News Archive

US intercepts oil tanker off Venezuelan coast, officials say

US intercepts oil tanker off Venezuelan coast, officials say

The United States has intercepted an oil tanker off the coast of Venezuela in international waters, U.S. Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem confirmed Saturday, a move that comes just days after U.S. President Donald Trump announced a “blockade” of all sanctioned oil tankers entering and leaving Venezuela. MORE..

Several spells of showers expected in parts of the island

Several spells of showers expected in parts of the island

Several spells of showers will occur in Eastern, Uva and Central provinces and in Polonnaruwa and Hambantota districts, today (21), the Department of Meteorology said. MORE..

India’s Foreign Minister Jaishankar to visit Sri Lanka amid ongoing recovery from deadly Cyclone Ditwah

India’s External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar is set to visit Sri Lanka next week, a trip coming at a time when Delhi immediately reached out to its neighbour amid ongoing recovery from one of the country’s worst natural disasters in decades. MORE..

Several spells of showers expected in parts of the island

Several spells of showers expected in parts of the island

The Meteorology Department states that several spells of showers will occur in the Eastern, Uva, and Central Provinces and in the Polonnaruwa and Hambantota Districts. MORE..

Eight elephants killed as Rajdhani Express collides with herd in India’s Assam

Eight elephants killed as Rajdhani Express collides with herd in India’s Assam

At least eight elephants were killed and one calf injured after a herd collided with the Sairang-New Delhi Rajdhani Express in Assam’s Hojai on Saturday morning, leading to disruption of rail services. MORE..

BASL urges President to strengthen RTI Commission amid funding and staffing concerns

BASL urges President to strengthen RTI Commission amid funding and staffing concerns

The Bar Association of Sri Lanka (BASL) has written to President Anura Kumara Dissanayake urging urgent action to address challenges faced by the Right to Information (RTI) Commission. MORE..

Indian pharma company requests int’l testing of controversial drug withdrawn in Sri Lanka

Indian pharma company requests int’l testing of controversial drug withdrawn in Sri Lanka

The Indian pharmaceutical company involved in the recent drug controversy, ‘Maan Pharmaceuticals’, has formally requested Sri Lankan health authorities to have the drug in question tested by an internationally accredited laboratory. MORE..

World Bank approves US$ 50M project to support Sri Lanka’s digital transformation

World Bank approves US$ 50M project to support Sri Lanka’s digital transformation

The World Bank Board of Executive Directors has approved a US$50 million project to support Sri Lanka’s digital transformation. MORE..

Ex-Pakistan PM Imran Khan and wife sentenced to 17 years in corruption case

Ex-Pakistan PM Imran Khan and wife sentenced to 17 years in corruption case

A Pakistani accountability court on Saturday sentenced jailed former prime minister Imran Khan and his wife Bushra Bibi to 17 years imprisonment each in the Toshakhana 2 corruption case. MORE..

Loan relief measures revealed for disaster-affected businesses

Loan relief measures revealed for disaster-affected businesses

The Minister of Labour and Deputy Minister of Finance and Planning, Dr. Anil Jayantha Fernando, has explained a comprehensive set of loan relief measures aimed at supporting individuals and businesses affected by the recent disaster situation across the country. MORE..

Epstein files release highlights Clinton, makes scant reference to Trump

Epstein files release highlights Clinton, makes scant reference to Trump

The U.S. Justice Department released thousands of heavily redacted documents related to the late financier and convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein on Friday that made scant reference to President Donald Trump but extensively featured Democratic former President Bill Clinton. MORE..

‘Udarata Menike’ runs first train in 23 days as Badulla–Ambewela line reopens

‘Udarata Menike’ runs first train in 23 days as Badulla–Ambewela line reopens

Train services on the Badulla–Ambewela section of the Upcountry Railway Line officially resumed this morning (20), following extensive repairs to damage caused by Cyclone Ditwah. MORE..

