Pope Leo diagnosed with cancer as doctors remove part of lung, Vatican saysPope Leo was diagnosed with lung cancer after surgeons removed a part of his right lung on Tuesday, the Vatican said in a medical bulletin, marking a significant health setback for the 71-year-old pontiff.just nowNEWS ALERTSaudi says Houthi attacks sparked Aramco fire, wounded 4 in RiyadhSaudi Arabia said on Wednesday that an attack on an Aramco building in the kingdom's east sparked a "limited fire" and that debris from intercepted Houthi missiles wounded four people in the capital Riyadh. 7m agoHeavy rainfall expected in parts of the island todayDue to a low-level atmospheric disturbance persisting in the Bay of Bengal near Sri Lanka, cloud skies and increased rainfall are expected to continue over the island, the Department of Meteorology said.23m agoHeavy rainfall expected in parts of the island todayDue to a low-level atmospheric disturbance persisting in the Bay of Bengal near Sri Lanka, cloud skies and increased rainfall are expected to continue over the island, the Department of Meteorology said.23m agoSri Lankan Consulate in Jeddah warns of possible flight disruptions for Umrah pilgrimsThe Consulate General of Sri Lanka in Jeddah has advised Sri Lankan nationals planning to undertake Umrah to exercise caution when making travel arrangements amid the current situation in the region.8h agoSri Lankan Consulate in Jeddah warns of possible flight disruptions for Umrah pilgrimsThe Consulate General of Sri Lanka in Jeddah has advised Sri Lankan nationals planning to undertake Umrah to exercise caution when making travel arrangements amid the current situation in the region.8h agoOil facility near Yemen capital Sanaa hit by Saudi Arabia, Houthis sayHouthi media reported that Saudi Arabia struck an oil facility near Sanaa on Tuesday, after the Saudi-led coalition ordered civilians to evacuate the site.9h agoOil facility near Yemen capital Sanaa hit by Saudi Arabia, Houthis sayHouthi media reported that Saudi Arabia struck an oil facility near Sanaa on Tuesday, after the Saudi-led coalition ordered civilians to evacuate the site.9h agoDetention order on 4 Jamaican nationals arrested with cocaine haulThe Colombo Fort Magistrate's Court granted permission today (13) for the police to detain and interrogate four foreign nationals arrested with over one kilogram of cocaine in the Kollupitiya area.11h agoDetention order on 4 Jamaican nationals arrested with cocaine haulThe Colombo Fort Magistrate's Court granted permission today (13) for the police to detain and interrogate four foreign nationals arrested with over one kilogram of cocaine in the Kollupitiya area.11h agoAt least fifteen houses in Grandpass gutted in fireFifteen unauthorised shanty houses were reportedly completely destroyed in a sudden fire that broke out near the Mahawatta Railway Lane in the Grandpass police area, Colombo.11h agoAt least fifteen houses in Grandpass gutted in fireFifteen unauthorised shanty houses were reportedly completely destroyed in a sudden fire that broke out near the Mahawatta Railway Lane in the Grandpass police area, Colombo.11h agoEleven sailors missing after drone sinks ship off BulgariaEleven sailors were missing at sea on Tuesday from a ship sunk by a drone attack off the coast of Bulgaria, possibly the second deadly sinking of a cargo vessel in the area in a week, prompting Bulgaria to summon Russia's ambassador.12h agoEleven sailors missing after drone sinks ship off BulgariaEleven sailors were missing at sea on Tuesday from a ship sunk by a drone attack off the coast of Bulgaria, possibly the second deadly sinking of a cargo vessel in the area in a week, prompting Bulgaria to summon Russia's ambassador.12h agoChinese national remanded over alleged extortion at Port CityA Chinese national, allegedly linked to an organised criminal group in China, has been remanded until October 27 following arrest over allegations of extorting investors at the Colombo Port City.13h agoChinese national remanded over alleged extortion at Port CityA Chinese national, allegedly linked to an organised criminal group in China, has been remanded until October 27 following arrest over allegations of extorting investors at the Colombo Port City.13h agoPM directs officials to complete canal and drainage cleaning in Colombo within two weeks Prime Minister Dr. Harini Amarasuriya has instructed relevant officials to expedite the cleaning of canals and drainage systems in Colombo District to ensure the efficient drainage of rainwater, in view of the anticipated increase in rainfall during the coming period. 14h agoPM directs officials to complete canal and drainage cleaning in Colombo within two weeks Prime Minister Dr. Harini Amarasuriya has instructed relevant officials to expedite the cleaning of canals and drainage systems in Colombo District to ensure the efficient drainage of rainwater, in view of the anticipated increase in rainfall during the coming period. 