News Room : Hambantota Intl Port expands bunkering with new HSFO facilities – The Island
By Shamindra Ferdinando The National Freedom Front (NFF) leader Wimal Weerawansa yesterday (09) renewed his call for a thorough investigation into US intervention in the 2022 so-called Aragalaya project that forced President Gotabaya Rajapaksa out of office. The former Cabinet Minister said the Janatha Vimukthi Peramuna (JVP)-led Jathika Jana Balawegaya couldn’t side-step the issue against the backdrop of new US administration’s...
News Room : Hostages freed and prisoners released in latest ceasefire exchange
Hamas has freed three Israeli hostages in Gaza, while Israel released 183 Palestinian prisoners in the latest exchange as part of an internationally brokered ceasefire deal. The three hostages – Eli Sharabi, Ohad Ben Ami and Or Levy – were handed over to the Red Cross on Saturday morning before reuniting with their families in Israel. Concerns have been raised about...
News Room : Yared Nuguse breaks world indoor mile record in New York
Little more than an hour after Grant Fisher’s historic performance in the 3000m, Yared Nuguse made history of his own at the Millrose Games, winning the Wanamaker Mile in a world record of 3:46.63* at the World Athletics Indoor Tour Gold meeting in New York on Saturday (8). Just hours before the meeting began, world champion Josh Kerr announced his...
News Room : Phillips 72-ball hundred flips the script as New Zealand beat Pakistan
A blistering onslaught from Glenn Philips in the final six overs of the first innings helped New Zealand ease to a crushing win over Pakistan in the first ODI of the tri-series in Lahore. The visitors posted 330 thanks to Phillips’ 72-ball century, with 98 runs coming in the final six overs. Pakistan could never quite muster a convincing...
News Room : Unidentified disease wipes out Kilinochchi piggeries, losses exceed Rs. 250 Mn
By Norman Palihawadane and Dinasena Rathugamae An unidentified disease has ravaged pig farms in Kilinochchi, killing at least 300 adult pigs and over 400 piglets within a week. The outbreak, which began in Selvanagar and has since spread to surrounding villages, has caused devastating losses to farmers. Veterinary officers suspect a viral infection and have initiated treatments, but the disease remains unchecked. The...
News Room : Context is king as Pakistan and New Zealand open pre-Champions Trophy tri-series
A triangular ODI series is something of a curiosity that belongs in a museum more than it does in 2025. Pakistan last hostedone in 2004, and there have been none in the ODI format anywhere since 2019. When this particular series was announced not long ago, it stood out – it is the only ODI tri series in the...
News Room : 59 Sri Lankans in Russian Army killed in Ukraine, says Minister – The Island
To commemorate 60 years of capacity-building partnership between India and Sri Lanka, through the Indian Technical and Economic Cooperation (ITEC) programme, the High Commission of India in Colombo celebrated ITEC Day 2025 on Wednesday (05). High Commissioner of India to Sri Lanka Santosh Jha and Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs, Foreign Employment and Tourism, Arun Hemachandra, graced the occasion. The...
News Room : First case of newer mpox variant detected in Ireland
The first case of a newer, more spreadable variant of mpox has been detected in the Republic of Ireland, the Health Service Executive (HSE) has said. The Irish resident, who was infected with the Clade 1 variant, had recently returned from the Democratic Republic of Congo. The virus – formerly known as monkeypox – was declared a global health emergency by...
News Room : Trump sanctions International Criminal Court, calls it ‘illegitimate’
President Donald Trump has signed an executive order sanctioning the International Criminal Court, accusing it of “illegitimate and baseless actions targeting America and our close ally Israel”. The measure places financial and visa restrictions on individuals and their families who assist in ICC investigations of American citizens or allies. Trump signed the measure as Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu was visiting...
News Room : Speaker reminds MPs that no one is above the law
By Akitha Perera Speaker Jagath Wickramaratne told the MPs on Wednesday (05)) that no elected representative including ministers and MPs was above the law. He said so following a heated exchange with Jaffna District Independent MP Dr Ramanathan Archuna over a privilege issue related to a traffic incident. The dispute arose when MP Archuna raised concerns in Parliament regarding an alleged...