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12 injured after train derails between Wanawasala and Hunupitiya
12 injured after train derails between Wanawasala and Hunupitiya
Twelve passengers were injured after a train travelling from Polgahawela to Colombo derailed, causing one carriage to overturn on the railway line between Wanawasala and Hunupitiya this morning (16). MORE..
| May 16, 2026 7:30 am
Oil prices climb more than 3% on fears of new US-Iran combat
Oil prices climb more than 3% on fears of new US-Iran combat
Oil prices gained more than 3% on Friday, after comments by U.S. President Donald Trump and Iran’s foreign minister further dented hopes of a deal to end ship attacks and seizures around the Strait of Hormuz. MORE..
Israel, Lebanon extend ceasefire by 45 days as Washington talks conclude
Israel, Lebanon extend ceasefire by 45 days as Washington talks conclude
Israel and Lebanon agreed to a 45-day extension of a ceasefire that has tamped down the conflict between Israel and Iran-backed Hezbollah in southern Lebanon, as two days of talks facilitated by Washington concluded on Friday with an agreement to hold further meetings in the coming weeks. MORE..
Trump warns Taiwan against declaring independence, hours after summit with China’s Xi
Trump warns Taiwan against declaring independence, hours after summit with China’s Xi
US President Donald Trump has cautioned Taiwan against formally declaring independence from China.MORE..
Fairly heavy showers expected in several parts of the island today
Fairly heavy showers expected in several parts of the island today
The Department of Meteorology stated that, according to today’s latest weather analysis, the low-pressure area located northeast of Sri Lanka continues to persist. MORE..
Sri Lankan Rupee depreciating at unprecedented speed, warns Dilith Jayaweera
Sri Lankan Rupee depreciating at unprecedented speed, warns Dilith Jayaweera
The leader of ‘Sarvajana Balaya’, Member of Parliament (MP) Dilith Jayaweera, states that the Sri Lankan Rupee is currently depreciating even faster than during the country’s worst economic collapse. MORE..
| May 15, 2026 9:48 pm
Economists warn soaring US Dollar rate could pressure Sri Lanka’s economy
Economists warn soaring US Dollar rate could pressure Sri Lanka’s economy
Economists warn that if the Sri Lankan rupee continues to depreciate, fuel prices, electricity and water tariffs, as well as the prices of goods and services, could increase in the future.MORE..
India deepens defence, energy ties with UAE during PM Modi visit
India deepens defence, energy ties with UAE during PM Modi visit
India and the United Arab Emirates agreed the framework for a strategic defence partnership on Friday, the Indian foreign ministry said, as they seek to deepen ties amid the Iran war. MORE..
Xi to pay state visit to U.S. in autumn this year
Xi to pay state visit to U.S. in autumn this year
Chinese President Xi Jinping will pay a state visit to the United States in autumn this year at the invitation of U.S. President Donald Trump, Chinese top diplomat Wang Yi said on Friday. MORE..
UK anti-immigration social media accounts traced to Sri Lanka and Vietnam – BBC
UK anti-immigration social media accounts traced to Sri Lanka and Vietnam – BBC
A major BBC News investigation has revealed that a network of “patriotic” UK anti-immigration social media accounts was actually traced back to users in Sri Lanka and Vietnam. MORE..
High-level ICC team to reach Sri Lanka – report
High-level ICC team to reach Sri Lanka – report
A high-level ICC team, including a top BCCI official, is reaching Sri Lanka in the aftermath of the government’s appointment of an interim committee to run Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC), Indian media reported. MORE..
Sufficient fuel stocks available until August, requests already made for remaining months – officials
Sufficient fuel stocks available until August, requests already made for remaining months – officials
Prime Minister Dr. Harini Amarasuriya has stated that the government has managed the energy crisis in a way that does not cause hardship to the public, unlike in some other countries, by bearing the associated costs without placing a burden on the people and by implementing a sustainable management process. MORE..
