Two foreigners killed in accident at Midigama

Two foreigners were killed after a mortorbike they were riding on collided with a bus and a lorry at Gurubebila, Midigama on the Matara-Colombo road this afternoon, police said.

Checking on injured paratroopers’ conditions...

Chief of Defence Staff General Shavendra Silva visited the National Hospital and the Army Hospital to assess the condition of the paratroopers who were injured when their parachutes failed to open properly during the Independence Day rehearsals held at Galle Face Green this morning.

Are Hasaranga and Theekshana Sri Lanka’s Greatest Ever Spin Twins?

Muttiah Muralitharan has earned the right to be called the greatest spinner of all-times. Some Aussies might not agree with that statement, but statistically, no one even gets close to the magician spinner, and should English fast bowler James Anderson retire from Test cricket before turning 50, there is a good chance that the famous 800 remains iconic.

Policemen and protesters injured during SJB protest

Police Spokesman Nihal Thalduwa today confirmed that few policemen were injured in today’s protest while Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB) also said some of its partymen were also injured and hospitalized.

Concerns sparked over alleged letter from Sabaragamuwa medical students

Allegations have surfaced regarding a letter purportedly written by students of the Sabaragamuwa Medical Faculty on the MOU signed between the Ministry of Health, UGC and University, stirring controversy and suspicion within academic circles.

Air ambulance service between Maldives-Sri Lanka to begin on March 01

An air ambulance service between the Maldives and the Bandaranaike International Airport (BIA) will start on March 1 this year as part of Phase I of the programme, Ports, Shipping and Aviation Minister Nimal Siripala de Silva said.

SJB protest tear-gassed...

Police used water cannons and tear gas to disperse Samagi Jana Bala Wegaya (SJB) protestors near the public library in Colombo. Pix by Pradeep Dilruskshana

Minimum speed limit on expressways soon: Bandula

Steps are being taken to impose a minimum speed limit on expressways as accidents are caused due to slow-moving vehicles, Transport Minister Bandula Gunawardana said today.

India navy rescues Pakistani sailors from pirates

Indian naval forces have rescued 19 Pakistani sailors after their fishing vessel was hijacked by pirates off Somalia’s coast.

Water cannons, tear gas fired to disperse SJB protestors

Police used water cannons and tear gas to disperse Samagi Jana Bala Wegaya (SJB) protestors near the public library in Colombo a short while ago.

Pakistan ex-PM Imran Khan, top aide get 10-year jail in state secrets case

A Pakistan court has sentenced former Prime Minister Imran Khan and his close aide, former Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi, to 10 years in jail in a case related to the leaking of state secrets.

Heavy security in Colombo

Heavy security has been provided around the Vihara Mahadevi Park, where the Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB) protest is about to begin, police said.

Demanding allowances...

All health workers, including nurses and Public Health Inspectors (PHIs) attached to the government service, held a protest march from the National Hospital Colombo to the Health Ministry, demanding that the government fulfill economic justice and provide accommodation to all health workers. Pix by Nisal Baduge

Three Parliament employees arrested in for molesting female staff member

A group of employees were arrested today by the police attached to the Women’s and Children’s Bureau for allegedly abusing a fellow female staff member.

Mid-air mishap

Sri Lankan Military personnel take part in a rehearsal for the Independence Day parade in Colombo today and during the rehearsal, four paratroopers were injured when their parachutes became entangled and failed to open in mid-air. Pix by Pradeep Pathirana

Willing to enter politics on behalf of Sanath Nishantha: Spouse

Attorney-at-Law Chamari Priyanka Perera, the spouse of the late former Water Supply State Minister Sanath Nishantha, expressed her willingness to fill the void left by her husband’s demise

Recovering Rashid to miss Afghanistan’s first-ever Sri Lanka Test

Ace spinner Rashid Khan will miss Afghanistan’s first-ever Test against Sri Lanka next month, selectors announced Monday, as he continues to recover from a back surgery.

SJB will go ahead with protest defying court order: Madduma Bandara

The Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB) will go ahead with the protest defying the stay order issued by the magistrate’s courts a shortwhile ago, its General Secretary Ranjith Madduma Bandara said.

Court issues order on SJB protest

The Colombo Magistrate’s Court issued an order prohibiting Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB) leader Sajith Premadasa and several others from conducting protests that inconvenience the public and disrupt traffic by blocking roads in Maligawatta today.

Update: Paratroopers injured during Independence Day rehearsals

At least four paratroopers were injured when their parachutes failed to open properly during the Independence Day rehearsals being held at Galle Face Green.

Elon Musk’s Neuralink implants brain chip in first human

The first human patient has received an implant from brain-chip startup Neuralink on Sunday and is recovering well, the company’s billionaire founder Elon Musk said.

Two women arrested for aiding Beliatta shootings

Two woman have been arrested on charges of aiding and abetting those involved in the recent shooting incident in Beliatta where five persons were killed.

50-year rigorous imprisonment for rape, grave sexual abuse of brother’s daughter

An accused who stood indicted with rape and grave sexual abuse of his younger brother’s ten-year-old daughter was found guilty and sentenced to 50 years of rigorous imprisonment by Kandy High Court Judge W. Darshika Wimalasiri.

Yala, Bundala safari jeep fares to be increased from February 1: Association

The Yala Safari Jeep Association has decided to increase the fare of the Yala and Bundala safari jeeps from February 1, Association President Ajith Priyantha said.

Indian High Commissioner calls for Tamil parties to have unified stance on political rights

New Indian High Commissioner Santosh Jha, in his maiden interaction with the representatives of the mainstream Tamil parties in the north recently, is reported to have emphasized the need for them to have a unified position on their collective demand for a political solution.

Colombo University makes history with new anti-aging drug

A scientific think-tank from the University of Colombo is in the process of launching an anti-aging nutraceutical capsule for the first time in Sri Lanka.

Power disconnected due to non-payment of 18 cents

The electricity supply to a residence in Galvadugoda, Galle was abruptly cut off due to non-payment of a mere 18 cents in the electricity bill. The resident, Visum Mapalagama, said that Lanka Electricity Private Company Limited (LECO), the electricity provider for the city of Galle and its surroundings, had disconnected his house’s electricity supply.

Passenger with fake Italian visa stopped at BIA

The Immigration and Emigration Department yesterday asked the local travelers to be extremely cautious of bogus travel agents who would arrange fake foreign visas or travel documents for exorbitant rates, following such a passenger with a fake Italian visa was intercepted at the airport.

Some universities planning to invite presidential candidates to universities: Raghavan alleges

Some universities were planning to invite politicians and presidential candidates to universities and such moves should be stopped, State Minister of Higher Education Dr. Suren Raghavan said today.

National Consumer Front urges Minister for swift action on soaring vegetable prices before preparing for polls

Before preparing for the upcoming Presidential election meeting, the National Consumer Front (NCF) requested that Trade Minister Nalin Fernando promptly investigates into the unexpected rise in vegetable prices in the market.