News Room : Heavy rains boost reservoir levels, hydropower plants operate at full capacity
Due to the prevailing rainy weather for nearly a month, the water levels in the Maussakelle and Castlereigh reservoirs—linked to major hydroelectric power stations—have been rising rapidly, engineers in charge of the reservoirs told The Island. As of Tuesday (17), the water level in the Maussakelle and Castlereigh reservoirs was just 16 feet and 12 feet below spill level, respectively, they said. The Maussakelle and Castlereigh reservoirs are the primary sources of water for several...
News Room : Colombo allotted 11 league games in ICC Womens World Cup 2025 – The Island
Hosts England are set to play the opening encounter of the 2026 Women’s T20 World Cup against Sri Lanka, as per the schedule released by the England and Wales Cricket Board on Tuesday. The 33-match tournament is set to kickstart at Edgbaston on June 12, with the final to be played on July 5 at Lord’s. The 12 teams participating in...
News Room : AKD Honours Outgoing Treasury Secretary, Says Siriwardana’s Career Is a Model for Young Public Servants
President Anura Kumara Dissanayake today (18) commended Mahinda Siriwardana, the outgoing Secretary to the Treasury, for his exemplary public service, stating that it is the duty of public officials to help avert crises and contribute meaningfully to positive change. According to the President’s Media Division (PMD), the President particularly praised Siriwardana’s unwavering dedication and skill in guiding Sri Lanka’s economy...
News Room : Starlink to Begin Internet Services in Sri Lanka After This Week with First 12 Users
The Sri Lanka Telecommunications Regulatory Commission (TRCSL) announced that Starlink will commence its satellite broadband internet service in the country after this week, starting with the first 12 users. Director General of the Commission, retired Air Vice Marshal Bandula Herath, made this announcement during a media briefing held yesterday (16). He stated that a total of 112 Starlink technical equipment kits...
News Room : Keheliya Arrested Again – This Time with Wife and Daughter
Former Minister Keheliya Rambukwella, along with his wife and daughter Chandula Rambukwella has been arrested by the Commission to Investigate Allegations of Bribery or Corruption (CIABOC). The trio arrived at the Commission this morning (18) to provide a statement. Their arrest was made in connection with an ongoing investigation into allegations against the former minister over the accumulation of illicit...
News Room : Kolonnawa UC Fallout: SJB Suspends Member with Highest Preferential Votes
The Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB) has suspended the party membership of Narahenpitage Susil Kumara Costa, who was elected to the Kolonnawa Urban Council with the highest number of preferential votes from the party. This was announced through an official statement signed by SJB General Secretary Ranjith Madduma Bandara. According to the statement, Costa’s membership was suspended with immediate effect for failing...
News Room : Sri Lankans Stranded in Israel Amid Flight Cancellations and Security Concerns
Several Sri Lankan nationals currently in Israel for business purposes have been left stranded due to the suspension of outbound flights, the Sri Lankan Embassy in Israel confirmed. Ben Gurion International Airport and Israeli airspace remain closed to all international flights following the ongoing conflict with Iran. Sri Lanka’s Ambassador to Israel, Nimal Bandara, stated that the Embassy is making every...
News Room : Teen Motorcyclist Arrested After Fatal Pedestrian Crash
A 19-year-old has been arrested following a fatal accident along the Trincomalee–Ambepussa road in Anandakulam, Trincomalee, police said. The incident occurred last night (17) when a motorcycle travelling from Trincomalee towards Anandakulam struck a pedestrian who was crossing at a pedestrian crossing. The pedestrian, a 56-year-old resident of Anandakulam, sustained critical injuries and was pronounced dead upon admission to the Trincomalee...
News Room : Indonesia issues highest alert as volcano erupts
One of Indonesia’s most active volcanoes spewed a huge ash cloud more than 11 kilometres into the sky on Tuesday after officials issued the country’s highest alert. Mount Lewotobi Laki-Laki, erupted at 17:35 local time (10:35 BST), the country’s volcanology agency said, sending the vast cloud above the tourist island of Flores. A 7km exclusion zone was in place around the...
News Room : Vehicle Number Plate Issuance Delayed by Two Months Due to Procurement Issue
The Department of Motor Traffic (DMT) has announced a likely two-month delay in issuing official number plates for newly registered vehicles due to ongoing procurement issues following the termination of its agreement with the previous supplier. DMT Commissioner General Kamal Amarasinghe said the department had already submitted a procurement request to identify a new supplier and was hopeful the process...