News Room : CONCACAF opposes 64-team World Cup plans for 2030
A 64-team World Cup in 2030 should not be considered, CONCACAF President Victor Montagliani has said, joining several other confederations in opposing a plan put forward by CONMEBOL. CONMEBOL President Alejandro Dominguez last week officially proposed a 64-team World Cup for the 2030 tournament, up from the 48 teams scheduled for next year’s edition, with the tournament likely to be...
News Room : HBO reveals first cast members for Harry Potter TV series
American network HBO has confirmed that Nick Frost, Papa Essedoo, Janet McTeer and Paul Whitehouse will appear in the upcoming Harry Potter TV series. Frost will play Hagrid, McTeer will play Minerva McGonagall and Essedoo will play Severus Snape. All three have reportedly been in talks with the network in recent weeks. HBO has now officially confirmed their cast, announcing that...
News Room : CID Denied RW’s Request to Speak with Pilleyan, Public Security Minister Confirms
A request made by former President Ranil Wickremesinghe to speak with former State Minister Sivanesathurai Chandrakanthan, also known as Pilleyan, currently held under a detention order by the Criminal Investigation Department (CID), has been rejected. Minister of Public Security Ananda Wijepala confirmed that Wickremesinghe’s request, made through one of his security officers via a phone call to CID officials, was...
News Room : Watch: TikTok Turns Battleground as Chinese Factories Expose Western Luxury Secrets
In response to the escalating U.S.-China trade tensions, Chinese manufacturers are utilizing TikTok to highlight their integral role in producing luxury goods for Western brands. This digital campaign emerges as a countermeasure to the Trump administration’s imposition of a 145% tariff on Chinese imports, which has significantly impacted the global supply chain. Chinese TikTok users are sharing videos that showcase...
News Room : Iraq sandstorm leaves many with breathing problems
More than a thousand people have been left with respiratory problems after a sandstorm swept across Iraq’s central and southern parts of the country, health officials said. One official in Muthanna province reported to the AFP news agency at least 700 cases of what they said was suffocation. Footage shared online showed areas cloaked in a thick orange haze, with local...
News Room : Amin, bowlers leave West Indies Women’s World Cup hopes hanging by a thread
West Indies’ ODI World Cup hopes are hanging by a thread after they slumped to a second defeat in three matches in the qualifier in Lahore. They were beaten by 65 runs by hosts Pakistan, who have moved to the top of the points table, and are undefeated in the event so far as they remain on track for...
News Room : Confidence in Financial System Stability Rises, Says CBSL
Confidence in the stability of Sri Lanka’s financial system has improved in the first half of 2025, according to the latest Systemic Risk Survey conducted by the Central Bank of Sri Lanka (CBSL). The survey results, based on responses from 136 financial sector institutions, reflect a more optimistic outlook compared to previous rounds. The findings indicate a decline in the...
News Room : Committee Appointed to Repeal PTA, Public Consultations to Begin in May
The Ministry of Justice and National Integration has announced the appointment of a committee to examine the repeal of the Prevention of Terrorism Act (PTA). The committee will be chaired by President’s Counsel Rienzie Arsecularatne and is set to begin public consultations in May. In addition to gathering public views, the committee has been tasked with obtaining input from civil...
News Room : CEB Explains Why It Requested Rooftop Solar Shutdown During New Year Holidays
The Ceylon Electricity Board (CEB) has issued an urgent appeal to all rooftop solar users across Sri Lanka, requesting the voluntary disconnection of their systems between 9:00 AM and 3:00 PM daily until 21 April. The request comes in a bid to prevent a possible collapse of the national power grid during the Sinhala and Tamil New Year holidays. The...
News Room : Committee to Probe Allegations Against Deshabandu Tennakoon to Be Appointed Next Week
The appointment of members to the committee investigating allegations against Inspector General of Police Deshabandu Tennakoon is scheduled for next week, according to reports. Speaker of Parliament has reportedly notified the Chief Justice and other relevant parties in writing regarding the matter. As per Standing Orders, the Chief Justice is required to appoint a judge and a professional mutually agreed upon...