News Archive

Fever outbreak in Deniyaya identified as viral infection: Health officials

Health authorities say that a fever illness reported around the Kotapola Medical Officer of Health (MOH) area has been identified as a viral infection, according to Specialist Dr. Palitha Karunapema of the Epidemiology Unit of the Ministry of Health. MORE..

(0)Comments | May 8, 2026  6:07 pm

Police report facts to court over ‘suspicious’ death of Kapila Chandrasena

Police have informed the Fort Magistrate’s Court that former Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of SriLankan Airlines, Kapila Chandrasena, was found dead under suspicious circumstances. MORE..

(0)Comments | May 8, 2026  2:34 pm

Former SriLankan CEO Kapila Chandrasena found dead - Police

Former Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of SriLankan Airlines, Kapila Chandrasena, was found dead at a residence in Colpetty, according to Police. MORE..

(0)Comments | May 8, 2026  8:56 am

Public Security Minister speaks on probe into Kapila Chandrasena’s death

Minister of Public Security Ananda Wijepala stated that no definitive conclusion can be made at this stage regarding the death of former SriLankan Airlines CEO Kapila Chandrasena. MORE..

(0)Comments | May 8, 2026  7:35 pm

Special medical team to probe fever cases among schoolchildren in Deniyaya

A special team of experts from the Epidemiology Unit of the Ministry of Health is scheduled to visit Deniyaya to investigate the rapid spread of fever among schoolchildren in the area, according to District Director of Health Services Sumith Manatunga. MORE..

(0)Comments | May 8, 2026  9:45 am

Vietnam donates 100MT of fertiliser to Sri Lanka

President Anura Kumara Dissanayake stated that the Government of Vietnam has donated 100 metric tons of urea and superphosphate fertiliser to Sri Lanka. MORE..

(0)Comments | May 8, 2026  12:29 pm

SC orders re-issuance of notice to ex-President Gotabaya Rajapaksa

The Supreme Court today directed the petitioning party to take steps to reissue notice to former President Gotabaya Rajapaksa, who has been named as a respondent in a Fundamental Rights (FR) petition. MORE..

(0)Comments | May 8, 2026  11:06 am

Federal court rules against new 10% global tariffs Trump imposed after loss at Supreme Court

A federal court ruled Thursday against the new global tariffs that President Donald Trump imposed after a stinging loss at the Supreme Court. MORE..

(0)Comments | May 8, 2026  6:38 am

Vietnamese President To Lam receives official state welcome; Set to address parliament today

The official state reception ceremony for President of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam To Lam, who arrived in Sri Lanka yesterday (07) on a two-day official visit, is currently being held today (08). MORE..

(0)Comments | May 8, 2026  8:47 am

88-year-old woman found murdered in Tissamaharama

Two people, including a woman, have died in separate incidents suspected murder reported from Pitigala and Tissamaharama areas. MORE..

(0)Comments | May 8, 2026  4:54 pm

US military says it intercepted Iranian attacks on 3 Navy ships in Strait of Hormuz

The US military said it intercepted Iranian attacks Thursday on three Navy ships in the Strait of Hormuz and “targeted Iranian military facilities responsible for attacking US forces,” highlighting the fragility of the month-old ceasefire between the two countries. MORE..

(0)Comments | May 8, 2026  7:18 am

US-proposed Iran resolution at UN faces likely vetoes from China, Russia

The US on Thursday urged countries to support its United Nations resolution demanding Iran halt attacks and mining of the Strait of Hormuz, but diplomats said China and Russia are likely to veto it. MORE..

(0)Comments | May 8, 2026  7:34 am

Heavy rainfall above 100 mm expected in parts of the island

Due to the low-level atmospheric disturbance in the vicinity of Sri Lanka, the prevailing showery condition over the island is expected to continue during the next few days, the Department of Meteorology said. MORE..

