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Modi’s party set to gain big in Indian state elections
Modi’s party set to gain big in Indian state elections
Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s party was on course to win two of four crucial state elections on Monday (May 4), expanding its influence and weakening its key rival half-way into his third term in office. MORE..
Supreme Court dismisses SLMC leaders petition without consideration
Supreme Court dismisses SLMC leaders petition without consideration
The Supreme Court today (04) decided to dismiss, without hearing, a petition filed by the leader of the Sri Lanka Muslim Congress, Rauf Hakeem, and its General Secretary, Nizam Kariapper. MORE..
El Niño conditions expected to develop during Southwest monsoon period – Met. Department
El Niño conditions expected to develop during Southwest monsoon period – Met. Department
Sri Lanka is expected to face developing El Niño conditions during the upcoming southwest monsoon season, according to the Department of Meteorology. MORE..
Pakistan facilitates return of Iranian crew from US-seized ship
Pakistan facilitates return of Iranian crew from US-seized ship
Pakistan said on Monday (May 4) it had facilitated the transfer of 22 Iranian crew members from a US-seized vessel, describing the move as a “confidence-building measure” amid fragile diplomatic contacts between Washington and Tehran. MORE..
VAT revision from July 1 a Tax simplification move, not increase – Deputy Minister
VAT revision from July 1 a Tax simplification move, not increase – Deputy Minister
The Deputy Minister of Economic Development, Nishantha Jayaweera has clarified reports surrounding the gazette notification issued to revise Value Added Tax (VAT) with effect from July 1. MORE..
At least 12 wounded after Oklahoma party shooting
At least 12 wounded after Oklahoma party shooting
At least 12 people are being treated in hospital after a shooting at a party in Oklahoma. MORE..
Free Lawyers call for probe into President’s remarks on pending court ruling
Free Lawyers call for probe into President’s remarks on pending court ruling
The Free Lawyers Organization has called for an investigation into remarks made by President Anura Kumara Dissanayake concerning judicial decisions during a May Day rally. MORE..
Lands allocated in Sri Lanka and Maldives for High Commissions - President
Lands allocated in Sri Lanka and Maldives for High Commissions - President
President Anura Kumara Dissanayake expressed his gratitude to the President of the Maldives, Mohamed Muizzu, for undertaking the official visit to Sri Lanka, noting that it was in response to an invitation extended during his own visit to the Maldives in 2025. MORE..
Iran warns US Navy to stay clear of Hormuz after Trump says US to help stranded ships
Iran warns US Navy to stay clear of Hormuz after Trump says US to help stranded ships
Iran’s military warned U.S. forces on Monday not to enter the Strait of Hormuz after President Donald Trump said the United States would start helping to free ships stranded in the Gulf by the U.S.-Israeli war on Iran. MORE..
Vesak ‘Dansal’ registration commences as PHIs issue safety guidelines
Vesak ‘Dansal’ registration commences as PHIs issue safety guidelines
The Public Health Inspectors’ Union (PHIU) of Sri Lanka has announced that the registration process for Dansal organized in connection with the upcoming Vesak festival has officially commenced. MORE..
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 Central, Sabaragamuwa, Eastern, Uva provinces and, Kalutara, Polonnaruwa, Galle and Matara districts. MORE..
Sri Lanka and Maldives sign seven MoUs to strengthen bilateral cooperation
Sri Lanka and Maldives sign seven MoUs to strengthen bilateral cooperation
Seven Memoranda of Understanding (MoUs) have been signed between Sri Lanka and the Maldives during the state visit of Maldivian President Mohamed Muizzu, reflecting a shared commitment to strengthening bilateral cooperation across multiple sectors. MORE..
Two suspects linked to ‘‘Loku Pattie’’ arrested with pistol and drugs in Balapitiya
Two suspects linked to ‘‘Loku Pattie’’ arrested with pistol and drugs in Balapitiya
A suspect has been arrested in the Ambalangoda, Balapitiya area for the possession of a foreign-manufactured pistol, one magazine, 16 live rounds of ammunition, and 11.5 grams of the narcotic substance ‘‘Ice’’ (Crystal Methamphetamine). MORE..
