News Archive

Several spells of light showers expected today

Several spells of light showers expected today

Several spells of light showers will occur in the Western, Sabaragamuwa and North-western provinces and in the Nuwara-Eliya, Kandy, Galle and Matara districts today (04), the Department of Meteorology said. MORE..

Congress passes Trump’s ‘big, beautiful bill’ cutting taxes and spending

The US Congress has passed Donald Trump’s sprawling tax and spending bill in a significant and hard-fought victory for the president and his domestic agenda. MORE..

Woman hacked to death in Kuruwita

Woman hacked to death in Kuruwita

A young woman has been murdered with a sharp weapon in Dewipahala, Kuruwita, police stated. MORE..

Hundreds evacuated as Greece wildfire rages on Crete

Hundreds evacuated as Greece wildfire rages on Crete

A wildfire fanned by gale-force winds on the southern Greek island of Crete has forced the evacuation of residents and tourists, officials said on Thursday (Jul 3). MORE..

Sri Lanka to deploy seasonal workers to South Korea under E-8 Visa category

Sri Lanka to deploy seasonal workers to South Korea under E-8 Visa category

Cabinet approval has been granted to implement a pilot program to facilitate the engagement of Sri Lankan labourers under the E-8 visa category (seasonal employees) in the Republic of Korea. MORE..

Several spells of showers expected in parts of the island

Several spells of showers expected in parts of the island

Several spells of showers will occur in the Western, Sabaragamuwa and North-western provinces and in Nuwara-Eliya, Kandy, Galle and Matara districts, the Department of Meteorology said. MORE..

Youth files FR petition alleging unlawful detention after incident with ‘Teacher Amma’

Youth files FR petition alleging unlawful detention after incident with ‘Teacher Amma’

A youth has filed a Fundamental Rights (FR) petition before the Supreme Court, alleging unlawful arrest and detention by the Katana Police following an incident involving Hyeshika Fernando, popularly known as ‘Teacher Amma’, a prominent Grade 5 scholarship tutor. MORE..

Police fire tear gas due tense situation in Kahawatta

Police fire tear gas due tense situation in Kahawatta

Police fired tear gas to disperse a crowd due a tense situation in Kahawatta, following the funeral of the youth who was shot dead in Kahawatta on 30 June, police said. MORE..

Sri Lanka’s economic outlook remains positive but global trade policy uncertainties pose significant risks: IMF

Sri Lanka’s economic outlook remains positive but global trade policy uncertainties pose significant risks: IMF

Sri Lanka’s economic outlook remains positive, however, global trade policy uncertainties pose significant risks to the country’s macroeconomic and social stability, the International Monetary Fund (IMF) has stated. MORE..

Sri Lanka-Hungary sign debt restructuring agreement amounting to Euro 30mn

Sri Lanka-Hungary sign debt restructuring agreement amounting to Euro 30mn

The government of Sri Lanka and the Hungarian Export Credit Insurance Plc. have signed a bilateral agreement in relation to the External Debt Restructuring Process, the Ministry of Finance, Planning and Economic Development said in a statement. MORE..

Deepika Padukone makes history as first Indian actress on Hollywood Walk of Fame

Deepika Padukone makes history as first Indian actress on Hollywood Walk of Fame

Deepika Padukone is set to create history as she becomes the first Indian actress to be honoured with a star on the prestigious Hollywood Walk of Fame. MORE..

More details revealed on Kandana shooting

More details revealed on Kandana shooting

More details have been revealed regarding the shooting incident that occurred near the Kandana Public Market at around 10.00 a.m. this morning (03). MORE..

Two injured in shooting incident at Kandana

Two injured in shooting incident at Kandana

A shooting incident has been reported in Kandana this morning (03). MORE..

2026 Grade One Admissions: Instructions and model application issued

2026 Grade One Admissions: Instructions and model application issued

List of instructions and the model application for the admission of children to grade one in government schools for the year 2026 have been issued by the Ministry of Education. MORE..

Govt appoints committee to tackle plastic pollution

Govt appoints committee to tackle plastic pollution

A committee has been appointed to investigate and submit a report on plastic-based products in the market that pose a threat to the health of children, the Ministry of Trade, Commerce, Food Security, and Cooperative Development has announced. MORE..

Three arrested with 900kg of Kerala ganja and firearms in Wennappuwa

Three arrested with 900kg of Kerala ganja and firearms in Wennappuwa

Three individuals were taken into custody in the Bolawatta area of Wennappuwa during a joint operation carried out by the Sri Lanka Coast Guard, Navy, and Police Narcotic Bureau. MORE..

Police uncover more details related to Kandana shooting

Police uncover more details related to Kandana shooting

Police have uncovered further details in relation to the shooting which took place at around 10 a.m. opposite the Kandana Police Station. MORE..

Delhi HC rejects actress Jacqueline Fernandez’s plea to quash money laundering case

Delhi HC rejects actress Jacqueline Fernandez’s plea to quash money laundering case

The Delhi High Court on Thursday (03) turned down a plea filed by Bollywood actress Jacqueline Fernandez seeking to quash a money laundering case registered against her by the Enforcement Directorate (ED). MORE..

