Sri Lanka marks 17 years since the defeat of three-decade terrorism
Today (18) marks 17 years since the defeat of the brutal LTTE terrorism that plagued Sri Lanka for more than three decades. MORE..
- Stock markets fall in Middle East after US and Iran deal doubts
- Two brothers drown in abandoned quarry in Kekirawa
- All document attestation services at Foreign Ministry Consular Division suspended
- Benjamin Netanyahu speaks with Donald Trump about Iran war
- Fairly heavy rainfall expected in parts of the island today
- Oil touches 2-week high after drone attack on UAE nuclear power plant
- Hantavirus-hit cruise ship due to arrive at Rotterdam port as final destination
- Sri Lanka marks 17 years since the defeat of three-decade terrorism
- Chinese national arrested with stock of foreign cigarettes in Kollupitiya
- Nepali Sherpa scales Mount Everest for a record 32nd time
Hot News
Nepali Sherpa scales Mount Everest for a record 32nd time
A renowned Nepali Sherpa guide scaled Mount Everest for the 32nd time on Sunday, an official said, smashing his own record set last year. MORE..
Chinese national arrested with stock of foreign cigarettes in Kollupitiya
A foreign national has been arrested in Kollupitiya, near Nimalka Gardens, with 540 sticks of foreign cigarettes allegedly brought into Sri Lanka illegally. MORE..
Hantavirus-hit cruise ship due to arrive at Rotterdam port as final destination
The hantavirus-hit cruise ship MV Hondius was due to dock in Rotterdam on Monday morning for disinfection, with Dutch authorities preparing quarantine arrangements for the 25 crew members and two medical staff remaining on board. MORE..
Oil touches 2-week high after drone attack on UAE nuclear power plant
Oil prices extended gains on Monday as efforts to end the U.S.-Israeli war on Iran appeared to have stalled, after a nuclear power plant in the United Arab Emirates came under attack and as U.S. President Donald Trump is expected to discuss military options on Iran. MORE..
Fairly heavy rainfall expected in parts of the island today
Showers or thundershowers will occur at times in Western, Sabaragamuwa, Central, North-western and Northern provinces and in Galle and Matara districts, today (18), the Department of Meteorology said. MORE..
Benjamin Netanyahu speaks with Donald Trump about Iran war
Israel Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu spoke with US President Donald Trump minutes ago about the war with Iran before convening a limited security discussion this evening, Netanyahu’s office confirms to The Times of Israel. MORE..
All document attestation services at Foreign Ministry Consular Division suspended
All document attestation services at the Consular Affairs Division of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs have been temporarily suspended until further notice due to an unexpected technical failure of the Electronic Document Attestation System (e-DAS). MORE..
Two brothers drown in abandoned quarry in Kekirawa
Two brothers drowned this afternoon (17) while swimming in an abandoned quarry in Samagigama, Kekirawa, police said. MORE..
Stock markets fall in Middle East after US and Iran deal doubts
Stock markets in the Middle East closed lower on Sunday after both US President Donald Trump and Iran’s Foreign Minister threw doubt on a deal to end the tension in the Strait of Hormuz. MORE..
Muslims in Sri Lanka to celebrate Haj festival on May 28
Muslims in Sri Lanka will celebrate the Haj festival (Eid al-Adha) on 28 May, the Colombo Grand Mosque has announced. MORE..
Indian worker among four killed as Ukraine launches largest drone attack on Moscow in over a year
Four people were killed in overnight Ukrainian drone strikes on Russia, authorities have said – in what appears to be the largest attack on Moscow in over a year. MORE..
Hanif Yusoof informs President of decision to step down as Western Province Governor
The Governor of the Western Province, Hanif Yusoof says he has notified President Anura Kumara Dissanayake of his desire to resign from the post. MORE..
Death toll in Victoria Reservoir tragedy increases to three
The body of another individual missing after a group of four youths went to bathe in the Victoria Reservoir today (17), has been found.
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May 17, 2026 6:09 pm
Sri Lanka, Belarus agree to expand bilateral ties
The Minister of Foreign Affairs, Foreign Employment and Tourism, Vijitha Herath has concluded his official visit to the Republic of Belarus. MORE..
Tragedy at Victoria Reservoir: Two youths drown, one still missing
Two youths have died after a group of four went swimming in the Victoria Reservoir near the Bambaragala Temple area in the Teldeniya Police Division. MORE..
Chinese national arrested with stock of foreign cigarettes in Kollupitiya
A foreign national has been arrested in Kollupitiya, near Nimalka Gardens, with 540 sticks of foreign cigarettes allegedly brought into Sri Lanka illegally. MORE..
Hantavirus-hit cruise ship due to arrive at Rotterdam port as final destination
The hantavirus-hit cruise ship MV Hondius was due to dock in Rotterdam on Monday morning for disinfection, with Dutch authorities preparing quarantine arrangements for the 25 crew members and two medical staff remaining on board. MORE..
Oil touches 2-week high after drone attack on UAE nuclear power plant
Oil prices extended gains on Monday as efforts to end the U.S.-Israeli war on Iran appeared to have stalled, after a nuclear power plant in the United Arab Emirates came under attack and as U.S. President Donald Trump is expected to discuss military options on Iran. MORE..
Fairly heavy rainfall expected in parts of the island today
Showers or thundershowers will occur at times in Western, Sabaragamuwa, Central, North-western and Northern provinces and in Galle and Matara districts, today (18), the Department of Meteorology said. MORE..
