41 factories closed down in 2025 for operating without renewing environmental licenses: CEAThe Central Environmental Authority (CEA) says that steps had been taken to permanently close down 41 factories which were found to be operating without renewing their Environmental Protection Licenses within the year 2025.21m agoWarm weather advisory issued for tomorrowA warm weather advisory has been issued by the Department of Meteorology for residents of the Eastern Province and Kilinochchi, Mullaittivu, Vavuniya, and Monaragala districts.29m agoSecurity beefed up for Devinuwara Esala PeraheraA comprehensive security and traffic management plan has been implemented for the annual Esala Perahera of the historic Sri Uthpalawanna Sri Vishnu Maha Devalaya in Devinuwara, with 650 police officers and 100 Special Task Force (STF) personnel deployed for the event.1h agoSecurity beefed up for Devinuwara Esala PeraheraA comprehensive security and traffic management plan has been implemented for the annual Esala Perahera of the historic Sri Uthpalawanna Sri Vishnu Maha Devalaya in Devinuwara, with 650 police officers and 100 Special Task Force (STF) personnel deployed for the event.1h agoSpecial opposition meeting underway over move to extend judges’ retirement ageA special meeting of leaders and representatives of opposition parties regarding the government's proposal to extend the retirement age of Supreme Court judges is currently underway at the Office of the Leader of the Opposition in Colombo. 1h agoSpecial opposition meeting underway over move to extend judges’ retirement ageA special meeting of leaders and representatives of opposition parties regarding the government's proposal to extend the retirement age of Supreme Court judges is currently underway at the Office of the Leader of the Opposition in Colombo. 1h agoNEWS ALERTOil price surges above $98 after Houthis attack Saudi tankers in Red SeaOil prices once again climbed above $98 a barrel on Thursday, as Iran-aligned Houthi militants in Yemen said they had struck two Saudi oil tankers in the Red Sea, raising fears of deeper supply disruptions across key Middle East shipping routes.1h agoNEWS ALERTOil price surges above $98 after Houthis attack Saudi tankers in Red SeaOil prices once again climbed above $98 a barrel on Thursday, as Iran-aligned Houthi militants in Yemen said they had struck two Saudi oil tankers in the Red Sea, raising fears of deeper supply disruptions across key Middle East shipping routes.1h agoFM Vijitha Herath meets US secretary of state Marco Rubio in ManilaSri Lanka's Minister of Foreign Affairs, Foreign Employment and Tourism, Vijitha Herath, has held a brief discussion with United States Secretary of State Marco Rubio on the sidelines of the 33rd ASEAN Regional Forum (ARF) in Manila, the Philippines. 1h agoFM Vijitha Herath meets US secretary of state Marco Rubio in ManilaSri Lanka's Minister of Foreign Affairs, Foreign Employment and Tourism, Vijitha Herath, has held a brief discussion with United States Secretary of State Marco Rubio on the sidelines of the 33rd ASEAN Regional Forum (ARF) in Manila, the Philippines. 1h agoNEWS ALERTAppeals Court defers ex-President Gotabaya’s writ petition until Aug. 3The Court of Appeal has deferred further consideration of the writ petition filed by former President Gotabaya Rajapaksa, seeking an order preventing his arrest and detention...2h agoNEWS ALERTAppeals Court defers ex-President Gotabaya’s writ petition until Aug. 3The Court of Appeal has deferred further consideration of the writ petition filed by former President Gotabaya Rajapaksa, seeking an order preventing his arrest and detention...2h agoTwo Maldivians arrested over Rs. 10 million ‘Ice’ smuggling operation Two Maldivian nationals have been arrested by the Police Narcotics Bureau (PNB) in connection with the smuggling and distribution of a consignment of ‘Ice’ (crystal methamphetamine) worth approximately Rs. 10 million during a special operation.2h agoTwo Maldivians arrested over Rs. 10 million ‘Ice’ smuggling operation Two Maldivian nationals have been arrested by the Police Narcotics Bureau (PNB) in connection with the smuggling and distribution of a consignment of ‘Ice’ (crystal methamphetamine) worth approximately Rs. 10 million during a special operation.2h agoAssets worth Rs. 150 million linked to 'Rathgama Vidura' frozenAssets worth approximately Rs. 150 million allegedly belonging to underworld figure Pubudumunu Vidura Lakshan De Soysa Wijesinghe, also known as 'Rathgama Vidura' has been frozen. 2h agoAssets worth Rs. 150 million linked to 'Rathgama Vidura' frozenAssets worth approximately Rs. 150 million allegedly belonging to underworld figure Pubudumunu Vidura Lakshan De Soysa Wijesinghe, also known as 'Rathgama Vidura' has been frozen. 2h agoGovt to coordinate Kotte Sri Dalada Maha Perahera 2026A preliminary planning meeting for the Sri Dalada Maha Perahera 2026 of the Sri Jayewardenepura Kotte Rajamaha Viharaya was held this morning (23) at the Presidential Secretariat under the patronage of Secretary to the President, Dr. Nandika Sanath Kumanayake. 3h agoGovt to coordinate Kotte Sri Dalada Maha Perahera 2026A preliminary planning meeting for the Sri Dalada Maha Perahera 2026 of the Sri Jayewardenepura Kotte Rajamaha Viharaya was held this morning (23) at the Presidential Secretariat under the patronage of Secretary to the President, Dr. Nandika Sanath Kumanayake. 