Special security measures deployed for festival season – Sri Lanka Police

Special security measures deployed for festival season – Sri Lanka Police

Sri Lanka Police have announced enhanced security arrangements across the country ahead of the Christmas festival season. MORE..

Trump urges 2028 astronaut moon landing in sweeping space policy order

Trump urges 2028 astronaut moon landing in sweeping space policy order

President Donald Trump enshrined the U.S. goal to put humans back on the moon by 2028 and defend space from weapon threats in a sweeping executive order issued on Thursday, the first major space policy move of his administration’s second term. MORE..

Showers expected in several provinces tomorrow

Showers expected in several provinces tomorrow

Several spells of showers will occur in the Eastern, Uva and Central provinces and in Polonnaruwa and Hambantota districts tomorrow (21), according to the Department of Meteorology. MORE..

Eight-hour water cut in Colombo and suburbs today

Eight-hour water cut in Colombo and suburbs today

The National Water Supply and Drainage Board (NWSDB) has announced an eight-hour water supply interruption affecting several areas in Colombo and its suburbs today (20) . MORE..

Gazette issued revising expressway user fees in Sri Lanka

Gazette issued revising expressway user fees in Sri Lanka

The Government has issued new regulations amending the National Thoroughfares (User Fee) Regulation No. 1 of 2021 under the provisions of the National Thoroughfares Act, No. 40 of 2008, as published in a recent Gazette Extraordinary. MORE..

Over 100 flights cancelled at Delhi airport due to dense fog

Over 100 flights cancelled at Delhi airport due to dense fog

More than 100 flights were cancelled at Delhi’s Indira Gandhi International (IGI) Airport on Saturday due to dense fog affecting visibility across North India. MORE..

Landslide warnings issued for several districts extended

Landslide warnings issued for several districts extended

The National Building Research Organization (NBRO) has further extended the ‘Level-3’ (Red) landslide evacuation warning issued for several areas in the Kandy and Nuwara Eliya districts. MORE..

Vegetable prices rise sharply after crop damage across Sri Lanka

Vegetable prices rise sharply after crop damage across Sri Lanka

Recent adverse weather conditions in Sri Lanka have destroyed numerous farmlands, leading to a sharp increase in vegetable prices across the country. MORE..

US carries out large-scale retaliatory strikes against ISIS in Syria

US carries out large-scale retaliatory strikes against ISIS in Syria

The U.S. military launched large-scale strikes against dozens of Islamic State targets in Syria on Friday in retaliation for an attack on U.S. personnel, U.S. officials said. MORE..

‘Public Assistance Service Centre’ to be established at Galle Face for festive season

‘Public Assistance Service Centre’ to be established at Galle Face for festive season

A special Public Assistance Service Centre will be established at the Galle Face premises from tomorrow (21) to ensure the safety and convenience of the public visiting the area during the festive season. MORE..

Bangladesh holds state funeral for slain youth leader amid tight security

Bangladesh holds state funeral for slain youth leader amid tight security

Tens of thousands of Bangladeshi mourners, including the country’s interim government leader, attended the funeral on Saturday of a slain youth leader and election candidate amid tight security. MORE..

UK author David Walliams dropped by publisher after harassment allegations

UK author David Walliams dropped by publisher after harassment allegations

David Walliams, a bestselling British children’s author, was dropped by HarperCollins UK on Friday after the Daily Telegraph reported the publisher had investigated claims that he had harassed some of its junior female employees. MORE..

President thanks UAE for ongoing flood relief in phone call with UAE President

President thanks UAE for ongoing flood relief in phone call with UAE President

UAE President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan has received a phone call from President of Sri Lanka Anura Kumara Dissanayake, who expressed his appreciation for the UAE’s continued humanitarian assistance to communities affected by recent floods and heavy rainfall in Sri Lanka. MORE..

President directs to complete allowance payments to disaster victims before Dec. 31

President directs to complete allowance payments to disaster victims before Dec. 31

A special discussion was held today (20) at the Presidential Secretariat under the patronage of President Anura Kumara Dissanayake to review district-level plans aimed at restoring the lives of citizens under the ‘Rebuilding Sri Lanka’ programme and to examine challenges that have emerged during implementation. MORE..