Benjamin Netanyahu speaks with Donald Trump about Iran war
Israel Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu spoke with US President Donald Trump minutes ago about the war with Iran before convening a limited security discussion this evening, Netanyahu’s office confirms to The Times of Israel. MORE..
All document attestation services at Foreign Ministry Consular Division suspended
All document attestation services at the Consular Affairs Division of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs have been temporarily suspended until further notice due to an unexpected technical failure of the Electronic Document Attestation System (e-DAS). MORE..
Two brothers drown in abandoned quarry in Kekirawa
Two brothers drowned this afternoon (17) while swimming in an abandoned quarry in Samagigama, Kekirawa, police said. MORE..
Stock markets fall in Middle East after US and Iran deal doubts
Stock markets in the Middle East closed lower on Sunday after both US President Donald Trump and Iran’s Foreign Minister threw doubt on a deal to end the tension in the Strait of Hormuz. MORE..
Muslims in Sri Lanka to celebrate Haj festival on May 28
Muslims in Sri Lanka will celebrate the Haj festival (Eid al-Adha) on 28 May, the Colombo Grand Mosque has announced. MORE..
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''Beyond Mahapola'' network inaugurated; Experts highlight void in skills to fill current job market (English)
Technology
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..
AI researchers achieve landmark breakthrough in Sinhala AI with publication in prestigious IEEE Access journal
AI researchers achieve landmark breakthrough in Sinhala AI with publication in prestigious IEEE Access journal
While global tech giants spend billions training artificial intelligence that still struggles in Sinhala, a Sri Lankan research team has quietly built a model that does it properly — using just two GPUs. MORE..
Meta to launch ‘Incognito Chat’ for private AI conversations on WhatsApp
Meta to launch ‘Incognito Chat’ for private AI conversations on WhatsApp
Meta Platforms is rolling out a new “Incognito Chat” feature for its artificial intelligence assistant on WhatsApp messaging service, the company said on Wednesday, as it looks to address data privacy concerns. MORE..
EU considering social media ‘delay’ for children
EU considering social media ‘delay’ for children
The European Union should explore limiting children’s access to social media with possible new rules proposed within months, EU chief Ursula von der Leyen said on Tuesday (May 12). MORE..
Entertainment
Bulgaria wins Eurovision Song Contest, Israel comes second again
Bulgaria won the Eurovision Song Contest for the first time on Saturday in a final overshadowed by five countries’ boycott over Gaza, claiming a dramatic victory despite another big public vote for Israel that again secured it second place. MORE..
‘Sonic 4’ wraps shooting; first look at metal sonic revealed
‘Sonic 4’ wraps shooting; first look at metal sonic revealed
Director Jeff Fowler has wrapped filming on “Sonic the Hedgehog 4.” MORE..
John Travolta surprised with Cannes award ahead of directorial debut
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..
Beckham becomes UK’s first billionaire sportsman
Beckham becomes UK’s first billionaire sportsman
Former England captain Sir David Beckham has become the UK’s first billionaire sportsman in the 2026 Sunday Times Rich List. MORE..
Exchange Rates
Country |
Buying |
Selling |
|---|---|---|
USA
U.S.Dollar |
323.5345 | 331.1572 |
UK
Sterling Pound |
431.3631 | 444.5202 |
Europe
Euro |
375.4605 | 387.4947 |
Switzerland
Swiss Franc |
409.7112 | 425.5708 |
Canada
Canadian Dollar |
234.4438 | 242.5829 |
Australia
Australian Dollar |
230.4993 | 240.5292 |
Singapore
Singapore Dollar |
251.4777 | 261.2243 |
Japan
Japanese Yen |
2.0343 | 2.1009 |
Country |
Currency |
Rate |
|---|---|---|
Bahrain
|
Dinar | 860.9110 |
Kuwait
|
Dinar | 1,053.5280 |
Oman
|
Rial | 843.4025 |
Qatar
|
Riyal | 89.0738 |
Saudi Arabia
|
Riyal | 86.5316 |
UAE
|
Dirham | 88.4045 |
Sports
Top ICC team meets President
Two representatives of the International Cricket Council (ICC), Imran Khwaja and Devajit Saikia, who are currently on a visit to the country, met with President Anura Kumara Dissanayake today (17). MORE..
CASA 7s Rugby Tournament: Sri Lanka Women’s clinches Championship in Tashkent
Sri Lanka defeated Kazakhstan 27-00 in the Women’s final to win the inaugural CASA 7s Rugby Tournament in Tashkent, a short while ago.
Sri Lanka Men’s team crowned Champions at inaugural CASA 7s Rugby Tournament
Sri Lanka thrashed India 31-10 in the Men’s final to clinch the Cup Championship at the inaugural Central and South Asia (CASA) 7s Rugby Tournament in Tashkent, a short while ago. MORE..
Chelsea appoint Xabi Alonso as manager on four‑year contract
Chelsea have appointed former Liverpool midfielder Xabi Alonso as their manager on a four‑year contract, starting in July. MORE..
Germany legend Neuer set for World Cup return after retirement reversal
Bayern Munich and Germany legend Manuel Neuer is all set to wear the prestigious national colours once again, agreeing to come back from retirement to feature in his fifth FIFA World Cup this year. MORE..
