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GMOA raises alarm over public and professional safety after lawyer’s murder

GMOA raises alarm over public and professional safety after lawyer’s murder

The brutal shooting and killing of a lawyer and his wife has once again raised serious concerns regarding the safety of citizens and professionals in the country, the Government Medical Officers’ Association (GMOA) stated. MORE..

| February 18, 2026  7:18 am
Peru’s Congress removes President Jose Jeri after 4 months in office

Peru’s Congress removes President Jose Jeri after 4 months in office

Peru’s Congress voted on Tuesday to censure the country’s interim president, effectively ending the brief tenure of Jose Jeri after just over four months in office. MORE..

| February 18, 2026  7:09 am
Former Secretary to the President Saman Ekanayake to be produced in court today

Former Secretary to the President Saman Ekanayake to be produced in court today

Former Secretary to the President Saman Ekanayake is scheduled to be produced in court once again today (18). MORE..

| February 18, 2026  6:47 am
Several Arab, Islamic countries welcome holy month of Ramadan

Several Arab, Islamic countries welcome holy month of Ramadan

Several Arab and Islamic countries will welcome the holy month of Ramadan today, while others will start fasting a day later.

| February 18, 2026  6:14 am
Heavy rainfall above 75 mm expected in parts of the island today

Heavy rainfall above 75 mm expected in parts of the island today

Showers will occur at times in Northern, North-central, Central, Uva, Eastern and Southern provinces.

| February 18, 2026  5:36 am
Sri Lanka can achieve higher growth if necessary structural reforms take place: IMF Chief

Sri Lanka can achieve higher growth if necessary structural reforms take place: IMF Chief

Dr. Kristalina Georgieva, the Managing Director (MD) of the International Monetary Fund (IMF), visited the Central Bank of Sri Lanka on 17 February 2026 during her visit to Sri Lanka.

| February 18, 2026  5:34 am
IMF Chief commends ongoing economic stabilization efforts

IMF Chief commends ongoing economic stabilization efforts

Visiting Managing Director of the International Monetary Fund (IMF), Kristalina Georgieva has held discussions with Prime Minister Dr. Harini Amarasuriya in Colombo. MORE..

| February 18, 2026  5:33 am
Health Minister calls on new Bangladesh PM

Health Minister calls on new Bangladesh PM

Minister of Health and Mass Media Dr. Nalinda Jayatissa has paid a courtesy call on newly elected Prime Minister of Bangladesh Tarique Rahman in Dhaka. MORE..

| February 17, 2026  10:36 pm
Planned strike by locomotive operators called off

Planned strike by locomotive operators called off

The Locomotive Operating Engineers Union has called off the strike that was scheduled to commence from midnight today (17). MORE..

| February 17, 2026  10:10 pm
Sri Lanka achieved rapid macroeconomic stability: IMF Chief

Sri Lanka achieved rapid macroeconomic stability: IMF Chief

The Managing Director of the International Monetary Fund (IMF) Kristalina Georgieva stated that Sri Lanka has achieved macroeconomic and financial stability within a short period, highlighting the country’s significant economic turnaround. MORE..

| February 17, 2026  9:40 pm
New monthly air passenger record set with over 1 million movements in January

New monthly air passenger record set with over 1 million movements in January

The Airport & Aviation Services (Sri Lanka) (Private) Limited (AASL) has achieved a significant milestone by recording the highest-ever passenger movements in a single month across all Sri Lankan airports. MORE..

| February 17, 2026  9:08 pm
Sri Lanka to remove Pakistan from negative visa lists

Sri Lanka to remove Pakistan from negative visa lists

President Anura Kumara Dissanayake has reportedly directed authorities to immediately remove Pakistan from all “negative” visa lists following a meeting with Pakistan’s Federal Interior Minister and Pakistan Cricket Board Chairman Mohsin Naqvi. MORE..

| February 17, 2026  8:50 pm
India tells global tech platforms to follow constitution after tougher content rules

India tells global tech platforms to follow constitution after tougher content rules

India’s information minister said on Tuesday that big tech platforms like Google’s YouTube, Meta, X and Netflix must operate within the country’s constitutional framework, a week after New Delhi tightened its content-takedown rules. MORE..

