News Archive

Gradual recession of river water levels amid reduced rainfall: Irrigation Dept.

The Department of Irrigation states that river water levels, which had risen previously, are gradually receding following a slight reduction in rainfall. MORE..

(0)Comments | May 16, 2026  8:52 am

12 injured after train derails between Kelaniya and Wanawasala

Twelve passengers were injured after a train travelling from Polgahawela to Colombo derailed, causing one carriage to overturn on the railway line between Kelaniya and Wanawasala railway stations this morning (16). MORE..

(0)Comments | May 16, 2026  7:30 am

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..

(0)Comments | May 16, 2026  6:51 am

141 houses partially damaged across Sri Lanka due to bad weather: DMC

The Disaster Management Centre (DMC) states that a total of 141 houses have been partially damaged across Sri Lanka due to the prevailing adverse weather conditions. MORE..

(0)Comments | May 16, 2026  9:06 am

Govt imposes 50% surcharge on imported vehicles for three months

The Ministry of Finance, Planning and Economic Development of Sri Lanka has officially announced the implementation of a temporary 50% surcharge on applicable Customs Import Duty for specified imported goods. MORE..

(0)Comments | May 16, 2026  10:25 am

‘Sonic 4’ wraps shooting; first look at metal sonic revealed

Director Jeff Fowler has wrapped filming on “Sonic the Hedgehog 4.” MORE..

(0)Comments | May 16, 2026  11:28 am

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..

(0)Comments | May 16, 2026  6:40 am

Police officers apologize to petitioning lawyers over disruption of 2022 Galle Fort protest

The former Deputy Inspector General (DIG) of the Galle region and two other senior police officers have tendered an unconditional apology before the Supreme Court to a group of lawyers over the disruption of a peaceful protest they held near the Galle Fort during the 2022 economic crisis. MORE..

(0)Comments | May 16, 2026  1:15 pm

More details emerge on Wanawasala train derailment

More details have emerged regarding the incident in which a train derailed and a carriage overturned on the railway line between Kelaniya and Wanawasala railway stations. MORE..

(0)Comments | May 16, 2026  8:59 am

Motorcyclist killed in collision with tipper truck in Kumbuka

A 31-year-old person has died following a road accident reported in the Kumbuka area on the Horana-Colombo main road. MORE..

(0)Comments | May 16, 2026  11:41 am

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..

(0)Comments | May 16, 2026  7:29 am

Trump says US has killed second-in-command ISIS leader

US President Donald Trump says American and Nigerian forces have killed the second-in-command leader of ISIS globally. MORE..

(0)Comments | May 16, 2026  9:33 am

Body of army soldier found in well in Homagama

Police have recovered a body from a well located near a paddy field in the Pitipana South area within the Homagama Police Division. MORE..

(0)Comments | May 16, 2026  9:54 am

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..

(0)Comments | May 16, 2026  7:03 am

Wanawasala train derailment: Suspect arrested over removal of railway track bolts

A suspect has been arrested on suspicion of removing bolts from the railway track at the location where a train derailment occurred earlier today (16). MORE..

(0)Comments | May 16, 2026  12:36 pm

John Travolta surprised with Cannes award ahead of directorial debut

US screen legend John Travolta, star of hits such as “Pulp Fiction” and “Grease,” was surprised on Friday with an honorary Palme d’Or prize at the Cannes Film Festival, before the premiere of his directorial debut “Propeller One-Way Night Coach.” MORE..

(0)Comments | May 16, 2026  10:52 am

New outbreak of Ebola kills 80 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..

(0)Comments | May 16, 2026  12:46 pm

Red warning issued for heavy rains; system expected to recede within 36 hours

A red warning for heavy rainfall in several areas of the country has been issued by the Department of Meteorology. MORE..

(0)Comments | May 15, 2026  10:34 am

Multiple reservoirs across Sri Lanka spill amid ongoing heavy rainfall

The Department of Irrigation reports that 21 major reservoirs and more than 19 medium-scale reservoirs under its management are currently spilling. MORE..

(0)Comments | May 15, 2026  9:40 am

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..

(0)Comments | May 15, 2026  9:18 pm

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..

(0)Comments | May 15, 2026  6:14 pm

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..

(0)Comments | May 15, 2026  7:54 pm

Very heavy showers above 150 mm likely in some areas today

According to the Department of Meteorology, the low-pressure area located northeast of Sri Lanka persists. MORE..

(0)Comments | May 15, 2026  8:44 am

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..

