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Case against ex-SIS chief Suresh Sallay to be recalled on July 01

Case against ex-SIS chief Suresh Sallay to be recalled on July 01

The Colombo Fort Magistrate’s Court has ordered that the case pertaining to Suresh Sallay, who is being held under the Prevention of Terrorism Act (PTA), be called again on July 01. MORE..

| May 20, 2026  4:12 pm
New Batticaloa Public Library vested in the public

New Batticaloa Public Library vested in the public

The new Public Library Building of the Batticaloa Municipal Council was ceremonially vested in the public this morning (20) in the presence of President Anura Kumara Dissanayake, with former Member of Parliament M.A. Sumanthiran officially declaring the building open. MORE..

| May 20, 2026  4:10 pm
Sri Lanka launches digital seed production, certification and traceability system

Sri Lanka launches digital seed production, certification and traceability system

The Ministry of Agriculture, Livestock, Land and Irrigation and the Department of Agriculture, with the technical support of the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), launched the CROPIX Seed Production, Certification & Traceability System...MORE..

| May 20, 2026  3:40 pm
Four including alleged fake sureties in Kapila Chandrasena case granted bail

Four including alleged fake sureties in Kapila Chandrasena case granted bail

The Colombo Magistrate’s Court has ordered the release on bail of two suspects accused of acting as fraudulent sureties to secure bail for the late Kapila Chandrasena, who later died under suspicious circumstances, along with two others alleged to have aided and abetted the said offence. MORE..

| May 20, 2026  3:19 pm
JAAF says rupee depreciation driven by global pressures, not economic decline

JAAF says rupee depreciation driven by global pressures, not economic decline

The Joint Apparel Association Forum (JAAF) said the recent depreciation of the Sri Lankan rupee must be viewed in the context of wider global pressures, including the conflict in the Middle East, rising global fuel prices and increasing shipping costs. MORE..

| May 20, 2026  3:00 pm
Former SIS Chief Suresh Sallay produced before court

Former SIS Chief Suresh Sallay produced before court

Former Director of the State Intelligence Service (SIS), Suresh Sallay, who is currently being detained by the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) under the Prevention of Terrorism Act (PTA), has been produced before the Colombo Fort Magistrate’s Court. MORE..

| May 20, 2026  2:18 pm
Trump approval drops to 35% as Republican support softens, Reuters poll finds

Trump approval drops to 35% as Republican support softens, Reuters poll finds

Donald Trump’s presidential approval rating fell to nearly its lowest level since he returned to the White House, hit by a drop in support among Republicans, according to a new Reuters/Ipsos poll. MORE..

| May 20, 2026  2:05 pm
Last two bodies of Italian divers killed in scuba diving accident recovered, Maldives says

Last two bodies of Italian divers killed in scuba diving accident recovered, Maldives says

The last two bodies of Italian divers killed in a scuba diving accident in the Maldives have been recovered, the media office of the Maldives president said on Wednesday, completing recovery efforts after the island nation’s deadliest diving tragedy. MORE..

| May 20, 2026  1:59 pm
45–60 children born annually with Thalassemia, Health Ministry reveals

45–60 children born annually with Thalassemia, Health Ministry reveals

Sri Lanka has reported approximately 2,500 thalassemia patients, while between 45 and 60 children are born annually with major thalassemia, health officials revealed. MORE..

| May 20, 2026  1:08 pm
Sugar, dhal and rice prices likely to increase, importers warn

Sugar, dhal and rice prices likely to increase, importers warn

The Essential Food Importers’ Association has warned that the prices of several imported goods are likely to increase in the coming weeks due to the continuous depreciation of the Sri Lankan rupee and the rising value of the US dollar. MORE..

| May 20, 2026  12:30 pm
5.9-magnitude earthquake hits southwestern Japan

5.9-magnitude earthquake hits southwestern Japan

A strong earthquake with a preliminary magnitude of 5.9 rattled the southwestern island region of Amami in Kagoshima Prefecture on Wednesday, with no tsunami warning issued, the weather agency said, News.Az reports, citing Kyodo. MORE..

| May 20, 2026  12:08 pm
Speaker orders removal of MP Chamara Sampath from Parliament Chamber

Speaker orders removal of MP Chamara Sampath from Parliament Chamber

The Speaker of House, Dr. Jagath Wickramaratne has ordered Member of Parliament Chamara Sampath Dassanayake to be removed from the Parliament Chamber. MORE..

