News Archive

UN Security Council adopts US resolution on Trump’s Gaza plan

UN Security Council adopts US resolution on Trump’s Gaza plan

The UN Security Council on Monday voted to adopt a U.S.-drafted resolution endorsing President Donald Trump’s plan to end the war in Gaza and authorizing an international stabilization force for the Palestinian enclave. MORE..

Police recover suspected narcotics parcel washed ashore in Bentota

A parcel containing an estimated 20 to 25 kilograms of suspected narcotics substance has washed ashore and was recovered by police on Bentota Beach this morning, police said.

Hamas rejects UN Gaza resolution, says international force would become party to conflict

Hamas rejects UN Gaza resolution, says international force would become party to conflict

Hamas rejected the United Nations Security Council passing a U.S.-drafted resolution endorsing U.S. President Donald Trump’s Gaza plan, saying it fails to meet Palestinians’ rights and demands and seeks to impose an international trusteeship on the enclave that Palestinians and resistance factions oppose. MORE..

GMOA to continue trade union action

GMOA to continue trade union action

The Government Medical Officers’ Association (GMOA) stated that the ongoing trade union action will continue today (18), citing the absence of a satisfactory solution to the concerns raised by the union. MORE..

Train services on main line delayed

Train services on main line delayed

A signal failure at Orugodawatte has resulted in delays to train services on the main line, according to Sri Lanka Railways.

Heavy rainfall expected in parts of the island

Heavy rainfall expected in parts of the island

The low pressure area over the island continues to persist and cloudy skies can be expected over most parts of the island, today (18), the Department of Meteorology said. MORE..

Motorcycle used in Meetiyagoda shooting incident recovered

Motorcycle used in Meetiyagoda shooting incident recovered

The motorcycle suspected to have been used in the shooting incident near a restaurant at the Kiralagahawela junction in Meetiyagoda, last night (17), has been recovered by the Baddegama Police. MORE..

Married couple swept away by flash floods in Boralanda; one body recovered

Married couple swept away by flash floods in Boralanda; one body recovered

A married couple has reportedly been swept away by a flash floods in the Kandepuhulpola area of Boralanda in Welimada. MORE..

BBC ‘determined to fight’ Trump defamation claim

BBC ‘determined to fight’ Trump defamation claim

The BBC is determined to fight any legal action filed by U.S. President Donald Trump and sees no basis for a defamation case over its editing of one of his speeches, its chair said on Monday. MORE..

Ex-Minister Mervyn Silva pleads not guilty to bribery charges

Ex-Minister Mervyn Silva pleads not guilty to bribery charges

Former Minister Mervyn Silva today (17) pleaded not guilty before the Colombo High Court of the indictments filed against him by the Bribery Commission, which accused him of illegally acquiring assets while serving as a minister. MORE..

‘Police acted for protection of Buddha statue’: Minister responds to tense situation in Trincomalee

‘Police acted for protection of Buddha statue’: Minister responds to tense situation in Trincomalee

The decision to remove the Buddha statue from the premises of the Sri Sambuddha Jayanthi Bodhiraja Viharaya in Trincomalee was taken as a precautionary measure, Minister of Public Security Ananda Wijepala stated in Parliament today. MORE..

UK Twitter hacker who breached Obama’s account ordered to repay $5.4 million in Bitcoin

UK Twitter hacker who breached Obama’s account ordered to repay $5.4 million in Bitcoin

A man convicted over a 2020 Twitter hack that compromised accounts of high-profile figures including former U.S. President Barack Obama has been ordered to repay 4.1 million pounds ($5.40 million) worth of Bitcoin, British prosecutors said on Monday. MORE..

Bangladesh’s tribunal sentences ex-home minister Kamal to death for crimes against humanity

Bangladesh’s tribunal sentences ex-home minister Kamal to death for crimes against humanity

Deposed Bangladesh prime minister Sheikh Hasina’s aide, former home minister Asaduzzaman Khan Kamal, was also sentenced to death in absentia on Monday by a tribunal for crimes against humanity during last year’s student uprising. MORE..

Ministers hold discussion to address issues faced by big onion farmers

Ministers hold discussion to address issues faced by big onion farmers

A meeting was held today (17) at the Presidential Secretariat with local big onion farmers to develop a structured plan to address the challenges they face. MORE..

Owner of printing shop used by drug traffickers to brand packages remanded

Owner of printing shop used by drug traffickers to brand packages remanded

The owner of a digital printing shop in Mount Lavinia, who was recently arrested by the Central Crime Investigation Bureau (CCIB) along with stickers used for packaging heroin and ICE, as well as the printing machines used to produce them, has been remanded until tomorrow. MORE..

Tom Cruise accepts honorary Oscar as he describes filmmaking as ‘who I am’

Tom Cruise accepts honorary Oscar as he describes filmmaking as ‘who I am’

Tom Cruise accepted an honorary Oscar at the Governors Awards, delivering an emotional speech about his lifelong passion for filmmaking. MORE..

