Political parties brace for polls

With the presidential elections pending, Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna (SLPP) is planning to conduct a major rally in Anuradhapura on May 26 and a series of grassroots level meetings afterwards while the minority allies of the opposition weigh in the situation before making a final decision on their support to any prospective candidate.

Presidential Election 2024 Ranil to officially announce his candidature next month: Manusha

Incumbent Presidential Ranil Wickremesinghe will officially announce his candidature for the Presidential elections next month, Minister Manusha Nanayakkara said yesterday.

Nuwara Eliya farmers selling LSD infected cattle to abattoirs

With the outbreak of the Lumpy Skin Disease (LSD) among cattle in the Nuwara Eliya District, there is a growing tendency among dairy farmers to sell off their affected livestock.

Wild elephant electrocuted at fruit stall

A wild elephant who attempted to feed on fruits in a fruit stall at Polatuwadiya in Gallewa had died of electric shock when it came in contact with a live wire.

Four women claim deceased body

It is alleged that four women, two of them legally married, have claimed the body of a man who died in an accident on Monday night (20) at Kuliyapitiya.

Sri Lanka rejects alleged genocide claims by Canadian PM

Sri Lanka yesterday rejected the false allegation of “genocide” in Sri Lanka in a message by Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau on 18 May 2024, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs said.

Corrine Almeida obtains enjoining order against Romaine Willis and DJ Mass on song “Eh Yaye”

The Commercial High Court has issued an enjoining order restraining singer Romaine Willis and Mass Ramli Miskin alias DJ Mass from performing, reproducing and distributing the songs titled “Eh Yaye” and “Api Natamu”.

Low atmoshperic depression hits Sri Lanka

More than 33,000 people in ten districts have been affected due to flash floods and adverse weather conditions around the country, Disaster Management Centre (DMC) Director Pradeep Kodippili said.

Floods: Met. Department Office in Puttalam not spared

The district office of the Department of Meteorology in Puttalam and a few other government offices were inundated due to minor floods in the area, Disaster Management Centre (DMC) said yesterday.

Woman found dead in Kumbukkan Oya after possible stoning attack

A woman who had gone for a bath in Kumbukkan Oya in Lunugala on Sunday evening (19) had died of injuries all over her body and her body was recovered from the banks of the river by the Lunugla Police.

Mahanayakes request Presidential pardon for Gnanasara Thera

The Mahanyakes of the Four Chapters in the country requested President Ranil Wickremesinghe in a jointly signed letter to pardon Venerable Galagoda Aththe Gnanasara Thera possibly before Vesak from his prison term of four years.

Court prevents Wijeyadasa from functioning as SLFP Chairman

The Colombo District Court yesterday issued an enjoining order preventing Minister Wijeyadasa Rajapakshe PC and Attorney-at-Law Keerthi Udawatta from functioning as Sri Lanka Freedom Party (SLFP) Chairman and party acting General Secretary respectively. This order will be effective until June 3.

Justice Minister appointed as acting Education Minister

Justice Minister Wijayadasa Rajapakshe has been appointed as the acting Education Minister in addition to his current portfolio due to Minister Susil Premjayantha being on an overseas visit until May 27.

Court issues enjoining order for violating trademark rights of Dedigama Group

The Colombo Commercial High Court has issued an enjoining order against a business entity in Kandy restraining it from carrying on an identical business under a misleadingly similar trade name to Dedigama, Dedigama Group Ltd.

Outpouring of grief from Sri Lankan leaders on the death of Iranian President

Sri Lankan political leaders expressed their condolences on the death of Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi.

Anura ready for debate with Sajith on June 6: Nalinda Jayatissa

NPP leader Anura Kumara Dissanayake is ready to participate in the proposed debate with Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB) leader Sajith Premadasa on June 6, NPP Executive Committee member Dr. Nalinda Jayatissa said yesterday.

Starlink: Govt. initiates drafting new regulations

In the wake of plans by tech baron Elon Musk to visit Sri Lanka later this year, the government has initiated the process of evolving fresh regulations to facilitate the launch of Starlink satellite internet service, a Minister said yesterday.

Suspect arrested for sending over 100 persons to Russia on tourist visas

A person was arrested in Dehiwala for facilitating over 100 individuals to go to Russia on tourist visas, apparently as mercenaries to serve in the Russia-Ukraine war, police said.

Diana Gamage eludes CID

The Criminal Investigation Department (CID) informed court yesterday that its sleuths visited the residences of former State Minister Diana Gamage but she was not available.

Iranian prez death; Sri Lanka declares a day of mourning

A one-day state mourning will be observed in Sri Lanka today as a mark of respect for Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi, who died in a helicopter crash, the Public Administration Ministry announced. The national flag will fly at half-mast at all government institutions.

France optimistic about conclusion of Sri Lanka’s debt restructuring ‘very fast’ OCC, co-chaired by India, Japan, and France is overseeing the restructuring process

French Ambassador Jean-François Pactet expressed optimism yesterday that Sri Lanka’s debt restructuring process could be concluded ‘very fast’ but declined to elaborate on more details

Making his point

Field Marshal Sarath Fonseka discusses a point with Marshal of the Air Force Roshan Gunathilake while Admiral of the Fleet Wasantha Karannagoda looks on at the function to mark the 15th National War Heroes Day yesterday at the National War Heroes Memorial in Battaramulla. They commanded the Army, the Navy and the Air Force during the war and crushed the LTTE.

Man on the run after triple murder arrested in Gampaha

Three members of the same family from Maladeniya in Mirigama had been strangled to death and their cash and jewellery taken away by a relative.

Iranian President missing after helicopter crash

A helicopter carrying Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi and senior officials in northwestern Iran has suffered a crash with no information available yet on potential injuries or damage, the Iranian media reported.

Colombo 7 businessman arrested over assault on Iranian Ambassador

Iranian Ambassador Dr. Alireza Delkhosh has been admitted to a private hospital in Colombo after being allegedly assaulted by a businessman at the Colombo City Centre (CCC) car park.

Inclement weather: flood threat looms, schools closed in Puttalam

Heavy rainfall that lashed the country triggered flash floods in some areas in the country forcing the authorities concerned to close schools in the Puttalam District, according to the Disaster Management Centre (DMC).

413 inquiries received on Sri Lankan mercenaries in Russia-Ukraine War: Defence Authorities

The defence authorities had received 413 inquiries related to Sri Lankan mercenaries fighting in the Russia - Ukraine war, an informed source said.

Match-fixing allegations Court calls for report on voice sample of Sachithra

If convicted, Rs. 500,000 fine or 10-year jail term imposed under new law

Customs seize Mexican Methamphetamine worth Rs.100Mn through Facebook lover from Guatemala

Parcel came from Guatemala via USA addressed to a local farmhouse employee in Welikanda containing 3.1Kgs of expensive Mexican Crystal Meth

Rathupaswala shooting Case Accused acquitted after more than ten years

An Army Brigadier and three others who stood indicted with the murder of four individuals and causing serious injuries to 15 others by opening fire during a public protest in Weliweriya town on August 01, 2013 against contaminati