Newsfirst·just now·1 min read

COLOMBO (News 1st) - Former First Lady Shiranthi Rajapaksa has been remanded until October 13 after being produced before the Colombo Chief Magistrate's Court this afternoon.

Newsfirst·15 min ago·3 min read

COLOMBO (News 1st); A controversial satirical statue of U.S.

Newsfirst·42 min ago·1 min read

COLOMBO (News 1st) - The Colombo High Court has sentenced an Assistant Cultural Officer to three years of rigorous imprisonment after finding him guilty on four charges, including soliciting and accepting a bribe of Rs.

Newsfirst·1h ago·3 min read

COLOMBO (News 1st); - International Monetary Fund (IMF) Managing Director Kristalina Georgieva has warned that the global energy shock remains a major threat to the world economy, cautioning that elevated fuel prices, supply constraints and geopol…

Newsfirst·2h ago·3 min read

COLOMBO (News 1st); India's Supreme Court has weighed in on the long-running fisheries dispute with Sri Lanka, urging government authorities to sensitise fishermen about international maritime boundaries amid growing concerns over repeated arrests…

Newsfirst·2h ago·1 min read

COLOMBO (News 1st); A suspect has been arrested with 100 grams of ICE (crystal methamphetamine) in the Halipulla Watta area of Dematagoda.The arrest was made during a raid conducted last night by a team of officers from the Colombo District Crimes…

Newsfirst·3h ago·3 min read

COLOMBO (News 1st) - Sri Lanka's tourism sector has staged a remarkable recovery in recent years, but the country's focus must now shift beyond simply attracting more visitors and towards creating a higher-value tourism industry that generates bro…

Newsfirst·3h ago·2 min read

COLOMBO (News 1st) - Sri Lanka's Consumer Affairs Authority (CAA) has launched a nationwide initiative to collect data on fruit growers, wholesalers, collectors and retailers as part of a broader effort to regulate fruit ripening practices and imp…

Newsfirst·4h ago·1 min read

COLOMBO (News 1st) - Two individuals who allegedly posed as doctors using forged documents have been arrested in Meegalewa, Kurunegala, along with a stock of medicines valued at around Rs.

Newsfirst·4h ago·1 min read

COLOMBO (News 1st) - Sugeeshwara Bandara, the former Private Secretary to former President Gotabaya Rajapaksa, was further remanded until October 21 by the Fort Magistrate's Court today.The order was issued after the suspect was produced before Fo…

Newsfirst·4h ago·2 min read

COLOMBO (News 1st) - The Attorney General today (7) filed indictments before the Matara High Court against former Inspector General of Police Deshabandu Tennakoon and seven others in connection with the shooting incident at the W15 Hotel in Weliga…

Newsfirst·4h ago·2 min read

COLOMBO (News 1st) - The United States Navy's USS Tulsa (LCS 16) arrived at the Port of Colombo on October 7, marking its second visit to Sri Lanka in just over a year.

Newsfirst·5h ago·5 min read

COLOMBO (News 1st) - Sri Lanka's economy is continuing its recovery from the country's worst economic crisis in decades, but the benefits of that recovery have yet to fully reach many households, with poverty levels remaining significantly above p…

Newsfirst·5h ago·3 min read

COLOMBO (News 1st) - The government today (7) provided a detailed explanation in Parliament regarding the challenges currently affecting Sri Lanka's fuel market, as concerns continue to grow over reduced fuel distribution by several private fuel s…

Newsfirst·5h ago·2 min read

COLOMBO (News 1st) - A three-judge bench of the Colombo High Court today (7) sentenced two men convicted over the illegal possession and storage of explosives in Wanathawilluwa, Puttalam, in 2018, to 10 years of rigorous imprisonment.

Newsfirst·7h ago·1 min read

COLOMBO (News 1st) - Fourteen people were injured after a private bus veered off the road and overturned in the Galkulama area of Thirappane along the A9 road early this morning.

Newsfirst·7h ago·3 min read

(CNA) US soldiers stationed on Japan's Okinawa have been given a month-long curfew and banned from drinking alcohol while they undergo discipline training after a Marine was alleged to have murdered and robbed a local woman.

