News Room : Special Police Inspections Ordered on Long-Distance Buses
Acting Inspector General of Police Priyantha Weerasooriya has instructed all Officers-in-Charge (OICs) and senior police officers to conduct special inspections on long-distance passenger buses, especially during night hours. The Police Media Division stated that this decision was taken in response to a noticeable increase in accidents involving long-distance buses in recent weeks. According to the instructions issued, police officers are expected...
News Room : Trump pledges to lift Syria sanctions as he seals $142bn arms deal on Saudi visit
President Donald Trump has said the US has “no stronger partner” than Saudi Arabia during his first major foreign trip – a whirlwind visit of Gulf countries mainly focused on shoring up investment. Speaking in Riyadh, the US president also pledged to lift all sanctions against Syria, saying it was now time for the country to move forward with “a...
News Room : Trial-at-Bar Appointed to Hear Keheliya’s Case Over Substandard Medicine Procurement
A Trial-at-Bar has been appointed in connection with the case filed against former Minister Keheliya Rambukwella over the controversial procurement of human immunoglobulin drugs. This appointment has been made following a request by the Attorney General to the Chief Justice. The three-judge bench appointed to hear the case comprises Justices Mahen Weeraman, Amali Ranawira, and Pradeep Abeyratne. However, Justice Mahen Weeraman is...
News Room : Mercantile Investments opens 74th & 75th branches in Kilinochchi and Puthukkudiyiripu – The Island
The SLT Group has reported a Profit After Tax (PAT) of Rs. 2,001 million for the first quarter ended March 31, 2025, a surge from Rs. 156 million in Q1 2024, reflecting effective financial management and improved operational efficiency. SLT Group demonstrated strong performance for the first quarter of 2025, with revenue increasing 3.4% to Rs. 27,851 million. The growth...
News Room : Sri Lanka’s Adventure Tourism to Hit USD 2.1 Billion by 2035: Report
Sri Lanka’s hiking and trekking tourism industry is set to grow rapidly, with the market projected to reach USD 2.1 billion by 2035, up from USD 780 million in 2025. This growth, driven by a strong annual rate of 10.5%, highlights the island’s rising popularity as a top adventure and eco-tourism destination in South Asia. Trails like Adam’s Peak, Knuckles,...
News Room : Salt Shortage Emerges in Market Due to Import Delays – Producers’ Association
A salt shortage has emerged in the market due to delays in salt imports, according to the Salt Producers’ Association. The association’s chairman, Ganaka Amarasinghe, stated that although the government had decided to import 30 metric tons of salt, the process has been delayed. As a result, a shortage of salt is now visible in the market, Amarasinghe noted. However, he added...
News Room : More Jaffna HSZ land released – The Island
…NPP yet to decide on new procedure The Patriotic National Movement (PNM) has called upon the National People’s Power (NPP) government to reveal its position on foreign research vessels visiting Sri Lanka ports. Top PNM spokesman Dr. Wasantha Bandara yesterday (12) said that the recent visit by FS BEAUTEMPS-BEAUPRE A 758 of the French Naval Hydrographic and Oceanographic Service went almost...
News Room : Breaking: Bus Plunges Off Road in Aladeniya: 20 Injured
At least 20 people were injured and hospitalised after a bus veered off the road and crashed in the Yatihanagala of Aladeniya. Police confirmed that the injured passengers were rushed to hospital for treatment following the incident. Further investigations are underway.
News Room : Reasons for Gerandi Ella Bus Accident Revealed
Initial investigations have revealed that the tragic bus accident which claimed 22 lives in the Gerandi Ella area of Ramboda, Kotmale, was not the result of a mechanical failure. Nuwara Eliya District Chief Motor Vehicle Inspector Jaliya Bandara stated that authorities suspect the bus was overloaded and that the driver may have fallen asleep at the wheel due to extreme...
News Room : Bodies of Kothmale Bus Accident Victims Handed Over to Families
Steps were taken yesterday afternoon (11) to hand over the bodies of those who died in the bus accident in the Kothmale–Geradi Ella area to their families. According to the police, one unidentified body remains at the Gampola Hospital. Meanwhile, 46 others injured in the accident are still receiving treatment in hospitals. The accident occurred at around 4 a.m. yesterday when a...