Trains delayed on coastal line after ‘Sagarika’ derails near Wadduwa
Train services on the coastal line were disrupted after the ‘Sagarika’ express train, travelling from Beliatta to Maradana, derailed this morning (24), the Department of Railways said. MORE..
- Sri Lanka’s Q1 2026 export earnings rise 2% despite Middle East conflict
- Fairly heavy rainfall expected in several parts of the island
- Office train services to continue despite ‘Sagarika’ derailment in Wadduwa - SLR
- Pope says he ‘cannot support war,’ citing rising toll on innocent lives
- Trump administration reclassifies cannabis as less dangerous
- Hearing of case against Yoshitha and his grandmother postponed to June
- Norway government plans social media ban for children under 16
- Two Bangladeshi nationals arrested with foreign cigarettes worth Rs. 4.26 mln at BIA
- Severe dry conditions drive rapid drop in Castlereagh and Maussakelle reservoir water levels
- Warner Bros shareholders approve Paramount’s $111bn takeover
Hot News
Severe dry conditions drive rapid drop in Castlereagh and Maussakelle reservoir water levels
Water levels in the Castlereagh and Maussakelle reservoirs are declining rapidly due to the prevailing extreme dry weather conditions in the catchment areas on the western slopes of the Central Hills, engineers responsible for the reservoirs have reported. MORE..
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58 minutes ago
Two Bangladeshi nationals arrested with foreign cigarettes worth Rs. 4.26 mln at BIA
Two foreign nationals were arrested in the early hours of today (24) by Sri Lanka Customs officials at Bandaranaike International Airport (BIA) for attempting to smuggle a consignment of cigarettes manufactured in China into the country. MORE..
Hearing of case against Yoshitha and his grandmother postponed to June
The Colombo High Court today (24) has postponed the hearing of the case filed against Yoshitha Rajapaksa, son of former President Mahinda Rajapaksa, and his grandmother Daisy Forest, under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act, until June 10, 2026. MORE..
Trump administration reclassifies cannabis as less dangerous
The US Department of Justice has officially reclassified cannabis as less dangerous, marking a major shift in the country’s drug policy. MORE..
Pope says he ‘cannot support war,’ citing rising toll on innocent lives
Pope Leo XIV said Thursday that he “cannot be in favor of war,” warning that conflicts around the world are claiming the lives of too many innocent people, including children. MORE..
Office train services to continue despite ‘Sagarika’ derailment in Wadduwa - SLR
Despite the derailment of the “Sagarika” express train at Wadduwa, Sri Lanka Railways (SLR) has decided to continue office train services without cancellations. MORE..
Fairly heavy rainfall expected in several parts of the island
The Department of Meteorology has announced that showers or thundershowers will occur in most parts of the island after 1.00 p.m. MORE..
Sri Lanka’s Q1 2026 export earnings rise 2% despite Middle East conflict
The Sri Lanka Export Development Board (EDB Sri Lanka) states that despite the ongoing conflict in the Middle East, Sri Lanka recorded export earnings of US$ 1,467 million in March. MORE..
‘Walk for Peace’ heads to Beligammana Rajamaha Viharaya in Mawanella today
Today (23) marks the third day of the internationally recognized “Ehipassiko - Walk for Peace.” MORE..
Deadline for 2026 A/L exam applications ends midnight today
The Department of Examinations of Sri Lanka has announced that the acceptance of applications for the 2026 G.C.E. Advanced Level (A/L) Examination will conclude today (24) at 12:00 midnight. MORE..
Iran has to cut Hezbollah’s funding: Trump
US President Donald Trump has been assembling the protagonists of today’s peace talks for another impromptu news conference at the White House. MORE..
Trump says leaders of Lebanon and Israel could meet in next three weeks
U.S. President Donald Trump said on Thursday that the leaders of Lebanon and Israel could meet at the White House during the next three weeks - the period for which a ceasefire between the two countries has been extended. MORE..
