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Israel says detained Gaza flotilla activists to be taken to Greece

Israel says detained Gaza flotilla activists to be taken to Greece

Israel’s foreign ministry earlier said around 175 activists had been taken off more than 20 boats. MORE..

| May 1, 2026  9:11 am
PM Harini pledges stronger labour rights in May Day Message

PM Harini pledges stronger labour rights in May Day Message

Prime Minister Harini Amarasuriya says that the history of Sri Lanka’s labour movement reflects a long struggle marked by sacrifice, resilience, and determination in the pursuit of rights, justice, and dignity. MORE..

| May 1, 2026  8:56 am
President highlights workers as driving force behind economic progress in May Day message

President highlights workers as driving force behind economic progress in May Day message

President Anura Kumara Dissanayake says that Sri Lanka is marking this year’s International Workers’ Day at a decisive moment, as the country records significant economic progress despite a challenging global environment shaped by conflict. MORE..

| May 1, 2026  8:14 am
Myanmar ex-leader Aung San Suu Kyi to be moved to house arrest, state media says

Myanmar ex-leader Aung San Suu Kyi to be moved to house arrest, state media says

Myanmar’s detained former leader Aung San Suu Kyi is to be moved to house arrest, state media reported on Thursday, more than five years after the military ousted the civilian government she led and jailed the Nobel laureate. MORE..

| May 1, 2026  7:51 am
Iran threatens painful response if US renews attacks

Iran threatens painful response if US renews attacks

Iran said on Thursday it would respond with “long and painful strikes” on U.S. positions if Washington renewed attacks and restated its claim to the Strait of Hormuz, complicating U.S. plans for a coalition to reopen the waterway. MORE..

| May 1, 2026  7:30 am
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

Showers or thundershowers will occur in the most parts of the island after 1.00 pm, the Department of Meteorology said. MORE..

| May 1, 2026  7:20 am
More details revealed on death of FinMin official interdicted over $2.5M cyber fraud

More details revealed on death of FinMin official interdicted over $2.5M cyber fraud

Assistant Director of the External Resources Department of the Ministry of Finance, Ranga Rajapaksa, who had been interdicted over the alleged USD 2.5 million cyber heist, was found dead under suspicious circumstances at his residence in Kuliyapitiya this evening (30). MORE..

video | April 30, 2026  10:17 pm
Special police security deployed for May Day celebrations

Special police security deployed for May Day celebrations

Sri Lanka Police have announced that special security arrangements will be in place tomorrow (01) as political parties and organizations prepare to hold May Day rallies and meetings in several parts of the island, including Colombo, to mark International Workers’ Day. MORE..

| April 30, 2026  10:04 pm
Oil price hits highest since 2022 after report Trump to be briefed on new Iran options

Oil price hits highest since 2022 after report Trump to be briefed on new Iran options

Oil prices jumped to their highest since 2022 after a report that the US military is set to brief President Donald Trump on new plans for potential action in the Iran war. MORE..

| April 30, 2026  8:10 pm
SC rules Sub-Inspector’s fundamental rights violated, orders compensation

SC rules Sub-Inspector’s fundamental rights violated, orders compensation

The Supreme Court has ruled that the fundamental human rights of a Police Sub-Inspector (SI) were violated in when he was brutally assaulted during an incident that took place in 2022. MORE..

| April 30, 2026  7:34 pm
Sri Lanka introduces laws for Buddhist monks seeking to travel abroad after major drug bust

Sri Lanka introduces laws for Buddhist monks seeking to travel abroad after major drug bust

The Sri Lankan government has decided to make it mandatory for Buddhist monks travelling abroad to obtain recommendations from their respective senior monk (Guru Hamuduruwo), the regional Buddhist leader, and the Mahanayaka Thero of their respective Nikaya. MORE..

video | April 30, 2026  7:24 pm
Iran’s supreme leader vows to protect nuclear and missile capabilities

Iran’s supreme leader vows to protect nuclear and missile capabilities

Iran’s supreme leader said Thursday that the Islamic Republic will protect its “nuclear and missile capabilities” as a national asset, likely seeking to draw a hard line as U.S. President Donald Trump presses for a wider deal to cement the war’s shaky three-week ceasefire. MORE..

| April 30, 2026  7:10 pm
Warm weather advisory issued for several provinces

Warm weather advisory issued for several provinces

A warm weather advisory has been issued for residents of the Northern, North-Central, Eastern, Sabaragamuwa, North-Western provinces and the Monaragala district. MORE..

| April 30, 2026  5:37 pm
Finance Ministry official interdicted over $2.5M cyber fraud found dead at home

