News Room : Western Province Records Highest Number of Drug-Addicted Schoolchildren – NDDCB
The National Dangerous Drugs Control Board (NDDCB) has revealed that the highest number of drug-addicted schoolchildren in Sri Lanka is from the Western Province, with Colombo District recording the largest share. Children from low-income areas such as Grandpass, Thotalanga, Slave Island, Angulana, Keselwatte, Panadura, Dehiwala, Mount Lavinia, and Hikkaduwa have been identified as particularly vulnerable. Some areas in Kandy, as...
News Room : If Torture Is Seen as Discipline, We Must Rethink Our Society – PM
Prime Minister Dr Harini Amarasuriya, who also serves as Minister of Education, Higher Education, and Vocational Education, has clarified that the recent Penal Code amendment banning corporal punishment is not aimed at schools or teachers, but is a vital reform to protect all children across society. Speaking on 27 September at a programme held at the Ministry of Education to...
News Room : Padme Allegedly Got Advance Tip-Off from Police About ASP Olugala
It has been revealed that a tip-off from within the police may have alerted underworld figure ‘Kehelbaddara Padme’ about the arrival of Assistant Superintendent of Police (ASP) Rohan Olugala in Indonesia to arrest him and other wanted suspects, including ‘Commando Salintha.’ The revelation surfaced during ongoing investigations into a major joint operation carried out by Sri Lankan and Indonesian security...
News Room : Showers, Strong Winds Expected in Several Areas Today
The Department of Meteorology announced that several spells of showers are expected today (28) in the Western, Sabaragamuwa, and North-western provinces, as well as in Galle, Matara, Kandy, and Nuwara Eliya districts. Showers or thundershowers are also likely in a few areas of the Uva Province and the Ampara District after 2.00 p.m. The Met Department further warned of strong winds...
News Room : From Barter to Blockchain: – The Island
Since his office was now to behave in the manner of an executive prime ministerial centre which would support him as virtual head of government, Ranil set about restructuring the order of business in the house. He wanted papers and callers dealt with in a systematic, organized way. It was not going to be business as usual when the...
News Room : Sanjaya Gunawardana begins tenure as MD/CEO of Sampath Bank – The Island
Sampath Bank PLC announced that Sanjaya Gunawardana officially commenced his tenure as the 9th Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer of the Bank on 24th September 2025. He succeeds Ms. Ayodhya Iddawela Perera, who concluded her term in office after steering the Bank through a period of growth and transformation, leaving behind a legacy of commitment, excellence, and service. Sanjaya Gunawardana is...
News Room : Court Rejects Request to Name Wasantha Samarasinghe, Others as Suspects
The Mount Lavinia Magistrate’s Court today (26) rejected a request made by the complainant to name Wasantha Samarasinghe, Mahinda Jayasinghe, and Ranjan Jayalal as suspects and to produce them before court. Delivering the order, Magistrate Pasan Amarasinghe noted that an investigation into the disputed property is still ongoing by the Colombo Fraud Investigation Bureau and that steps have already been...
News Room : Govt Moves to Tighten Online Safety Laws – Minister
Public Security Minister Ananda Wijepala told Parliament today that the government is stepping up efforts to combat hate speech, ethnic incitement, terrorism-related content, and other illegal activities spread through social media. He also announced that amendments to the Online Safety Act of 2024 are currently being drafted. Wijepala said authorities are collaborating with major social media companies to curb harmful...
News Room : Pre-Trial Conference on Namal Rajapaksa ‘Krrish’ Case Fixed
The Colombo High Court has scheduled a pre-trial conference for 18 December in the case filed by the Attorney General against Namal Rajapaksa over the controversial ‘Krrish’ project. When the case was called today, Rajapaksa was present in court. The High Court also directed that the original case report from the Fort Magistrate’s Court be summoned before the next date. The Attorney...
News Room : ‘Keheliya’s Rs. 230,000 Phone Bill Was Paid on His Secretary’s Request’ – Ex-SPC Manager
Colombo High Court yesterday (25 September) heard evidence in the case filed by the Bribery Commission against former Minister Keheliya Rambukwella and former Chairman of the State Printing Corporation (SPC) Jayampathi Heenkenda. The case concerns the payment of Rambukwella’s personal mobile phone bill—amounting to Rs. 230,945.45—for the period between 15 March and 17 April 2012 using SPC funds. Testifying as...