video | May 20, 2026  12:08 pm
Imported powdered milk prices increased

Imported powdered milk prices increased

The Milk Powder Importers’ Association has announced an increase in the prices of imported powdered milk, citing prevailing market conditions and exchange rate fluctuations. MORE..

| May 20, 2026  11:55 am
Expressway maintenance cost exceeds Rs. 5 billion, Minister reveals in Parliament

Expressway maintenance cost exceeds Rs. 5 billion, Minister reveals in Parliament

The Minister of Transport, Highways, and Urban Development, Bimal Rathnayake, stated that the annual maintenance cost for Sri Lanka’s entire expressway network, spanning 312.57 kilometers, amounts to Rs. 5,180.90 million. MORE..

| May 20, 2026  11:41 am
Putin, Xi hail ‘unyielding’ ties in talks after Trump visit

Putin, Xi hail ‘unyielding’ ties in talks after Trump visit

President Xi Jinping hailed China and Russia’s “unyielding” ties in talks with Vladimir Putin on Wednesday (May 20), as the pair met to underscore their alliance days after Donald Trump’s visit to the Asian superpower economy. MORE..

| May 20, 2026  11:39 am
US Dollar selling rate climbs above Rs. 342

US Dollar selling rate climbs above Rs. 342

The selling rate of the US dollar has risen above Rs. 342, according to the latest daily exchange rates released by the Central Bank of Sri Lanka (CBSL) today (20). MORE..

| May 20, 2026  11:10 am
Wimal Weerawansa says ready to face any legal action over War Heroes Memorial incident

Wimal Weerawansa says ready to face any legal action over War Heroes Memorial incident

Former Member of Parliament Wimal Weerawansa says he is prepared to face any legal proceedings in connection with the recent incident near the National War Heroes’ Memorial. MORE..

| May 20, 2026  11:09 am
UN cuts global growth forecast to 2.5%, blames Middle East crisis

UN cuts global growth forecast to 2.5%, blames Middle East crisis

The United Nations on Tuesday cut its forecast for global economic growth, saying the Middle East crisis had reignited inflationary pressures and heightened uncertainty. MORE..

| May 20, 2026  10:23 am
Police open fire at lorry allegedly transporting cattle illegally in Hungama

Police open fire at lorry allegedly transporting cattle illegally in Hungama

Police have opened fire on a lorry suspected of illegally transporting cattle in Kattakaduwa, Hungama, resulting in the arrest of four suspects, authorities said. MORE..

| May 20, 2026  10:00 am
John Swinney re-elected as Scotland’s first minister

John Swinney re-elected as Scotland’s first minister

Scottish National Party (SNP) leader John Swinney was re-elected as Scotland’s first minister on Tuesday after three rounds of voting in the Scottish Parliament. MORE..

| May 20, 2026  9:03 am
Indian Chief of Air Staff Calls on Deputy Minister of Defence

Indian Chief of Air Staff Calls on Deputy Minister of Defence

The Chief of the Air Staff of the Indian Air Force, Air Chief Marshal Amar Preet Singh PVSM, AVSM, paid a courtesy call on the Deputy Minister of Defence, Major General Aruna Jayasekara (Retd), at the Deputy Minister’s Office in Colombo. MORE..

| May 20, 2026  8:52 am
Sri Lanka’s tourist arrivals exceed 950,000 in 2026

Sri Lanka’s tourist arrivals exceed 950,000 in 2026

The number of tourist arrivals in Sri Lanka so far has crossed the 950,000 mark, the Sri Lanka Tourism Development Authority (SLTDA) stated. MORE..

| May 20, 2026  8:21 am
Three Chinese nationals arrested at BIA with 87 mobile phones

Three Chinese nationals arrested at BIA with 87 mobile phones

Three Chinese nationals have been arrested by Customs officers at the Bandaranaike International Airport (BIA), after being found in possession of a large consignment of mobile phones and batteries allegedly smuggled into the country, officials said. MORE..

| May 20, 2026  7:51 am
Eight bus drivers arrested in Kalutara while being under the influence of narcotics while on duty

Eight bus drivers arrested in Kalutara while being under the influence of narcotics while on duty

Eight bus drivers and one conductor have been arrested in Kalutara after being found allegedly under the influence of narcotics while on duty, police said. MORE..

| May 20, 2026  7:23 am
Mount Lavinia illegal television transmission station busted; one arrested

Mount Lavinia illegal television transmission station busted; one arrested

An illegally operated television transmission station using unauthorized communication equipment was raided in Mount Lavinia, with police arresting a suspect and seizing a large stock of equipment, authorities said. MORE..

| May 20, 2026  6:50 am