US forces board ‘sanctioned’ oil tanker between Sri Lanka and Indonesia
The Pentagon says US forces boarded a sanctioned tanker overnight “without incident” in the Indo-Pacific region in efforts to “disrupt illicit networks” supporting Iran. MORE..
- US forces board ‘sanctioned’ oil tanker between Sri Lanka and Indonesia
- State Vesak celebrations 2026 set for May 27–June 2
- SLCPI calls for urgent action to prevent medicine shortages in Sri Lanka
- US mulling financial help for Gulf countries, Trump says
- Tourist arrivals in April top 85,000
- Pakistan urges US, Iran to consider extending 14-day ceasefire
- PM instructs officials to expedite disaster relief and infrastructure restoration
- 50 foreign nationals arrested for overstaying business visas
- EU agrees to widen sanctions against Iran
- Sri Lanka seeks foreign partnerships to expand ports and aviation sector
Hot News
Sri Lanka seeks foreign partnerships to expand ports and aviation sector
A special discussion was held between British High Commissioner to Sri Lanka Andrew Patrick and the Minister of Ports, Civil Aviation, and Energy, Anura Karunathilaka. MORE..
EU agrees to widen sanctions against Iran
The European Union will expand the criteria of its Iran sanctions to include those responsible for blocking the Strait of Hormuz, which has been largely shut for nearly two months upending global energy and commodities markets, two EU diplomats said. MORE..
50 foreign nationals arrested for overstaying business visas
A total of 50 foreign nationals who had entered Sri Lanka on business visas and continued to remain illegally after their visas expired have been arrested this afternoon (21) by a group of officers from the Investigation Division of the Department of Immigration and Emigration. MORE..
PM instructs officials to expedite disaster relief and infrastructure restoration
Special attention should be given at the district level to expedite the payment of compensation for those affected by the Cyclone Ditwah and to accelerate reconstruction work, Prime Minister Dr. Harini Amarasuriya stated. MORE..
Pakistan urges US, Iran to consider extending 14-day ceasefire
Pakistani Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar on Tuesday urged the United States and Iran to consider extending the 14-day ceasefire beyond its Wednesday deadline and “give dialogue and diplomacy a chance.” MORE..
Tourist arrivals in April top 85,000
A total of 88,221 tourists have arrived in the country thus far in April, data from the Sri Lanka Tourism Development Authority (SLTDA) shows. MORE..
US mulling financial help for Gulf countries, Trump says
US President Donald Trump has suggested that he may offer financial assistance - or a currency swap - with Gulf countries he believes have proven to be reliable allies with the war in Iran. MORE..
SLCPI calls for urgent action to prevent medicine shortages in Sri Lanka
The Sri Lanka Chamber of the Pharmaceutical Industry (SLCPI) has called for urgent action to prevent a looming medicine shortage crisis in Sri Lanka, warning that growing pressure on the pharmaceutical supply chain could affect the country’s ability to ensure uninterrupted access to essential and life-saving medicines. MORE..
State Vesak celebrations 2026 set for May 27–June 2
The official programme for the 2026 State Vesak Festival has been issued by the Ministry of Public Administration, Provincial Councils and Local Government. MORE..
Flooding in Hatton–Dickoya submerges 50 estate houses
Around 50 estate houses in low-lying areas of the Fordyce Estate in Dickoya have submerged following heavy rainfall experienced this afternoon (21) in the Hatton–Dickoya area. MORE..
NATO criticises Russian and Chinese nuclear stances, urges cooperation with US
NATO criticised Russian and Chinese nuclear arms policies on Tuesday and urged both countries to work with the United States to establish greater stability and transparency at an upcoming international conference. MORE..
Easter Sunday attack investigation to be concluded soon, says Minister
Investigations into the 2019 Easter Sunday attacks are expected to be successfully completed within a short period of time, the Minister of Public Security and Parliamentary Affairs, Ananda Wijepala stated. MORE..