Ex-minister Keheliya and family served indictments over three cases

Ex-minister Keheliya and family served indictments over three cases

Four defendants including former Minister Keheliya Rambukwella, his son Ramith Rambukwella and his daughter have been served indictments before the Colombo High Court in two separate cases filed by the Commission to Investigate Allegations of Bribery or Corruption (CIABOC). MORE..

NPP defeated in Hakmana cooperative society election

NPP defeated in Hakmana cooperative society election

The common opposition has secured victory in the election held to appoint a new Board of Directors and General Assembly representatives for the Hakmana Multi-Purpose Cooperative Society. MORE..

Ex-Deputy Speaker Ajith Rajapakse arrives at Bribery Commission

Ex-Deputy Speaker Ajith Rajapakse arrives at Bribery Commission

Former Deputy Speaker of Parliament Ajith Rajapakse has arrived at the Commission to Investigate Allegations of Bribery or Corruption (CIABOC), a short while ago. MORE..

GMOA calls emergency executive committee meeting to discuss future course of action

GMOA calls emergency executive committee meeting to discuss future course of action

The Government Medical Officers’ Association (GMOA) has announced that following the discussion held with the President, an emergency Executive Committee meeting and a Central Committee meeting will be convened, during which future actions will be discussed. MORE..

Saudi bus crash: Death toll climbs to 45, only one survivor

Saudi bus crash: Death toll climbs to 45, only one survivor

At least 45 people, most of them from Hyderabad, were killed in a bus accident in Saudi Arabia, the city police chief said on Monday, citing preliminary information. MORE..

Govt signs agreement to secure US$ 300 million loan from ADB

Govt signs agreement to secure US$ 300 million loan from ADB

The government today (17) signed loan agreements to obtain US$ 300 million from the Asian Development Bank (ADB). MORE..

Ex-Bangladesh PM Sheikh Hasina sentenced to death over brutal protests crackdown

Ex-Bangladesh PM Sheikh Hasina sentenced to death over brutal protests crackdown

Sheikh Hasina, Bangladesh’s ousted prime minister, has been sentenced to death after being convicted of crimes against humanity. MORE..

2026 Budget: Expenditure heads of Foreign and Justice ministries passed after vote

2026 Budget: Expenditure heads of Foreign and Justice ministries passed after vote

The expenditure heads of two ministries taken up for debate on the second day of the Committee Stage debate of the 2026 Appropriation Bill, were approved by a majority vote without any amendments. MORE..

GMOA representatives hold discussions with President

GMOA representatives hold discussions with President

A group of representatives of the Government Medical Officers’ Association (GMOA), which began a trade union action this morning (17) based on several demands, has arrived at the Presidential Secretariat. MORE..

Amarapura Maha Nikaya issues statement on Trincomalee Buddha statue incident

Amarapura Maha Nikaya issues statement on Trincomalee Buddha statue incident

The Chief Prelate of the Sri Lanka Amarapura Maha Nikaya, Most Venerable Karagoda Uyangoda Maithri Murthy Thero, has sent a letter to the President regarding the incident in which police removed a Buddha statue from a temple premises in Trincomalee. MORE..

Former GSMB Chairman Anura Walpola arrested by Bribery Commission

Former GSMB Chairman Anura Walpola arrested by Bribery Commission

The former Chairman of the Geological Survey & Mines Bureau (GSMB), Anura Walpola, has been arrested by the Commission to Investigate Allegations of Bribery or Corruption (CIABOC). MORE..

SJB councillor arrested with cannabis in Badulla

SJB councillor arrested with cannabis in Badulla

A member of the Kandaketiya Pradeshiya Sabha, representing the Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB), has been arrested by the Badulla Galauda Police in Pallewatte while in possession of 86 grams of cannabis. MORE..

Man who grabbed Ariana Grande at premiere jailed in Singapore

Man who grabbed Ariana Grande at premiere jailed in Singapore

A court in Singapore has sentenced an Australian man to nine days in prison for grabbing Hollywood star Ariana Grande at a movie premiere. MORE..

Former GSMB Chairman Anura Walpola granted bail

Former GSMB Chairman Anura Walpola granted bail

Former Chairman of the Geological Survey & Mines Bureau (GSMB), Anura Walpola, has been granted bail by the Colombo Magistrate’s Court after being arrested earlier today (17) by the Commission to Investigate Allegations of Bribery or Corruption (CIABOC). MORE..

Elon Musk reclaims top spot as ‘world’s richest’ as Larry Ellison’s $101B AI gain evaporates

Elon Musk reclaims top spot as ‘world’s richest’ as Larry Ellison’s $101B AI gain evaporates

The title of ‘world’s richest person’ has become a revolving door, but for a brief, stunning moment in September, it swung in a surprising direction. MORE..

Tourist arrivals to Sri Lanka surpass 2 million in 2025

Tourist arrivals to Sri Lanka surpass 2 million in 2025

The number of tourist arrivals to Sri Lanka so far in 2025 has surpassed 2 million. MORE..

