Energy Minister Anura Karunathilake said that efforts are currently underway to restore the power system following an islandwide power outage this morning (17), with electricity expected to be restored in stages as soon as possible.

A nationwide power outage has occurred due to a major fault in the transmission network, according to the Ceylon Electricity Board (CEB).

The Department of Meteorology has issued an Amber advisory for severe lightning in the Western, Sabaragamuwa, Central, North Central, Eastern and Uva provinces, as well as the Mullaitivu District.

India’s Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (DRI), Tiruchy zone, arrested two persons, including a Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK) functionary, and seized 100 kg of methamphetamine in Nagapattinam on Friday.

Former President Mahinda Rajapaksa has paid tribute to the immensely popular tusker ‘Kawanthissa’, following its demise, by sharing a poignant message on his Facebook account.

Missiles struck Yemen's Aden International ​Airport on Friday, while a Saudi-led military coalition said it had intercepted a ballistic missile headed for the ‌Red Sea city of Yanbu, a key Saudi oil hub that allows exports to avoid the Strait of Hormuz.

A group of Buddhist monks staging a satyagraha at Viharamahadevi Park in Colombo, demanding the release of Venerable Galagoda Aththe Gnanasara Thero, continues to remain at the site.

A luxury bus travelling from Colombo to Anuradhapura veered off the road and overturned near the Mee Oya Bridge along the Puttalam–Anuradhapura road last night (16), reportedly due to adverse weather conditions.

Parliament is scheduled to meet from October 20 to 23, Secretary General of Parliament Kushani Rohanadeera said.

A significant amount of earth from the landslide-prone hillside near Kadigamuwa Railway Station once again slid onto the railway tracks early this morning (17).

Brent touched $110 a barrel for the first time since May on Friday on worries that escalating ‌tensions in the Middle East could further tighten supplies, while investors assessed how much diesel Russia could supply to the global market.

Showers or thundershowers will occur in most parts of the island after 1.00 p.m. today (17), the Department of Meteorology stated.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy took aim on Friday at US President Donald Trump's diesel ​deal with Russia and welcomed the prospect of European allies stepping up their role in talks, calling Moscow's stance a "parody" of peace negotiations.

Sri Lanka Police announced that the online data system used for Police Clearance applications has now been restored, and that applicants can resume submitting their Police Clearance applications through the online platform.

The minor flood warning issued for the low-lying areas of the Nilwala River Basin has been extended for another 48 hours.

Sri Lanka’s tallest living tusker, 'Kawanthissa', has died while receiving treatment for a gunshot wound at a paddy field in Galgamuwa.

The roof of a school collapsed in Pakistan's northwestern city of Peshawar yesterday killing 32 students mostly younger than 14, and a teacher, officials said, blaming the accident on dilapidated infrastructure.

Prime Minister Dr. Harini Amarasuriya presented the revised National Curriculum Framework, issued by the National Institute of Education under the new education reforms, to the Chief Prelate of the Asgiri Chapter, Most Venerable Warakagoda Gnanarathana Thero,