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Xi to host ‘old friend’ Putin as China projects stable global role after Trump visit

Chinese leader Xi Jinping is set to host his “old friend” Vladimir Putin less than a week after Donald Trump’s high-profile visit, as Beijing seeks to project itself as a stable and predictable power in a world shaken by trade tensions, wars and an energy crisis. MORE..

(0)Comments | May 19, 2026 9:41 am

New circular issued to strengthen solid waste management in state institutions

The Ministry of Public Administration, Provincial Councils and Local Government has issued a new circular aimed at streamlining solid waste management activities in state institutions. MORE..

(0)Comments | May 19, 2026 9:20 am

Cabinet approves purchase of additional 15,000 MT of urea fertilizer for Yala season

The Cabinet of Ministers has approved a proposal to procure 15,000 metric tonnes of urea fertilizer through Agrarian Service Committees under the Department of Agrarian Development for the 2026 Yala cultivation season. MORE..

(0)Comments | May 19, 2026 4:19 pm

Vesak Dansal registration mandatory, says Health DG

Registration of dansals organised for the upcoming Vesak festival has been made mandatory, according to the Director General of Health Services, Dr. Asela Gunawardena. MORE..

(0)Comments | May 19, 2026 8:57 pm

Putin arrives in Beijing as China, Russia boost ties amid Iran war

Russian President Vladimir Putin arrived in Beijing on Tuesday for a two-day visit during which he will hold talks with Chinese President Xi Jinping.

(0)Comments | May 19, 2026 10:18 pm

Court temporarily lifts foreign travel ban on MP Chamara Sampath Dassanayake

The Colombo Magistrate’s Court has temporarily lifted the foreign travel ban imposed on Parliamentarian Chamara Sampath Dassanayake in connection with a corruption-related case filed by the Commission to Investigate Allegations of Bribery or Corruption (CIABOC). MORE..

(0)Comments | May 19, 2026 4:46 pm

No water tariff increase for first half of 2026

The Cabinet of Ministers has granted approval to maintain the current water tariff structure during the first six months of 2026 without any revision. MORE..

(0)Comments | May 19, 2026 2:38 pm

Suspect arrested with over 1.5 kg of ‘Ice’ in Kadawatha

A 41-year-old suspect has been arrested in possession of over one kilogram of ‘Ice’ (crystal methamphetamine) during a police raid in the Pahala Biyanwila area of Kadawatha. MORE..

(0)Comments | May 19, 2026 4:40 pm

Ebola and hantavirus outbreaks sign of our ‘dangerous’ times: WHO

The deadly hantavirus and Ebola outbreaks are only the latest crises in “dangerous and divisive” times, the World Health Organisation chief said Monday (May 18). MORE..

(0)Comments | May 19, 2026 1:27 pm

Rupee depreciation can be managed amid expected IMF and ADB inflows: Govt.

The ongoing depreciation of the Sri Lankan rupee against the US dollar can be managed through planned financial inflows and policy measures, according to Minister Vijitha Herath. MORE..

(0)Comments | May 19, 2026 5:06 pm

Police hunt gunman in rifle attacks that killed 6, injured 8 in Turkey

A man armed with a rifle carried out a string of attacks in a city in southern Turkey on Monday, killing at least six people and wounding eight others, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said. MORE..

(0)Comments | May 19, 2026 6:40 am

Advisory issued for severe lightning

An ‘Amber’ advisory has been issued by the Department of Meteorology for severe lightning in the Uva province and in Batticaloa and Ampara districts. MORE..

(0)Comments | May 19, 2026 2:12 pm

Sri Lanka signs MoU with Russia to modernise railway sector

Sri Lanka has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) aimed at securing technical expertise and investment cooperation from Russia to modernise the railway service. MORE..

(0)Comments | May 19, 2026 3:07 pm

‘National War Heroes’ Commemoration Ceremony’ to be held today under the patronage of President

The ‘‘National War Heroes’ Commemoration Ceremony,’’ marking 17 years since the defeat of terrorism, is scheduled to be held today (19) as in previous years.MORE..

(0)Comments | May 19, 2026 7:01 am

Sri Lanka to formulate National Space Policy

The Cabinet of Ministers has granted approval to formulate a National Space Policy for Sri Lanka. MORE..

(0)Comments | May 19, 2026 3:03 pm

‘National War Heroes’ Commemoration Ceremony’ underway

The “National War Heroes’ Commemoration Ceremony,” marking 17 years since the defeat of terrorism, is currently underway (19), in Battaramulla. MORE..

(0)Comments | May 19, 2026 3:45 pm

Court questions police over delay in recording statements from sureties in Kapila Chandrasena death probe

The Colombo Fort Magistrate’s Court today (19) questioned police over the failure to record statements from two individuals who had stood as sureties for former Chief Executive Officer of SriLankan Airlines Kapila Chandrasena, whose death is being investigated under suspicious circumstances.

(0)Comments | May 19, 2026 8:24 pm

US Dollar selling rate surpasses Rs. 338

The selling price of the US dollar has exceeded 338 Sri Lankan rupees today. MORE..

