News Room : Israel launches ‘extensive strikes’ on Gaza, at least 220 reported dead
The Israeli military says it is carrying out “extensive strikes” on the Gaza Strip, and the Hamas-controlled Health Ministry reported that at least 220 Palestinians have been killed. The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) said it was targeting what it called “terror targets” belonging to Hamas. Mahmoud Abu Wafa, the deputy interior minister in Gaza and a Hamas security official in the...
News Room : Ivy Global Campus Debuts in Sri Lanka Bridging Local Talent with Global Opportunities
Ivy Global Campus has officially opened its doors, marking a transformative leap in international tertiary education in Sri Lanka. With a vision to become a leading global higher education provider, the institution aims to offer world-class academic programmes and professional training, empowering students to succeed in international markets. The launch event, held at the Taj Samudra Hotel in Colombo, was...
News Room : Key Points in Appeal Court’s Rejection of Deshabandu Tennakoon’s Writ to Quash Arrest Warrant
In a landmark ruling, the Court of Appeal of Sri Lanka dismissed a writ application by Inspector General of Police (IGP) Deshabandu Tennakoon, who sought to overturn an arrest warrant issued against him by the Matara Magistrate’s Court. The decision, delivered today by Acting President of the Court of Appeal M. T. Mohammed Laffar and Judge K. M. S. Dissanayake,...
News Room : Action Sought Against Archchuna for Sexually Violent Remark Towards Lawyer Swasthika Arulingam in Parliament
Leader of the House Bimal Rathnayake today (17) requested the Speaker to take action against independent MP Ramanathan Archchuna for making a sexually derogatory remark against human rights lawyer and MP Swasthika Arulingam during a recent parliamentary sittings. Citing Standing Order 91(g), Rathnayake noted that derogatory words and insults can be expunged from the Hansard at the Speaker’s discretion. “The remark...
News Room : Sri Lanka completes 29 years since 1996 World Cup victory
Sri Lankan cricket fans will never forget March 17, 1996 – the day the Lions made history by winning the ICC Cricket World Cup for the first time. In a thrilling final against Australia at the Gaddafi Stadium in Lahore, Pakistan, Australia, led by Arjuna Ranatunga, completed a fairytale campaign with a resounding 7-wicket victory. A victory to remember Batting first, Australia...
News Room : Nominations Open for Local Government Elections; Postal Voting Deadline Ends Tonight
The acceptance of nominations for the upcoming Local Government (LG) Elections begins today (17 January). The Election Commission stated that nominations will be accepted until 12 noon on 20 March. The process covers 336 Local Government Institutions, and the election date will be announced after nominations close. Meanwhile, the deadline for postal voting applications is 12 midnight today. Eligible applicants who...
News Room : US deports hundreds of Venezuelans despite court order
More than 200 Venezuelans alleged by the White House to be gang members have been deported from the US to a supermax prison in El Salvador, even as a US judge blocked the removals. El Salvadoran President Nayib Bukele wrote on social media that 238 members of the Venezuelan gang Tren de Aragua had arrived in the Central American country,...
News Room : MP resigns from Parliament to contest LG polls in East – The Island
Former President Ranil Wickremesinghe yesterday rejected the Batalanda Commission report in its entirety. “I wholly reject the report. No one can say the report was kept hidden. It was published as a sessional paper in 2000, but no one, including the JVP, asked for a debate,” Wickremeisnmghe said in a special statement. He also said that there was no precedent in this...
News Room : ‘I Reject Everything Except Crimes Committed by JVP in 88/90’ – RW on Batalanda Commission Report
Issuing a special statement on 16 March, former President Ranil Wickremesinghe categorically rejected the findings of the ‘Batalanda’ Commission report. Wickremesinghe made this statement after the Government tabled Batalanda Commission Report in Parliament on Friday (14 March). Full Statement: “After the signing of the Indo-Lanka Accord, the JVP launched a campaign of terror across the country. At that time, President J. R....
News Room : Man Shot Dead in Ambalangoda Over Suspicion of Being Police Informant
Police suspect that the fatal shooting of a 45-year-old man in Ambalangoda last night (14) was carried out due to suspicions that he was informing authorities about illegal activities in the area. The incident occurred around 6:45 p.m. near a Buddha Shrine (Budu Madura) at Idamthota, Ambalangoda, when two unidentified individuals on a motorcycle opened fire. The victim, Krishantha Mendis, also...