News Room : Good News for Lankan Students: Australia Eases Visa Evidence Rules
The Australian Department of Home Affairs has revised the evidence levels used to assess student visa applications, according to updates noted on the PRISMS system. Although these levels are not officially published, they play a key role in determining the documentation required under the Simplified Student Visa Framework (SSVF). Current Country Evidence Levels Based on information shared within education and immigration networks,...
News Room : US Government Shutdown: Embassy in Colombo Issues Service Update
The United States government has entered a partial shutdown after lawmakers in Washington failed to pass a spending bill before the deadline early Wednesday (01), leading to the suspension of many federal operations. In response, the US Embassy in Sri Lanka announced via X (formerly Twitter) that its account would not be updated regularly during the shutdown, except to share...
News Room : WWC 2025: Amanjot, Deepti rescue India after batting scare
In the end, India got everything they could have wanted out of the opening match of the Women’s ODI World Cup 2025. While the result will no doubt be the most important factor – a comfortable 59-run, DLS-adjusted win – they will be pleased that every member of their batting unit was tested and that most of them were...
News Room : Middeniye Kajja’s Role in Thajudeen Murder: Wife’s Statement to Police
More than a decade after the death of national rugby player Wasim Thajudeen, police have confirmed that notorious underworld figure Arun Vidanagamage, widely known as Middeniye Kajja, was part of the group allegedly responsible for the killing. Acting Police Spokesman SSP Minura Senarath said Kajja’s wife had recognised him in CCTV footage examined by the Criminal Investigation Department (CID). According...
News Room : Spike in Human Trafficking Cases: 168 Victims Identified in SL in 2024
The 2025 Trafficking in Persons (TIP) Report, released by the US Department of State, has revealed that Sri Lanka identified 168 victims of human trafficking in 2024 — a significant increase compared to 95 victims reported the previous year. According to the report, the victims included 102 men, 59 women, and seven children. Of these, 19 were exploited in sex...
News Room : I Protect SLPP as Devānampiyatissa Protected Buddhism – Tissa Kuttiarachchi
Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna (SLPP) Anuradhapura organiser Tissa Kuttiarachchi says he is committed to safeguarding the party’s policies just as King Devānampiyatissa protected Buddhism. Speaking to party supporters in Perimiyankulama, Anuradhapura yesterday (29), Kuttiarachchi said the district was entrusted to him after Shehan Semasinghe and Chandrasena distanced themselves from the party following their association with Namal Rajapaksa. “Some say no one...
News Room : Prasanna Ranaweera Granted Bail After Four and a Half Months
Former State Minister Prasanna Ranaweera, who had been in remand custody for over four and a half months, was today (30) granted bail by the Gampaha High Court. He was accused of preparing forged deeds and selling a state-owned land in Kiribathgoda. Ranaweera, who had been evading arrest in connection with the case, surrendered to court on 7 May and...
News Room : SLPP Didn’t Bankrupt the Country, Only Contributed – Sagara
Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna General Secretary Sagara Kariyawasam has said that few people have actually read the Supreme Court’s ruling on the country’s bankruptcy. Speaking on the Derana 360 program, he noted that most people are only familiar with the societal opinion surrounding the verdict, rather than its actual content. He emphasized that the court ruling attributes the country’s financial collapse...
News Room : Rajitha vs Rohitha: Supreme Court Dismisses Rajitha’s Petition
The Supreme Court has rejected a fundamental rights petition filed by former minister Rajitha Senaratne, seeking to invalidate the election of Rohitha Abeygunawardena as the Kalutara District Member of Parliament in the last general election. The case was heard today (30), and after considering the arguments presented by both parties, the court issued its decision dismissing the petition. The Supreme Court...
News Room : India and Sri Lanka kick off a Women’s World Cup with a difference – The Island
The official welcoming ceremony for President Anura Kumara Dissanayake, who is on an official visit to Japan, at the invitation of the Japanese Government, was held on Monday (29) morning at the premises of the Japanese Prime Minister’s Office. Upon arrival, the President was warmly received by Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba, and a Guard of Honour was accorded to him...