News Archive

Vesak Full Moon Poya Day confirmed for May 30 amid public debate

The Department of Buddhist Affairs has issued a clarification regarding the observance of Vesak Full Moon Poya Day this year on May 30. MORE..

(0)Comments | May 3, 2026  10:12 am

Trump says US could restart Iran strikes ‘if they misbehave’

U.S. President Donald Trump said on Saturday he had been told about the concept of a deal with Iran, but was waiting for the exact wording, while warning there was still the possibility of restarting strikes on the country if Tehran misbehaves. MORE..

(0)Comments | May 3, 2026  6:59 am

Vehicle prices expected to rise due to exchange rate and tax increases

Prasad Manange, the President of the Vehicle Importers’ Association of Sri Lanka (VIASL) has warned that vehicle prices are expected to increase in the near future due to the continued depreciation of the Sri Lankan Rupee against the US Dollar. MORE..

(0)Comments | May 3, 2026  3:31 pm

NFF condemns Govt statements undermining public confidence in judiciary

The National Freedom Front (NFF) has strongly condemned recent statements made by the government, alleging that they undermine public confidence in the judiciary. MORE..

(0)Comments | May 3, 2026  6:47 pm

Maldivian President to arrive in Sri Lanka today

President of the Republic of Maldives Dr. Mohammed Muizzu is scheduled to undertake a State Visit to Sri Lanka today (03), on the invitation of President Anura Kumara Dissanayake. MORE..

(0)Comments | May 3, 2026  8:12 am

No bus fare revision despite fuel price hike - Operators

Operators have confirmed that bus fares will not be revised despite the latest fuel price revision yesterday (02). MORE..

(0)Comments | May 3, 2026  1:47 pm

No official notice issued to Mahinda Rajapaksa over Airbus case, says spokesman

Former President Mahinda Rajapaksa has not received any official notice or communication from the Commission to Investigate Allegations of Bribery or Corruption (CIABOC) regarding the Airbus transaction, his media spokesman Attorney Manoj Gamage said. MORE..

(0)Comments | May 3, 2026  4:53 pm

Shooting reported at Galle Prison

A shooting incident has been reported inside the Galle Prison, the Police Media Division said. MORE..

(0)Comments | May 3, 2026  6:20 pm

VAT amendments to take effect from July 1

The Gazette containing amendments to the Value Added Tax (VAT) system, which will come into effect from July 1, has been issued by the Ministry of Finance, Planning & Economic Development. MORE..

(0)Comments | May 3, 2026  1:16 pm

Cargo ship attacked off Iran approaching Strait of Hormuz

A bulk carrier has been attacked by multiple small vessels off the coast of Iran. MORE..

(0)Comments | May 3, 2026  9:52 pm

Ex-President Mahinda Rajapaksa, ex-minister Piyankara Jayaratne summoned to CIABOC

Former President Mahinda Rajapaksa and former Minister Piyankara Jayaratne have been summoned to appear before the Commission to Investigate Allegations of Bribery or Corruption (CIABOC) on May 12, 2026. MORE..

(0)Comments | May 3, 2026  11:34 am

Lance Corporal arrested on bribery charges

A Lance Corporal serving at the Pandulagama Army Camp in Anuradhapura has been arrested by the Commission to Investigate Allegations of Bribery or Corruption on charges of soliciting and accepting a bribe of Rs. 129,600. MORE..

(0)Comments | May 3, 2026  8:47 pm

Israel approves plan to buy F-35 and F-15IA fighter jets

Israel gave final approval for a plan to purchase two new combat squadrons of F-35 and F-15IA advanced fighter aircraft from Lockheed Martin and Boeing in a deal worth tens of billions of dollars, the defence ministry said on Sunday (May 3). MORE..

(0)Comments | May 3, 2026  3:40 pm

Man missing after being swept away at Katukurunda Beach

A 55-year-old man has been reported missing after being swept away by strong sea currents while bathing at the Katukurunda Beach in Kalutara this evening (03), police said. MORE..

(0)Comments | May 3, 2026  7:46 pm

Three-wheeler operators call for fare hike and higher fuel quota

The National Joint Three-Wheeler Drivers and Industrial Workers’ Association (NJTWDIWA) has called for an increase in three-wheeler fares following yesterday’s fuel price revision. MORE..

(0)Comments | May 3, 2026  2:09 pm

Fairly heavy rainfall expected in parts of the island today

Showers or thundershowers will occur at several places in the Western, Sabaragamuwa, Central, North-western, North-central and Eastern provinces and in Badulla, Galle and Matara districts after 2.00 pm, today (03), the Department of Meteorology said. MORE..

(0)Comments | May 3, 2026  6:34 am

Authorities widen probe into US$2.5 million cyber heist

Comprehensive investigations are currently underway into an incident in which US$2.5 million belonging to the Ministry of Finance was allegedly misappropriated by a group of fraudsters, the Minister of Health and Mass Media Dr. Nalinda Jayatissa stated. MORE..

