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Sri Lanka and Vietnam sign five MoUs during state visit of President To Lam

Sri Lanka and Vietnam sign five MoUs during state visit of President To Lam

Following the official state ceremony held to welcome the President of Vietnam, To Lam, who is currently undertaking a two-day official visit to Sri Lanka, several Memoranda of Understanding (MoUs) were signed between the two countries. MORE..

| May 8, 2026  10:35 am
Special medical team to probe fever cases among schoolchildren in Deniyaya

Special medical team to probe fever cases among schoolchildren in Deniyaya

A special team of experts from the Epidemiology Unit of the Ministry of Health is scheduled to visit Deniyaya to investigate the rapid spread of fever among schoolchildren in the area, according to District Director of Health Services Sumith Manatunga. MORE..

| May 8, 2026  9:45 am
Rajangane Saddharathana arrested over social media threats against Minister and IGP

Rajangane Saddharathana arrested over social media threats against Minister and IGP

Rajangane Saddharathana, a person in robes, has been arrested by the Central Crimes Investigation Bureau (CCIB) over allegations of issuing threats through social media against Public Security Minister Ananda Wijepala and Inspector General of Police (IGP) Priyantha Weerasuriya, said Police. MORE..

| May 8, 2026  9:20 am
Former SriLankan CEO Kapila Chandrasena found dead - Police

Former SriLankan CEO Kapila Chandrasena found dead - Police

Former Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of SriLankan Airlines, Kapila Chandrasena, was found dead at a residence in Colpetty, according to Police. MORE..

video | May 8, 2026  8:56 am
Vietnamese President To Lam receives official state welcome; Set to address parliament today

Vietnamese President To Lam receives official state welcome; Set to address parliament today

The official state reception ceremony for President of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam To Lam, who arrived in Sri Lanka yesterday (07) on a two-day official visit, is currently being held today (08). MORE..

video | May 8, 2026  8:47 am
Explosion hits Netherlands’ largest political party’s headquarters, police say

Explosion hits Netherlands’ largest political party’s headquarters, police say

An explosion damaged the headquarters of the largest party in the Dutch parliament, D66, on Thursday evening, local police said, adding there were no injuries. MORE..

| May 8, 2026  8:06 am
Trump sets July 4 deadline for EU to comply with trade deal or face ‘much higher’ tariffs

Trump sets July 4 deadline for EU to comply with trade deal or face ‘much higher’ tariffs

US President Donald Trump said on Thursday he would give the European Union until July 4 to implement trade deal commitments before he raises tariffs on EU goods including cars to “much higher levels.” MORE..

| May 8, 2026  7:44 am
US-proposed Iran resolution at UN faces likely vetoes from China, Russia

US-proposed Iran resolution at UN faces likely vetoes from China, Russia

The US on Thursday urged countries to support its United Nations resolution demanding Iran halt attacks and mining of the Strait of Hormuz, but diplomats said China and Russia are likely to veto it. MORE..

| May 8, 2026  7:34 am
US military says it intercepted Iranian attacks on 3 Navy ships in Strait of Hormuz

US military says it intercepted Iranian attacks on 3 Navy ships in Strait of Hormuz

The US military said it intercepted Iranian attacks Thursday on three Navy ships in the Strait of Hormuz and “targeted Iranian military facilities responsible for attacking US forces,” highlighting the fragility of the month-old ceasefire between the two countries. MORE..

| May 8, 2026  7:18 am
Hantavirus outbreak on cruise ship not start of pandemic, UN health agency says

Hantavirus outbreak on cruise ship not start of pandemic, UN health agency says

An outbreak of hantavirus on board a cruise ship is not the start of a pandemic, the UN health agency has said. MORE..

| May 8, 2026  6:54 am
Federal court rules against new 10% global tariffs Trump imposed after loss at Supreme Court

Federal court rules against new 10% global tariffs Trump imposed after loss at Supreme Court

A federal court ruled Thursday against the new global tariffs that President Donald Trump imposed after a stinging loss at the Supreme Court. MORE..

| May 8, 2026  6:38 am
US and Iran exchange fire, but Trump says ceasefire still in effect

US and Iran exchange fire, but Trump says ceasefire still in effect

The United States and Iran exchanged fire on Thursday in the most serious test yet of their month-long ceasefire, but Iran said the situation returned to normal while the U.S. said it did not want to escalate. MORE..

| May 8, 2026  6:24 am
Heavy rainfall above 100 mm expected in parts of the island

