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.

It has been reported that all three power generation units at the Lakvijaya Power Plant in Norochcholai have temporarily shut down following the islandwide power outage this morning (17).

Purification operations at the Ambatale and Biyagama water treatment plants have been temporarily halted following the nationwide power failure, according to the Chairman of the National Water Supply and Drainage Board (NWSDB).

Energy Minister Anura Karunathilake said that efforts are currently underway to restore the power system following an islandwide power outage this morning (17), with electricity expected to be restored in stages as soon as possible.

A nationwide power outage has occurred due to a major fault in the transmission network, according to the Ceylon Electricity Board (CEB).

The Department of Meteorology has issued an Amber advisory for severe lightning in the Western, Sabaragamuwa, Central, North Central, Eastern and Uva provinces, as well as the Mullaitivu District.

India’s Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (DRI), Tiruchy zone, arrested two persons, including a Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK) functionary, and seized 100 kg of methamphetamine in Nagapattinam on Friday.

Former President Mahinda Rajapaksa has paid tribute to the immensely popular tusker ‘Kawanthissa’, following its demise, by sharing a poignant message on his Facebook account.

Missiles struck Yemen's Aden International ​Airport on Friday, while a Saudi-led military coalition said it had intercepted a ballistic missile headed for the ‌Red Sea city of Yanbu, a key Saudi oil hub that allows exports to avoid the Strait of Hormuz.

A group of Buddhist monks staging a satyagraha at Viharamahadevi Park in Colombo, demanding the release of Venerable Galagoda Aththe Gnanasara Thero, continues to remain at the site.

A luxury bus travelling from Colombo to Anuradhapura veered off the road and overturned near the Mee Oya Bridge along the Puttalam–Anuradhapura road last night (16), reportedly due to adverse weather conditions.

Parliament is scheduled to meet from October 20 to 23, Secretary General of Parliament Kushani Rohanadeera said.