(0)Comments | May 19, 2026 1:50 pm

Five dead, including two suspects, after shooting at San Diego mosque

Two teenage gunmen opened fire on Monday at the Islamic Center of San Diego, California, killing three men outside the mosque, one of them a security guard, before the two suspects were found dead, apparently from self-inflicted gunshot wounds, police said. MORE..

(0)Comments | May 19, 2026 6:25 am

Trump drops IRS lawsuit in exchange for DOJ $1.8 billion ‘weaponization’ fund

U.S. President Donald Trump’s administration on Monday created a nearly $1.8 billion fund to compensate victims of political “weaponization” to settle a lawsuit Trump had filed against his own government over the alleged mishandling of his tax records. MORE..

(0)Comments | May 19, 2026 5:54 am

OpenAI defeats Elon Musk’s lawsuit, removes obstacle to IPO

A U.S. jury on Monday ruled against Elon Musk in his lawsuit against OpenAI, finding the artificial intelligence company not liable to the world’s richest person for having allegedly strayed from its original mission to benefit humanity. MORE..

(0)Comments | May 19, 2026 6:49 am

Police seek public assistance to arrest suspect over Akuregoda double murder

Police have requested public assistance to locate and arrest a suspect linked to the double murder of a lawyer and his wife who were shot dead in a parking area of a supermarket in Akuregoda. MORE..

(0)Comments | May 19, 2026 3:45 pm

Met. Dept. warns of rough seas, strong winds and thundershowers across Sri Lanka

A warning has been issued by the Department of Meteorology for rough sea conditions and strong winds over the Bay of Bengal and Arabian Sea regions over the next three days. MORE..

(0)Comments | May 19, 2026 5:43 pm

QR code fuel distribution system to continue – Deputy Minister

Deputy Minister of Finance and Planning Dr. Anil Jayantha stated that the QR code system introduced for fuel distribution will continue to be implemented in order to manage fuel consumption. MORE..

(0)Comments | May 19, 2026 2:28 pm

Several spells of showers expected in some parts of the island

South-West monsoon is gradually getting established over the island, according to the Department of Meteorology. MORE..

(0)Comments | May 19, 2026 5:44 am

Thailand cuts visa-free stays, citing crime by foreigners

Thailand is drastically cutting the length of visa-free stays for tourists from more than 90 countries in an effort to curb crime involving foreign nationals, officials said on Tuesday (May 19). MORE..

(0)Comments | May 19, 2026 4:15 pm

Health Minister calls for better quality of life for childhood cancer survivors

Children who survive cancer must be given the opportunity to lead healthy, dignified and productive lives, Minister of Health and Mass Media Nalinda Jayatissa said. MORE..

(0)Comments | May 19, 2026 2:26 pm

SC upholds constitutionality of Bill to amend Terrorist Financing law

The Speaker of Parliament, Dr. Jagath Wickramaratne, informed the House today that the Supreme Court has ruled the Convention on the Suppression of Terrorist Financing (Amendment) Bill is fully consistent with the Constitution of Sri Lanka. MORE..

(0)Comments | May 19, 2026 10:16 am

Thousands ordered to evacuate as Southern California wildfire threatens homes

Thousands of people were ordered to evacuate Monday as a wind-driven wildfire threatened suburban homes in Southern California. MORE..

(0)Comments | May 19, 2026 4:41 pm

Govt. moves to fast-track legal amendments for disposal of seized narcotics at high-level meeting

The National Steering Council of the “A Nation United” National Programme aimed at eradicating the dangerous drug menace, together with the Cabinet-appointed Committee on the prompt destruction of seized narcotic substances, convened today (19) at the Presidential Secretariat. MORE..

(0)Comments | May 19, 2026 9:27 pm

Only President, defence officials invited to National War Heroes’ Commemoration; no political invitees, says Minister

The government has confirmed that no political representatives were invited to the National War Heroes’ Commemoration Ceremony, to be held today (19) in Battaramulla, marking 17 years since the defeat of terrorism in Sri Lanka. MORE..

(0)Comments | May 19, 2026 3:26 pm

“War heroes will always remain in our hearts,” says President

President Anura Kumara Dissanayake says the aspirations of war heroes who fought to liberate the country included the creation of a developed and just nation, and that the government is committed to fulfilling that vision. MORE..

(0)Comments | May 19, 2026 6:17 pm

Iran army warns it will ‘open new fronts’ against US if attacks resume

Iran’s army warned on Tuesday (May 19) it would “open new fronts” against the United States if it resumes attacks, after President Donald Trump said he had held off launching a new offensive in hopes of striking a deal. MORE..

(0)Comments | May 19, 2026 7:30 pm

Shakira wins €55 million tax battle against Spain

A Spanish court has ordered the country’s tax authority to refund €55m (£48m, $64m) to singer Shakira after ruling that the money was improperly collected in a dispute over her taxes. MORE..

(0)Comments | May 19, 2026 10:01 am

At least 120 dead in Ebola outbreak in DR Congo, official says

At least 120 people have died in an outbreak of a rare strain of Ebola in the Democratic Republic of Congo, with hundreds more suspected cases, according to officials. Health authorities say the situation is evolving quickly, and more cases are likely to be detected in the coming weeks. MORE..