(0)Comments | May 8, 2026  6:12 am

US and Iran exchange fire, but Trump says ceasefire still in effect

The United States and Iran exchanged fire on Thursday in the most serious test yet of their month-long ceasefire, but Iran said the situation returned to normal while the U.S. said it did not want to escalate. MORE..

(0)Comments | May 8, 2026  6:24 am

Seven suspects arrested over drug network linked to ‘Dubai Sudda’

Bandaragama Police have arrested seven suspects, including the alleged key distributor linked to the drug trafficking network of the notorious large-scale drug trafficker known as ‘Dubai Sudda’, following a raid conducted at a suspected drug packaging location. MORE..

(0)Comments | May 8, 2026  1:45 pm

Trump sets July 4 deadline for EU to comply with trade deal or face ‘much higher’ tariffs

US President Donald Trump said on Thursday he would give the European Union until July 4 to implement trade deal commitments before he raises tariffs on EU goods including cars to “much higher levels.” MORE..

(0)Comments | May 8, 2026  7:44 am

South Africa’s top court revives impeachment process against president

South Africa’s constitutional court revived on Friday impeachment proceedings against President Cyril Ramaphosa over a scandal dubbed ‘‘Farmgate’’ by local media, saying parliament had acted unlawfully by blocking the process in 2022. MORE..

(0)Comments | May 8, 2026  5:41 pm

Vietnam and Sri Lanka elevate ties to ‘comprehensive partnership’ to boost trade, AI and tourism cooperation

The President of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam and General Secretary of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of Vietnam, Tô Lâm, who is on an official visit to Sri Lanka, announced that Vietnam and Sri Lanka have agreed to strengthen bilateral relations to a ‘‘Comprehensive Partnership...’’ MORE..

(0)Comments | May 8, 2026  6:32 pm

TVK secures majority mark as Left, VCK extend support to Vijay

The Communist Party of India and the Communist Party of India (Marxist) have on Friday decided to extend outside support to the government formation following the hectic efforts made by the Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK), led by actor-politician Vijay. MORE..

(0)Comments | May 8, 2026  4:46 pm

Hantavirus outbreak on cruise ship not start of pandemic, UN health agency says

An outbreak of hantavirus on board a cruise ship is not the start of a pandemic, the UN health agency has said. MORE..

(0)Comments | May 8, 2026  6:54 am

Rajangane Saddharathana arrested over social media threats against Minister and IGP

Rajangane Saddharathana, a person in robes, has been arrested by the Central Crimes Investigation Bureau (CCIB) over allegations of issuing threats through social media against Public Security Minister Ananda Wijepala and Inspector General of Police (IGP) Priyantha Weerasuriya, said Police. MORE..

(0)Comments | May 8, 2026  9:20 am

David Attenborough turns 100, ‘overwhelmed’ by birthday wishes

David Attenborough said he had been “completely overwhelmed” by birthday greetings as he turned 100 on Friday in a worldwide outpouring of affection for the British wildlife broadcaster after decades of trailblazing work. MORE..

(0)Comments | May 8, 2026  2:26 pm

Yoshitha’s money laundering case: Court to deliver decision on preliminary objections

The Colombo High Court today (08) announced that its ruling on the preliminary objections raised in the case filed under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act against Yoshitha Rajapaksa, a son of former President Mahinda Rajapaksa, will be delivered on May 14, 2026. MORE..

(0)Comments | May 8, 2026  4:21 pm

SLPP questions circumstances surrounding Kapila Chandrasena’s death

Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna (SLPP) General Secretary, Sagara Kariyawasam, claims that the death of former SriLankan Airlines CEO Kapila Chandrasena seems suspicious. MORE..

(0)Comments | May 8, 2026  2:51 pm

Kurunegala Deputy Mayor arrested over Rs. 3 million bribe

The Deputy Mayor of Kurunegala Municipal Council, Ashardeen Moinudeen, has been arrested by officers of the Commission to Investigate Allegations of Bribery or Corruption (CIABOC) for allegedly soliciting a bribe of Rs. 3 million to award a tender to a businessman. MORE..

