News Room : Hartal in North and East over Youth’s Death in Mullaithivu
A hartal is being staged across the Northern and Eastern Provinces today (18), demanding justice over the recent death of a youth in Mullaitivu. The Ilankai Tamil Arasu Kachchi (ITAK) announced the protest, following allegations that a group of individuals who entered the Oddusuddan Army camp in Mullaitivu had been assaulted by soldiers. Soon after, the body of another youth...
News Room : Zelensky and allies head to White House for Ukraine talks
US President Donald Trump will host Volodymyr Zelensky today for their first meeting since the pair’s heated exchange in the White House earlier this year – but this time the Ukrainian president is bringing European allies. Nato Secretary General Mark Rutte and UK Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer are among leaders who will join Zelensky in Washington for talks...
News Room : Tamil political parties – The Island
Several Tamil political parties have planned to stage a hartal today (18) in the Northern and Eastern provinces demanding the repeal of the Prevention of Terrorism Act, holding provincial council elections, and resolving land disputes affecting the Tamil community. Batticaloa District ITAK leader MP Shanakyan Rasamanickam told The Island that the hartal would be led by leaders of three Tamil...
News Room : 257 Drownings Reported So Far This Year
A total of 257 people have died in drowning incidents so far this year, police said. Police Media Spokesperson ASP F. U. Wootler stated that the victims include 37 women and 220 men. Meanwhile, the Police Life Saving Unit has managed to rescue 69 local tourists and 33 foreign tourists from drowning during the same period, he added.
News Room : The Men’s 100: Jordan Cox 86 not out off 29 leads Oval Invincibles to new record total
Oval Invincibles led by an inspired Jordan Cox, smashed the highest score in the history of the Hundred, racking up 226 for 4 from their 100 balls as they crushed Welsh Fire by 83 runs at the Kia Oval. Asked to bat first in front of a packed home crowd, the Invincibles’ innings sprung into life inside the first 10...
News Room : UN Report Flags AG’s Department as Key Obstacle to Justice in Sri Lanka
A new report by the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) has raised serious concerns about the role of Sri Lanka’s Attorney General’s Department, describing it as a significant barrier to justice for victims of grave human rights violations. The report, titled Situation of Human Rights in Sri Lanka, will be presented by UN High...
News Room : RW Declines Legal Action Over Slashing Former Presidents’ Privileges
Former President Ranil Wickremesinghe has reportedly informed the United National Party (UNP) that he will not take legal action against the withdrawal of privileges granted to former presidents. Wickremesinghe has said he sees no need to go to court seeking protection of such entitlements and further noted that if other former presidents decide to pursue legal proceedings, he will not...
News Room : Are mangoes good for diabetes? Indian studies challenge conventional wisdom
As summer sweeps across India, one of the most common questions a leading Mumbai-based diabetologist hears from his patients is: “Can I eat mangoes?” “Mangoes, with their rich sweetness and diverse varieties, are a staple of Indian summers, and it’s understandable why people want to indulge,” says Rahul Baxi. However, this simple question, he says, comes loaded with misconceptions – ranging...
News Room : Former Australia captain and coach Bob Simpson dies aged 89
Australian cricket has lost a giant after former Test captain and the first full-time coach Bob Simpson died in Sydney at the age of 89. Simpson is one of the most influential figures in the history of Australian cricket. He played 62 Test matches between 1957 and 1978, averaging 46.81, and claimed 71 wickets while being known as one of...
News Room : Workshop to raise awareness among government executive officers on the use of AI – The Island
A review on the implementation of the 2025 budget allocations for the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports, together with preliminary discussions on the 2026 budget proposals, was held on Friday (15) morning at the Presidential Secretariat under the patronage of President Anura Kumara Dissanayake. During this discussion, the allocations made in 2025 to eight institutions under the Ministry of Youth...