(0)Comments | May 3, 2026  3:09 pm

Met. Dept. warns of increased lightning risk amid ongoing rainy weather

There is a risk of strong lightning activity due to the prevailing rainy weather conditions across the country, the Department of Meteorology has stated. MORE..

(0)Comments | May 3, 2026  4:59 pm

All necessary measures taken to systematically curb drug trafficking – Defence Secretary

Defence Secretary, retired Air Vice Marshal Sampath Thuyacontha, stated that all necessary steps have been taken to systematically control drug trafficking in the country. MORE..

(0)Comments | May 3, 2026  8:45 am

Two killed in ‘suspicious’ Bristol house explosion in UK as major incident declared

Two adults have died after an explosion at a house in Sterncourt Road, Bristol, this morning, Avon and Somerset Police said. MORE..

(0)Comments | May 3, 2026  4:02 pm

Maldivian President Mohamed Muizzu arrives in Sri Lanka

The President of the Maldives, Dr. Mohamed Muizzu has arrived in Sri Lanka on an invitation extended by President Anura Kumara Dissanayake. MORE..

(0)Comments | May 3, 2026  5:37 pm

School transport fares likely to increase due to fuel price hike

The All-Island School Children Transportation Association says that with the recent revision in fuel prices, particularly the increase in diesel, school transport fares will also have to be raised. MORE..

(0)Comments | May 3, 2026  1:05 pm

Indian Prime Minister hails Mission Drishti as major space milestone

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday praised Mission Drishti by GalaxEye, calling it a major achievement in India’s growing space journey. MORE..

(0)Comments | May 3, 2026  8:21 pm

Over 590 arrested in island-wide crime and anti- drug operations

Acting on the instructions of the Inspector General of Police (IGP), a large number of individuals have been taken into custody during ongoing island-wide operations targeting crime and drug prevention. MORE..

(0)Comments | May 3, 2026  10:58 am

Oil tanker hijacked off coast of Yemen and taken towards Somalia

Somali pirates have hijacked an oil tanker off the coast of Yemen, according to multiple Somali security officials that spoke with the BBC. MORE..

(0)Comments | May 3, 2026  8:10 am

Lanka IOC increases Petrol 92 and Auto Diesel prices

Lanka IOC (LIOC) has increased the prices of Petrol Octane 92 and Auto Diesel, aligning its rates with those of the Ceylon Petroleum Corporation (Ceypetco). MORE..

(0)Comments | May 3, 2026  8:47 am

Suspect injured after police open fire during escape attempt

A suspect has been injured after police opened fire when he allegedly attempted to escape custody while being taken to the Galgamuwa Magistrate’s Court today (03). MORE..

(0)Comments | May 3, 2026  5:23 pm

Free Lawyers call for COPA probe into US$2.5 cyber heist

The Free Lawyers Organisation has called for an investigation through the Committee on Public Accounts (COPA) into the alleged misappropriation of US$2.5 million from the Treasury. MORE..

(0)Comments | May 3, 2026  7:08 pm

Fire breaks out in residential building in east Delhi, nine killed

At least nine people were killed after a fire broke out in a residential building in east Delhi’s Vivek Vihar early Sunday (May 3, 2026), according to Delhi Fire Services officials. MORE..

(0)Comments | May 3, 2026  2:39 pm

No food price hikes despite fuel price revision: Restaurant owners

Food prices will not be increased despite yesterday’s fuel price revision, according to the Chairman of the All Ceylon Restaurant Owners Association, Harshana Rukshan. MORE..

(0)Comments | May 3, 2026  6:01 pm

Fertilizer transport charges for Yala Season hiked; Farmers raise concerns

Farmers have raised concerns over a sharp increase in transport charges for the transportation of fertilizer for the Yala season. MORE..

(0)Comments | May 3, 2026  1:44 pm

Around 120 foreign nationals arrested over illegal financial operations in Rajagiriya

Around 120 foreign nationals have been arrested by police at a location on Meda Welikada Road in Rajagiriya. MORE..

(0)Comments | May 3, 2026  11:09 am

Trump says he is likely to reject peace proposal as Iran has ‘not yet paid a big enough price’

United States President Donald Trump said that he had yet to review the exact wording of a new Iranian peace proposal but he was unlikely to accept it, because the Iranians had not yet “paid a big enough price”. MORE..

(0)Comments | May 3, 2026  7:18 pm

80 million deaths annually linked to tobacco use worldwide

Nearly 80 million people die globally each year due to the use of tobacco products, the Chairperson of the National Authority on Tobacco and Alcohol (NATA), Specialist Dr. Ananda Rathnayake, has stated. MORE..

