Former Minister Douglas Devananda was arrested by the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) on Friday in connection with an investigation into the alleged transfer of a firearm to an organised criminal, police said. According to the Acting Police Media Spokesperson, the arrest relates to allegations that a pistol issued to Devananda had later been found in the possession of underworld figure Makandure Madush. Madush, a notorious organised criminal, was killed in a police shootout in Colombo in 2020 after being extradited to Sri Lanka from Dubai. The CID said legal action will be taken based on the findings of the ongoing…
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ECONOMYNEXT – Sri Lanka and Vietnam officials explored deeper ties in health, trade, and tourism sectors when they met officially this week, the government said. The discussions, held at the Ministry of Health and Mass Media, centered on strengthening the longstanding diplomatic relations between the two countries and exploring new avenues for bilateral cooperation. Vietnam’s Ambassador to Sri Lanka, Trinh Thi Tam, commended the island nation’s recent progress across multiple sectors during a ministerial meeting with Minister of Health and Mass Media Nalinda Jayatissa, on Tuesday. Ambassador Tam noted that she was “satisfied with Sri Lanka’s progress in political, cultural…
Police have arrested 322 drunk drivers during a special operation conducted yesterday.
The Police Constable attached to the Sooriyakanda Police Station, who was arrested following an alleged altercation involving National People’s Power (NPP) MP Shantha Pathma Kumara, is calling for an impartial investigation, claiming he has been left without an income and his family is struggling to survive. He had filed a complaint with the Human Rights Commission sub office in Ratnapura earlier today. The Constable, who was released on bail and suspended from duty, revealed that he had recently undergone bypass surgery, financed through loans, and now faces severe financial hardship. He supports a family of four, including two children preparing…
Sri Lanka Police launched a special search operation at the Kandy District Secretariat on Friday after receiving an email threat claiming explosive material was present inside the premises. Police said the alert was received through an email sent to the official website of the Kandy District Secretary on December 26. Following the warning, the Senior Superintendent of Police in charge of the Kandy Division was informed, prompting an immediate investigation. A coordinated search operation was carried out by officers attached to the Kandy Police Station, with assistance from the Police Special Task Force, the Police K9 unit and bomb disposal…
A 49-year-old doctor drowned while bathing in the seas off Mirissa beach, Police said.
ECONOMYNEXT – Sri Lanka’s rupee closed flat at 309.65/75 to the US dollar in the spot market Friday, having depreciated in recent weeks, dealers said, while bond yields closed down. A bond maturing on 15.03.2028 closed at 8.95/9.05 percent, down from 9.10/18 percent. A bond maturing on 15.09.2029 closed at 9.60/70 percent, down from 9.70/80 percent. A bond maturing on 15.05.2031 closed at 9.95/10.03 percent, down from 9.95/10.10 percent. A bond maturing on 01.10.2032 closed at 10.32/35 percent, down from 10.30/40 percent. A bond maturing on 01.11.2033 closed at 10.45/60 percent, up from 10.54/60 percent. (Colombo/Dec26/2025)
Alleging that there is a move to suppress the independent media, Opposition Leader Sajith Premadasa said today that all steps will be taken by his party to prevent such a move. Alleging that there is a move to suppress the independent media, Opposition Leader Sajith Premadasa said today that all steps will be taken by his party to prevent such a move.
By former minister Ali Sabry Debate within Sri Lanka about India’s role in the island’s recent past and present is neither new nor unusual. As India has emerged as one of Sri Lanka’s most consequential partners during moments of economic distress and humanitarian crisis, public discussion has intensified, reflecting both appreciation and caution. That caution is rooted in history. Sri Lankans remember India’s early involvement in Sri Lanka’s internal conflict and its initial support, direct or indirect, for Tamil separatist movements. These experiences left deep political and institutional scars. They remain part of Sri Lanka’s strategic memory and cannot be…
As an active easterly wave is expected to across the island from the 29th of December, rainy conditions are expected to enhance particularly in the Northern, North-Central, Eastern, Uva and Central provinces of the island in the next few days from 29th of December. The general public are requested to be attentive to the future forecasts and bulletins issued by the Department of Meteorology in this regards. The post Special Weather Alert from 29th of December appeared first on Newswire.
