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Nearly 22,000 deaths reported annually due to tobacco use in Sri Lanka: NATA
Nearly 22,000 deaths reported annually due to tobacco use in Sri Lanka: NATA
National Authority on Tobacco and Alcohol (NATA) says nearly 22,000 deaths are reported annually in Sri Lanka due to tobacco use. MORE..
Brent oil gains 2% as US military strikes on Iran add to uncertainty on potential peace deal
Brent oil gains 2% as US military strikes on Iran add to uncertainty on potential peace deal
Brent crude futures rose over 2% in Asian trade on Tuesday after the U.S. military carried out strikes in Iran, keeping markets on edge as a deal to end the war and open up the Strait of Hormuz remained elusive. MORE..
Decisions on four corruption cases against Sarana Gunawardena postponed to June
Decisions on four corruption cases against Sarana Gunawardena postponed to June
The Colombo High Court has postponed the delivery of judgments in four cases filed by the Commission to Investigate Allegations of Bribery or Corruption (CIABOC) against former Deputy Minister Sarana Gunawardena until June 09. MORE..
| May 26, 2026 10:03 am
Verdicts in four cases against ex-Dy Minister Sarana Gunawardena due today
Verdicts in four cases against ex-Dy Minister Sarana Gunawardena due today
The judgments in four corruption cases filed by the Commission to Investigate Allegations of Bribery or Corruption (CIABOC) against former Deputy Minister Sarana Gunawardena are scheduled to be delivered today (26). MORE..
Former Scottish National Party chief pleads guilty to embezzling funds
Former Scottish National Party chief pleads guilty to embezzling funds
Former SNP chief executive Peter Murrell has admitted embezzling more than £400,000 from the party. MORE..
Ex-IGP Deshabandu Tennakoon to be indicted over attack on ‘Aragalaya’ protest
Ex-IGP Deshabandu Tennakoon to be indicted over attack on ‘Aragalaya’ protest
The Attorney General (AG) has informed the Supreme Court that indictments are expected to be filed within one month against former Inspector General of Police (IGP) Deshabandu Tennakoon over investigations into the attack carried out on the ‘Aragalaya’ protest movement in 2022, at the Galle Face Green in Colombo. MORE..
Sri Lanka’s Central Bank raises policy rate
Sri Lanka’s Central Bank raises policy rate
The Central Bank of Sri Lanka (CBSL) has decided to increase the Overnight Policy Rate (OPR) by 100 bps to 8.75%, following its latest Monetary Policy Board meeting held on Monday (25). MORE..
Heavy rainfall expected in some parts of the island today
Heavy rainfall expected in some parts of the island today
Southwest Monsoon is gradually establishing across the island, an increase in rainfall over the southwestern parts of the island is expected, according to the Department of Meteorology. MORE..
US military launches new strikes on targets in southern Iran, US Central Command says
US military launches new strikes on targets in southern Iran, US Central Command says
The US military says it has launched new strikes on southern Iran, targeting Iranian missile sites and boats attempting to place mines. MORE..
Vehicle prices may rise temporarily amid new import surcharges and leasing restrictions, importers warn
Vehicle prices may rise temporarily amid new import surcharges and leasing restrictions, importers warn
The Central Bank of Sri Lanka (CBSL) has indicated that vehicle prices could see a temporary increase due to higher surcharges imposed on vehicle imports and fluctuations in exchange rates. MORE..
Pilgrims kick off Haj as Mideast peace deal hangs in the balance
Pilgrims kick off Haj as Mideast peace deal hangs in the balance
Over 1.5 million Muslims began filling a vast tent city in the holy city of Mecca on Monday (May 25) for an annual Haj pilgrimage carried out against the backdrop of hopes for an end to the war in the Middle East. MORE..
19 injured as bus carrying factory workers overturns in Kahathuduwa
19 injured as bus carrying factory workers overturns in Kahathuduwa
A total of 19 individuals sustained minor injuries after a bus carrying apparel factory workers veered off the road and overturned into a paddy field along the Diyagama Road in Kahathuduwa today (25), according to police. MORE..
