News Room : Israel – Iran Conflict: Emirates resumes scheduled operations after ‘minimal disruption’
Dubai’s flagship carrier Emirates announced on Tuesday that it has resumed regularly scheduled operations following minimal disruption caused by heightened tensions in the Gulf region after Iran launched an attack on a US base in Qatar. The airline stated it had “quickly activated its robust contingency and disruption plans, with no diversions, only a small number of cancellations, and a...
News Room : “I Used Candlelight at Night” – Deshabandu Tells Inquiry Committee, Denies Evading Arrest
Suspended Inspector General of Police (IGP) Deshabandu Thennakoon appeared before a parliamentary committee yesterday (23) investigating his conduct during his tenure. This was his first appearance before the committee, and the session lasted nearly 11 hours, from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m., at the Parliament complex. During the proceedings, Additional Solicitor General Dileepa Peiris led a series of questions focusing...
News Room : ‘No Ties with NPP, Always Namal’s Man’ – Galle’s New SLPP Deputy Mayor Hits Back
Former Galle Mayor and newly appointed Deputy Mayor of Galle, Priyantha Sahabandu, has firmly denied any association with the National People’s Power (NPP), stating that certain Opposition councillors are trying to frame him for something he did not do. Addressing a press conference in Galle, Sahabandu said, “I have never violated party discipline in any way. This is a situation...
News Room : Don’t Cry Wolf: Police to Prosecute Misuse of 119 Hotline
The 119 Police Emergency Hotline is a specialised service of the Sri Lanka Police, established with the primary objective of providing rapid police assistance during urgent and dangerous situations involving crime or unlawful activities, Acting Police Spokesperson F.U. Wootler said. Speaking to the media, he noted that the 119 service receives between 3,000 to 4,000 calls daily. However, it has...
News Room : Johnston’s ‘Severe Back Pain’: Court Orders SLMC Probe into ‘Childhood Friend’ Doctor’s Sick Note
The Sri Lanka Medical Council (SLMC) has been ordered to investigate a doctor who submitted a questionable medical report for former minister Johnston Fernando, a report based on what the doctor admitted was a personal “examination” of his childhood friend, Ceylon Today newspaper reported. Colombo High Court Judge Lanka Jayaratne demanded the professional conduct review yesterday (23) after revelations that...
News Room : No evidence yet that Ishara Sewwandi fled the country, says Minister Ananda Wijepala
Public Security Minister Ananda Wijepala stated that there is currently no confirmed information indicating that Ishara Sewwandi, the woman suspected to be involved in the murder of Ganemulla Sanjeewa, has fled the country. Responding to a question from journalist Kalindu Karunaratne during the Ada Derana 24 programme, the Minister said that while certain media reports have raised suspicions that Sewwandi...
News Room : “This Is a Political Witch-Hunt to Remove Me” – Deshabandu Tells Inquiry Committee
Suspended Inspector General of Police (IGP) Deshabandu Tennakoon appeared before the Parliamentary Oversight Committee for the first time today, providing testimony on several controversial matters, including the investigation into underworld figure Harak Kata and allegations of procedural misconduct. The inquiry committee appointed to investigate and report on the alleged misconduct and serious abuse of power by Tennakoon commenced recording witness...
News Room : Madushani bags triple jump gold with personal best – The Island
In a stirring celebration of unity and true sportsmanship, the long-awaited Battle of Dreams between St. Aloysius’ College, Galle, and Holy Cross College, Kalutara unfolded with grace and grandeur at the iconic Galle International Cricket Stadium on the 30th and 31st of May 2025. Though the match ended in a draw, the real triumph lay far beyond the scoreboard. It...
News Room : Closure of Strait of Hormuz Could Elevate Hambantota’s Global Role, Say Maritime Experts
As geopolitical tensions in the Middle East threaten to shut down the Strait of Hormuz, maritime and logistics experts are highlighting Sri Lanka’s Hambantota International Port (HIP) as a potential strategic beneficiary in the evolving global shipping landscape. The Strait of Hormuz—a vital chokepoint for nearly 20% of the world’s oil and a substantial volume of liquefied natural gas (LNG)—now...
News Room : India Offers Support to Evacuate Sri Lankans from Israel
Amid the ongoing crisis in Israel, the Indian government has agreed to provide a limited number of seats on Air India flights operating from Amman, Jordan to New Delhi for Sri Lankans seeking to leave the country. The Sri Lankan Embassy in Israel has requested all Sri Lankans intending to use this route to register with the embassy as soon...