Newsfirst·7h ago·5 min read

COLOMBO (News 1st) - A policy that was once promoted as a bold transformation of Sri Lanka's agricultural sector has once again entered the national conversation, after a senior World Bank economist reflected on the country's controversial fertili…

Newsfirst·8h ago·1 min read

COLOMBO (News 1st) - Former First Lady Shiranthi Rajapaksa was arrested Wednesday (7) morning by officers attached to the Commission to Investigate Allegations of Bribery or Corruption (CIABOC).

Newsfirst·8h ago·2 min read

COLOMBO (News 1st) - India’s Supreme Court has directed Indian fishermen not to cross into the Sea of Sri Lanka near Katchatheevu while fishing.The directive was issued by a bench comprising Justices Sanjay Kumar and Sanjiv Sachdeva while hearing …

Newsfirst·8h ago·1 min read

COLOMBO(News 1st) - The studentships of 11 students of the Faculty of Technology at Sabaragamuwa University have been revoked following an investigation into the death of second-year student Charith Dilshan.Acting Vice-Chancellor Professor S.A.

Newsfirst·9h ago·2 min read

COLOMBO (News 1st) - The Ministry of Digital Economy says the government has decided to provide official email addresses to all government officials.Deputy Minister Eranga Weeraratne said the initiative will help connect the public service and fac…

Newsfirst·10h ago·1 min read

COLOMBO (News 1st) - A fully equipped building constructed by Gammadda is being handed over today to the students of Lokananda Maha Vidyalaya in Kiwulakale, Kottukachchiya, Puttalam.The project aims to provide better facilities for students who co…

Newsfirst·10h ago·1 min read

COLOMBO (News 1st) - The 2027 Appropriation Bill, setting out the government’s proposed expenditure for next year, will be presented to Parliament today.The Bill, which was recently gazetted, estimates total government expenditure at Rs.

Newsfirst·22h ago·2 min read

COLOMBO (News 1st); As night fell over the capital, one of Colombo's most recognizable landmarks took on a new colour and a powerful message.

Newsfirst·23h ago·5 min read

COLOMBO (News 1st); The Attorney General informed court this afternoon that a medical board, including the Director of the National Hospital of Sri Lanka, has recommended that former State Intelligence Service Director Suresh Salley, who was recei…

Newsfirst·1d ago·2 min read

COLOMBO (News 1st); Former President Mahinda Rajapaksa's wife, Shiranthi Rajapaksa, returned to Sri Lanka last night after spending several weeks overseas.

Newsfirst·1d ago·1 min read

COLOMBO (News 1st) - Cabinet has approved to grant a fertilizer subsidy of Rs.

Newsfirst·1d ago·2 min read

COLOMBO (News 1st) - Authorities have taken steps to suspend the use of the Browns Hill property in Matara, which is alleged to belong to former Minister Basil Rajapaksa, under the provisions of Sri Lanka's Prevention of Money Laundering laws.The …

Newswire·23h ago·2 min read

Sri Lanka Muslim Congress (SLMC) Leader MP Rauff Hakeem questioned the Government’s foreign policy stance in Parliament today (06), referring to the Iranian vessels currently stranded in international waters off Sri Lanka.

Newswire·23h ago·3 min read

Russian authorities have quarantined about 200 people in Siberia following the death of a laboratory worker amid reports she may have contracted pneumonic plague while working at a research institute.

Newsfirst·1d ago·2 min read

COLOMBO (News 1st) - Sri Lankan javelin thrower and world number 01 Rumesh Tharanga has made history by becoming the first Sri Lankan athlete to be nominated for the prestigious World Athlete of the Year award.Tharanga is among 10 nominees for the…

Newswire·23h ago·2 min read

Police have provided further details regarding a video circulating on social media showing officers from the Walipenna Police Station searching a house in the area.

