Sri Lanka Hot News | Sri Lankan Hot News at Adaderana -Truth First Official News Site

US Treasury, India’s Adani Enterprises settle alleged Iran sanctions violations

The US government said on Monday India’s Adani Enterprises agreed to pay $275 million to settle alleged sanctions violations involving Iran, as the Trump administration moved to resolve several cases involving Indian billionaire Gautam Adani. MORE..

| May 18, 2026 9:01 pm

UN demands Israel prevent ‘genocide’ in Gaza

The United Nations demanded on Monday (May 18) that Israel take measures to prevent acts of “genocide” in Gaza, and decried indications of “ethnic cleansing” in the Palestinian territory and in the occupied West Bank. MORE..

| May 18, 2026 8:29 pm

J’pura political science academics file HRCSL complaint over administrative crisis

Professors, lecturers and senior academic staff of the Department of Political Science at the University of Sri Jayewardenepura have lodged an official complaint with the Human Rights Commission of Sri Lanka (HRCSL) over a series of administrative and professional issues within the department. MORE..

| May 18, 2026 8:03 pm

No invitation yet for Mahinda Rajapaksa to attend War Heroes’ Commemoration event – Media Secretary

Former President Mahinda Rajapaksa has not yet received any invitation to attend the National War Heroes’ Commemoration Day event scheduled for tomorrow (19), according to his Media Secretary, Attorney Manoj Gamage. MORE..

| May 18, 2026 7:33 pm

US agrees to suspend sanctions against Iranian oil during negotiations: Report

The United States has agreed to suspend sanctions on Iranian oil exports during ongoing negotiations with Iran, the semi-official Tasnim news agency reported on Monday, citing a source familiar with the talks.

| May 18, 2026 6:53 pm

President reviews new UDA projects

A discussion between President Anura Kumara Dissanayake and senior officials of the Urban Development Authority (UDA) was held this afternoon (18) at the Presidential Secretariat. MORE..

| May 18, 2026 6:44 pm

Bodies of four Italian divers found after Maldives accident

The bodies of four Italians who drowned during a diving accident in the Maldives have been found but not yet brought to the surface, Italy’s foreign ministry and the Maldivan military said on Monday (May 18). MORE..

| May 18, 2026 6:18 pm

Ministry to import 104 new Metro buses to upgrade public transport

The Ministry of Transport, Highways and Urban Development has announced that 104 new metro buses are scheduled to be imported in August to improve the efficiency of the country’s public transportation system. MORE..

| May 18, 2026 6:08 pm

Police to take legal action against Wimal Weerawansa over alleged disruption of War Heroes’ Commemoration Event rehearsal

Legal action will be taken against a group, including the leader of the National Freedom Front (NFF), former Member of Parliament Wimal Weerawansa over allegations of obstructing rehearsal activities held today (18) ahead of the National War Heroes’ Day Commemoration Day, police stated. MORE..

| May 18, 2026 5:51 pm

Petition filed in Appeals Court to halt use of rice and sugar in beer production in Sri Lanka

A writ petition has been filed before the Court of Appeal seeking an order directing the Commissioner General of Excise and others not to grant approval for the use of rice and sugar as primary raw materials in beer production. MORE..

| May 18, 2026 5:45 pm

Rupee depreciation driven by global oil price surge and external economic pressures: CBSL Governor

The depreciation of the Sri Lankan Rupee during this year has been primarily driven by the ongoing crisis in the Middle East and the resulting increase in global oil prices, the Governor of the Central Bank of Sri Lanka (CBSL) Dr. Nandalal Weerasinghe has stated. MORE..

| May 18, 2026 5:35 pm

Oil stocks declining ‘very fast’, IEA chief warns

Commercial oil stocks are falling “very fast” as Gulf supplies remain disrupted by the Middle East war, even with the release of strategic reserves by governments worldwide, the head of the International Energy Agency (IAE) said on Monday (May 18). MORE..

| May 18, 2026 5:11 pm

Malwana property to be transferred to UGC for higher education development – PM Harini

The Malwana property, which has recently been the subject of public discussion, will be transferred to the University Grants Commission (UGC), Prime Minister Dr. Harini Amarasuriya has announced. MORE..

| May 18, 2026 4:51 pm

Buddhist Affairs Dept. directs use of yellow flags for dansal promotions under new circular

Yellow flags should be used instead of Buddhist flags to direct people toward ‘dansal’ food distribution events in future, the Commissioner of Buddhist Affairs (Development) Asela Madusanka stated. MORE..

| May 18, 2026 4:39 pm

Sri Lanka’s 5% economic growth forecast uncertain amid global instability: CBSL Chief

Although Sri Lanka had initially expected an economic growth rate of around 5% for 2026, recent changes in global economic conditions after March have made it difficult to provide an accurate forecast, the Governor of the Central Bank of Sri Lanka (CBSL) Dr. Nandalal Weerasinghe has said. MORE..

| May 18, 2026 4:20 pm

Economist calls for policy to allow vehicle imports based on necessity

Future policies on vehicle imports should be formulated in a way that allows imports only based on necessity, according to Professor in Economics at the Department of Economics, Priyanga Dunusinghe of the University of Colombo. MORE..

| May 18, 2026 4:02 pm

Iran officially announces new body to manage Strait of Hormuz: Top security council

Iran’s top security body announced on Monday (May 18) the formation of a new body to manage the Strait of Hormuz, which Tehran has effectively closed and wants to charge ships to traverse. MORE..

| May 18, 2026 3:49 pm

5,289 Tri-Service personnel promoted in view of National War Heroes’ Day

A total of 5,289 Tri-Service personnel have been promoted to their respective next ranks in view of the 17th National War Heroes’ Commemoration Day, which falls tomorrow (19). MORE..

| May 18, 2026 3:25 pm

US Dollar selling rate surpasses Rs. 334

The selling rate of the US dollar has exceeded Rs. 334, according to the latest daily exchange rates issued by the Central Bank of Sri Lanka today (18). MORE..

| May 18, 2026 3:07 pm

Modi allies push for bigger families despite India’s 1.4-billion population

India may be the world’s most populous country, with 1.42 billion people and challenges like high youth unemployment, but powerful allies of Prime Minister Narendra Modi are championing larger families to counter a declining fertility rate. MORE..

| May 18, 2026 2:59 pm

Court temporarily lifts foreign travel ban on MP Chamara Sampath Dassanayake

The Colombo High Court has ordered the temporary lifting of the overseas travel ban imposed on Parliamentarian Chamara Sampath Dassanayake, who is facing corruption-related charges. MORE..

| May 18, 2026 2:49 pm

Govt. to provide compensation for weather-damaged crops through Agrarian Insurance Board

Compensation for crop damage caused by the recent adverse weather conditions will be provided through the Agricultural and Agrarian Insurance Board, the Deputy Minister of Agriculture and Livestock, Namal Karunaratne has stated. MORE..

| May 18, 2026 2:34 pm

Supreme Court to hear Sugar Tax loss petition on June 27

The Supreme Court has ordered that a fundamental rights petition seeking the recovery of Rs. 15.9 billion in losses allegedly incurred by the government due to the reduction of taxes on imported sugar during the administration of former President Gotabaya Rajapaksa be taken up on June 27. MORE..

| May 18, 2026 2:17 pm