(0)Comments | May 8, 2026  7:42 pm

Explosion hits Netherlands’ largest political party’s headquarters, police say

An explosion damaged the headquarters of the largest party in the Dutch parliament, D66, on Thursday evening, local police said, adding there were no injuries. MORE..

(0)Comments | May 8, 2026  8:06 am

Sri Lanka and Vietnam aim for $ 1B trade by 2030, direct flights to begin this year

President Anura Kumara Dissanayake announced that Vietnam Airlines will commence direct flights between Sri Lanka and Vietnam within this year. MORE..

(0)Comments | May 8, 2026  12:11 pm

Sri Lanka and Vietnam sign five MoUs during state visit of President To Lam

Following the official state ceremony held to welcome the President of Vietnam, To Lam, who is currently undertaking a two-day official visit to Sri Lanka, several Memoranda of Understanding (MoUs) were signed between the two countries. MORE..

(0)Comments | May 8, 2026  10:35 am

Vietnam President To Lam addresses Sri Lanka’s Parliament

President of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam, To Lam, who arrived in Sri Lanka on a two-day official visit, is currently addressing the Parliament of Sri Lanka. MORE..

(0)Comments | May 8, 2026  11:42 am

Sony forecasts lower gaming business sales amid memory price surge

Sony forecast on Friday annual sales at its gaming business would fall 6% to 4.42 trillion yen ($28 billion) due to lower hardware sales as its PlayStation 5 ages and as the industry grapples with a surge in memory chip prices. MORE..

(0)Comments | May 8, 2026  5:23 pm

Advisory issued for severe lightning

An ‘Amber’ advisory has been issued by the Department of Meteorology for severe lightning in the Western, Sabaragamuwa, Central, North-Western, North-Central, Uva, and Southern provinces, as well as the Ampara, Batticaloa, Mannar, and Vavuniya districts. MORE..

(0)Comments | May 8, 2026  3:52 pm

Presidential Commission probing coal imports begins investigations

The Special Presidential Commission of Inquiry appointed to investigate coal procurement between 2009 and April 16, 2026, has commenced its preliminary investigations. MORE..

(0)Comments | May 8, 2026  2:00 pm

3 people burned alive as volcano erupts in Indonesia, ash rises 10 km high

In a tragic incident that occurred in Indonesia, at least three people were burned alive when Mount Dukono volcano erupted suddenly. MORE..

(0)Comments | May 8, 2026  4:46 pm

Vietnamese President to arrive in Sri Lanka today

The General Secretary of the Communist Party of Vietnam’s Central Committee and President of Vietnam, To Lam, is scheduled to arrive in Sri Lanka tonight (07) for an official visit, accompanied by a high-level delegation. MORE..

(0)Comments | May 7, 2026  7:40 am

Prices of multiple food items to increase from midnight today

The All Ceylon Restaurant Owners’ Association has decided to increase the prices of Fried Rice, Biryani, and Nasi Goreng by Rs. 25 with effect from midnight today (07). MORE..

(0)Comments | May 7, 2026  12:46 pm

Israel strikes Beirut for the first time since ceasefire, senior Hezbollah commander killed

Israel struck Beirut on Wednesday (May 6) for the first time since agreeing to a ceasefire with Hezbollah last month, with Israel saying it targeted a commander of the militant group’s elite Radwan force in the city’s southern suburbs. MORE..

(0)Comments | May 7, 2026  1:38 am

Court orders arrest of former SriLankan CEO Kapila Chandrasena

(UPDATED) The Colombo Magistrate’s Court has issued an order to arrest and produce before the court the former Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of SriLankan Airlines, Kapila Chandrasena, who had been released on bail by the court two days ago. MORE..