A media briefing to raise awareness about the One Million Volunteers programme conducted by the National Youth Services Council was held at the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports today (26). At the briefing, details were shared about the programmes scheduled to take place in the Badulla District under the One Million Volunteers initiative. Accordingly, on tomorrow (27) and the day after (28), nearly 1,000 youth volunteers are expected to carry out a series of programmes in the Badulla District. During these two days, activities will include repairing schools affected by disasters, cleaning irrigation systems and roads, conducting entertainment programmes…
If you are still regretting the embarrassing Gmail ID you created as a child, Google might have come up with a solution. The tech giant recently updated its Hindi-language support documentation to describe an upcoming system change that will allow users to modify their Gmail addresses without losing anything in the process. Google’s new feature, as reported in Forbes, allows users to change their Gmail address with specific limitations. Users can make a change only once every 12 months, with a total lifetime limit of three changes. Aditionally, the original email address becomes an alias, continuing to receive emails, and…
Sri Lanka today (26) observed the 21st anniversary of the devastating 2004 tsunami, with commemorations held across the country to remember those who lost their lives in the tragedy and other disasters. Accordingly, commemorating National Safety Day, a remembrance programme for those who died in the 2004 tsunami was held this morning (26) in front of the Peraliya Tsunami Memorial in Galle. From 9.25 am to 9.27 am, a two‑minute silence was observed in memory of those who lost their lives in the tsunami, while officials arriving by train and local residents laid flowers in tribute. Afterwards, multi‑religious observances were…
Pope Leo has urged Ukraine and Russia to find the ’’courage’’ to hold direct talks to end the war during his first Christmas remarks to crowds in St Peter’s square.
The United States carried out a strike against Islamic State militants in northwest Nigeria at the request of Nigeria’s government, U.S. President Donald Trump and the U.S. military said on Thursday, claiming the group had been targeting Christians in the region.
A two-minute silence will be observed today (26) in memory of those who lost their lives in the tsunami and other disasters, the Disaster Management Centre (DMC) said.
Police yesterday arrested a suspect wanted in connection with the shooting death of a former Vice Chairman of the Mulleriyawa Pradeshiya Sabha in Kotikawatta.
ECONOMYNEXT – Sri Lanka’s Haggala Botanical Gardens in the Nuwara Eliya district has been opened for domestic and foreign tourists from December 25, the Ministry of Environment said. The gardens were closed after Cyclone Ditwah. Deputy Minister of Environment Anton Jayakody had inspected the gardens on December 12 with officials to assess the ground situation and landslide risks, the statement said. The Gardens were re-opened after carrying out recommendations of the National Building Research Organization (NBRO) and the Disaster Management Centre (DMC). “Due to the emergence of hazardous ground conditions, certain areas—specifically the pond area near the entrance gate and…
Police say that six suspects have been arrested in connection with the shooting and killing of a manager at a business establishment in Ambalangoda town. Of those arrested, two were taken into custody by the Police Special Task Force, while four were arrested by the Galle Crimes Division. During these raids, a pistol and a revolver were also recovered from the Hikkaduwa area. The shooting, which occurred on December 22, resulted in the death of the manager of a business establishment in Ambalangoda town at the scene itself. Two individuals who arrived on a motorcycle carried out the shooting and…
Sri Lanka’s Tamil Debaters’ Council has made history, clinching its maiden international debating crown through the National Development Squad’s victory in Malaysia. The Sri Lankan delegation emerged champions at the Sampanthan Paindhamizh Chudar 5.0, becoming the first non-Malaysian team in the history of the competition to win the championship. This achievement officially opens the international championship trophy cabinet of the National Tamil Debating Development Pool, signalling Sri Lanka’s arrival as a serious force in global Tamil debating. The Sri Lankan team that clinched the historic title at the International Tamil Debating Championship organised by University Utara Malaysia (UUM) consisted of:…