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Puttalam records highest rainfall of over 250 mm within 24 hours

The Department of Meteorology stated that the highest rainfall recorded in the country during the 24-hour period from 8.30 a.m. yesterday to 8.30 a.m. today (14) was reported from Puttalam, which received 256.2 mm of rainfall.

(0)Comments | May 14, 2026 10:20 am

UK maritime authority flags diversion of ship near Hormuz Strait ‘by unauthorised personnel’ to Iranian waters

A ship off the UAE coast near the Strait of Hormuz has been taken by unknown people and is now headed towards Iranian territorial waters, a UK maritime agency said on Thursday. MORE..

(0)Comments | May 14, 2026 2:02 pm

Yoshitha Rajapaksa pleads not guilty to money laundering charges

The Colombo High Court today (14) rejected a preliminary objection raised by the defence in a case filed against Yoshitha Rajapaksa, son of former President Mahinda Rajapaksa, under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act, thereby allowing the trial to proceed. MORE..

(0)Comments | May 14, 2026 12:25 pm

Low pressure area expected to move away from Sri Lanka within 48 hours

The low pressure area located northeast of the Sri Lanka is expected to move away from Sri Lanka during the next 48 hours according to the latest weather analysis by the Department of Meteorology. MORE..

(0)Comments | May 14, 2026 2:58 pm

Landslide warnings issued to several areas in 11 districts

Level 2 landslide warnings have been issued to several areas of three districts owing to the prevailing heavy rainfall conditions across the country. MORE..

(0)Comments | May 14, 2026 2:40 pm

‘Gampaha Ousmand’ arrested for aiding Ganemulla Sanjeewa killing

Ousmand Gunasekara, alias ‘Gampaha Ousmand’, has been arrested by the Colombo Crime Division (CCD) for allegedly aiding and abetting the killing of notorious underworld figure and organised criminal Sanjeewa Kumara Samararatne, alias ‘Ganemulla Sanjeewa’, and for allegedly supplying firearms used to carry out the murder. MORE..

(0)Comments | May 14, 2026 6:52 am

Trump, Xi meet in Beijing for talks

US President Donald Trump and his Chinese counterpart Xi Jinping met Thursday in Beijing for a high-stakes summit, with trade and the Iran war expected to dominate the agenda. MORE..

(0)Comments | May 14, 2026 8:13 am

Passengers allowed to leave norovirus-hit cruise ship

Some passengers have disembarked from a cruise ship after being held in France following a norovirus outbreak. MORE..

(0)Comments | May 14, 2026 6:19 am

Belarus seeks closer ties with Sri Lanka – Lukashenko

Belarus is interested in expanding cooperation with Sri Lanka, Belarusian President Aleksandr Lukashenko said during a meeting with Sri Lanka’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, Foreign Employment and Tourism Vijitha Herath in Minsk on Thursday (14 May), Belarusian media reported. MORE..

(0)Comments | May 14, 2026 3:36 pm

Xi warns Trump that mishandling of Taiwan could lead to conflict

China’s Xi Jinping told President Donald Trump that trade talks were making progress at the start of a two-day summit on Thursday but warned that disagreement over Taiwan could send relations down a dangerous path and even lead to conflict. MORE..

(0)Comments | May 14, 2026 2:11 pm

China-US relations the most important in the world: President Xi

China-US relations are the most important bilateral relations in the world, Chinese President Xi Jinping has stated. MORE..

(0)Comments | May 14, 2026 4:17 pm

Thief jailed after stealing unreleased Beyoncé music from car

A man who broke into a car and stole hard drives containing unreleased music by Beyoncé has been sentenced to two years in prison. MORE..

(0)Comments | May 14, 2026 8:43 am

Higher Europe air fares ‘inevitable’, says industry head

Higher ticket prices for air travellers in Europe are “inevitable” because of the high cost of jet fuel, according to the head of the International Air Transport Association. MORE..

(0)Comments | May 14, 2026 8:34 am

1,000 families in seven districts affected by adverse weather across Sri Lanka

A total of 3,475 individuals from 1,113 families have been affected by the adverse weather conditions prevailing in the country, according to the Disaster Management Center (DMC). MORE..