Aswesuma April allowance to be credited tomorrow
The Welfare Benefits Board of Sri Lanka has announced that the April allowance of the Aswesuma Welfare Benefits Payment Scheme will be credited to the bank accounts of the relevant beneficiaries tomorrow (22). MORE..
UN urges Sri Lanka to deliver results in Easter bombing probe
The United Nations urged Sri Lanka on Tuesday to deliver concrete results after long-running investigations into the 2019 Easter Sunday suicide bombings that killed 279 people, including 45 foreigners. MORE..
Sri Lanka’s inflation increases to 2.4% in March
The overall rate of inflation, as measured by the National Consumer Price Index (NCPI), has increased to 2.4% in March 2026, compared to 1.6% in February 2026, according to the latest data released by the Department of Census and Statistics. MORE..
EU agrees to widen sanctions against Iran
The European Union will expand the criteria of its Iran sanctions to include those responsible for blocking the Strait of Hormuz, which has been largely shut for nearly two months upending global energy and commodities markets, two EU diplomats said. MORE..
50 foreign nationals arrested for overstaying business visas
A total of 50 foreign nationals who had entered Sri Lanka on business visas and continued to remain illegally after their visas expired have been arrested this afternoon (21) by a group of officers from the Investigation Division of the Department of Immigration and Emigration. MORE..
PM instructs officials to expedite disaster relief and infrastructure restoration
Special attention should be given at the district level to expedite the payment of compensation for those affected by the Cyclone Ditwah and to accelerate reconstruction work, Prime Minister Dr. Harini Amarasuriya stated. MORE..
Pakistan urges US, Iran to consider extending 14-day ceasefire
Pakistani Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar on Tuesday urged the United States and Iran to consider extending the 14-day ceasefire beyond its Wednesday deadline and “give dialogue and diplomacy a chance.” MORE..
Tourist arrivals in April top 85,000
A total of 88,221 tourists have arrived in the country thus far in April, data from the Sri Lanka Tourism Development Authority (SLTDA) shows. MORE..
US mulling financial help for Gulf countries, Trump says
US President Donald Trump has suggested that he may offer financial assistance - or a currency swap - with Gulf countries he believes have proven to be reliable allies with the war in Iran. MORE..
SLCPI calls for urgent action to prevent medicine shortages in Sri Lanka
The Sri Lanka Chamber of the Pharmaceutical Industry (SLCPI) has called for urgent action to prevent a looming medicine shortage crisis in Sri Lanka, warning that growing pressure on the pharmaceutical supply chain could affect the country’s ability to ensure uninterrupted access to essential and life-saving medicines. MORE..
State Vesak celebrations 2026 set for May 27–June 2
The official programme for the 2026 State Vesak Festival has been issued by the Ministry of Public Administration, Provincial Councils and Local Government. MORE..
Flooding in Hatton–Dickoya submerges 50 estate houses
Around 50 estate houses in low-lying areas of the Fordyce Estate in Dickoya have submerged following heavy rainfall experienced this afternoon (21) in the Hatton–Dickoya area. MORE..
Latest TV News Bulletin
Video of the Day
Ada Derana Lunch Time News Bulletin 12.00 pm
Video of the Day
Ada Derana Lunch Time News Bulletin 12.00 pm
Video Story
Memorial services to be held across Sri Lanka tomorrow to remember 2019 Easter Sunday attack victims (English)
Technology
NASA rover adds to the list of organic compounds detected on Mars
Performing a type of experiment never before tried beyond Earth, NASA’s Curiosity rover has identified more organic compounds on Mars as scientists strive to learn whether the Red Planet ever harbored life. MORE..
UK regulator investigates Telegram over child sexual abuse concerns
UK regulator investigates Telegram over child sexual abuse concerns
Britain’s communications regulator on Tuesday launched an investigation into Telegram after evidence suggested child sexual abuse material was being shared on the platform and teen chat sites were being used by predators to groom children. MORE..