Heavy rainfall above 100 mm expected in parts of the island

Due to the low-level atmospheric disturbance in the vicinity of Sri Lanka, the prevailing showery condition over the island is expected to continue during the next few days, the Department of Meteorology said. MORE..

| May 8, 2026  6:12 am
Vietnam President To Lam arrives in Sri Lanka

Vietnam President To Lam arrives in Sri Lanka

President of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam and General Secretary of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of Vietnam, To Lam, arrived in Sri Lanka tonight (07) on a state visit. MORE..

| May 7, 2026  11:57 pm
US and Iran explore short-term deal to end fighting - report

US and Iran explore short-term deal to end fighting - report

The United States and Iran are edging toward a temporary agreement to halt their war, sources and officials said on Thursday, with Tehran reviewing a proposal that would stop the fighting but leave the most contentious issues unresolved. MORE..

| May 7, 2026  9:55 pm
President says urgent reforms needed to eradicate drug menace in Sri Lanka

President says urgent reforms needed to eradicate drug menace in Sri Lanka

President Anura Kumara Dissanayake has instructed officials to swiftly introduce all necessary reforms, including amendments to existing laws, in order to eliminate the drug menace from the country. MORE..

| May 7, 2026  9:34 pm
Colombo-Hanoi direct flights to be launched during Vietnamese President’s visit

Colombo-Hanoi direct flights to be launched during Vietnamese President’s visit

President of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam and General Secretary of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of Vietnam, To Lam, is scheduled to arrive in Sri Lanka tonight (07) on a state visit. MORE..

| May 7, 2026  6:57 pm
Parliament approves extension of State of Public Emergency

Parliament approves extension of State of Public Emergency

The motion to approve the extension of the State of Public Emergency under the Public Security Ordinance was passed in Parliament today (May 7) by a majority of 139 votes. MORE..

video | May 7, 2026  6:25 pm
UNICEF welcomes Sri Lanka’s cabinet approval of Global Charter for Child Care Reforms

UNICEF welcomes Sri Lanka’s cabinet approval of Global Charter for Child Care Reforms

UNICEF has welcomed the Cabinet’s recent approval of the Global Charter for Child Care Reforms — a landmark decision that strengthens protection for children and builds momentum for Sri Lanka’s existing Alternative Care Policy. MORE..

| May 7, 2026  6:12 pm
Warm weather advisory for parts of the country

Warm weather advisory for parts of the country

A warm weather advisory has been issued for residents of the Sabaragamuwa, Northern, North-central, North-western, Eastern provinces and Hambantota and Monaragala districts. MORE..

| May 7, 2026  6:05 pm
Four schools in Deniyaya closed tomorrow due to spread of illness

Four schools in Deniyaya closed tomorrow due to spread of illness

Four schools in the Deniyaya Educational Zone will remain closed tomorrow (May 08) following the advice of the Governor of the Southern Province, due to the spread of a fever-related illness, says the Zonal Education Director of Deniyaya. MORE..

| May 7, 2026  4:58 pm
Rs. 10B in unpaid dues threatens Sri Lanka’s renewable energy industry survival, warns FRED

Rs. 10B in unpaid dues threatens Sri Lanka’s renewable energy industry survival, warns FRED

The Federation of Renewable Energy Developers (FRED) warns that unless the Government steps in to resolve the financial crisis the industry is in due to the payment defaults by the National System Operator (Pvt) Limited (NSO), the domestic renewable energy sector faces a natural death. MORE..

| May 7, 2026  4:52 pm
Oil prices extend sharp decline as diplomacy hopes cool fears over Hormuz

Oil prices extend sharp decline as diplomacy hopes cool fears over Hormuz

Oil prices extended losses on Thursday as investors weighed the prospects for a Middle East peace deal that could ease supply concerns and pave the way for the gradual reopening of the Strait of Hormuz. MORE..

| May 7, 2026  4:05 pm
Bribery Comm. refiles case against ex-CBSL Governor Cabraal

Bribery Comm. refiles case against ex-CBSL Governor Cabraal

The Commission to Investigate Allegations of Bribery or Corruption (CIABOC) has once again refiled a case before the Colombo High Court against former Central Bank Governor Ajith Nivard Cabraal...MORE..

| May 7, 2026  2:42 pm
Court orders arrest of former SriLankan CEO Kapila Chandrasena

Court orders arrest of former SriLankan CEO Kapila Chandrasena

(UPDATED) The Colombo Magistrate’s Court has issued an order to arrest and produce before the court the former Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of SriLankan Airlines, Kapila Chandrasena, who had been released on bail by the court two days ago. MORE..

video | May 7, 2026  2:39 pm