(0)Comments | May 14, 2026 4:35 pm

Immigration Department IT Officer arrested over Rs. 9.8 million software fraud

An official attached to the Department of Immigration and Emigration has been arrested by the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) over an alleged financial fraud linked to the installation of a software system. MORE..

(0)Comments | May 14, 2026 2:16 pm

Sri Lanka, Belarus sign Air Services Agreement and MoUs to strengthen long-term bilateral cooperation

Minister of Foreign Affairs, Foreign Employment and Tourism, Vijitha Herath, who is currently on an official visit to the Republic of Belarus, held bilateral discussions with the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Belarus, Maxim Ryzhenkov, and senior Belarusian officials in Minsk. MORE..

(0)Comments | May 14, 2026 1:50 pm

Lockdown in Philippine Senate after gunshots fired

The Philippine Senate was locked down with military personnel seen entering the building where a senator wanted by the International Criminal Court (ICC) had sought refuge. MORE..

(0)Comments | May 14, 2026 7:12 am

72-hour detention order issued on ‘Gampaha Ousmand’

Police have obtained a 72-hour detention order for Ousmand Gunasekara, alias “Gampaha Ousmand”, who was arrested for allegedly aiding and abetting the killing of organised criminal figure Ganemulla Sanjeewa, according to the Police Spokesman. MORE..

(0)Comments | May 14, 2026 11:14 am

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..

(0)Comments | May 14, 2026 12:35 pm

Heavy rainfall above 100 mm expected due to low-pressure area near Sri Lanka

The low pressure area located northeast of Sri Lanka continues to persist and is expected to move away from the island and gradually weaken during the next 36 hours, the Department of Meteorology stated. MORE..

(0)Comments | May 14, 2026 6:10 am

IUSF demands Malwana property be handed over for public and university use

The Inter-University Students’ Federation (IUSF) today (14) staged a protest demanding that the controversial Malwana property, widely known as an ownerless estate, be handed over for public use, including for universities. MORE..

(0)Comments | May 14, 2026 2:51 pm

Netanyahu says he ‘secretly visited’ UAE during war with Iran

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu says he “secretly visited” the United Arab Emirates and met its president during the war with Iran. MORE..

(0)Comments | May 14, 2026 7:33 am

China, US should be ‘partners, not rivals,’ Xi tells Trump in Beijing

China’s President Xi Jinping told his US counterpart Donald Trump Thursday that Washington and Beijing should be "partners, not rivals" as the two leaders met in the Chinese capital. MORE..

(0)Comments | May 14, 2026 11:03 am

Red warning issued for heavy rains in several areas

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

(0)Comments | May 14, 2026 10:30 am

Irrigation Dept. warns river water levels may rise again despite temporary decline

The Department of Irrigation says that water levels in several river basins, which had previously risen due to heavy rainfall, are now showing a decline following the reduction in rainfall over the past 24 hours. MORE..

(0)Comments | May 14, 2026 10:10 am

Kotmale–Gampola road closed amid renewed landslide fears

The Kotmale–Gampola B431 main road has been temporarily closed from this morning (14) due to heavy rainfall affecting the Kotmale area, police said. MORE..

(0)Comments | May 14, 2026 4:02 pm

National Police Commission term ends tomorrow

The term of office of the National Police Commission is scheduled to end tomorrow (15), with the commission’s final meeting scheduled to take place today (14). MORE..

(0)Comments | May 14, 2026 2:07 pm

Govt. seeks to create ‘Smart Citizens’ suitable for future world – Minister

The government’s core objective is to produce ‘smart citizens’ who can thrive in the future world, the Minister of Public Administration, Provincial Councils and Local Government, Professor Chandana Abayarathne stated. MORE..

(0)Comments | May 14, 2026 3:46 pm

‘Miraculous’: 11 plane crash survivors rescued at sea off Florida

All 11 people aboard a private airplane that crashed at sea off central Florida survived the wreck and were rescued from their lifeboat hours later by a U.S. Air Force Reserve team, U.S. Coast Guard and Air Force officials said on Wednesday. MORE..

(0)Comments | May 14, 2026 6:34 am

Myanmar proposes death sentence for cyberscam offences

Myanmar published a parliamentary bill on Thursday (May 14) proposing the death sentence for those who detain or violently coerce victims into working in online scam centres. MORE..

