19 h. ago Rare 'Purple Star Sapphire' weighing 3,563 CARATS is discovered in Sri Lanka

The stunning gem has been named the 'Star of Pure Land', and is believed to be the world's biggest natural star sapphire of its kind.

Politics

21 h. ago England’s Sri Lanka tour takes on added significance after troubled Ashes series

The tourists will be under more scrutiny than they might have expected following a bruising 4-1 defeat Down Under.

Events

42 h. ago England's boozy cricketers are slapped with a CURFEW for Sri Lanka tour and T20 World Cup after Harry Brook's clash with a nightclub bouncer and controversial Noosa trip

Although there will be no formal notification of rules, Daily Mail Sport understands they will be reminded of their responsibilities as international sportsmen upon arrival in Colombo.

Society

64 h. ago Sri Lanka unveils a rare purple star sapphire claimed to be the biggest of its kind

A massive purple star sapphire weighing 3,563 carats has been unveiled in Sri Lanka

Politics

6 d. ago Holidaymaker's £299 suitcase 'destroyed' by the 'world's best airline'

On 18 November, 2025, Patrick Gottelier flew from Sri Lanka to the UK via Doha with Qatar Airways - but when arrived at London Heathrow, he discovered a 'big crack' on his checked suitcase.

Economics

1 week ago Brendon McCullum keen to carry on with England but wants to ‘steer the ship’

Head coach defends methods and leadership after AshesTeam culture likely to be main focus of ECB reviewAt the end of a sorry Ashes loss capped off by news of Harry Brook’s involvement in a late-night incident two months earlier, Brendon McCullum set out his position as England head coach: if his wings are clipped and his ethos compromised then “maybe there is someone better” to do the role.The caveat is key here. McCullum is keen to continue and having held talks with Richard Thompson and Richard Gould, chair and chief executive respectively of the England and Wales Cricket Board, he appears set to – at least for the white-ball tour of Sri Lanka that begins in less than a fortnight. Continue reading...

Politics

1 week ago England cricket boss promises ‘necessary changes’ after Ashes defeat

England and Wales Cricket Board chief executive Richard Gould said a ‘thorough review’ was already underway.

Politics

2 w. ago Australia back injured stars as squad for T20 World Cup revealed

Cummins, Hazlewood and David named for India and Sri Lanka eventMatt Kuhnemann included in spin-heavy 15-player teamMatthew Kuhnemann is in line for a World Cup debut after being included as the biggest surprise selection in Australia’s squad for the T20 World Cup.As expected, Australia have named superstar pacemen Pat Cummins and Josh Hazlewood, as well as swashbuckling Tim David, despite injury concerns. Continue reading...

Events

2 w. ago New Year's Eve: India and Sri Lanka welcome in 2026 as fireworks and cheers ring out

LIVEBLOG: Follow New Year's Eve celebrations across the globe as nations around the world throw parties to toast the final hours of the year before ushering in 2026.

Events

2 w. ago New Year’s Eve live: world prepares to ring in 2026, as Kiribati becomes the first country to see in the new year

Join our live coverage as we start the 26 hours for the entire globe to enter the new yearAn atoll in the remote Pacific Island nation of Kiribati – Kiritimati – has become the first to usher in the new year (at 10:00 GMT). We will bring you pictures as soon as we get them in.Other parts of Kiribati will be welcoming in the new year over the next few hours.Kiribati -10:00 GMTNew Zealand – 11:00 GMTMost of Australia’s east coast – 13:00 GMTNorth Korea, South Korea and Japan- 15:00 GMTTaiwan, Hong Kong and China – 16:00 GMTThailand – 17:00 GMTIndia and Sri Lanka – 18:30 GMTRussia (Moscow) – 21:00 GMTUkraine – 22:00 GMTGermany, France, Spain, Switzerland and Italy – 23:00 GMTThe UK , Ghana and Portugal– 00:00 GMT Brazil and Argentina – 03:00 GMTThe east coast of the US – 05:00 GMT Continue reading...

Politics

2 w. ago Solo travellers bag up to £1,680 savings on China, India and Sri Lanka tours

Wendy Wu Tours' offers free or half-price single supplements worth up to £1,680 on selected group tours to Asia

Economics

2 w. ago What drove gen Z protests that brought down governments and called out corruption? Five activists explain

We spoke to protesters in Togo, Kenya, Nepal, Madagascar and Morocco about how their actions helped shape the world in 2025Mass protests in Nepal and Madagascar toppled both governments this year, even when the young people at the forefront of the demonstrations were faced with heavily armed police and the threat of arrest.Many called 2025 the year of the protest although the revolution in Bangladesh in 2024 that unseated the authoritarian leader Sheikh Hasina is often credited with inspiring young people to take to the streets across parts of Asia and Africa. Although not all achieved the change they wanted, from Sri Lanka to Timor-Leste they shared a common factor: gen Z was the driving force. Continue reading...

Politics

3 w. ago Solo travellers save up to £1,680 on China, India, Sri Lanka trips in Boxing Day sale

'An all around great holiday'

Economics

3 w. ago Top 10 climate disasters cost planet $122bn – with one continent hit hardest

Many deaths and full extent of damage in poorer countries go missing from global because they are not insured, report finds

Events

4 w. ago Top economists call for halt to Sri Lanka debt repayments after Cyclone Ditwah

Group of 120 experts including Joseph Stiglitz urge fresh debt restructuring plan given scale of destructionA group of the world’s top economists – including the Nobel prize winner Joseph Stiglitz – have called for Sri Lanka’s debt payments to be suspended as it tackles the devastation caused by Cyclone Ditwah.More than 600 people were killed and hundreds of thousands of homes destroyed across the island, in what Sri Lanka’s president, Anura Kumara Dissanayake, called the “largest and most challenging natural disaster in our history”. Continue reading...

Economics