District-level plans reviewed under ‘Rebuilding Sri Lanka’ programme

District-level plans reviewed under ‘Rebuilding Sri Lanka’ programme

A special review meeting was held today (20) at the Presidential Secretariat to assess district-level plans implemented under the ‘Rebuilding Sri Lanka’ programme and to examine challenges encountered in restoring public livelihoods. MORE..

36 major reservoirs across Sri Lanka continue to spill - Irrigation Dept

36 major reservoirs across Sri Lanka continue to spill - Irrigation Dept

The Irrigation Department has reported that 36 major reservoirs and over 52 medium-sized reservoirs across the country are currently spilling due to prevailing weather conditions in Sri Lanka. MORE..

Sri Lankan Parliament announces extended holiday for MPs and staff

Sri Lankan Parliament announces extended holiday for MPs and staff

The Parliament of Sri Lanka has announced an extended recess for Members of Parliament and parliamentary staff. MORE..

Over 800 arrested in island-wide anti-drug raids

Over 800 arrested in island-wide anti-drug raids

A total of 846 suspects have been arrested within yesterday (19) in island-wide raids conducted under the theme “Nation United – National Drive”, aimed at eradicating narcotics from the country. MORE..

Suspect arrested with heroin worth over Rs. 6 mln in Panadura

Suspect arrested with heroin worth over Rs. 6 mln in Panadura

The Panadura South Police Division has arrested an individual in possession of a stock of heroin valued at over Rs. 6 million. MORE..

CBSL Governor on public’s duty to properly manage and utilize disaster relief funds

CBSL Governor on public’s duty to properly manage and utilize disaster relief funds

The Governor of the Central Bank of Sri Lanka (CBSL) Dr. Nandalal Weerasinghe says that the public should be very mindful when obtaining relief money and bank loans provided by the government for those affected by the disaster. MORE..

Highest rainfall in past 24 hours recorded in Udadumbara

Highest rainfall in past 24 hours recorded in Udadumbara

The highest rainfall recorded during the 24-hour period ending at 6.00 a.m. today (19) was reported from the Udadumbara area, according to the Disaster Management Centre (DMC). MORE..

‘Rebuilding Sri Lanka’ Fund surpasses Rs. 4.2 billion – Finance Secretary

‘Rebuilding Sri Lanka’ Fund surpasses Rs. 4.2 billion – Finance Secretary

The ‘Rebuilding Sri Lanka’ Fund, established by the government to provide relief to those affected by recent disasters caused by Cyclone Ditwah, has received a total of Rs. 4,286 million to date, Finance Secretary Dr. Harshana Suriyapperuma said. MORE..

Violence breaks out in Bangladesh after death of youth protest leader

Violence breaks out in Bangladesh after death of youth protest leader

Violence has erupted in Bangladesh following the death of a prominent leader of the youth movement that ousted former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina. MORE..

Seven dead in fatal plane crash including former NASCAR driver Greg Biffle

Seven dead in fatal plane crash including former NASCAR driver Greg Biffle

Seven people were killed Thursday in the crash of a Cessna 550 business jet in Statesville, North Carolina, including former NASCAR driver Greg Biffle, NASCAR said. MORE..

Trump suspends green card lottery program that let Brown University, MIT shootings suspect into US

Trump suspends green card lottery program that let Brown University, MIT shootings suspect into US

President Donald Trump suspended the green card lottery program on Thursday that allowed the suspect in the Brown University and MIT shootings to come to the United States. MORE..

Train services to resume between Badulla and Ambewela from tomorrow

Train services to resume between Badulla and Ambewela from tomorrow

The Department of Railways has decided to operate train services between Badulla and Ambewela along the Upcountry Railway Line from tomorrow (20). MORE..

