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Global fire outbreaks hit record high as ‘unprecedented’ heat extremes loom, scientists say

Global fire outbreaks hit record high as ‘unprecedented’ heat extremes loom, scientists say

Climate change has driven record-breaking outbreaks of fire in Africa, Asia and elsewhere this year, with conditions expected to get worse as the northern hemisphere’s summer approaches and El Nino weather patterns kick in, scientists warned on Tuesday. MORE..

| May 12, 2026  10:28 am
16 major and 10 medium reservoirs spilling amid heavy rainfall across Sri Lanka

16 major and 10 medium reservoirs spilling amid heavy rainfall across Sri Lanka

A total of 16 major reservoirs and 10 medium-sized reservoirs managed by the Department of Irrigation are currently spilling due to the prevailing heavy rainfall across the country, according to Director of Irrigation (Water Management) Eng. H.M.P.S.D. Herath. MORE..

| May 12, 2026  10:15 am
Additional fertilizer relief announced for small-scale tea plantation owners

Additional fertilizer relief announced for small-scale tea plantation owners

Minister of Plantations and Community Infrastructure Samantha Vidyaratne, stated that the government has decided to provide an additional fertilizer subsidy to small-scale tea plantation owners. MORE..

| May 12, 2026  10:01 am
Ex-President Mahinda Rajapaksa arrives at Bribery Commission

Ex-President Mahinda Rajapaksa arrives at Bribery Commission

Former President Mahinda Rajapaksa has appeared before the Commission to Investigate Allegations of Bribery or Corruption (CIABOC) this morning (12) to provide a statement regarding the alleged SriLankan Airlines Airbus deal. MORE..

video | May 12, 2026  9:34 am
Schools closed in Deniyaya following flu outbreak to reopen tomorrow

Schools closed in Deniyaya following flu outbreak to reopen tomorrow

Schools in the Deniyaya Education Zone, which were temporarily closed due to a flu outbreak, are scheduled to reopen tomorrow (13). MORE..

| May 12, 2026  9:29 am
Galle shooting victim succumbs to injuries

Galle shooting victim succumbs to injuries

The person injured in the shooting incident in the Dickson Junction area of Dangendara, Galle, has succumbed to his injuries. MORE..

| May 12, 2026  8:31 am
One injured as shooting incident reported in Galle

One injured as shooting incident reported in Galle

A shooting incident was reported this morning (12) in the Dickson Junction area of Dangendara, Galle. MORE..

| May 12, 2026  8:13 am
US issues new sanctions over Iran’s oil shipments to China

US issues new sanctions over Iran’s oil shipments to China

The U.S. government on Monday announced sanctions against three people and nine companies, including four based in Hong Kong and four in the United Arab Emirates, for aiding Iran’s shipment of oil to China. The ninth company is based in Oman. MORE..

| May 12, 2026  7:34 am
Pressure grows on UK’s Starmer to quit as PM

Pressure grows on UK’s Starmer to quit as PM

Britain’s Prime Minister Keir Starmer on Monday (May 11) vowed to prove his doubters wrong and stem mounting calls for him to step down after disastrous local and regional elections for his ruling Labour party. MORE..

| May 12, 2026  7:14 am
Nearly 200 foreign nationals arrested over cybercrime activities in separate raids

Nearly 200 foreign nationals arrested over cybercrime activities in separate raids

A total of 198 foreign nationals, including 173 Indians and 25 Nepalese nationals, have been arrested in separate raids conducted in the Galle, Hikkaduwa and Midigama areas for allegedly engaging in cybercrime activities, Sri Lanka Police said. MORE..

| May 12, 2026  6:52 am
US says 18 passengers flown back after hantavirus outbreak on ship

US says 18 passengers flown back after hantavirus outbreak on ship

US Department of Health and Human Services officials said on Monday that 18 passengers from the luxury cruise ship hit by a hantavirus outbreak were flown back to the U.S. and quarantined, with the one passenger who tested positive in a Nebraska biocontainment unit. MORE..

| May 12, 2026  6:29 am
Trump says Iran ceasefire is ‘on life support’ as hopes for a deal fade

Trump says Iran ceasefire is ‘on life support’ as hopes for a deal fade

US President Donald Trump said on Monday that a ceasefire with Iran was “on life support” after Tehran’s response to a US proposal to end the war made clear the two sides were still far apart on a number of issues. MORE..

| May 12, 2026  6:16 am
Heavy rainfall above 100 mm expected in parts of the island