Finance Ministry official interdicted over $2.5M cyber fraud found dead at home

An Assistant Director at the External Resources Department of the Finance Ministry, who had been interdicted over the alleged theft of USD 2.5 million by hackers, has reportedly been found dead under suspicious circumstances at his residence in Kuliyapitiya. MORE..

video | April 30, 2026  4:31 pm
EU mobilises €2.6 million to strengthen civil society in Sri Lanka

EU mobilises €2.6 million to strengthen civil society in Sri Lanka

The European Union (EU)-funded “Together We Rise” initiative, implemented by World Vision and SAFE Foundation in Sri Lanka, is a €2.6 million project designed to strengthen civil society and promote human rights, inclusion and accountable governance. MORE..

| April 30, 2026  4:19 pm
US seeks international help to reopen Strait of Hormuz as crude prices surge

US seeks international help to reopen Strait of Hormuz as crude prices surge

The US is pushing for other countries to form an international coalition to restore freedom of navigation in the Strait of Hormuz, according to a State Department cable seen by Reuters, as oil prices surged to their highest in more than four years on fears of longer-term disruptions to global fuel supplies. MORE..

| April 30, 2026  4:12 pm
Colombo’s inflation rises to 5.4% in April 2026

Colombo’s inflation rises to 5.4% in April 2026

The overall rate of inflation, as measured by the Colombo Consumer Price Index (CCPI) on a year-on-year basis, increased to 5.4% in April 2026, up from 2.2% recorded in March 2026, according to the Department of Census and Statistics. MORE..

| April 30, 2026  3:51 pm
Advisory issued for severe lightning

Advisory issued for severe lightning

An ‘Amber’ advisory has been issued by the Department of Meteorology for severe lightning in the Sabaragamuwa, Central, North-Central provinces and in Vavuniya, Mullaittivu, Kurunegala, and Trincomalee districts. MORE..

| April 30, 2026  3:37 pm
Proposal submitted for smoking ban for people born after 2010 in Sri Lanka

Proposal submitted for smoking ban for people born after 2010 in Sri Lanka

A concept paper proposing the creation of a “tobacco-free generation” comprising all children born after 2010 has been formally submitted to the Minister of Health and Mass Media Dr. Nalinda Jayatissa. MORE..

| April 30, 2026  3:33 pm
Treasury Secretary arrives in parliament to appear before COPF

Treasury Secretary arrives in parliament to appear before COPF

The Secretary to the Treasury Dr. Harshana Suriyapperuma has arrived at the Parliamentary Complex, a short while ago, to appear before the Committee on Public Finance (COPF). MORE..

| April 30, 2026  2:22 pm
Maldivian President to arrive in Sri Lanka on Monday

Maldivian President to arrive in Sri Lanka on Monday

President of the Republic of Maldives Dr. Mohammed Muizzu is scheduled to undertake a State Visit to Sri Lanka from 4–5 May 2026, on the invitation of President Anura Kumara Dissanayake. MORE..

| April 30, 2026  2:01 pm
Indictments served against Gnanasara Thero over anti-Islamic remarks

Indictments served against Gnanasara Thero over anti-Islamic remarks

Indictments have been served before the Colombo High Court against Bodu Bala Sena (BBS) General Secretary Ven. Galagodaaththe Gnanasara Thero, regarding an allegedly derogatory statement made by him on Islam. MORE..

| April 30, 2026  1:38 pm
Israeli navy intercepts Global Sumud Flotilla vessels heading to Gaza

Israeli navy intercepts Global Sumud Flotilla vessels heading to Gaza

The Israeli navy intercepted vessels from the Global Sumud Flotilla in international waters late Wednesday as they headed toward Gaza to break a blockade on the enclave. MORE..

| April 30, 2026  1:09 pm
Finance Ministry to brief Parliament on alleged USD 2.5 million theft by hackers

Finance Ministry to brief Parliament on alleged USD 2.5 million theft by hackers

The Ministry of Finance is set to make a special statement in Parliament regarding the alleged misplacement of USD 2.5 million. MORE..

| April 30, 2026  12:41 pm
Court postpones verdict in 4 corruption cases against ex-Dy Minister Sarana Gunawardena

Court postpones verdict in 4 corruption cases against ex-Dy Minister Sarana Gunawardena

The Colombo High Court has postponed the announcement of verdicts in four cases filed by the Commission to Investigate Allegations of Bribery or Corruption (CIABOC) against former Deputy Minister Sarana Gunawardena, who is accused of corruption. MORE..

| April 30, 2026  12:02 pm