TikTok signs deal to sell US unit to American investor-led venture

TikTok signs deal to sell US unit to American investor-led venture

TikTok’s Chinese owner, ByteDance, signed binding agreements with three major investors to sell just over 80% of the company’s U.S. assets to American and global investors to avoid a U.S. government ban, TikTok CEO Shou Zi Chew told employees on Thursday. MORE..

CoPF approves supplementary estimate of Rs. 500 billion

CoPF approves supplementary estimate of Rs. 500 billion

The Committee on Public Finance (CoPF) has approved a supplementary estimate of Rs. 500 billion to restore the livelihoods of those affected by the sudden disaster, the Department of Communication of Parliament said in a statement. MORE..

National Hospital’s Deputy Director Dr. Bellana suspended from duties

National Hospital’s Deputy Director Dr. Bellana suspended from duties

Measures have been taken to suspend the official duties of Dr. Rukshan Bellana, who served as the Deputy Director of the Colombo National Hospital. MORE..

GovPay surpasses Rs. 2 billion in digital transactions in 2025 – Digital Economy Ministry

GovPay surpasses Rs. 2 billion in digital transactions in 2025 – Digital Economy Ministry

GovPay, Sri Lanka’s Government Digital Payment Platform, has concluded the year 2025 by surpassing Rs. 2 billion in total digital transaction value, marking a major milestone in the country’s digital transformation journey, the Ministry of Digital Economy said. MORE..

Fairly heavy rainfall expected in parts of the island today

Fairly heavy rainfall expected in parts of the island today

Showers will occur at times in Eastern, Uva and Central provinces and in Polonnaruwa and Hambantota districts, today (19), the Department of Meteorology said. MORE..

Facebook tests £9.99 monthly subscription for sharing more than two links

Facebook tests £9.99 monthly subscription for sharing more than two links

Facebook is testing placing a limit on how many links some users can share when they post on the social media platform. MORE..

Wiz Khalifa sentenced to nine months jail in Romania for smoking cannabis on stage

Wiz Khalifa sentenced to nine months jail in Romania for smoking cannabis on stage

A Romanian court has sentenced Wiz Khalifa to nine months in prison for smoking cannabis on stage. MORE..

Dasun Shanaka to captain Sri Lanka T20 team until 2026 World Cup

Dasun Shanaka to captain Sri Lanka T20 team until 2026 World Cup

Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) Chief Selector Pramodya Wickremesinghe has confirmed that Dasun Shanaka will continue as the captain of the Sri Lanka T20I squad until the conclusion of the 2026 T20I World Cup. MORE..

Keith Lee named ‘creator of the year’ at first-ever US TikTok awards

Keith Lee named ‘creator of the year’ at first-ever US TikTok awards

Content creators across dance, music, sports, fashion, entertainment and education gathered in Hollywood on Thursday for the first U.S. TikTok Awards, featuring Labubu dolls launched from a T-shirt cannon, a giant selfie challenge, skits, and viral moment reenactments. MORE..

Suspected gunman in Brown University shooting found dead, official says

Suspected gunman in Brown University shooting found dead, official says

The suspect in the mass shooting at Brown University last weekend is dead, a U.S. attorney said, as authorities investigate whether the same person killed a Massachusetts Institute of Technology professor two days after the rampage at Brown. MORE..

Over 29,000 businesses affected by Cyclone Ditwah – Industry Ministry

Over 29,000 businesses affected by Cyclone Ditwah – Industry Ministry

The Ministry of Industry and Entrepreneurship Development has revealed that 29,649 places of business including registered export manufacturing factories across Sri Lanka have been affected by Cyclone Ditwah. MORE..

Landslides reported in Udadumbara and Walapane; Residents urged to remain vigilant

Landslides reported in Udadumbara and Walapane; Residents urged to remain vigilant

The National Building Research Organization (NBRO) has confirmed that several landslides have occurred in the Udadumbara area of Kandy, following rainfall exceeding 300 millimeters over the past 48 hours. MORE..