Ex-Minister Mervyn Silva and 2 others granted bail

Ex-Minister Mervyn Silva and 2 others granted bail

Former Minister Mervyn Silva and two others were granted bail today (03) by the Gampaha High Court over allegations of selling state land in Kiribathgoda through forged documents. MORE..

Colombo HC dismisses preliminary objection in ‘Harak Kata’ case

Colombo HC dismisses preliminary objection in ‘Harak Kata’ case

The Colombo High Court has dismissed a preliminary objection raised by the defense in the case filed against three accused individuals, including the notorious underworld figure Nadun Chinthaka Wickremeratne, alias Harak Kata. MORE..

Four dead, 38 missing after ferry sinks near Bali, agency says

Four dead, 38 missing after ferry sinks near Bali, agency says

Four people died, 38 were missing and 23 survived after a ferry carrying 65 people sank near the Indonesian island of Bali, the country’s Search and Rescue agency said on Thursday. MORE..

AliExpress halts low-cost shipping to Sri Lanka amid tax reforms

AliExpress halts low-cost shipping to Sri Lanka amid tax reforms

AliExpress has officially suspended several of its budget shipping options to Sri Lanka and Pakistan following the implementation of revised customs tax regulations by the respective authorities. MORE..

Customs records over Rs. 1 Trillion in revenue in first six months of 2025

Customs records over Rs. 1 Trillion in revenue in first six months of 2025

Sri Lanka Customs has earned revenue exceeding Rs. 1 trillion (Rs. 1,000 billion) during the first six months of 2025, according to Media Spokesperson and Additional Director General of Customs Seevali Arukgoda. MORE..

Plans underway to remove illegal constructions threatening Sigiriya – Archeology DG

Plans underway to remove illegal constructions threatening Sigiriya – Archeology DG

The Director General of the Department of Archaeology, Professor D. Thusitha Mendis, has announced plans to remove unauthorized constructions that are affecting Sri Lanka’s iconic Sigiriya Rock Fortress, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. MORE..

Four dead, 14 injured in drive-by shooting outside Chicago nightclub

Four dead, 14 injured in drive-by shooting outside Chicago nightclub

At least four people were killed and 14 others injured in a drive-by shooting outside a Chicago nightclub, police said. MORE..

Individual remanded over another illegal motor vehicle registration incident

Individual remanded over another illegal motor vehicle registration incident

An individual who was arrested over an incident involving the illegal registration of a motor vehicle that had not been lawfully cleared through Sri Lanka Customs, has been remanded until 8 July, Ada Derana Reporter said. MORE..

Kandana shooting: One victim succumbs to injuries

Kandana shooting: One victim succumbs to injuries

One of the two persons who were injured in the Kandana shooting incident this morning has reportedly succumbed to injuries at hospital. MORE..

Bangladesh ex-PM Hasina gets six-month prison sentence in absentia

Bangladesh ex-PM Hasina gets six-month prison sentence in absentia

Bangladesh’s ousted and self-exiled Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina was sentenced to six months in prison by the country’s International Crimes Tribunal on Wednesday in a contempt of court case, a top prosecutor said. MORE..

Rise in child accidents a growing concern, expert warns

Rise in child accidents a growing concern, expert warns

A pediatrician at the Colombo South Teaching Hospital in Kalubowila, Professor Ruwanthi Perera has raised concerns over the increasing number of accidents involving children. MORE..

Ugandan military helicopter catches fire in deadly Somalia crash

Ugandan military helicopter catches fire in deadly Somalia crash

A Ugandan military helicopter crashed and caught fire at the main international airport in Somalia’s capital, Mogadishu, killing five people on board. MORE..

Derana leads Sri Lanka in digital broadcasting excellence with two APAC awards

Derana leads Sri Lanka in digital broadcasting excellence with two APAC awards

Sri Lanka’s premier news provider, Ada Derana, has been recognised for its excellence in digital broadcasting at the prestigious Asia-Pacific Broadcasting+ Awards 2025, held at the Crowne Plaza Changi Airport, Singapore. MORE..

Two officers of Peradeniya Registrar of Pesticides Office arrested for soliciting a bribe

Two officers of Peradeniya Registrar of Pesticides Office arrested for soliciting a bribe

A development officer and a driver attached to the Office of the Registrar of Pesticides have been arrested for soliciting and accepting a bribe of Rs. 10,000 to register a business. MORE..

‘Army Upul’ shot dead in Ragama

‘Army Upul’ shot dead in Ragama

A person has been shot and killed in front of a residence at Batuwatte in Ragama, a short while ago. MORE..

Trump says he will put 20% tariff on Vietnam’s exports

Trump says he will put 20% tariff on Vietnam’s exports

The United States will place a lower-than-promised 20% tariff on many Vietnamese exports, Donald Trump said on Wednesday, cooling tensions with its tenth-biggest trading partner days before the U.S. president could raise levies on most imports. MORE..

