The International Monetary Fund (IMF) has called on Sri Lanka to strengthen its institutional framework and improve public investment management to prevent a repeat of the country’s recent fiscal crisis. Responding to a question by News 1st’s Zulfick Farzan, Thomas Helbling, Deputy Director of the IMF’s Asia Pacific Department, acknowledged that a range of factors […]
Former Minister of Labour and Foreign Employment Manusha Nanayakkara was arrested earlier today (15) by officials of the Commission to Investigate Allegations of Bribery or Corruption (CIABOC) in connection with alleged irregularities in the foreign employment program involving the deployment of Sri Lankan workers to Israel. Nanayakkara, who was taken into custody this afternoon, was […]
The government has introduced a series of new initiatives to enhance facilities and streamline services for tourists ahead of the upcoming travel season. The Special Task Force, appointed by President Anura Kumara Dissanayake to fast-track tourism promotion efforts, convened for the second time yesterday (14) at the Presidential Secretariat. Key discussions centered on improving visa […]
Watawala Tea has withdrawn its short film “Him, Her and Them” following widespread backlash from the public, who accused the brand of promoting LGBTQI themes under the guise of family storytelling. In a statement, the company explained that the film was meant to reflect “the everyday emotions of family life and the balance between strength […]
Six Sri Lankans arrested in Nepal, including Ishara Sewwandi — the prime suspect in the murder of underworld figure Ganemulla Sanjeewa — have been extradited to Sri Lanka, authorities confirmed. Following her arrival, Ishara Sewwandi was handed over to the Colombo Crimes Division (CCD) for further investigations into the high-profile killing.
Attorney-at-Law Gunaratne Wanninayake was released on bail today (15) by the Mount Lavinia Magistrate’s Court, in connection with a case where he is accused of obstructing police duties on court premises. The Magistrate granted bail on two sureties of Rs. 500,000 each. Wanninayake appeared before court this afternoon, accompanied by Bar Association of Sri Lanka […]
The Department of Meteorology has issued a severe weather warning, forecasting intense rainfall and strong winds across several parts of Sri Lanka over the coming days due to the Intertropical Convergence Zone and prevailing atmospheric disturbances. According to the advisory, Western, Sabaragamuwa, Southern, Central, Uva, and North-Western provinces are likely to experience heavy showers exceeding […]
Google has announced a massive $15 billion investment to establish a state-of-the-art data center and artificial intelligence (AI) hub in India — its largest-ever investment in the country. The project, to be developed over five years from 2026 to 2030, will be located in the port city of Visakhapatnam, Andhra Pradesh. The new facility will […]
Former President Gotabaya Rajapaksa has publicly denied any ownership or connection to a building near the Manik Ganga in Kataragama, following renewed media reports linking him to the property. In a statement shared on his official Facebook page, Rajapaksa said the reports were false and clarified that the property in question did not belong to […]
Sri Lanka Police have seized and frozen assets worth Rs. 730 million so far this year, as part of ongoing efforts to dismantle organized criminal networks operating across the island, Police Spokesperson Assistant Superintendent of Police (ASP) F.U. Wootler announced. The confiscated assets include 354 pounds of gold, 72 vehicles, 35 houses, 37 acres of […]