Showers or thundershowers will occur at several places in most parts of the island after 1.00 p.m. today (18), the Department of Meteorology said.

White House press secretary Katie Zacharia was fired after ​less than a week on the job, two US officials said on Friday, after a rocky start as President Donald ‌Trump's top spokesperson.

The National System Operator (NSO) announced that the electricity supply has been fully restored across the island following the nationwide power outage reported earlier today (17).

Ministry of Defence has stated that a contingent of 218 personnel, comprising 173 Sri Lanka Army (SLA) personnel and 45 Special Task Force (STF) personnel, departed Sri Lanka on October 16 to join the Gang Suppression Force (GSF) mission in Haiti.

Venerable Balangoda Kassapa Thero, who was participating in a Satyagraha campaign at the Viharamahadevi Park in Colombo demanding the release of Ven. Galagoda Aththe Gnanasara Thero, has reportedly been hospitalised.

The Department of Meteorology has issued an “Amber” advisory for heavy rains affecting the Sabaragamuwa and Central provinces and Badulla District.

The National Building Research Organization (NBRO) has extended the landslide early warnings issued for several districts amid the prevailing rainy weather conditions.

Minister of Justice and National Integration, Attorney-at-Law Harshana Nanayakkara, has conducted an inspection tour of the Government Analyst's Department in Battaramulla.

Operations at the Ambatale Water Treatment Plant have resumed following the restoration of electricity supply, the National Water Supply and Drainage Board (NWSDB) said.

The Department of Examinations has released the re-scrutiny results of the 2026 Grade 5 Scholarship Examination today (17).

The National System Operator (NSO) says the power transmission system has been fully restored, while the electricity supply across the island is expected to return to normal soon.

Members of the ‘Janawarame Purawasiyo’ civil organization are currently engaged in a demonstration opposite the Presidential Secretariat at Galle Face, Colombo, causing heavy traffic congestion in the area, according to Ada Derana reporter.

The National System Operator (NSO) says the electricity supply has been restored to around 50% of the areas affected by the islandwide power outage since this morning (17).

The Department of Meteorology has issued a warm weather advisory for Northern, North-Central, Eastern, North-Western provinces and Monaragala and Hambantota districts for tomorrow (18).

The National System Operator (NSO) says that power restoration following the nationwide outage is progressing area by area since noon and that it hopes to restore the national grid by around 6.30 p.m. this evening (17).

The supply of water from the main pumping stations has returned to normal following the islandwide power outage, according to the National Water Supply and Drainage Board (NWS&DB).

The National System Operator (NSO) says the electricity supply has been restored in several areas of Colombo, Gampaha, Galle and Badulla districts following the islandwide power outage this morning (17).

Apart from the Samanalawewa and New Laxapana power stations, all other power-generating stations, including Norochcholai, have broken down, according to Energy Minister Anura Karunathilake.