Newswire·1d ago·2 min read

President Anura Kumara Dissanayake chaired a special discussion at the Presidential Secretariat today (06) to review Sri Lanka’s preparations for its third mutual evaluation on international Anti-Money Laundering and Countering the Financing of Te…

Newswire·1d ago·2 min read

Prisons Media Spokesman and Commissioner Senaka Pallathtenna says any person sentenced to more than three years in prison must be produced before court wearing clothing issued by the Department of Prisons, in accordance with prison regulations.

Newswire·1d ago·1 min read

Speaker of parliament, Dr.

Newswire·1d ago·1 min read

The Sri Lanka Working Journalists Association (SLWJA) and the Social Media Communicators Collective staged a protest in Colombo on October 6, opposing the newly proposed “Protecting the State from Terrorism” Bill, demanding its immediate withdrawal.

Newswire·1d ago·2 min read

The Cabinet has approved new regulations aimed at establishing a formal mechanism to regulate livelihood activities of indigenous communities in designated areas while protecting their rights recognised under law, custom, usage and traditional pra…

Newsfirst·1d ago·1 min read

COLOMBO (News 1st) - President Anura Kumara Dissanayake has appointed two new judges to Sri Lanka's Court of Appeal, filling existing vacancies in the country's second-highest appellate court.

Newswire·1d ago·1 min read

The Cabinet of Ministers has approved a proposal presented by the Minister of Agriculture, Livestock, Land and Irrigation K.D Lalkantha to provide a fertilizer subsidy to farmers engaged in paddy cultivation for the 2026/27 Maha season.

Newsfirst·1d ago·2 min read

COLOMBO (News 1st) - Former State Intelligence Service Director, retired Major General Suresh Salley, can be discharged from the National Hospital of Sri Lanka after a medical board determined that his condition is suitable for release from hospit…

Newswire·1d ago·1 min read

Opposition Leader Sajith Premadasa has raised concerns over jailed Bodu Bala Sena General Secretary Ven.

Newswire·1d ago·3 min read

Today’s News Digest: Your go-to summary of the key events and headlines that shaped the day.

Newswire·1d ago·3 min read

The World Bank has revised down its estimates of poverty in Sri Lanka during the economic crisis after adopting an improved methodology, but says the new figures do not change the broader picture that poverty roughly doubled and around two million…

Newsfirst·1d ago·2 min read

COLOMBO (News 1st) - The Colombo Chief Magistrate's Court today ordered the further remand of three suspects, including the wife of former Deputy Minister Sarana Gunawardena, until October 20 in connection with an alleged bribery case.The order wa…

Newswire·1d ago·1 min read

Former State Intelligence Service Director retired Maj.

Newswire·1d ago·2 min read

Prime Minister and Minister of Education, Higher Education and Vocational Education, Dr.

Newswire·1d ago·2 min read

The government has published a Prevention of Organised Crimes Bill proposing expanded powers for police to investigate and prosecute organised criminal groups.

Newsfirst·1d ago·2 min read

COLOMBO (News 1st) - Parliamentarian Namal Rajapaksa and Krrish Group Director Janaki Siriwardena have been further remanded until October 16 by the Colombo Chief Magistrate’s Court.The order was issued when the two suspects were produced before c…

Newswire·1d ago·1 min read

The Assistant Superintendent of the Trincomalee Remand Prison has been arrested by the Commission to Investigate Allegations of Bribery or Corruption (CIABOC) over an alleged bribe of Rs.

Newswire·1d ago·1 min read

The Cabinet of Ministers has approved a proposal to sign a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Lithuania to establish a formal political consultation mechanism between the two nations, coinciding with the 30th anniversary of their diplomatic re…

Newswire·1d ago·2 min read

The Department of Meteorology’s Natural Hazards Early Warning Centre has issued an Amber Warm Weather Advisory for several regions across the country, warning that the heat index is likely to rise to the ‘Caution level’ during the daytime on Octob…

Newswire·1d ago·2 min read

The post The 60,000-homes India built in Sri Lanka that few people know about appeared first on Newswire.

Newsfirst·1d ago·5 min read

COLOMBO (News 1st) - Sri Lanka's economy has surpassed pre-crisis levels and is expected to grow by 4.4% in 2026, with the World Bank describing the country's return to upper-middle-income status as a significant milestone in its recovery journey.

