News Archive

Janani Imathma crowned winner of ‘Derana Dream Star - Season 12’

Janani Imathma crowned winner of ‘Derana Dream Star - Season 12’

Janani Imathma was crowned the winner of “Derana Dream Star Season 12”, at the Grand Finale held at the Sugathadasa Indoor Stadium on Saturday night (17). MORE..

CEB employees seek Presidential intervention over delayed voluntary retirement process

CEB employees seek Presidential intervention over delayed voluntary retirement process

A group of employees who have applied for the Ceylon Electricity Board (CEB) Voluntary Retirement Scheme (VRS) has written to the President, requesting intervention to safeguard the livelihoods of the 2,200 staff members who have applied for the VRS introduced under the CEB restructuring framework. MORE..

Trump tariff threat over Greenland ‘unacceptable’, European leaders say

Trump tariff threat over Greenland ‘unacceptable’, European leaders say

A threat by President Donald Trump to impose fresh tariffs on eight allies opposed to his proposed takeover of Greenland has drawn condemnation from European leaders. MORE..

Bus overturns in Haldummulla: Driver killed, three others injured

Bus overturns in Haldummulla: Driver killed, three others injured

A bus travelling from Colombo to Welimada has reportedly overturned in the Uvathenna area of Haldummulla. MORE..

World’s first legally binding treaty to protect oceans and marine life takes effect

World’s first legally binding treaty to protect oceans and marine life takes effect

The world’s first legally binding agreement to protect marine life in international waters has taken effect, marking a historic moment for ocean conservation after nearly two decades of negotiations. MORE..

Parliamentary Pensions (Repeal) Bill challenged in Supreme Court

Parliamentary Pensions (Repeal) Bill challenged in Supreme Court

Petitions have been filed before the Supreme Court seeking a determination that several clauses in the Parliamentary Pensions (Repeal) Bill are unconstitutional. MORE..

Political interests not important to us; what matters is, only children – PM Harini

Political interests not important to us; what matters is, only children – PM Harini

Prime Minister Harini Amarasuriya stated that the objective of the government is to use data and policy to provide what is best for children. Political interests or any other considerations are not important to us; what matters is, only the children, she said. MORE..

Former Minister Nandana Gunathilake passes away

Former Minister Nandana Gunathilake passes away

Former Minister Nandana Gunathilake has passed away at the age of 64, while receiving treatment at the Ragama Hospital, according to family sources. MORE..

Road restoration underway in Kotmale following damage caused by Cyclone Ditwah

Road restoration underway in Kotmale following damage caused by Cyclone Ditwah

The road restoration work has commenced under a special labour operation in the Kotmale Panangammana area and the Kotmale Maha Peella Ella, which were among the areas most severely affected by Cyclone Ditwah. MORE..

Indians lead Sri Lanka tourists’ arrival in 2025

Indians lead Sri Lanka tourists’ arrival in 2025

Sri Lanka received a total of 2.3 million tourists in 2025, with Indian travellers accounting for the largest share, according to figures released by the tourism authority. MORE..

EU and Mercosur sign trade deal after 25 years of negotiations

EU and Mercosur sign trade deal after 25 years of negotiations

Top officials from the EU and the South American bloc Mercosur signed a free trade agreement on Saturday in Paraguay, paving the way for the European Union’s largest-ever trade accord after 25 years of negotiations. MORE..

Indonesian authorities find wreckage of missing surveillance plane with 11 on board

Indonesian authorities find wreckage of missing surveillance plane with 11 on board

Indonesian authorities said on Sunday they had located the wreckage of a fisheries surveillance plane that went missing in South Sulawesi province near a fog-covered mountain, but were still searching for the 11 people on board. MORE..

Defeated political forces attempting to reignite ethnic divisions – Dy Minister

Defeated political movements are making attempts to once again instigate ethnic divisions within the country, Deputy Minister of Urban Development Eranga Gunasekara has stated. MORE..

Nasa’s mega Moon rocket arrives at launch pad for Artemis II mission

Nasa’s mega Moon rocket arrives at launch pad for Artemis II mission

Nasa’s mega rocket has been moved to the launch pad in Cape Canaveral, Florida, as the final preparations get underway for the first crewed mission to the Moon in more than 50 years. MORE..

Youth shot dead in Alawwa

Youth shot dead in Alawwa

A youth has been shot dead in Wilgamuwa, Alawwa, last night (17), police stated. MORE..

Over 800 arrested in island-wide anti-drug raids

Over 800 arrested in island-wide anti-drug raids

A total of 882 individuals have been arrested during island-wide raids conducted yesterday (17) under the “Nation United - National Drive” campaign aimed at eradicating narcotics from the country. MORE..

Two suspects arrested with foreign-made revolver and ammunition in Maradana

Two suspects arrested with foreign-made revolver and ammunition in Maradana

Two suspects have been arrested by the Colombo South Criminal Investigation Bureau with a foreign-manufactured revolver. MORE..