(0)Comments | May 19, 2026 10:52 am

Magisterial inquiry into Kapila Chandrasena’s death adjourned

The further magisterial inquiry into the suspicious death of the former Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of SriLankan Airlines, Kapila Chandrasena, has been postponed until 22 May. MORE..

(0)Comments | May 19, 2026 1:35 pm

Rs. 10,000 monthly allowance for children of migrant workers in daycare centres: SLBFE

Officials of the Sri Lanka Bureau of Foreign Employment (SLBFE) informed the Ministerial Consultative Committee on Women and Child Affairs that a decision has been taken to provide a monthly allowance of Rs. 10,000 for children aged between 2 and 13 years of parents employed overseas, if those children are enrolled in daycare centres. MORE..

(0)Comments | May 19, 2026 5:37 pm

Sri Lanka and Gates Foundation hold talks on AI and digital transformation

A bilateral discussion was held in Singapore alongside the “Asia Tech 2026” conference, focusing on accelerating Sri Lanka’s digital transformation in partnership with the Gates Foundation. MORE..

(0)Comments | May 19, 2026 9:48 pm

Sri Lanka receives WHO recognition for eliminating mother-to-child transmission of HIV and syphilis

Sri Lanka has been awarded special recognition by the World Health Organization (WHO) for reducing mother-to-child transmission of HIV and syphilis to a level no longer considered a public health problem. MORE..

(0)Comments | May 19, 2026 4:28 pm

Special traffic plan for National War Heroes’ Commemoration ceremony

The ‘‘National War Heroes’ Commemoration Ceremony,’’ is scheduled to be held today (19) at the Parliamentary Grounds in front of the National War Heroes’ Monument in Battaramulla, under the patronage of President Anura Kumara Dissanayake. MORE..

(0)Comments | May 19, 2026 9:11 am

Complaint lodged with Human Rights Commission over access denial at War Heroes’ Monument

A complaint has been filed with the Human Rights Commission of Sri Lanka over an incident in which a group was allegedly prevented from paying floral tributes at the National War Heroes’ Monument near Parliament. MORE..

(0)Comments | May 19, 2026 6:45 pm

Indian Air Force Chief arrives in Sri Lanka on three-day visit

The Chief of the Air Staff (CAS) of the Indian Air Force, Air Chief Marshal Amar Preet Singh, has arrived in Sri Lanka on a three-day official visit. MORE..

(0)Comments | May 19, 2026 3:26 pm

Parliament to reconvene today; Inland Revenue Amendment Bill to take center stage

Parliament is scheduled to reconvene today (19), with sittings set to continue until May 22, according to the Parliamentary Secretariat. MORE..

(0)Comments | May 19, 2026 7:41 am

Trump says he paused attack on Iran as negotiations continue

U.S. President Donald Trump said on Monday he had paused a planned attack against Iran to allow for negotiations to take place on a deal to end the U.S.-Israeli war, after Iran sent a new peace proposal to Washington. MORE..

(0)Comments | May 19, 2026 6:19 am

“We will carry the memories of Mullivaikkal in our hearts” - Vijay

Tamil Nadu Chief Minister and TVK chief C Joseph Vijay on Monday said he will always stand in solidarity for the “rights of our Tamil kin” living in Sri Lanka. MORE..

(0)Comments | May 19, 2026 10:34 am

Indian Chief of Air Staff calls on Defence Secretary

The Chief of the Air Staff of the Indian Air Force, Air Chief Marshal Amar Preet Singh, paid a courtesy call on the Defence Secretary, Air Vice Marshal Sampath Thuyacontha (Retd), at the Ministry of Defence today (19). MORE..

(0)Comments | May 19, 2026 7:49 pm

Farmers to receive compensation up to Rs 100,000 per hectare for crop damage from heavy rains

The Ministry of Agriculture has announced that, following assessments of crop damage caused by recent heavy rains across Sri Lanka, steps will be taken to disburse compensation of up to a maximum of Rs. 100,000 per hectare, based on the severity of the damage. MORE..

(0)Comments | May 19, 2026 12:34 pm

Sri Lanka marks 17 years since the defeat of three-decade terrorism

Today (18) marks 17 years since the defeat of the brutal LTTE terrorism that plagued Sri Lanka for more than three decades. MORE..

(0)Comments | May 18, 2026 6:58 am

Hantavirus-hit cruise ship due to arrive at Rotterdam port as final destination

The hantavirus-hit cruise ship MV Hondius was due to dock in Rotterdam on Monday morning for disinfection, with Dutch authorities preparing quarantine arrangements for the 25 crew members and two medical staff remaining on board. MORE..

(0)Comments | May 18, 2026 6:19 am

Oil touches 2-week high after drone attack on UAE nuclear power plant

Oil prices extended gains on Monday as efforts to end the U.S.-Israeli war on Iran appeared to have stalled, after a nuclear power plant in the United Arab Emirates came under attack and as U.S. President Donald Trump is expected to discuss military options on Iran. MORE..

(0)Comments | May 18, 2026 6:08 am

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