(0)Comments | May 15, 2026  12:21 pm

Death toll from adverse weather in Sri Lanka rises to two

The Disaster Management Centre (DMC) states that a total of two deaths have been reported as a result of the disaster situation affecting several districts across the island. MORE..

(0)Comments | May 15, 2026  8:45 am

US Dollar selling rate exceeds Rs. 331

The selling price of the US Dollar has exceeded Rs. 331 against the Sri Lankan Rupee. MORE..

(0)Comments | May 15, 2026  3:58 pm

Trump says China wants to buy oil from US

U.S. President Donald Trump said China wants to buy ⁠oil from the United States. MORE..

(0)Comments | May 15, 2026  10:27 am

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..

(0)Comments | May 15, 2026  2:00 pm

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..

(0)Comments | May 15, 2026  9:05 pm

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..

(0)Comments | May 15, 2026  4:42 pm

Minor flood warning issued for Kuda Ganga sub-basin of Kalu River

The Department of Irrigation has issued a minor flood warning for the next 48 hours regarding the Kuda Ganga sub-basin of the Kalu River. MORE..

(0)Comments | May 15, 2026  9:07 am

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..

(0)Comments | May 15, 2026  1:26 pm

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..

(0)Comments | May 15, 2026  12:45 pm

Avissawella records highest rainfall as heavy showers affect island-wide river basins

The highest rainfall recorded during the 24-hour period ending at 5.00 a.m. today (15) was observed in the Avissawella area, amid adverse weather conditions affecting the island. MORE..

(0)Comments | May 15, 2026  9:28 am

NBRO extends landslide warnings amid heavy rainfall across Sri Lanka

Taking into account the prevailing heavy rainfall across Sri Lanka, the National Building Research Organisation (NBRO) has extended the landslide early warnings issued last night (14). MORE..

(0)Comments | May 15, 2026  11:56 am

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..

(0)Comments | May 15, 2026  7:07 pm

Trump and Xi set for second day of talks after Taiwan warning

U.S. President Donald Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping are set to meet on Friday to wrap up a two-day state visit that has featured pomp and business deals but also a stark warning from Xi that mishandling the Taiwan issue could push U.S.-China relations to “a very dangerous ‌place.” MORE..

(0)Comments | May 15, 2026  5:39 am

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..

(0)Comments | May 15, 2026  12:03 pm

Scientists dig up Southeast Asia’s largest dinosaur in Thailand

Along a meandering river in a warm and arid region that is now Thailand roughly 113 million years ago, a plant-eating behemoth almost 90 feet (27 meters) long browsed on the treetops without much fear of predators due to its sheer size. MORE..

(0)Comments | May 15, 2026  11:19 am

88 houses partially damaged across seven districts due to bad weather - DMC

The Disaster Management Centre (DMC) reports that 88 houses across the island have sustained partial damage due to prevailing adverse weather conditions in Sri Lanka. MORE..

(0)Comments | May 15, 2026  10:31 am

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..

(0)Comments | May 15, 2026  4:44 pm

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..

(0)Comments | May 15, 2026  5:48 pm

Schools in Hatton Education Zone closed today due to bad weather

Due to the prevailing heavy rainfall across Sri Lanka, a special holiday has been declared today (15) for all schools within the Hatton Education Zone. MORE..

(0)Comments | May 15, 2026  8:46 am

US Justice Dept close to dropping charges against India’s Gautam Adani, sources say

The U.S. Justice Department is close to dropping criminal fraud charges against Gautam Adani, an Indian billionaire who has promised to invest $10 billion in the U.S. economy, according to two sources familiar with the matter. MORE..

(0)Comments | May 15, 2026  5:45 am

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..

(0)Comments | May 15, 2026  7:44 pm

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..

(0)Comments | May 15, 2026  2:25 pm

CAA takes legal action against traders overcharging for Samba rice

The Consumer Affairs Authority (CAA) states that legal action has been initiated against a group of traders in the Marawila area for selling Samba rice above the government-mandated Maximum Retail Price (MRP). MORE..

(0)Comments | May 15, 2026  11:33 am

India hikes petrol, diesel prices more than 3%, retailers say

India has raised petrol and diesel prices for the first time in four years by 3 rupees ($0.03) per litre, or more than 3%, according to retailers in Delhi on Friday, to recoup some of the losses incurred due to higher global crude oil prices. MORE..

(0)Comments | May 15, 2026  10:59 am

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..

(0)Comments | May 15, 2026  12:30 pm

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..

(0)Comments | May 15, 2026  5:22 pm