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UN cuts global growth forecast to 2.5%, blames Middle East crisis
UN cuts global growth forecast to 2.5%, blames Middle East crisis
The United Nations on Tuesday cut its forecast for global economic growth, saying the Middle East crisis had reignited inflationary pressures and heightened uncertainty. MORE..
Police open fire at lorry allegedly transporting cattle illegally in Hungama
Police open fire at lorry allegedly transporting cattle illegally in Hungama
Police have opened fire on a lorry suspected of illegally transporting cattle in Kattakaduwa, Hungama, resulting in the arrest of four suspects, authorities said. MORE..
John Swinney re-elected as Scotland’s first minister
John Swinney re-elected as Scotland’s first minister
Scottish National Party (SNP) leader John Swinney was re-elected as Scotland’s first minister on Tuesday after three rounds of voting in the Scottish Parliament. MORE..
Sri Lanka’s tourist arrivals exceed 950,000 in 2026
Sri Lanka’s tourist arrivals exceed 950,000 in 2026
The number of tourist arrivals in Sri Lanka so far has crossed the 950,000 mark, the Sri Lanka Tourism Development Authority (SLTDA) stated. MORE..
Three Chinese nationals arrested at BIA with 87 mobile phones
Three Chinese nationals arrested at BIA with 87 mobile phones
Three Chinese nationals have been arrested by Customs officers at the Bandaranaike International Airport (BIA), after being found in possession of a large consignment of mobile phones and batteries allegedly smuggled into the country, officials said. MORE..
Eight bus drivers arrested in Kalutara while being under the influence of narcotics while on duty
Eight bus drivers arrested in Kalutara while being under the influence of narcotics while on duty
Eight bus drivers and one conductor have been arrested in Kalutara after being found allegedly under the influence of narcotics while on duty, police said. MORE..
Mount Lavinia illegal television transmission station busted; one arrested
Mount Lavinia illegal television transmission station busted; one arrested
An illegally operated television transmission station using unauthorized communication equipment was raided in Mount Lavinia, with police arresting a suspect and seizing a large stock of equipment, authorities said. MORE..
Xi Jinping, Putin to meet in Beijing today for tea diplomacy after Trump visit
Xi Jinping, Putin to meet in Beijing today for tea diplomacy after Trump visit
China and Russia’s leaders are set to meet for a summit in Beijing on Wednesday featuring discussions on bilateral and international issues, capped by an intimate tete-a-tete between “old friends” over tea. MORE..
US Secretary of State Marco Rubio to visit India from May 23-26
US Secretary of State Marco Rubio to visit India from May 23-26
US Secretary of State Marco Rubio will undertake a four-day visit to India beginning May 23 to further cooperation in the fields of trade, defence and energy. MORE..
Sri Lanka reports nearly 30,000 dengue cases and 15 deaths so far in 2026
Sri Lanka reports nearly 30,000 dengue cases and 15 deaths so far in 2026
Nearly 30,000 dengue cases have been reported across the country so far this year, according to the National Dengue Control Unit (NDCU). MORE..
Fairly heavy rainfall above 50 mm expected in some parts of the island
Fairly heavy rainfall above 50 mm expected in some parts of the island
The south-west monsoon is gradually getting established over the island, the Department of Meteorology has stated. MORE..
‘Had no knowledge’: Gulf leaders on Trump’s claim of stopping Iran attack
‘Had no knowledge’: Gulf leaders on Trump’s claim of stopping Iran attack
A day after US President Donald Trump claimed that Gulf leaders had urged him to avoid fresh military action against Iran, officials from some of those countries said they were unaware of any such operation, according to The Wall Street Journal. MORE..
Politics influences every governance decision: PM Harini
Politics influences every governance decision: PM Harini
Politics is not something separate from development and it shapes every choice we make in governance, Prime Minister Dr. Harini Amarasuriya has stated. MORE..
Putin arrives in Beijing as China, Russia boost ties amid Iran war
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.
Sri Lanka and Gates Foundation hold talks on AI and digital transformation
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..
Govt. moves to fast-track legal amendments for disposal of seized narcotics at high-level meeting
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..
Vesak Dansal registration mandatory, says Health DG
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..
Court questions police over delay in recording statements from sureties in Kapila Chandrasena death probe
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.
Indian Chief of Air Staff calls on Defence Secretary
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..
Iran army warns it will ‘open new fronts’ against US if attacks resume
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..
Complaint lodged with Human Rights Commission over access denial at War Heroes’ Monument
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..
“War heroes will always remain in our hearts,” says President
“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..
Met. Dept. warns of rough seas, strong winds and thundershowers across Sri Lanka
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..
Rs. 10,000 monthly allowance for children of migrant workers in daycare centres: SLBFE
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..
Rupee depreciation can be managed amid expected IMF and ADB inflows: Govt.
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..