(0)Comments | May 7, 2026  2:39 pm

Govt. to introduce major higher education reforms aligned with school education changes - PM

Prime Minister Dr. Harini Amarasuriya stated that the Government has planned to introduce relevant changes in the higher education sector in alignment with the new reforms being implemented in the primary and secondary education sectors. MORE..

(0)Comments | May 7, 2026  10:16 am

NPP councillor resigns from Kurunegala Municipal Council

A Municipal Councillor representing the National People’s Power (NPP) in the Kurunegala Municipal Council, B. W. Premachandra, has resigned from his position. MORE..

(0)Comments | May 7, 2026  9:34 am

US fires on Iranian tanker while Trump pushes for peace deal

The US military fired on an Iranian oil tanker in the Gulf of Oman on Wednesday as US President Donald Trump intensified pressure on Tehran to reach a deal ending the war. MORE..

(0)Comments | May 7, 2026  6:54 am

Iran reviewing US proposal to end war, though key demands remain unaddressed

Iran said on Wednesday it was reviewing a U.S. peace proposal that sources said would formally end the war while leaving unresolved the key U.S. demands that Iran suspend its nuclear program and reopen the Strait of Hormuz. MORE..

(0)Comments | May 7, 2026  6:20 am

Fairly heavy rainfall above 75 mm expected in some parts of the island

Due to the low-level atmospheric disturbance in the vicinity of Sri Lanka, the prevailing showery condition over the island is expected to continue during the next few days, the Department of Meteorology said. MORE..

(0)Comments | May 7, 2026  6:08 am

Advisory issued for severe lightning

An ‘Amber’ advisory has been issued by the Department of Meteorology for severe lightning in the Central, Sabaragamuwa, Uva, North-Central, North-Western, Southern, Western, Eastern provinces and Vavuniya district. MORE..

(0)Comments | May 7, 2026  1:36 pm

Sri Lanka and Türkiye strengthen bilateral ties at second round of political consultations

The Second Round of Political Consultations between the Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka and the Republic of Türkiye was successfully held at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Türkiye in Ankara. MORE..

(0)Comments | May 7, 2026  10:23 am

Bribery Comm. refiles case against ex-CBSL Governor Cabraal

The Commission to Investigate Allegations of Bribery or Corruption (CIABOC) has once again refiled a case before the Colombo High Court against former Central Bank Governor Ajith Nivard Cabraal...MORE..

(0)Comments | May 7, 2026  2:42 pm

Harry Potter TV series renewed for second season at HBO

The Harry Potter TV series has been renewed for a second season, with filming set to begin in autumn of this year, HBO has confirmed. MORE..

(0)Comments | May 7, 2026  1:10 pm

Rathugala indigenous leader Suda Wannila Aththo passes away

The indigenous leader of Rathugala, Danigala Maha Bandalage Suda Wannila Aththo, has passed away at the age of 62. MORE..

(0)Comments | May 7, 2026  10:33 am

Hantavirus-hit cruise ship heads to Spain after three people evacuated

A luxury cruise ship hit by a deadly hantavirus outbreak and marooned since Sunday off the coast of Cape Verde left for Spain on Wednesday, a Reuters witness said, after three people, two of them seriously ill, were evacuated. MORE..

(0)Comments | May 7, 2026  6:33 am

UN warns hunger deepening in Gaza as families survive on one meal a day

The UN on Wednesday warned that hunger remains widespread and severe across the Gaza Strip, with millions struggling to access adequate food despite ongoing humanitarian efforts. MORE..

(0)Comments | May 7, 2026  6:44 am

South Korea appeals court cuts jail term for ex-PM Han to 15 years in martial law case

A South Korean appeals court on Thursday cut the jail sentence for former Prime Minister Han Duck-soo to 15 years from 23 years over his role in ex-President Yoon Suk Yeol’s brief imposition of martial law in 2024. MORE..

(0)Comments | May 7, 2026  12:11 pm