Trump says Lebanon and Israel agree to extend Israel-Hezbollah ceasefire by 3 weeks
President Donald Trump said Israel and Lebanon have agreed to extend a ceasefire between Israel and Hezbollah by three weeks after talks at the White House on Thursday. MORE..
Israel awaiting US green light to ‘return Iran to Stone Age’: defence minister
Defence minister Israel Katz said on Thursday that Israel was “prepared to resume the war against Iran”, adding that his country was awaiting a green light from the United States to return Iran to “the Stone Age”. MORE..
May 02 holiday revised; May 31 declared public holiday for Vesak
As the official program for the 2026 State Vesak Festival is scheduled to be held on May 30, the Ministry of Public Administration, Provincial Councils and Local Government has issued an extraordinary gazette notification declaring the following day, May 31, as a public holiday. MORE..
Two Bangladeshi nationals arrested with foreign cigarettes worth Rs. 4.26 mln at BIA
Two foreign nationals were arrested in the early hours of today (24) by Sri Lanka Customs officials at Bandaranaike International Airport (BIA) for attempting to smuggle a consignment of cigarettes manufactured in China into the country. MORE..
Hearing of case against Yoshitha and his grandmother postponed to June
The Colombo High Court today (24) has postponed the hearing of the case filed against Yoshitha Rajapaksa, son of former President Mahinda Rajapaksa, and his grandmother Daisy Forest, under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act, until June 10, 2026. MORE..
Trump administration reclassifies cannabis as less dangerous
The US Department of Justice has officially reclassified cannabis as less dangerous, marking a major shift in the country’s drug policy. MORE..
Pope says he ‘cannot support war,’ citing rising toll on innocent lives
Pope Leo XIV said Thursday that he “cannot be in favor of war,” warning that conflicts around the world are claiming the lives of too many innocent people, including children. MORE..
Office train services to continue despite ‘Sagarika’ derailment in Wadduwa - SLR
Despite the derailment of the “Sagarika” express train at Wadduwa, Sri Lanka Railways (SLR) has decided to continue office train services without cancellations. MORE..
Fairly heavy rainfall expected in several parts of the island
The Department of Meteorology has announced that showers or thundershowers will occur in most parts of the island after 1.00 p.m. MORE..
Sri Lanka’s Q1 2026 export earnings rise 2% despite Middle East conflict
The Sri Lanka Export Development Board (EDB Sri Lanka) states that despite the ongoing conflict in the Middle East, Sri Lanka recorded export earnings of US$ 1,467 million in March. MORE..
‘Walk for Peace’ heads to Beligammana Rajamaha Viharaya in Mawanella today
Today (23) marks the third day of the internationally recognized “Ehipassiko - Walk for Peace.” MORE..
Deadline for 2026 A/L exam applications ends midnight today
The Department of Examinations of Sri Lanka has announced that the acceptance of applications for the 2026 G.C.E. Advanced Level (A/L) Examination will conclude today (24) at 12:00 midnight. MORE..
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Memorial services to be held across Sri Lanka tomorrow to remember 2019 Easter Sunday attack victims (English)
Technology
Norway government plans social media ban for children under 16
Norway’s government said on Friday it will propose a ban on the use of social media for children under the age of 16, and will make technology companies responsible for age verification of young users. MORE..
Billionaire backer sues Trump family’s crypto firm over alleged extortion
Billionaire backer sues Trump family’s crypto firm over alleged extortion
The Trump family’s World Liberty Financial crypto venture is being sued by one of its billionaire backers over allegations of extortion. MORE..
Ping-pong robot Ace makes history by beating top-level human players
Ping-pong robot Ace makes history by beating top-level human players
An autonomous robot ping-pong player dubbed Ace has achieved a milestone for AI and robotics in Tokyo by competing against and sometimes defeating top-level human players at table tennis, a feat that could presage an array of other applications for similarly adept robots. MORE..