Newswire·1d ago·1 min read

The post Gnanasara Thera brought to Colombo High Court in civilian clothes appeared first on Newswire.

Newsfirst·1d ago·1 min read

COLOMBO (News 1st); The Ministry of Power and Energy has issued a written directive to all fuel companies to strictly adhere to their agreements.Ministry Secretary G.M.R.D.

Newsfirst·1d ago·2 min read

COLOMBO (News 1st); Prime Minister Dr.

Newsfirst·1d ago·1 min read

COLOMBO (News 1st); Eight Indian nationals have been arrested for allegedly engaging in gambling online in Thalawathugoda.Police said the raid was carried out following information that a group of foreign nationals staying at a house in the area w…

Newsfirst·1d ago·1 min read

COLOMBO (News 1st);A vessel carrying urea fertilizer to Sri Lanka remains stranded in the Strait of Hormuz.Director of the National Fertilizer Secretariat, Chandana Lokuhewage, said the vessel is currently anchored in waters near Oman.The vessel, …

Newsfirst·1d ago·2 min read

COLOMBO (News 1st); Shiranthi Rajapaksa, the wife of former President Mahinda Rajapaksa, who had been overseas, returned to Sri Lankaat around 11:20 p.m.

Newsfirst·1d ago·1 min read

COLOMBO (News 1st); Sri Lanka secured a 3–2 victory over Mauritius in an international friendly match played in Saint Pierre, Mauritius.The win follows back-to-back victories over Seychelles in two international friendly matches.Sri Lanka had also…

Newsfirst·1d ago·1 min read

COLOMBO (News 1st); Former Colombo Municipal Council member of the Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna (SLPP), Mahinda Kahandagama, has been arrested.He was arrested on charges of drug trafficking.Police stated that another individual involved in crime wa…

Newswire·1d ago·2 min read

Nine individuals have been convicted over the assault of two police officers in Nilaveli, after a video of the incident recently began circulating on social media.

Newswire·1d ago·2 min read

Artificial intelligence is creating new employment opportunities for women in Kerala, India, as demand grows for workers to label and annotate the vast amounts of data needed to train AI systems, although concerns remain over limited alternative e…

Newswire·1d ago·2 min read

A 32-year-old woman has died after she and her mother were attacked with a sharp weapon in the Nallur area of Jaffna, while the suspect later died by suicide, Police said.

Newswire·1d ago·1 min read

Bodu Bala Sena General Secretary Ven.

Newswire·1d ago·2 min read

A Pakistani national has been charged in the United States over an alleged counterfeit postage operation involving more than five million fake shipping labels and losses exceeding US$126 million to the U.S.

Newswire·1d ago·5 min read

Millions of new cancer cases around the world may be caused by infections that are either treatable or preventable, suggesting that the cancer could have been avoided altogether.

Newswire·1d ago·2 min read

HUTCH Sri Lanka reaffirms its position as a leading digital enabler in Sri Lanka’s telecommunications industry by securing five accolades at SLIM Digis 2.6, including a Gold, a Silver, and three Bronze awards, and was the only telecommunications o…

Newswire·1d ago·3 min read

PR Wire Sri Lanka Team PR Wire Sri Lanka has been named to PRovoke Media’s prestigious Global Top 300 Public Relations (PR) Agency Ranking, securing the #282 spot worldwide.

Newswire·1d ago·2 min read

Legal action has been initiated against nearly 3,000 motorists and passengers for failing to wear seatbelts in vehicles travelling on expressways, as police step up the strict enforcement of seatbelt regulations.

Newswire·1d ago·5 min read

The World Organisation Against Torture (OMCT) has raised serious concerns over Sri Lanka’s proposed Protection of the State from Terrorism Act (PSTA), warning that the legislation retains provisions that could enable arbitrary detention, torture a…

Newswire·1d ago·2 min read

Showers or thundershowers will occur at several places in the Western, Sabaragamuwa, Central, Uva, North-western and Southern provinces and in the Anuradhapura and Mannar districts after 1.00 pm today (06).