Sajith Premadasa criticizes planned VAT increases, calls policy “extraction”
Sajith Premadasa criticizes planned VAT increases, calls policy “extraction”
Opposition Leader Sajith Premadasa has criticized the government’s upcoming Value Added Tax (VAT) changes, saying that from July 1 Sri Lanka will widen the VAT net, raise rates, and tighten enforcement simultaneously. MORE..
Official state ceremony held to welcome Maldivian President in Colombo
Official state ceremony held to welcome Maldivian President in Colombo
The official state reception ceremony for Maldivian President Mohamed Muizzu, who arrived in Sri Lanka yesterday (04) on a three-day official visit, was held today (05). MORE..
| May 4, 2026 10:30 am
Assembly poll: Vijay’s TVK emerges as single largest in Tamil Nadu
Assembly poll: Vijay’s TVK emerges as single largest in Tamil Nadu
In Tamil Nadu, the Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK) party, led by actor Vijay, is making significant gains, overtaking the ruling DMK. Early results show TVK leading in 66 constituencies, with the DMK ahead in 49 and AIADMK in 45. MORE..
548 suspects arrested as police screen over 26,000 in island-wide raids
548 suspects arrested as police screen over 26,000 in island-wide raids
Under the directives of the Inspector General of Police (IGP), a large number of individuals were taken into custody during island-wide operations conducted to prevent crime and drug trafficking. MORE..
Amsterdam bans public adverts for meat and fossil fuels
Amsterdam bans public adverts for meat and fossil fuels
Amsterdam has become the world’s first capital city to ban public advertisements for both meat and fossil fuel products. Since 1 May, adverts for burgers, petrol cars and airlines have been stripped from billboards, tram shelters, and metro stations. MORE..
Three dead in suspected virus outbreak on Atlantic cruise ship
Three dead in suspected virus outbreak on Atlantic cruise ship
Three people have died after a suspected hantavirus outbreak on a cruise ship in the Atlantic Ocean, the World Health Organization (WHO) has told the BBC. MORE..
Vietnamese President To Lam to visit Sri Lanka on May 7
Vietnamese President To Lam to visit Sri Lanka on May 7
General Secretary of the Communist Party of Vietnam Central Committee and President of Vietnam To Lam, together with a high-ranking delegation of the country, is going to pay a state visit to Sri Lanka from May 7 to 8. MORE..
Janitorial supervisor of Kandy National Hospital injured in shooting at Katugastota
Janitorial supervisor of Kandy National Hospital injured in shooting at Katugastota
A janitorial supervisor of the National Hospital in Kandy has been injured and hospitalised following a shooting incident at Gohagoda, in Katugastota, according to police.
120 foreign nationals remanded over illegal financial operations in Rajagiriya
120 foreign nationals remanded over illegal financial operations in Rajagiriya
The group of foreign nationals arrested, yesterday (03), at a location on Meda Welikada Road in Rajagiriya has been remanded in custody. MORE..
Oil slips after Trump says US will help free ships stranded in Strait of Hormuz
Oil slips after Trump says US will help free ships stranded in Strait of Hormuz
Oil prices eased on Monday after U.S. President Donald Trump said the United States would begin an effort to free up ships stranded in the Strait of Hormuz, however the lack of a U.S.-Iran peace deal kept prices supported above $100. MORE..
Maldivian President to receive state welcome in Sri Lanka today
Maldivian President to receive state welcome in Sri Lanka today
The official state reception ceremony for Maldivian President Mohamed Muizzu, who arrived in Sri Lanka, yesterday (04), on a three-day official visit, is scheduled to take place today (04). MORE..
Trump says US and Iran in ‘positive’ talks, unveils plan to escort Hormuz ships
Trump says US and Iran in ‘positive’ talks, unveils plan to escort Hormuz ships
President Donald Trump said on Sunday (May 3) that the United States was conducting “very positive discussions” with Iran, as he outlined a plan for US forces to escort ships through the blocked Strait of Hormuz beginning Monday. MORE..