

Australia affirms its renewed commitment to Indian Ocean Region

Australian Minister of Foreign Affairs, Penny Wong, engaged in a significant meeting with Sri Lankan President Ranil Wickremesinghe during the Indian Ocean Conference, marking a pivotal moment in bilateral relations between the two nations.

CAA cracks down on bakery owners for underweight bread sales

The Consumer Affairs Authority (CAA) has taken action against 232 bakery and shop owners for violating regulations by selling underweight loaves of bread and neglecting to display prices.

Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce: Jamaica sprint legend to retire after Paris 2024 Olympics

Three-time Olympic champion Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce says she ’’owes’’ it to her family to retire after the 2024 Games.

Osu Sala closed...

The Rajya Osu Sala (SPC) at Union Place, Colombo, was closed today, with the employees demanding the government to pay the cost of living allowance approved by the 2024 budget. A board was hung at the gate of the Osu Sala, appologising to the consumers for their inconvenience. Pix by Nimalsiri Edirisinghe

Protect standards of medical education...

The Medical Faculty Students’ Action Committee staged a protest outside the Sri Lanka Medical Council (SLMC) urging the authorities to ensure the standards of the medical education in Sri Lanka. Pix by Nimalsiri Edirisinghe

Asthma on the rise among children, parents urged to exercise caution

Health experts in Sri Lanka have sounded the alarm over a noticeable uptick in asthma cases among children, sparking concerns among parents.

Law reforms for system change: SJB Lawyers Federation to Propose 117 Reforms

The SJB Lawyers Federation has announced its intention to present 117 proposals for substantial legal reforms aimed at bringing about a systemic change and introducing rationality to governance.

Heated argument in Parliament over Divisional Secretary

A heated exchange erupted in Parliament on a while ago regarding the suspension and subsequent reinstatement of Udapalatha Divisional Secretary Gampala Athma Dilruskshi.

Job Fair at SLECC

The EDEX Expo 2024, Sri Lanka’s most prestigious Educational Exhibition and Job Fair was ceremonially open at the Sri Lanka Exhibition and Convention Centre (SLECC), today. The Job Fair will be held till Sunday (11) from 9.30 a.m. to 6.00 p.m. Pix by Kithsiri de Mel

Nawaz Sharif and Imran Khan’s PTI neck-and-neck in first results

With results from Pakistan’s election trickling in slower than normal, candidates backed by former prime minister Imran Khan’s party appeared to be doing better than expected, as he was seen neck-and-neck with the favourite Nawaz Sharif.

Government will not sell Visumpaya at lower price : Minister

Government will not sell the historic Visumpaya lower than the price which has been estimated by the Valuation Department, Minister of Urban Development Prasanna Ranatunga informed Parliament today.

Gemunu proposes plans to prevent abuses in buses

Before targeting individuals who commit acts of abuse against children and women on public transport, the police must take action to implement the prepaid card system or the transporting of passengers to the seating capacity of buses, the Lanka Private Bus Owners’ Association (LPBOA) said.

A 15-hour water cut in Colombo

Colombo residents are set to experience a 15-hour water cut today as the National Water Supply and Drainage Board (NWSDB) announced that water supply to several areas in the city will be suspended.

Sri Lanka mulls extension of visa-free access to Indian tourists

Sri Lanka is likely to extend visa exemption status for India after March to keep attracting travellers from the country and encourage repeat visits, Tourism and Lands, Sports and Youth Affairs Minister Harin Fernando said on Thursday.

Zelensky sacks Ukraine’s commander-in-chief Valerii Zaluzhnyi

Ukraine’s president has sacked the commander-in-chief of the country’s armed forces, Valerii Zaluzhnyi.

Sri Lankan envoy holds talks with Senegalese President

Ambassador Kana Kananathan, Sri Lanka’s first envoy to Senegal, had discussions with Senegalese President Macky Sall.

Sri Lanka’s efforts to nab overseas criminals hit a snag

Sri Lanka’s efforts to arrest organized criminals operating from overseas has hit a snag following the Court of Appeal in France ruling against the extradition of criminal called ‘Kudu Anju’, Daily Mirror learns.