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Tragedy at Victoria Reservoir: Two youths drown, one still missing

Tragedy at Victoria Reservoir: Two youths drown, one still missing

Two people have died and another remains missing after a group of four youths went to bathe in the Victoria Reservoir today (17).

| May 17, 2026  5:13 pm
Monaragala Disaster Relief Officer suspended over allegations of Ditwah compensation irregularities

Monaragala Disaster Relief Officer suspended over allegations of Ditwah compensation irregularities

A Disaster Relief Services Officer in the Monaragala District, who is accused of irregularities in connection with Ditwah compensation payments, has been suspended from duty. MORE..

| May 17, 2026  4:23 pm
Sri Lanka backs Commonwealth cancer plan at Geneva health talks

Sri Lanka backs Commonwealth cancer plan at Geneva health talks

The Minister of Health and Mass Media, Dr. Nalinda Jayatissa has attended the Commonwealth Health Coordination Forum held in Geneva, Switzerland, on the sidelines of the 79th World Health Assembly. MORE..

| May 17, 2026  3:59 pm
Two injured in collision involving NPP MP’s vehicle; Driver arrested

Two injured in collision involving NPP MP’s vehicle; Driver arrested

A cab carrying National People’s Power (NPP) Galle District Member of Parliament T.K. Jayasundara was involved in a collision with a three-wheeler in Dunghena, Galle, police stated. MORE..

| May 17, 2026  3:33 pm
Two remanded over railway track component theft linked to Wanawasala derailment

Two remanded over railway track component theft linked to Wanawasala derailment

The individual suspected of removing sections of the railway line between Wanawasala and Kelaniya, along with the individual alleged to have purchased the removed railway materials, has been remanded in custody until May 29, authorities said.

| May 17, 2026  3:13 pm
India, other oil importers to bilaterally negotiate transit corridors with Iran: Moody’s

India, other oil importers to bilaterally negotiate transit corridors with Iran: Moody’s

India and other oil importing nations are likely to negotiate bilaterally to secure energy supplies, potentially through coordinated transit corridors, but a return to pre-war traffic volumes is unlikely in 2026, Moody’s Ratings has said. MORE..

| May 17, 2026  2:51 pm
Railway union calls for urgent restoration of night patrols following Wanawasala train derailment

Railway union calls for urgent restoration of night patrols following Wanawasala train derailment

The Locomotive Operating Engineers’ Union has stated that the Railway Department’s night patrol services are currently not being properly carried out and has called for the immediate reinstatement of these services. MORE..

| May 17, 2026  2:39 pm
Residents allege corruption in Monaragala disaster relief payments; officials accused of taking commissions

Residents allege corruption in Monaragala disaster relief payments; officials accused of taking commissions

Residents in several parts of Monaragala have accused several officials attached to the Monaragala Divisional Secretariat of allegedly engaging in fraudulent practices during the distribution of disaster compensation funds. MORE..

video | May 17, 2026  2:13 pm
Govt. gazettes bill to abolish Chief of Defence Staff position and repeal 2009 Act

Govt. gazettes bill to abolish Chief of Defence Staff position and repeal 2009 Act

A bill to repeal the Chief of Defence Staff Act No. 35 of 2009 has been published through an official gazette notification. MORE..

| May 17, 2026  1:49 pm
Election Commission urges public to verify 2026 voter registration details before upcoming enrollment process

Election Commission urges public to verify 2026 voter registration details before upcoming enrollment process

The Election Commission of Sri Lanka has issued a notice regarding registration for the 2026 electoral register. MORE..

| May 17, 2026  1:39 pm
Popular hotel in Batticaloa sealed for two weeks after health violations

Popular hotel in Batticaloa sealed for two weeks after health violations

A popular hotel in Batticaloa city has been sealed under an order issued by the Batticaloa Magistrate’s Court. MORE..

| May 17, 2026  1:35 pm
Duo arrested with leopard skin, firearms, and ammunition in Wanathawilluwa

Duo arrested with leopard skin, firearms, and ammunition in Wanathawilluwa

Two individuals have been arrested by officers attached to the Department of Wildlife Conservation Wanathawilluwa sub-office for possessing a leopard skin, several firearms and ammunition inside a house located on a coconut estate. MORE..

| May 17, 2026  1:30 pm
PM to hold talks on concerns of uni students occupying Malwana residence