Train services to Palaviya to resume after 53 days

Train services to Palaviya to resume after 53 days

Steps have been taken to resume train services from Colombo to Palaviya starting tomorrow (19), the Department of Railways has announced. MORE..

Mainly dry weather expected over most parts of the island today

Mainly dry weather expected over most parts of the island today

Mainly dry weather will prevail in the most parts of the island, today (18), the Department of Meteorology said. MORE..

Special police operation at Colombo-Katunayake Expressway and Kadawatha Interchange

Special police operation at Colombo-Katunayake Expressway and Kadawatha Interchange

All vehicles exiting the Colombo-Katunayake Expressway and the Kadawatha Interchange have been inspected this morning (18), as part of a special operation aimed at preventing drug trafficking and other criminal activities. MORE..

Zoe Saldaña dethrones Scarlett Johansson as highest-grossing actor of all time

Zoe Saldaña dethrones Scarlett Johansson as highest-grossing actor of all time

The recent blockbuster success of “Avatar: Fire And Ash” (2025) has given Zoe Saldaña a new career milestone as the highest-grossing actor of all time. MORE..

MP Asoka Ranwala’s wife hospitalized after vehicle involved in accident

MP Asoka Ranwala’s wife hospitalized after vehicle involved in accident

Former Speaker and National People’s Power (NPP) Member of Parliament Asoka Ranwala’s wife has been hospitalized following a car accident, Biyagama Police said. MORE..

Three associates of ‘Dubai Ishara’ arrested with heroin in Gampola

Three associates of ‘Dubai Ishara’ arrested with heroin in Gampola

Three suspects involved in the sale of narcotics linked to “Dubai Ishara”—a major drug trafficker operating a local drug network from Dubai—were arrested by the Gampola Police this morning (17). MORE..

ChatGPT to carry adverts for some users

ChatGPT to carry adverts for some users

Adverts will soon appear at the top of the AI tool ChatGPT for some users, the company OpenAI has announced. MORE..

Mainly dry weather expected over most parts of the country

Mainly dry weather expected over most parts of the country

The Meteorology Department states that mainly dry weather will prevail over most parts of the island. MORE..

Minister Nalinda Jayatissa calls on Chief Prelates of Malwathu and Asgiri Chapters

Minister Nalinda Jayatissa calls on Chief Prelates of Malwathu and Asgiri Chapters

Minister of Health and Mass Media Dr Nalinda Jayatissa, and Deputy Minister of Health Dr Hansaka Wijemuni have paid a visit to the Chief Prelates of the Malwathu and Asgiri Chapters and received their blessings. MORE..

Trump says 8 European countries will be charged 10% tariff for opposing US control of Greenland

Trump says 8 European countries will be charged 10% tariff for opposing US control of Greenland

President Donald Trump said Saturday that he would charge a 10% import tax starting in February on goods from eight European nations because of their opposition to American control of Greenland, setting up a potentially dangerous test of U.S. partnerships in Europe. MORE..

Indian Army constructs third Bailey bridge in Sri Lanka, restoring connectivity

Indian Army constructs third Bailey bridge in Sri Lanka, restoring connectivity

The Indian Army has successfully constructed a third Bailey bridge on Sri Lanka’s B-492 Highway, linking Kandy and Nuwara Eliya in the Central Province, restoring a critical lifeline that was severed for over a month following Cyclone Ditwah. MORE..

Shooting in South African township leaves 7 dead

Shooting in South African township leaves 7 dead

Gunmen killed seven people in a township outside the South African city of Cape Town early on Saturday in an incident believed to be extortion-related, police said. MORE..

Rare purple star sapphire, claimed to be biggest of its kind, unveiled in Sri Lanka

Rare purple star sapphire, claimed to be biggest of its kind, unveiled in Sri Lanka

A Purple Star Sapphire weighing 3,563 carats which is claimed to be the world’s biggest of its kind was unveiled on Saturday in the Sri Lankan capital by the owners, who are ready to sell the precious stone which is estimated to be worth at least $300 million. MORE..

Musk’s Starlink faces high-profile security test in Iran crackdown

Musk’s Starlink faces high-profile security test in Iran crackdown

Iran’s crackdown on dissidents is shaping up as one of the toughest security tests yet for Elon Musk’s Starlink, which has served as a lifeline against state-imposed internet blackouts since its deployment during the war in Ukraine. MORE..

Indonesian ATR aircraft with 11 on board goes missing, debris seen on mountain

Indonesian ATR aircraft with 11 on board goes missing, debris seen on mountain

An Indonesian ATR 42-500 aircraft has gone missing near Makassar, with videos circulating on social media appearing to show debris on a mountain close to the area where contact with the plane was lost, according to flight-tracking data and local media reports. MORE..

Son arrested for assaulting father to death in Madawachchiya

Son arrested for assaulting father to death in Madawachchiya

A 67-year-old father of two was killed following an assault at a residence in the Kadawatgama area of Madawachchiya yesterday (16). MORE..