Southwest monsoon strengthens, heavy rain expected in several areas tomorrow
Southwest monsoon strengthens, heavy rain expected in several areas tomorrow
The Southwest monsoon is gradually establishing across the island, bringing increased rainfall to the southwestern parts of the country over the next few days, according to the Department of Meteorology. MORE..
WHO chief says fast-moving Ebola epidemic is outpacing response efforts
WHO chief says fast-moving Ebola epidemic is outpacing response efforts
The head of the World Health Organization said on Monday (May 25) that the fast-moving Ebola outbreak in Democratic Republic of Congo and Uganda was outpacing response efforts, giving the latest number of suspected deaths as 220. MORE..
PM to hold talks with graduates over teacher recruitment issue
PM to hold talks with graduates over teacher recruitment issue
A discussion between Prime Minister and Minister of Higher Education and Vocational Education, Dr. Harini Amarasuriya and representatives of the Education Graduate Association is scheduled to take place tomorrow (26) regarding the ongoing issue over teacher recruitment. MORE..
Northern Governor denies social media claims of Vesak dansal ban
Northern Governor denies social media claims of Vesak dansal ban
The Governor of the Northern Province, Nagalingam Vethanayahan has dismissed social media reports claiming that dansals and Vesak decorations have been banned in the Northern Province during this year’s Vesak season. MORE..
Landslide warnings issued to six districts extended
Landslide warnings issued to six districts extended
Level 2 landslide warnings have been issued to several areas of two districts owing to the prevailing heavy rainfall conditions across the country. MORE..
Trump demands Middle Eastern countries join Abraham Accords if Iran deal is reached
Trump demands Middle Eastern countries join Abraham Accords if Iran deal is reached
US President Donald Trump on Monday (May 25) urged Muslim-majority nations across the Middle East and beyond to normalise relations with Israel as part of the emerging Iran peace deal. MORE..
Sri Lanka nears one million tourist arrivals in 2026
Sri Lanka nears one million tourist arrivals in 2026
The number of foreign tourist arrivals in the country in 2026 is approaching the one million mark, according to data from the Sri Lanka Tourism Development Authority (SLTDA). MORE..
China’s Xi meets Pakistan PM Sharif as Iran war mediation drags on
China’s Xi meets Pakistan PM Sharif as Iran war mediation drags on
China’s leader Xi Jinping met with Pakistan’s Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif in Beijing on Monday (May 25), state media reported, as diplomatic efforts by several countries to formally end the Iran war drag on. MORE..
Guidelines issued to prevent spread of meningitis
Guidelines issued to prevent spread of meningitis
The Epidemiology Unit of the Ministry of Health has issued a set of special guidelines to all health authorities and relevant institutions aimed at controlling and preventing the spread of meningitis. MORE..
Special visits allowed for prison inmates for Hajj and Vesak festivals
Special visits allowed for prison inmates for Hajj and Vesak festivals
The Department of Prisons has announced special arrangements to facilitate family visits for inmates in view of the upcoming Hajj and Vesak festivals. MORE..
Select Committee to seek public opinions and feedback on election law review process
Select Committee to seek public opinions and feedback on election law review process
The Parliamentary Select Committee on Reviewing Election Laws has met for the first time in Parliament under the chairmanship of the Minister of Public Administration, Provincial Councils and Local Government, Prof. A.H.M.H. Abayarathna. MORE..
Pope Leo urges world to ‘slow down’ on AI in fervent first manifesto
Pope Leo urges world to ‘slow down’ on AI in fervent first manifesto
Pope Leo urged governments to slow down and closely regulate the development of AI systems in his first major document, released on Monday, warning that they spread misinformation, prioritise conflict and risk leading the world down a path of unending war. MORE..
Five forests in Anuradhapura declared as reserves
Five forests in Anuradhapura declared as reserves
The government has declared five forests as protected reserves in conjunction with World Environment Day. MORE..