| February 17, 2026  8:23 pm
President Anura Kumara begins India visit

President Anura Kumara begins India visit

President Anura Kumara Dissanayake, who departed Sri Lanka to attend the AI Impact Summit 2026 at the special invitation of Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, arrived at the Indira Gandhi International Airport, New Delhi, this afternoon (17). MORE..

| February 17, 2026  8:07 pm
Speaker endorses certificate on Parliamentary Pensions (Repeal) Bill

Speaker endorses certificate on Parliamentary Pensions (Repeal) Bill

The Parliamentary Pensions (Repeal) Bill was passed in Parliament today (17) with a majority of 152 votes.

| February 17, 2026  7:35 pm
Acting Registrar of Births and Deaths arrested for accepting bribe

Acting Registrar of Births and Deaths arrested for accepting bribe

The Commission to Investigate Allegations of Bribery or Corruption (CIABOC) has arrested an Acting Registrar of Births and Deaths attached to the Alayadiwembu Divisional Secretariat for allegedly soliciting and accepting a bribe in connection with the registration of a birth certificate. MORE..

| February 17, 2026  7:25 pm
Monk arrested for fraudulently collecting money using two Ministers’ photos

Monk arrested for fraudulently collecting money using two Ministers’ photos

A monk has been arrested today (17) for allegedly collecting money by creating fake WhatsApp accounts using the photographs of Minister of Energy Kumara Jayakody and Minister of Ports and Civil Aviation Anura Karunathilaka. MORE..

| February 17, 2026  6:26 pm
Another suspect linked to Akuregoda shooting arrested

Another suspect linked to Akuregoda shooting arrested

Another individual suspected to have transported the weapons used in the killing of the lawyer and his wife in Akuregoda on February 13 has been arrested this evening (17), police stated. MORE..

| February 17, 2026  6:23 pm
Parliamentary Pensions (Repeal) Bill passed

Parliamentary Pensions (Repeal) Bill passed

The Parliamentary Pensions (Repeal) Bill has been passed in Parliament without amendments. MORE..

| February 17, 2026  6:01 pm
Second reading of Parliamentary Pensions (Repeal) Bill passed

Second reading of Parliamentary Pensions (Repeal) Bill passed

The second reading of the Parliamentary Pensions (Repeal) Bill has been passed in Parliament.

| February 17, 2026  5:42 pm
Australia knocked out of T20 World Cup following Zimbabwe-Ireland washout in Pallekele

Australia knocked out of T20 World Cup following Zimbabwe-Ireland washout in Pallekele

Australia was knocked out of the T20 World Cup 2026 tournament after the group-stage match between Ireland and Zimbabwe was washed out on Tuesday in Pallekele. MORE..

| February 17, 2026  5:41 pm
Locomotive operators to launch a strike at midnight

Locomotive operators to launch a strike at midnight

A group of Sri Lanka Railway locomotive operators have announced they will launch a strike from midnight today (17). MORE..

| February 17, 2026  5:25 pm
IMF Chief visits cyclone-affected areas

IMF Chief visits cyclone-affected areas

The Managing Director of the International Monetary Fund (IMF), Kristalina Georgieva commenced her official engagements in Sri Lanka with field visits to areas affected by Cyclone Ditwah, inspecting damage and interacting with impacted communities as part of efforts to support recovery and long-term resilience. MORE..

| February 17, 2026  5:15 pm
President Anura Kumara holds talks with visiting UK Deputy PM David Lammy

President Anura Kumara holds talks with visiting UK Deputy PM David Lammy

President Anura Kumara Dissanayake emphasised the visit of the United Kingdom’s Deputy Prime Minister, David Lammy, as timely and significant, noting that it helps reinforce international confidence in Sri Lanka’s recovery and underlines the importance of the visit at this juncture. MORE..

| February 17, 2026  5:10 pm
IMF Chief Kristalina Georgieva meets President Anura Kumara Dissanayake

IMF Chief Kristalina Georgieva meets President Anura Kumara Dissanayake

The Managing Director of the International Monetary Fund (IMF), Kristalina Georgieva met President Anura Kumara Dissanayake today (17) at the Presidential Secretariat to discuss Sri Lanka’s economic recovery, post-disaster assistance and the next phase of the IMF-supported reform programme. MORE..

| February 17, 2026  5:01 pm