Newswire·1d ago·1 min read

Former Colombo Municipal Council member Mahinda Kahandagama has been arrested by the Colombo Central Crime Investigation Bureau for allegedly possessing crystal methamphetamine, commonly known as “Ice.” Police said Kahandagama was arrested near a …

Newswire·1d ago·6 min read

Sri Lanka Cricket Transformation Committee Chairman Eran Wickramaratne has questioned the International Cricket Council’s approach to political involvement in cricket administration, saying the global governing body must understand the circumstanc…

Newswire·1d ago·1 min read

Former First Lady Shiranthi Rajapaksa has returned to Sri Lanka from Singapore, where she had travelled for medical treatment.

Newswire·1d ago·1 min read

Sri Lanka’s world No.

Newswire·1d ago·1 min read

The government is set to present the new Sri Lanka Cricket Bill in Parliament on Tuesday, October 6, as part of proposed sweeping reforms to the administration and governance of cricket in Sri Lanka.

Newswire·1d ago·1 min read

Sri Lanka secured a 3-2 victory over Mauritius in an international friendly on Monday, bouncing back strongly from their defeat in the opening match between the two sides.

Newsfirst·2d ago·3 min read

COLOMBO (News 1st); The Attorney General has concluded that fresh investigations should be conducted into the killings allegedly linked to the Batalanda torture chamber.

Newsfirst·2d ago·2 min read

COLOMBO (News 1st); Former President Mahinda Rajapaksa's wife, Shiranthi Rajapaksa, has made a request to the Maligakanda Magistrate's Court seeking anticipatory bail.

Newsfirst·2d ago·1 min read

COLOMBO (News 1st): A suspect has been arrested in connection with the shooting and injuring of a person in Galwehera, Ahungalla.The arrest was made during a raid conducted by the Galle Crimes Division.Police said a pistol suspected to have been u…

Newsfirst·2d ago·1 min read

COLOMBO (News 1st); Vinayagamoorthy Muralitharan, better known as Karuna Amman, appeared before the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) this morning to provide a statement in connection with an ongoing investigation into an alleged abduction i…

Newswire·1d ago·1 min read

Pakistan squads announced for the three-match Sri Lanka T20I series and ODI tri-series featuring Sri Lanka and England.

Newsfirst·2d ago·2 min read

COLOMBO (News 1st); Sri Lanka and the Asian Development Bank (ADB) have held a high-level discussion on the country's development agenda for the 2026-2029 period, with a strong focus on prioritising key projects, accelerating economic development …

Newswire·1d ago·1 min read

The National Building Research Organisation (NBRO) has extended Level 2 (Amber) landslide early warnings for multiple Divisional Secretariat Divisions across five districts due to ongoing heavy rainfall, valid until 4:00 p.m.

Newswire·1d ago·2 min read

The Parliamentary Forum for Persons with Disabilities met in Parliament under the chairmanship of Member of Parliament Sugath Wasantha de Silva to discuss drafting a new bill to replace the Protection of the Rights of Persons with Disabilities Act…

Newsfirst·2d ago·2 min read

COLOMBO (News 1st); The 2026 Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine has been awarded jointly to Karl Deisseroth, Peter Hegemann and Georg Nagel for their pioneering discoveries concerning light-gated ion channels and optogenetics, a breakthrough th…

Newswire·1d ago·1 min read

A no-confidence motion against the Speaker of Parliament, Dr.

Newswire·2d ago·2 min read

A mound of earth collapsed onto the railway track in the Agunawala area between the Peradeniya and Geli Oya railway stations at around 6:20 p.m.

Newsfirst·2d ago·1 min read

COLOMBO (News 1st) - Train services between Rambukkana and Peradeniya on the Upcountry Railway Line have been temporarily suspended.

Newsfirst·2d ago·1 min read

COLOMBO (News 1st) - Another suspect was arrested for aiding and abetting the shooting incident that killed two women and a man in the Halpathota area of Baddegama.The suspect was arrested during a raid conducted by a team of officers from the Gal…

Newsfirst·2d ago·2 min read

COLOMBO (News 1st) - Minister of Health and Mass Media Dr.

