News Room : Billionaire and spiritual leader the Aga Khan dies
Billionaire philanthropist and spiritual leader Aga Khan has died at the age of 88, his charity the Aga Khan Development Network has announced. Prince Karim Aga Khan was the 49th hereditary imam of the Ismaili Muslims, who trace his lineage directly to the Prophet Muhammad. He “passed away peacefully” in Lisbon, Portugal, surrounded by his family, his charity said in a...
News Room : Thousands evacuate Santorini as earthquakes strike island
Thousands of residents are fleeing Santorini after hundreds of earthquakes were recorded near the Greek island in the last 48 hours. About 9,000 people have left the island since Sunday, with additional emergency flights scheduled to leave on Tuesday. More than 300 earthquakes have been recorded in the past two days near the island, and some experts say tremors could continue...
News Room : Prez urges persistence in struggle for freedom – The Island
Every Lankan is engaged in the Aragalaya to attain comprehensive economic, social, and cultural freedom and “each of us is a warrior on the same battlefield. Collectively, we must persist in our struggle for freedom on behalf of this motherland,” President Anura Kumara Dissanayake said yesterday. Speaking at the main Independence Day ceremony in Colombo, the President said:”We must embark upon a journey...
News Room : Rice-paddy dilemma
Wednesday 5th February, 2025 Rice is more than a food item for Sri Lankans; it is a kind of politico-cultural staple. Hence its ability to make or break governments. One of the key factors that led to the 1953 Hartal was a steep rise in the price of rice under a UNP government. The then Prime Minister Dudley Senanayake had...
News Room : Head and Sutherland take top Australia awards
Travis Head has been named Australian cricket’s Allan Border Medallist and Annabel Sutherland has won the Belinda Clark Award. It was the first time for each player to win Australian cricket’s highest individual honours. While Head was a favourite for the top men’s prize, also claiming the one-day international player award, Sutherland was third in the one-day voting and a...
News Room : “Independence is not just about sovereignty; it is about dignity, justice, and the right to a life free from oppression” – Prime Minister – The Island
Travis Head has been named Australian cricket’s Allan Border Medallist and Annabel Sutherland has won the Belinda Clark Award.It was the first time for each player to win Australian cricket’s highest individual honours. While Head was a favourite for the top men’s prize, also claiming the one-day international player award, Sutherland was third in the one-day voting and a...
News Room : Harry and Ken pass away – The Island
Colombo port crisis: By Shamindra Ferdinando The Criminal Investigation Department (CID) yesterday (03) recorded a statement from Additional Director General of Customs, Seevali Arukgoda, regarding the releasing of 323 containers on 18 January, 2025. Arukgoda has been overall in charge of the process that allowed the releasing of unchecked containers, in line with a decision taken by the top management of...
News Room : Govt. accused of planning to frame GR, Salley while shielding real culprits in its ranks – The Island
Easter Sunday carnage: by Rathindra Kuruwita Those responsible for the Easter attack are in the ruling NPP, and therefore the government is all out to shield them by accusing others, Pivithuru Hela Urumaya Leader Udaya Gammanpila has said. Addressing the media yesterday in Colombo, the government had changed its narrative to suit its political agenda. “The claim made by Channel 4 that...
News Room : Three persons hacked to death in Mamadala – The Island
Members of the Disability Organisations Joint Front (DOJF) have called on the government to estblish an independent commission, specifically aimed at addressing the issues faced by persons with disabilities, the Parliament’s media division said. They made this call during a meeting with Speaker Dr. Jagath Wickramaratne in Parliament last week, where they discussed a series of ongoing challenges faced by...
News Room : Major highway partly collapses as Australian floods worsen
Sections of a major Australian highway have been washed away, as flooding in Queensland worsens. The torrential rainfall in the state’s north has claimed one life so far and forced thousands to flee their homes, with communities in Townsville, Ingham, and Cardwell among the hardest hit. “Record” downpours are set to continue, authorities say, with parts of the region already experiencing...