Turkey Parliament votes to ban Social Media for under-15s
Turkey Parliament votes to ban Social Media for under-15s
The Turkish parliament voted on Wednesday to prevent children under the age of 15 from accessing social media platforms, state media agency Anadolu reported, the latest country to try such a ban.
Entertainment
Warner Bros shareholders approve Paramount’s $111bn takeover
Warner Bros Discovery shareholders have approved the company’s $111bn (£82bn) takeover by Paramount in a deal which could drastically alter the media landscape. MORE..
French-Algerian author Kamel Daoud says Algeria sentenced him to 3 years for award-winning novel
French-Algerian author Kamel Daoud says Algeria sentenced him to 3 years for award-winning novel
French-Algerian author Kamel Daoud said Wednesday that he has been sentenced to three years in prison in Algeria for his book “Houris,” a recipient of France’s most prestigious literary award. MORE..
‘Red Easter’ – A powerful cinematic voice from an internationally award-winning director
‘Red Easter’ – A powerful cinematic voice from an internationally award-winning director
Red Easter, directed by U.A. Palliyaguru, stands today as a bold and compelling creative voice emerging from Sri Lanka to the global cinema stage. The film has already garnered significant international attention, establishing itself as a noteworthy presence in the competitive world of global filmmaking. MORE..
Netflix cancels docuseries with Zayn Malik and Louis Tomlinson after fight
Netflix cancels docuseries with Zayn Malik and Louis Tomlinson after fight
A three-part Netflix docuseries featuring former One Direction members Zayn Malik and Louis Tomlinson has reportedly been shelved. MORE..
Exchange Rates
Country |
Buying |
Selling |
|---|---|---|
USA
U.S.Dollar |
313.6230 | 321.0932 |
UK
Sterling Pound |
421.9712 | 434.6380 |
Europe
Euro |
365.7576 | 377.3171 |
Switzerland
Swiss Franc |
396.4525 | 412.1572 |
Canada
Canadian Dollar |
228.0135 | 236.1756 |
Australia
Australian Dollar |
222.0667 | 231.7775 |
Singapore
Singapore Dollar |
243.7886 | 253.3548 |
Japan
Japanese Yen |
1.9593 | 2.0243 |
Country |
Currency |
Rate |
|---|---|---|
Bahrain
|
Dinar | 839.9289 |
Kuwait
|
Dinar | 1,028.2034 |
Oman
|
Rial | 822.7817 |
Qatar
|
Riyal | 86.9007 |
Saudi Arabia
|
Riyal | 84.4609 |
UAE
|
Dirham | 86.2454 |
Sports
Trump envoy seeks to replace Iran with Italy in upcoming World Cup
A top envoy to U.S. President Donald Trump has asked FIFA to replace Iran with Italy in the upcoming World Cup, the Financial Times reported on Wednesday. MORE..
World Cup last-minute ticket sales phase re-opens 50 days from kick-off
With 50 days remaining until the start of the 2026 World Cup, FIFA’s last-minute sales phase re-opens on Wednesday with tickets for all 104 matches available on a first-come, first-served basis. MORE..
Wesley to take on Prince of Wales’ to kick start Inter-School Rugby League tournament
The 2026 Inter-School Rugby League tournament is scheduled to get underway today (23) with 18 teams vying for honours. MORE..
Chamari stars in Sri Lanka’s series-levelling victory over Bangladesh
Riding on skipper Chamari Athapaththu’s all-round brilliance, Sri Lanka bounced back strongly in the three-match WODI series, defeating hosts Bangladesh by four wickets in the second match at the Rajshahi Divisional Stadium on Wednesday. MORE..
Pakistan’s Mohammad Nawaz under investigation after positive test for recreational drug use
Mohammad Nawaz is under investigation by the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) after a positive test for recreational drug use, Espncricinfo can reveal. Nawaz’s deal to join Surrey for the T20 Blast in England has fallen through as a result. MORE..