Newswire·2d ago·1 min read

President Anura Kumara Dissanayake has appointed Air Chief Marshal Kolitha A.

Newsfirst·2d ago·1 min read

COLOMBO (News 1st) - According to the Disaster Management Centre the prevailing heavy rainfall condition has affected 4,363 people from 1,190 families across 17 districts.

Newsfirst·2d ago·2 min read

COLOMBO (News 1st) - Parliament is scheduled to meet from October 6 to 9.Accordingly, on Tuesday, October 6, Parliament is scheduled to debate two regulations under the Foreign Exchange Act, an Order published under the Foreign Exchange Act, and a…

Newsfirst·2d ago·1 min read

COLOMBO (News 1st); The Court of Appeal today ordered that the six-year prison sentence imposed on Ven.

Newswire·2d ago·1 min read

The Parliamentary Forum for Youth met recently at the Parliament under the chairmanship of Deputy Minister Eranga Gunasekara to discuss strengthening youth political participation, leadership, and upcoming forum initiatives with representatives fr…

Newsfirst·2d ago·3 min read

COLOMBO (News 1st); Sri Lanka's wildlife tourism has once again captured international attention, with Channel News Asia highlighting the island as one of Asia's most compelling safari destinations, offering visitors far more than the famed leopar…

Newswire·2d ago·2 min read

Today’s News Digest: Your go-to summary of the key events and headlines that shaped the day.

Newswire·2d ago·2 min read

Housing is a fundamental human right of every citizen, Prime Minister Dr.

Newswire·2d ago·1 min read

The Colombo High Court has fixed November 3 for further examination of evidence in the corruption case against former Minister Kumara Jayakody, filed by the Commission to Investigate Allegations of Bribery or Corruption (CIABOC).

Newsfirst·2d ago·2 min read

COLOMBO (News 1st); The number of HIV infections reported in Sri Lanka has increased, with health authorities identifying 860 new cases during the past year, according to the National STD/AIDS Control Programme.

Newswire·2d ago·3 min read

The Hambantota International Port (HIP) has reached a major milestone in its container operations, surpassing one million Twenty-Foot Equivalent Units (TEUs) in cumulative container throughput since commissioning new quay cranes in 2025, according…

Newsfirst·2d ago·3 min read

COLOMBO (News 1st); Hambantota International Port (HIP) has surpassed one million TEUs in cumulative container throughput since the commissioning of its new quay cranes in 2025.

Newsfirst·2d ago·1 min read

COLOMBO (News 1st) - Minister of Public Security Ananda Wijepala says a four-tier social structure has been established to help create a drug-free younger generation.He said the National Council for Drug Prevention, District Councils, Regional Ope…

Newsfirst·2d ago·3 min read

COLOMBO (News 1st); Sri Lanka has reached a staff-level agreement with the International Monetary Fund (IMF) on the Seventh Review of its Extended Fund Facility (EFF) programme, paving the way for a fresh US$345 million disbursement, while the IMF…

Newsfirst·2d ago·1 min read

COLOMBO (News 1st) - Police say legal action has been taken against nearly 3,000 individuals for failing to comply with the new seat belt safety regulation on expressways.Deputy Inspector General of Police in charge of Traffic Control and Road Saf…

Newsfirst·2d ago·1 min read

COLOMBO (News 1st) - IMF staff and the Sri Lankan authorities have reached staff-level agreement on economic policies to conclude the Seventh Review of Sri Lanka’s reform program supported by the IMF’s Extended Fund Facility (EFF).

Newsfirst·2d ago·1 min read

COLOMBO (News 1st) - A train travelling from Peradeniya to Colombo Fort has derailed between Ihala Kotte and Kadigamuwa.Sri Lanka Railways Spokesperson Asanka Samarasinghe said train services on the Upcountry Line have been temporarily suspended a…

Newsfirst·2d ago·1 min read

COLOMBO (News 1st) - Minister of Housing, Construction and Water Supply Dr.