Heavy rainfall expected in parts of the island today

Heavy rainfall expected in parts of the island today

The low pressure area over the island continues to persist and cloudy skies can be expected over most parts of the island, today (17), the Department of Meteorology said. MORE..

Bangladesh tense ahead of ousted PM Hasina’s verdict

Bangladesh tense ahead of ousted PM Hasina’s verdict

Several crude bombs exploded in the Bangladesh capital Dhaka on Sunday, police said, heightening tensions ahead of a verdict on Monday in a case against ousted former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina over violence during street protests last year. MORE..

Woman injured in shooting in Meetiyagoda

Woman injured in shooting in Meetiyagoda

A woman has sustained injuries in a shooting near a restaurant at the Kiralagahawela junction in Meetiyagoda. MORE..

Horrific bus-tanker crash kills at least 35 in Saudi Arabia

Horrific bus-tanker crash kills at least 35 in Saudi Arabia

At least 35 people died in the early hours of Monday (local time) after a bus carrying Indian Umrah pilgrims in Saudi Arabia crashed into a diesel tanker. MORE..

Two dead, teenager missing in separate drowning incidents

Two dead, teenager missing in separate drowning incidents

Multiple drowning incidents were reported across the country yesterday (16), police said. MORE..

Sheikh Hasina calls court verdict ‘biased and politically motivated’

Sheikh Hasina calls court verdict ‘biased and politically motivated’

Ousted Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina on Monday delivered her first reaction to the death sentence handed to her by the International Crimes Tribunal, calling the ruling “biased, politically motivated” and issued by a “rigged tribunal with no democratic mandate”. MORE..

2,183 complaints related to violence against women lodged since Nov. 2024

2,183 complaints related to violence against women lodged since Nov. 2024

A total of 2,183 complaints related to violence against women have been reported since November 2024, the Ministry of Women and Child Affairs has announced. MORE..

Budget 2026: Second day of Committee Stage Debate commences

Budget 2026: Second day of Committee Stage Debate commences

The second day of the debate on the Committee Stage or the Third Reading of the 2026 Appropriation Bill, or the 80th Budget Speech, has commenced today (17) under the chairmanship of the Speaker of the House. MORE..

ADB board approves landmark charter amendment to boost lending capacity

ADB board approves landmark charter amendment to boost lending capacity

The Asian Development Bank on Monday said that its Board of Governors has approved a historic amendment to the ADB Charter, removing the previous lending cap and enabling a 50 percent increase in annual lending to over 36 billion U.S. dollars annually.

NIA arrests another “active co-conspirator” of Delhi suicide bomber

NIA arrests another “active co-conspirator” of Delhi suicide bomber

The National Investigation Agency has arrested Jasir Bilal Wani in Srinagar, who was an “active co-conspirator” of suicide bomber Umar un Nabi, in connection with the car blast near the Red Fort last week that claimed 13 lives, officials said on Monday. MORE..

Woman injured in Meetiyagoda shooting succumbs

Woman injured in Meetiyagoda shooting succumbs

A woman who was injured in a shooting incident in Meetiyagoda earlier today (17), has succumbed to her injuries, police stated. MORE..

Ex-Bangladesh PM Sheikh Hasina convicted of crimes against humanity

Ex-Bangladesh PM Sheikh Hasina convicted of crimes against humanity

A special tribunal in Dhaka has convicted former Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina of crimes against humanity for her violent crackdown on student-led protests last year.

Police clarify video footage showing removal of Buddha statue from temple premises in Trincomalee

Police clarify video footage showing removal of Buddha statue from temple premises in Trincomalee

Sri Lanka Police have issued a statement regarding video footage showing unrest connected to the removal of a Buddha statue from the premises of the Sri Sambuddha Jayanthi Bodhiraja Viharaya in Trincomalee. MORE..

At least 32 killed in southeastern Congo after bridge at mine collapsed

At least 32 killed in southeastern Congo after bridge at mine collapsed

A bridge at a mine in southeastern Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) collapsed due to overcrowding, killing at least 32 people, a regional government official said Sunday. MORE..

Landslide warnings issued to residents of eight districts

Landslide warnings issued to residents of eight districts

Early landslide warnings have been issued to residents of multiple areas in right districts owing to incessant rains experienced in parts of the island. MORE..

Another woman arrested for aiding and abetting Kotahena shooting incident

Another woman arrested for aiding and abetting Kotahena shooting incident

Another woman has been arrested for aiding and abetting the recent shooting and murder of a person in the Kotahena area, by the Colombo District Crime Division. MORE..

GMOA to launch trade union action today

GMOA to launch trade union action today

The Government Medical Officers’ Association (GMOA) has decided to commence trade union action from 8 a.m. today (17), based on several demands. MORE..

Fairly heavy rainfall expected in parts of the island

Fairly heavy rainfall expected in parts of the island

The Meteorology Department states that the low-level atmospheric disturbance to the east of the island has developed into a low-pressure system. MORE..