(0)Comments | May 3, 2026  4:29 pm

Trump says he’s dissatisfied with Iranian proposal as rift with allies deepens

US President Donald Trump said on Friday he was not satisfied with the latest Iranian proposal for talks on the Iran war, while Iran’s foreign minister said Tehran was ready for diplomacy if the United States changes its approach. MORE..

(0)Comments | May 2, 2026  6:48 am

Teenager drowns while swimming in Katupila Lake

A 16-year-old schoolboy has drowned while swimming in Katupila Lake within the Sewanagala Police Division. MORE..

(0)Comments | May 2, 2026  8:51 am

US Treasury warns shippers not to pay Hormuz tolls, even in form of charity

Any shipper paying tolls to Iran for passage through the Strait of Hormuz, including charitable donations to organizations such as the Iranian Red Crescent Society, is at risk of punitive sanctions, the U.S. Treasury warned on Friday. MORE..

(0)Comments | May 2, 2026  7:05 am

Final rites of FinMin official suspended over $2.5M cyber fraud to be held today

The final rites of the Assistant Director of the External Resources Department of the Ministry of Finance Ranga Nishantha Rajapaksa, who was found dead while under suspension in connection with the alleged misappropriation of USD 2.5 million linked to a cyber heist, are scheduled to be performed this evening (02). MORE..

(0)Comments | May 2, 2026  1:03 pm

Showers expected in several provinces after 1pm today

Showers or thundershowers will occur at several places in the Western, Sabaragamuwa, Central, Uva and Eastern provinces and in Polonnaruwa, Galle and Matara districts after 1.00 pm, the Department of Meteorology stated. MORE..

(0)Comments | May 2, 2026  6:35 am

One killed in head-on motorcycle collision in Horowpathana

One person has died following a head-on collision between two motorcycles at the 134th kilometre post along the Puttalam-Trincomalee road in Horowpathana. MORE..

(0)Comments | May 2, 2026  11:23 am

Trump says US Navy acting ‘like pirates’ to carry out naval blockade of Iranian ports

President Donald Trump said on Friday the U.S. Navy was acting “like pirates” in carrying out Washington’s naval blockade of Iranian ports during the U.S. and Israel’s war against Iran. MORE..

(0)Comments | May 2, 2026  10:24 am

US to cut troop levels in Germany by 5,000 amid Trump spat with Merz

The US Defence Department plans to withdraw 5,000 troops from Germany, amid a spat between President Donald Trump and German Chancellor Friedrich Merz over the war with Iran. MORE..

(0)Comments | May 2, 2026  10:08 am

Suspect arrested with foreign-made pistol in Pannala

A 38-year-old suspect has been arrested in the Hunuwila area of Pannala for the possession of a foreign-made pistol. MORE..

(0)Comments | May 2, 2026  11:53 am

At least 11 dead in western Mexico after bus careens off highway

A holiday Labor Day weekend turned tragic on Friday as at least 11 people died and 31 others were injured when a tourist bus crashed in Mexico’s western state of Nayarit. MORE..

(0)Comments | May 2, 2026  6:57 am

AI actors and writers will be ineligible for Oscars

Academy Awards organizers issued new rules on Friday to clarify that acting and writing must be performed by humans and not artificial intelligence to be eligible for the movie industry’s highest honors. MORE..

(0)Comments | May 2, 2026  7:35 am

Over 25,000 dengue cases reported so far in 2026

The National Dengue Control Unit (NDCU) says that a total of 25,082 dengue cases have been reported across Sri Lanka so far in 2026. MORE..

(0)Comments | May 2, 2026  10:51 am

Vesak ‘Dansal’ registration to begin Monday

Public Health Inspectors Union (PHIU) says registration of Vesak ‘Dansal’ will commence from Monday (04) ahead of the upcoming Vesak celebrations. MORE..

(0)Comments | May 2, 2026  8:26 am

22 monks arrested with narcotics at BIA to be produced before court today

A group of 22 Buddhist monks recently arrested over the smuggling of “Kush” cannabis and “Hashish” from Thailand are scheduled to be produced before the Negombo Magistrate’s Court again today (02). MORE..

(0)Comments | May 2, 2026  1:29 pm

Sri Lanka’s tourist arrivals surpass 850,000 so far this year

The Sri Lanka Tourism Development Authority (SLTDA) stated that the number of tourist arrivals in Sri Lanka so far this year has crossed the 850,000 mark. MORE..

(0)Comments | May 2, 2026  9:57 am

Netflix to give Greta Gerwig’s ‘Narnia’ wide theatrical release, marking a first

Netflix on Friday said it would put filmmaker Greta Gerwig’s “Narnia: The Magician’s Nephew” movie in wide theatrical release next year, where it will play exclusively for more than 45 days - a first for the streaming service. MORE..

(0)Comments | May 2, 2026  7:15 am