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Five dead, including two suspects, after shooting at San Diego mosque

Five dead, including two suspects, after shooting at San Diego mosque

Two teenage gunmen opened fire on Monday at the Islamic Center of San Diego, California, killing three men outside the mosque, one of them a security guard, before the two suspects were found dead, apparently from self-inflicted gunshot wounds, police said. MORE..

| May 19, 2026  6:25 am
Trump says he paused attack on Iran as negotiations continue

Trump says he paused attack on Iran as negotiations continue

U.S. President Donald Trump said on Monday he had paused a planned attack against Iran to allow for negotiations to take place on a deal to end the U.S.-Israeli war, after Iran sent a new peace proposal to Washington. MORE..

| May 19, 2026  6:19 am
Trump drops IRS lawsuit in exchange for DOJ $1.8 billion ‘weaponization’ fund

Trump drops IRS lawsuit in exchange for DOJ $1.8 billion ‘weaponization’ fund

U.S. President Donald Trump’s administration on Monday created a nearly $1.8 billion fund to compensate victims of political “weaponization” to settle a lawsuit Trump had filed against his own government over the alleged mishandling of his tax records. MORE..

| May 19, 2026  5:54 am
Several spells of showers expected in some parts of the island

Several spells of showers expected in some parts of the island

South-West monsoon is gradually getting established over the island, according to the Department of Meteorology. MORE..

| May 19, 2026  5:44 am
Pakistan sends new Iranian peace proposal to US

Pakistan sends new Iranian peace proposal to US

Iran sent a new peace proposal to the United States with terms that appeared similar to offers Washington has previously rejected, although a senior Iranian official told Reuters on Monday (May 18) that the US had softened its position on some issues. MORE..

| May 18, 2026  10:25 pm
US$ 600 million spent on vehicle imports in first three months of 2026

US$ 600 million spent on vehicle imports in first three months of 2026

Sri Lanka is likely to spend more foreign exchange on vehicle imports in 2026 than initially anticipated, according to the Governor of the Central Bank of Sri Lanka (CBSL) Dr. Nandalal Weerasinghe. MORE..

| May 18, 2026  9:52 pm
Sri Lanka launches digital compensation management system for disaster-affected communities

Sri Lanka launches digital compensation management system for disaster-affected communities

The National Disaster Relief Services Centre (NDRSC), operating under the Ministry of Defence, officially launched a new digital compensation management system and community feedback mechanism aimed at supporting communities affected by Cyclone Ditwah. MORE..

| May 18, 2026  9:30 pm
US Treasury, India’s Adani Enterprises settle alleged Iran sanctions violations

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
Foreign Ministry launches unified platform for overseas missions

Foreign Ministry launches unified platform for overseas missions

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Foreign Employment and Tourism today (18) launched its revamped official website together with a newly introduced Common Website Platform for Sri Lanka Missions and Posts Abroad. MORE..

| May 18, 2026  8:52 pm
UN demands Israel prevent ‘genocide’ in Gaza

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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 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