SLTB bus overturns in Wattegama, 15 injured

SLTB bus overturns in Wattegama, 15 injured

At least 15 individuals have been injured when a Sri Lanka Transport Board (SLTB) bus traveling from Kudugala to Kandy via Wattegama veered off the road and overturned near a house in Araliya Uyana today (03). MORE..

Fire breaks out in a factory in Bingiriya

Fire breaks out in a factory in Bingiriya

A fire has broken out in a factory located in Bingiriya this afternoon (03), police stated. MORE..

Shooting incident reported in Negombo

Shooting incident reported in Negombo

Another shooting incident has been reported at Dungalpitiya in Negombo, a short while ago. MORE..

NASA warns of giant airplane-sized asteroid racing towards earth tomorrow

NASA warns of giant airplane-sized asteroid racing towards earth tomorrow

NASA has confirmed that asteroid 2025 MV89, a 120-foot-wide space rock approximately the size of a small passenger aeroplane, will safely pass by Earth on July 4. MORE..

French air traffic control strike disrupts global flights

French air traffic control strike disrupts global flights

French air traffic controllers began a two-day strike today, disrupting hundreds of flights and causing delays that have rippled far beyond France’s borders. MORE..

Sean ‘Diddy’ Combs cleared of most serious charges, to remain jailed for now

Sean ‘Diddy’ Combs cleared of most serious charges, to remain jailed for now

Sean “Diddy” Combs’ will remain behind bars for now, a judge ruled on Wednesday, after the music mogul was cleared of sex trafficking and racketeering charges that could have put him behind bars for life but found guilty of lesser prostitution-related offenses. MORE..

France shuts schools, Italy limits outdoor work as heatwave grips Europe

France shuts schools, Italy limits outdoor work as heatwave grips Europe

Italy banned outdoor work in some regions during the warmest hours, France shut schools and part of the Eiffel Tower and Spain confirmed its hottest June on record as a severe heat wave gripped Europe, triggering widespread health alerts. MORE..

Govt to present 2026 Appropriation Bill in October, Budget speech in November

Govt to present 2026 Appropriation Bill in October, Budget speech in November

The Cabinet of Ministers has granted approval to present the 2026 Appropriation Bill to Parliament in October. MORE..

Injured elephant spotted near Kandalama in critical condition

Injured elephant spotted near Kandalama in critical condition

A wild elephant with a gunshot wound to one of his back legs has been spotted near the Kandalama Reservoir, according to the Ada Derana reporter. MORE..

Elon Musk’s Starlink launches satellite internet in Sri Lanka

Elon Musk’s Starlink launches satellite internet in Sri Lanka

Starlink’s high-speed, low-latency satellite internet service is now officially available in Sri Lanka, its owner and billionaire entrepreneur Elon Musk confirmed in a tweet on Wednesday. MORE..

Cabinet nod to appoint Presidential Investigation Committee to probe irregularities at SriLankan Airlines

Cabinet nod to appoint Presidential Investigation Committee to probe irregularities at SriLankan Airlines

The Cabinet has granted approval to the proposal to establish a Special Presidential Investigation Committee to investigate frauds, corruption and irregularities occurred in the past within SriLankan Airlines Limited and Airport and Aviation (Sri Lanka) (Private) Limited. MORE..

Foreign university scholarships for A/L top achievers

Foreign university scholarships for A/L top achievers

The Cabinet of Ministers has granted approval to implement the programme to provide scholarships for students who obtained higher grades at the G.C.E. Advanced Level Examination to study their first degree at foreign universities. MORE..

“Starlink now available in Sri Lanka,” Elon Musk confirms

“Starlink now available in Sri Lanka,” Elon Musk confirms

Starlink’s high-speed, low-latency satellite internet service is now officially available in Sri Lanka, its owner and billionaire entrepreneur Elon Musk confirmed in a tweet on Wednesday.

New Norwood PS Chairman assumes duties amid tight security

New Norwood PS Chairman assumes duties amid tight security

Johannes Francis Allen, who was elected to the Norwood Pradeshiya Sabha from the National People’s Power (NPP), and Sivakumar Nadarajah, who was elected to the Pradeshiya Sabha from the Tamil Progressive Alliance (TPA), officially assumed duties as the Chairman and Deputy Chairman respectively amidst tight police security. MORE..

Dalai Lama says his Trust will lead search for his successor

Dalai Lama says his Trust will lead search for his successor

The Dalai Lama said on Wednesday that a non-profit that he has founded will have the sole authority to recognise his future reincarnation, countering China’s insistence that it will choose the successor of the Tibetan spiritual leader. MORE..

Malaysia considers visa-free entry for Sri Lankan citizens – report

Malaysia considers visa-free entry for Sri Lankan citizens – report

Malaysia is moving forward with a proposal to offer visa-free entry to citizens of Sri Lanka, marking a significant step in deepening tourism cooperation and regional connectivity, according to foreign media reports. MORE..