Apple may add ‘undo’ and ‘redo’ to iPhone home screen in iOS 27
Apple may add ‘undo’ and ‘redo’ to iPhone home screen in iOS 27
In a move aimed at refining everyday usability, Apple is reportedly testing two new Home Screen customisation features, ‘Undo’ and ‘Redo’, for its upcoming iOS 27 update. MORE..
Tim Cook to step down as Apple CEO - as tech giant names successor
Tim Cook to step down as Apple CEO - as tech giant names successor
Tim Cook will be stepping down from his role as Apple CEO, to be replaced by John Ternus, the company has announced. MORE..
Entertainment
South Korean police seek to arrest K-pop mogul behind BTS
South Korean police said Tuesday they are seeking to arrest music mogul Bang Si-Hyuk, chairman of the agency behind K-pop supergroup BTS, as they expand an investigation into allegations that he illegally gained more than $100 million in an investor fraud scheme. MORE..
Michael Jackson movie: Daughter Paris slams dad’s film as ‘lies’
Michael Jackson movie: Daughter Paris slams dad’s film as ‘lies’
A new Michael Jackson biopic will shortly arrive in cinemas telling the story of the King of Pop’s early career, but it’s a tightly controlled story that avoids any reference to the child sex abuse allegations that dogged his later life. MORE..
Titanic life jacket sells for £670,000 at auction
Titanic life jacket sells for £670,000 at auction
A life jacket worn by a Titanic survivor has been sold at auction to a collector for £670,000. MORE..
Rihanna makes history as first woman to hit 200 million RIAA certifications
Rihanna makes history as first woman to hit 200 million RIAA certifications
Rihanna has reached another major career milestone, becoming the first woman in history to surpass 200 million RIAA-certified singles units, according to recent reporting and data from the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA). MORE..
Exchange Rates
Country |
Buying |
Selling |
|---|---|---|
USA
U.S.Dollar |
312.8964 | 320.3926 |
UK
Sterling Pound |
421.7364 | 434.5410 |
Europe
Euro |
367.0541 | 378.7850 |
Switzerland
Swiss Franc |
398.4374 | 414.4604 |
Canada
Canadian Dollar |
227.8438 | 236.0173 |
Australia
Australian Dollar |
222.2226 | 231.9270 |
Singapore
Singapore Dollar |
244.3131 | 253.8696 |
Japan
Japanese Yen |
1.9600 | 2.0258 |
Country |
Currency |
Rate |
|---|---|---|
Bahrain
|
Dinar | 839.0410 |
Kuwait
|
Dinar | 1,026.0174 |
Oman
|
Rial | 821.9119 |
Qatar
|
Riyal | 86.7850 |
Saudi Arabia
|
Riyal | 84.3626 |
UAE
|
Dirham | 86.1518 |
Sports
Usain Bolt’s advises Gout Gout to keep focused on track and field after record-breaking run
Sprint legend Usain Bolt has urged rising Australian star Gout Gout not to forget track and field and find a good support network to keep him focused on his career as the spotlight and distractions intensify. MORE..
Lamine Yamal named Young Sportsperson of the Year at Laureus World Sports Awards
Barcelona and Spain attacker Lamine Yamal has claimed the inaugural Young Sportsperson of the Year at the Laureus World Sports Awards. MORE..
New Zealand U85kg Rugby team arrives in Sri Lanka
The New Zealand Under 85kg Rugby team has landed in Sri Lanka for a two-match series against the Sri Lanka Tuskers. MORE..
Pakistan bans Dasun Shanaka for one year from PSL
The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) today (20) imposed a one-year ban on Sri Lanka T20 team captain Dasun Shanaka from participating in the Pakistan Super League (PSL) over his “unilateral withdrawal” from the ongoing 11th edition. MORE..
Inter-School Rugby League tournament set to kick off on Thursday
The 2026 Inter-School Rugby League tournament is scheduled to get underway on Thursday (23) with 18 teams vying for honours. MORE..