Heavy rainfall above 100 mm expected in parts of the island

The low pressure area located northeast of Sri Lanka continues to persist in the sea area vicinity of the island, the Department of Meteorology said. MORE..

| May 12, 2026  6:04 am
54 foreign nationals arrested in Hikkaduwa over suspected cybercrime activities

54 foreign nationals arrested in Hikkaduwa over suspected cybercrime activities

A total of 54 foreign nationals have been arrested today (11) at a tourist hotel in Dodanduwa, Hikkaduwa, on suspicion of involvement in cyber-related criminal activities, the Special Task Force (STF) said. MORE..

| May 11, 2026  10:25 pm
Spill gates at several reservoirs opened amid heavy rainfall

Spill gates at several reservoirs opened amid heavy rainfall

A total of four spill gates of the Deduru Oya Reservoir have been raised and opened to a height of two feet each, the Department of Irrigation stated. MORE..

| May 11, 2026  10:00 pm
Donald Trump’s China visit set to test fragile truce

Donald Trump’s China visit set to test fragile truce

Beijing has confirmed that US President Donald Trump will travel to China this week to meet Xi Jinping. MORE..

| May 11, 2026  9:04 pm
Batuwatte Chamara detained for 72 hours for questioning

Batuwatte Chamara detained for 72 hours for questioning

Notorious underworld figure and alleged drug trafficker Manoj Suranga Liyanage, widely known as “Batuwatte Chamara,” was taken into custody for questioning following his repatriation to Sri Lanka after being arrested in Azerbaijan. MORE..

| May 11, 2026  8:47 pm
Udawalawa Reservoir sees massive 35,000 kg fish harvest following heavy rains

Udawalawa Reservoir sees massive 35,000 kg fish harvest following heavy rains

More than 35,000 kilograms of fish were harvested from the Udawalawa Reservoir over just two days — May 9 and 10 — according to the National Aquaculture Development Authority of Sri Lanka. MORE..

| May 11, 2026  8:22 pm
Tens of millions risk hunger as Hormuz standoff blocks fertiliser, UN official says

Tens of millions risk hunger as Hormuz standoff blocks fertiliser, UN official says

Tens of millions of people could face hunger and starvation if fertilisers are not soon allowed through the Strait of Hormuz, the head of a UN task force aimed at averting a looming humanitarian crisis told AFP on Monday (May 11). MORE..

| May 11, 2026  8:02 pm
Heavy rains over 100 mm forecast across Sri Lanka as low-pressure system intensifies

Heavy rains over 100 mm forecast across Sri Lanka as low-pressure system intensifies

The Department of Meteorology has warned that heavy showers exceeding 100 mm are likely in several parts of the country due to the influence of a low-pressure area located to the northeast of Sri Lanka. MORE..

| May 11, 2026  7:24 pm
Level 2 landslide warning issued to residents of Passara

Level 2 landslide warning issued to residents of Passara

Level 2 landslide warning has been issued to residents of Passara Divisional Secretariat Divisions (DSD) of the Badulla district owing to incessant rains experienced in parts of the island. MORE..

| May 11, 2026  7:02 pm
Police launch crackdown on illegal vehicle modifications and noisy exhaust systems

Police launch crackdown on illegal vehicle modifications and noisy exhaust systems

Sri Lanka Police have announced that strict legal action will be taken against vehicles fitted with unauthorized modifications and excessively noisy exhaust systems, as part of ongoing efforts to improve road safety and enforce traffic regulations across the country. MORE..

| May 11, 2026  6:39 pm
Philippine VP Sara Duterte impeached for a second time

Philippine VP Sara Duterte impeached for a second time

The Philippine House of Representatives has voted to impeach Vice-President Sara Duterte for a second time, threatening her plan to run for president in 2028. MORE..

| May 11, 2026  6:28 pm
President reviews progress of “Prajashakthi” National Movement

President reviews progress of “Prajashakthi” National Movement

Of the Rs. 25, 000 million allocated under the 2026 Budget for the “Prajashakthi” National Poverty Alleviation Programme, development projects valued at Rs. 23,000 million have already been approved and forwarded to District Secretaries for implementation, the President’s Media Division said in a statement. MORE..

| May 11, 2026  6:03 pm
GMOA denies any link to Trincomalee newborn death

GMOA denies any link to Trincomalee newborn death

The Government Medical Officers’ Association (GMOA) has denied any connection between its trade union activities and the death of a newborn during a delivery at the Trincomalee District General Hospital. MORE..

| May 11, 2026  5:54 pm