3h agoUPDATENEWS ALERTShantha Bandara’s son and 4 others remanded over Rs. 20M robberyFive suspects, including Anuda Janadith Bandara, the son of former State Minister Shantha Bandara, have been remanded until July 27 by the Fort Magistrate’s Court in connection with the alleged robbery of Rs. 20 million belonging to a Chinese national. 3h agoUPDATENEWS ALERTShantha Bandara’s son and 4 others remanded over Rs. 20M robberyFive suspects, including Anuda Janadith Bandara, the son of former State Minister Shantha Bandara, have been remanded until July 27 by the Fort Magistrate’s Court in connection with the alleged robbery of Rs. 20 million belonging to a Chinese national. 3h agoFive soldiers killed in bomb attack in Thailand's restive southAssailants killed five soldiers in a shooting and bomb attack at a checkpoint in Thailand's insurgency-hit south, as the government warned on Thursday (Jul 23) of an uptick in violence in the region. 3h agoFive soldiers killed in bomb attack in Thailand's restive southAssailants killed five soldiers in a shooting and bomb attack at a checkpoint in Thailand's insurgency-hit south, as the government warned on Thursday (Jul 23) of an uptick in violence in the region. 3h agoCongo says more than 1,000 die of Ebola, confirmed cases rise to 2,536The number of confirmed Ebola cases in the Democratic Republic of Congo has increased to 2,536, including 1,033 deaths, government data showed late on Wednesday.4h agoCongo says more than 1,000 die of Ebola, confirmed cases rise to 2,536The number of confirmed Ebola cases in the Democratic Republic of Congo has increased to 2,536, including 1,033 deaths, government data showed late on Wednesday.4h agoSLBFE aims to send 250,000 workers abroad in 2026The Sri Lanka Bureau of Foreign Employment (SLBFE) has set a target of securing overseas employment opportunities to 250,000 Sri Lankans during 2026.4h agoSLBFE aims to send 250,000 workers abroad in 2026The Sri Lanka Bureau of Foreign Employment (SLBFE) has set a target of securing overseas employment opportunities to 250,000 Sri Lankans during 2026.4h agoOver 5,000 child abuse-related complaints reported in first six months of 2026A total of 108,581 child abuse complaints have been received by the National Child Protection Authority (NCPA) between 2015 and 2025, Minister of Women and Child Affairs Saroja Savithri Paulraj informed Parliament.5h agoOver 5,000 child abuse-related complaints reported in first six months of 2026A total of 108,581 child abuse complaints have been received by the National Child Protection Authority (NCPA) between 2015 and 2025, Minister of Women and Child Affairs Saroja Savithri Paulraj informed Parliament.5h agoNEWS ALERTEx-President Gotabaya Rajapaksa arrives at Appeals CourtFormer President Gotabaya Rajapaksa has arrived at the Court of Appeal, a short while ago.5h agoNEWS ALERTEx-President Gotabaya Rajapaksa arrives at Appeals CourtFormer President Gotabaya Rajapaksa has arrived at the Court of Appeal, a short while ago.5h ago48-hour water cut in Digana and MenikhinnaThe National Water Supply and Drainage Board (NWSDB) has announced a 48-hour water supply interruption in Digana and Menikhinna due to essential maintenance work.5h ago48-hour water cut in Digana and MenikhinnaThe National Water Supply and Drainage Board (NWSDB) has announced a 48-hour water supply interruption in Digana and Menikhinna due to essential maintenance work.5h agoSajith brings opposition leaders together for key discussionsLeaders of several opposition political parties are scheduled to meet at the Office of the Opposition Leader this afternoon (23) for a special discussion focusing on the independence of the judiciary and other current political developments.5h agoSajith brings opposition leaders together for key discussionsLeaders of several opposition political parties are scheduled to meet at the Office of the Opposition Leader this afternoon (23) for a special discussion focusing on the independence of the judiciary and other current political developments.5h agoNavy seizes over 735kg of smuggled Kendu leaves in Negombo lagoonThe Sri Lanka Navy has seized more than 735kg of smuggled Kendu leaves and had apprehended two suspects during a search operation in the Negombo Lagoon.5h agoNavy seizes over 735kg of smuggled Kendu leaves in Negombo lagoonThe Sri Lanka Navy has seized more than 735kg of smuggled Kendu leaves and had apprehended two suspects during a search operation in the Negombo Lagoon.5h agoIndia's Modi promises fast-track courts on exam leaks, protesters want minister to quitIndian Prime Minister Narendra Modi said on Thursday that “fast-track” courts would be set up to prosecute those behind exam paper leaks, his first public response after days of youth protests demanding the resignation of the education minister. 6h agoIndia's Modi promises fast-track courts on exam leaks, protesters want minister to quitIndian Prime Minister Narendra Modi said on Thursday that “fast-track” courts would be set up to prosecute those behind exam paper leaks, his first public response after days of youth protests demanding the resignation of the education minister. 6h ago