Trump says US and China are aligned on Iran, Tehran must make a deal soon
Trump says US and China are aligned on Iran, Tehran must make a deal soon
U.S. President Donald Trump said his patience with Iran was running out and that Chinese President Xi Jinping had agreed during their talks in Beijing that Tehran must reopen the Strait of Hormuz. MORE..
Magnitude 6.3 earthquake hits northern Japan, no tsunami warning issued
Magnitude 6.3 earthquake hits northern Japan, no tsunami warning issued
An earthquake with a preliminary magnitude of 6.3 hit northern Japan on Friday, the Japan Meteorological Agency said. MORE..
CBSL launches online complaint management system for financial consumers
CBSL launches online complaint management system for financial consumers
The Central Bank of Sri Lanka (CBSL) has announced the launch of an online Complaint Management System (CMS), marking a significant step to facilitate the submission of complaints and grievances by financial consumers relating to Financial Service Providers (FSPs) regulated by CBSL. MORE..
Expansion of PayPal services in Sri Lanka officially announced
Expansion of PayPal services in Sri Lanka officially announced
Marking a significant milestone in the digital economy, the official announcement on the expansion of PayPal services in Sri Lanka was made this morning (16) at the Galle Face Hotel under the patronage of Prime Minister Dr Harini Amarasuriya. MORE..
23 monks remanded over drug smuggling urged to voluntarily disrobe
23 monks remanded over drug smuggling urged to voluntarily disrobe
The Registrars of the three main Buddhist chapters (Nikayas) in Sri Lanka have requested 23 arrested monks, who are currently in remand custody over allegations of smuggling narcotics from Thailand, to voluntarily disrobe to return to lay life. MORE..
| May 15, 2026 4:42 pm
US Dollar selling rate exceeds Rs. 331
US Dollar selling rate exceeds Rs. 331
The selling price of the US Dollar has exceeded Rs. 331 against the Sri Lankan Rupee. MORE..
New outbreak of Ebola kills 65 in eastern DR Congo
New outbreak of Ebola kills 65 in eastern DR Congo
Africa’s top health agency has declared an Ebola outbreak in the Democratic Republic of Congo’s eastern Ituri province. MORE..
Indian passenger arrested at BIA with over 2kg of cocaine
Indian passenger arrested at BIA with over 2kg of cocaine
A foreign national passenger was arrested at the arrival terminal of the Bandaranaike International Airport (BIA) by officers of the Customs Narcotics Control Unit while attempting to smuggle a stock of cocaine valued at around Rs. 108 million through the ‘Green Channel’ this morning (15). MORE..
Sri Lanka and Belarus sign MoU to strengthen health sector cooperation
Sri Lanka and Belarus sign MoU to strengthen health sector cooperation
Minister of Foreign Affairs, Foreign Employment and Tourism, Vijitha Herath, who is currently on an official visit to Belarus, stated that he held discussions with Belarusian Minister of Health Aliaksandr Khajayeu on expanding cooperation in the health sector between Sri Lanka and Belarus. MORE..
Sanath Nishantha’s brother sentenced to prison
Sanath Nishantha’s brother sentenced to prison
The former Chairman of the Arachchikattuwa Pradeshiya Sabha, Jagath Samantha, has been sentenced to five and a half years of imprisonment after being found guilty of assaulting the Divisional Secretary of Arachchikattuwa. MORE..
Trump leaves China after talks dominated by trade, oil and Taiwan
Trump leaves China after talks dominated by trade, oil and Taiwan
U.S. President Donald Trump departed Beijing Friday after two days of talks with Chinese President Xi Jinping that ran the gamut from Iran and Taiwan to trade, oil and Boeing. MORE..
Provincial Council elections will be held within this year - Minister
Provincial Council elections will be held within this year - Minister
The Minister of Science and Technology, Chrishantha Abeyasena, has stated that the Provincial Council elections will definitely be held within this year. MORE..
| May 15, 2026 12:21 pm
74 Vietnamese nationals further remanded over alleged online scams
74 Vietnamese nationals further remanded over alleged online scams
The Fort Magistrate’s Court has ordered that 74 Vietnamese nationals arrested and remanded on suspicion of involvement in online financial scams be further remanded until May 21. MORE..