Iran’s leader Khamenei blames Trump for inciting deadly protests

Iran’s leader Khamenei blames Trump for inciting deadly protests

Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei on Saturday blamed President Donald Trump for weeks of protests after rights groups said a violent crackdown by security forces had claimed thousands of lives. MORE..

Sri Lanka welcomes over 130,000 tourists in first 15 days of 2026

Sri Lanka welcomes over 130,000 tourists in first 15 days of 2026

The Sri Lanka Tourism Development Authority (SLTDA) has reported that a total of 131,898 tourists visited the country during the first 15 days of 2026. MORE..

Trump threatens new tariffs on countries opposed to Greenland takeover

Trump threatens new tariffs on countries opposed to Greenland takeover

US President Donald Trump has threatened to place tariffs on nations that do not go along with his ambitions to annex Greenland. MORE..

Trump appoints Tony Blair, Marco Rubio and more to Gaza ‘board of peace’

Trump appoints Tony Blair, Marco Rubio and more to Gaza ‘board of peace’

The White House has announced names of the so-called “Board of Peace” that will, under President Donald Trump’s plan, supervise the temporary governance of Gaza. MORE..

Nuwara Eliya records lowest temperature at 8°C today

Nuwara Eliya records lowest temperature at 8°C today

The lowest temperature in Sri Lanka today (17) was recorded at the Nuwara Eliya Meteorological Station at 8.0 degrees Celsius, according to the Department of Meteorology. MORE..

Several train services including night mail trains to resume

Several train services including night mail trains to resume

The Railway Department of Sri Lanka has taken steps to resume several train services, including the night mail trains from Colombo Fort to Trincomalee and Batticaloa, which were suspended due to Cyclone “Ditwah”. MORE..

Jinthupitiya Shooting: Victim succumbs to injuries

Jinthupitiya Shooting: Victim succumbs to injuries

Police have confirmed that the individual who was critically injured in a shooting incident last night (16) in the Jinthupitiya area in Colombo, has succumbed to his injuries after being admitted to the National Hospital of Colombo. MORE..

Special announcement on 2025 A/L Home Economics practical exam

Special announcement on 2025 A/L Home Economics practical exam

The Department of Examinations of Sri Lanka, has issued a special announcement regarding the practical examination for the subject of Home Economics for the G.C.E. Advanced Level (A/L) Examination (2025). MORE..

Demerit points system for traffic offences to be implemented from July-end

Demerit points system for traffic offences to be implemented from July-end

The demerit points system for drivers who violate traffic laws is scheduled to be implemented from the end of July, according to Deputy Inspector General (DIG) of Police in charge of Traffic Control and Road Safety, W. P. J. Senadheera. MORE..

‘Are you dead?’ Chinese app for single living goes viral

‘Are you dead?’ Chinese app for single living goes viral

An app called “Are you dead” targeted at people living alone has gone viral in China, with surging downloads and widespread commentary on social media, prompting the company to introduce a subscription fee and change its name for a global audience. MORE..

Education reform process will not be reversed - PM Harini

Education reform process will not be reversed - PM Harini

Prime Minister Dr Harini Amarasuriya has reaffirmed that the ongoing education reform process will proceed without hindrance, emphasizing that the government has not taken a single step back from implementing transformative changes in the education sector. MORE..

When does the Nasa Moon mission launch and who are the Artemis II crew?

When does the Nasa Moon mission launch and who are the Artemis II crew?

The first crewed Moon mission in more than 50 years could be launched by Nasa as soon as the first week of February. MORE..

Eric Meyer tipped to be appointed next US Ambassador to Sri Lanka

Eric Meyer tipped to be appointed next US Ambassador to Sri Lanka

Eric Meyer is set to be appointed as the next United States Ambassador to Sri Lanka, according to reports indicating that U.S. President Donald Trump has nominated him for the diplomatic post. MORE..

Harry Styles announces fourth album - with intriguing title

Harry Styles announces fourth album - with intriguing title

After 1,336 days, the wait is over for Harry Styles fans - he has announced his return to music. MORE..

Mainly fair weather expected to prevail today

Mainly fair weather expected to prevail today

Mainly fair weather will prevail in the most parts of the island, today (16), the Department of Meteorology said. MORE..

Venezuelan opposition leader Machado says she presented Nobel medal to Trump

Venezuelan opposition leader Machado says she presented Nobel medal to Trump

Venezuelan opposition leader Maria Corina Machado said she had presented her Nobel Peace Prize to U.S. President Donald Trump on Thursday during a high-stakes encounter that could affect how Trump seeks to shape the South American country’s political future. MORE..

President inaugurates ‘Windscape Mannar’ 20 MW wind power plant in Mannar

President inaugurates ‘Windscape Mannar’ 20 MW wind power plant in Mannar

In line with the Government’s programme to achieve the target of net zero carbon emissions by 2050, the 20-megawatt ‘Windscape Mannar’ wind power plant constructed in Mannar by CEYLEX Renewables was officially connected to the national grid yesterday (15) under the patronage of President Anura Kumara Dissanayake. MORE..