14h agoAswesuma benefits for October to be credited to beneficiaries tomorrowWelfare benefits under the ‘Aswesuma’ programme for October 2026 are scheduled to be credited to beneficiaries’ bank accounts tomorrow (14).14h agoAswesuma benefits for October to be credited to beneficiaries tomorrowWelfare benefits under the ‘Aswesuma’ programme for October 2026 are scheduled to be credited to beneficiaries’ bank accounts tomorrow (14).14h agoHeavy rainfall of around 100–150 mm expected in several provincesA low-level atmospheric disturbance persists in the vicinity of Sri Lanka over the Bay of Bengal, and cloudy skies and increased rainfall are expected across the island over the next few days, the Department of Meteorology said.15h agoHeavy rainfall of around 100–150 mm expected in several provincesA low-level atmospheric disturbance persists in the vicinity of Sri Lanka over the Bay of Bengal, and cloudy skies and increased rainfall are expected across the island over the next few days, the Department of Meteorology said.15h agoCabinet approves Rs. 6,000 stationery allowance for 1.5 mln schoolchildren in 2027The Cabinet of Ministers has approved the provision of a stationery allowance of Rs. 6,000 each to 1.5 million schoolchildren for the 2027 academic year. 15h agoCabinet approves Rs. 6,000 stationery allowance for 1.5 mln schoolchildren in 2027The Cabinet of Ministers has approved the provision of a stationery allowance of Rs. 6,000 each to 1.5 million schoolchildren for the 2027 academic year. 15h agoNEWS ALERTFormer First Lady Shiranthi Rajapaksa further remandedFormer First Lady Shiranthi Rajapaksa has been further remanded until October 16 by the Colombo Chief Magistrate’s Court, after a medical report from the National Hospital confirmed that she had no ongoing or planned surgeries.15h agoNEWS ALERTFormer First Lady Shiranthi Rajapaksa further remandedFormer First Lady Shiranthi Rajapaksa has been further remanded until October 16 by the Colombo Chief Magistrate’s Court, after a medical report from the National Hospital confirmed that she had no ongoing or planned surgeries.15h agoIndian police detain 'cockroach' movement leaders demanding election chief's resignationTop leaders of India's "cockroach" youth movement were detained on Tuesday after they jumped barricades to enter the grounds of a historic observatory popular for protests, chanting slogans demanding the chief election commissioner's resignation over a controversial revision of voter lists. 17h agoIndian police detain 'cockroach' movement leaders demanding election chief's resignationTop leaders of India's "cockroach" youth movement were detained on Tuesday after they jumped barricades to enter the grounds of a historic observatory popular for protests, chanting slogans demanding the chief election commissioner's resignation over a controversial revision of voter lists. 17h agoIMF projects Sri Lanka’s economic growth at 4% in 2026 and 3.7% in 2027Sri Lanka’s economy is projected to grow by 4.0% in 2026 and 3.7% in 2027, following an estimated growth rate of 5.0% in 2025, according to the International Monetary Fund’s (IMF) latest report 'World Economic Outlook 2026: Resilience Under Strain, Urgent Choices'.17h agoIMF projects Sri Lanka’s economic growth at 4% in 2026 and 3.7% in 2027Sri Lanka’s economy is projected to grow by 4.0% in 2026 and 3.7% in 2027, following an estimated growth rate of 5.0% in 2025, according to the International Monetary Fund’s (IMF) latest report 'World Economic Outlook 2026: Resilience Under Strain, Urgent Choices'.17h agoUPDATENEWS ALERTMP Namal Rajapaksa further remandedParliamentarian Namal Rajapaksa, who is in remand custody following arrest over allegations of accepting a bribe in connection with the Airbus case, has been further remanded until October 27 by the Colombo Magistrate’s Court.17h agoUPDATENEWS ALERTMP Namal Rajapaksa further remandedParliamentarian Namal Rajapaksa, who is in remand custody following arrest over allegations of accepting a bribe in connection with the Airbus case, has been further remanded until October 27 by the Colombo Magistrate’s Court.17h agoMonastic robes worn by Buddhist monks must always be treated with respect - SajithOpposition Leader Sajith Premadasa has expressed regret over recent developments in a country where Buddhism is accorded the foremost place under the Constitution. 18h agoMonastic robes worn by Buddhist monks must always be treated with respect - SajithOpposition Leader Sajith Premadasa has expressed regret over recent developments in a country where Buddhism is accorded the foremost place under the Constitution. 18h agoAdvisory issued for heavy rainThe Department of Meteorology has issued an “Amber” advisory for heavy rains affecting the Western, Sabaragamuwa, Central, Uva and Southern provinces. 19h agoAdvisory issued for heavy rainThe Department of Meteorology has issued an “Amber” advisory for heavy rains affecting the Western, Sabaragamuwa, Central, Uva and Southern provinces. 19h agoUPDATENEWS ALERTShiranthi Rajapaksa to undergo heart surgery at National Hospital, court informedFormer First Lady Shiranthi Rajapaksa’s lawyers informed the court today that she is currently scheduled to undergo open-heart surgery at the Cardiology Unit of the National Hospital of Sri Lanka in Colombo.19h agoUPDATENEWS ALERTShiranthi Rajapaksa to undergo heart surgery at National Hospital, court informedFormer First Lady Shiranthi Rajapaksa’s lawyers informed the court today that she is currently scheduled to undergo open-heart surgery at the Cardiology Unit of the National Hospital of Sri Lanka in Colombo.19h ago