PM to hold talks on concerns of uni students occupying Malwana residence

Prime Minister and Minister of Education, Higher Education and Vocational Education Dr. Harini Amarasuriya has turned her attention to a group of university students who have been forcibly occupying for several days a property located in Malwana and administered by the Dompe Divisional Secretariat. MORE..

| May 17, 2026  12:52 pm
Wanawasala train derailment: Police reveals removed railway track parts sold for Rs. 3,000

Wanawasala train derailment: Police reveals removed railway track parts sold for Rs. 3,000

Police have revealed that parts removed from the railway line where a train derailment occurred have been sold for Rs. 3,000, and the individual who purchased the items has also been arrested after his identity was traced, Western Province North Deputy Inspector General of Police Kalinga Jayasinghe said. MORE..

video | May 17, 2026  12:03 pm
Farmers warn of large-scale protests to Colombo over fertilizer crisis and falling paddy prices

Farmers warn of large-scale protests to Colombo over fertilizer crisis and falling paddy prices

Farmers have warned the government that they will stage large-scale protest marches to Colombo if their legitimate demands are not addressed without delay. MORE..

| May 17, 2026  11:41 am
54-year-old found dead under suspicious circumstances in Mt. Lavinia

54-year-old found dead under suspicious circumstances in Mt. Lavinia

Police have launched an investigation following a report received by the Mount Lavinia Police regarding a suspicious death inside a residence in the Badovita area of Mount Lavinia. MORE..

| May 17, 2026  10:47 am
Putin to visit Chinese leader Xi Jinping days after Trump’s trip to Beijing

Putin to visit Chinese leader Xi Jinping days after Trump’s trip to Beijing

Russian President Vladimir Putin will meet with Chinese leader Xi Jinping on a two-day trip to Beijing next week, the Kremlin said Saturday. MORE..

| May 17, 2026  10:46 am
IMF Executive Board to consider Sri Lanka’s combined reviews on May 27

IMF Executive Board to consider Sri Lanka’s combined reviews on May 27

The International Monetary Fund (IMF) has scheduled May 27, 2026 for its Executive Board to decide on the Fifth and Sixth reviews of Sri Lanka’s Extended Fund Facility (EFF) programme. MORE..

| May 17, 2026  9:57 am
Long-delayed police promotions to be expedited - Minister

Long-delayed police promotions to be expedited - Minister

The Minister of Public Security and Parliamentary Affairs, Ananda Wijepala, says that long-overdue promotions for police officers, which had not been granted for over five years, are now being expedited. MORE..

| May 17, 2026  9:29 am
Rainfall decreases across major river basins – Irrigation Dpt.

Rainfall decreases across major river basins – Irrigation Dpt.

The Department of Irrigation says a decrease in rainfall was observed yesterday (16) in areas surrounding the Kalu, Kelani, and Attanagalu Oya river basins. MORE..

| May 17, 2026  8:30 am
WHO declares Ebola outbreak in Congo, Uganda an emergency of international concern

WHO declares Ebola outbreak in Congo, Uganda an emergency of international concern

The World Health Organization on Sunday declared an Ebola outbreak in the Democratic Republic of Congo and Uganda a ‘‘public health emergency of international concern." MORE..

| May 17, 2026  8:12 am
Over 5,200 affected by adverse weather conditions across Sri Lanka

Over 5,200 affected by adverse weather conditions across Sri Lanka

More than 5,200 individuals have been affected by the prevailing adverse weather conditions across Sri Lanka, according to the Disaster Management Centre (DMC). MORE..

| May 17, 2026  7:12 am
Man drives car into pedestrians in Italy, injuring eight

Man drives car into pedestrians in Italy, injuring eight

A man has driven his car into pedestrians in the northern Italian city of Modena, injuring eight people, four seriously, officials say. MORE..

| May 17, 2026  6:46 am
Several spells of showers expected in parts of the island

Several spells of showers expected in parts of the island

The low-pressure area located to the north of Sri Lanka is gradually weakening, according to the Department of Meteorology. MORE..

| May 17, 2026  6:30 am
Sri Lanka Police issues awareness message on preventing teenage pregnancies

Sri Lanka Police issues awareness message on preventing teenage pregnancies

Sri Lanka Police has issued a public awareness statement highlighting the rising reports of teenage pregnancies in Sri Lanka and urging stronger family and community engagement to protect children. MORE..

| May 16, 2026  10:26 pm