(0)Comments | May 14, 2026 3:18 pm

Donald Trump posts graphic of Venezuela as 51st US state

US President Donald Trump on Tuesday (May 12) posted a map graphic on his Truth Social platform depicting Venezuela with an inset American flag and the label “51st State”. MORE..

(0)Comments | May 13, 2026 6:21 am

Three further remanded over alleged bail fraud in relation to Kapila Chandrasena’s case

Two suspects accused of arranging two fake sureties to secure bail for former Chief Executive Officer of SriLankan Airlines Kapila Chandrasena, who recently died under mysterious circumstances, have been further remanded. MORE..

(0)Comments | May 13, 2026 11:18 am

UGC removes Sabaragamuwa University Vice Chancellor from post

The University Grants Commission (UGC) has decided to remove Professor Sunil Shantha from his position as Vice Chancellor of the Sabaragamuwa University of Sri Lanka. MORE..

(0)Comments | May 13, 2026 8:10 am

Red warning issued for heavy rains in several areas

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

(0)Comments | May 13, 2026 10:17 am

33 reservoirs at spill level, says Irrigation Dept.

A total of 16 major reservoirs and 17 medium-scale reservoirs under the management of the Department of Irrigation are currently spilling following heavy rains recorded across several parts of the country. MORE..

(0)Comments | May 13, 2026 6:55 am

Iran says US must accept its peace plan or face ‘failure’

Iran’s chief negotiator said Tuesday (May 12) that Washington must accept Tehran’s latest peace plan or face failure, after US President Donald Trump warned the truce in the Middle East war was on the brink of collapse. MORE..

(0)Comments | May 13, 2026 5:19 am

Holiday declared for selected grades of Telijjawila Royal College due to heavy rainfall

A holiday has been declared today (13) for selected grades of the Telijjawila Royal College, due to the risk of landslides and slope failures caused by heavy rainfall in the Matara District. MORE..

(0)Comments | May 13, 2026 10:51 am

Donald Trump begins trip to China amid Iran war impasse

U.S. President Donald Trump on Tuesday began his highly anticipated trip to China, saying it will be “very exciting,” with the rest of the world particularly eyeing whether anything dramatic on the Iran war or Taiwan will come out of his talks with Chinese President Xi Jinping. MORE..

(0)Comments | May 13, 2026 7:43 am

Officials instructed to prioritise public needs when launching development projects

Prime Minister Dr. Harini Amarasuriya instructed officials to implement development projects by taking into account the practical needs of the people. MORE..

(0)Comments | May 13, 2026 9:12 am

Advisory issued for heavy rains above 200 mm in Western and Sabaragamuwa provinces

An ‘Amber’ Advisory for heavy rains has been issued for the Western and Sabaragamuwa provinces and in the Puttalam, Galle and Matara districts today. MORE..

(0)Comments | May 13, 2026 6:36 am

Level 2 landslide warnings issued to several areas in five districts

Level 2 landslide warnings have been issued to several areas of five districts owing to the prevailing heavy rainfall conditions across the country. MORE..

(0)Comments | May 13, 2026 10:32 am

NBRO urges vigilance over landslide risks amid heavy rainfall

The National Building Research Organisation (NBRO) states that due to the heavy rainfall currently affecting the island, residents living in mountainous and landslide-prone areas must remain highly vigilant regarding early warning signs of landslides. MORE..

(0)Comments | May 13, 2026 9:36 am

Landslide reported in Maha Aragama, Wellawaya

A landslide has been reported in the Maha Aragama Ulkanda region with the Wellawaya Divisional Secretariat, following continuous adverse weather conditions. MORE..

(0)Comments | May 13, 2026 9:48 am

Heavy showers above 100 mm predicted due to low pressure area near Sri Lanka

The low pressure area located northeast of Sri Lanka is likely to move northwards during the next few days, the Department of Meteorology has highlighted. MORE..

(0)Comments | May 13, 2026 5:31 am

School transport bus and SLTB bus collide in Dikwella

An accident has been reported on the Colombo–Kataragama main road in Dikwella, close to the Polgahamullla private garment factory, after a collision between a school transport bus and a Sri Lanka Transport Board (SLTB) bus. MORE..

(0)Comments | May 13, 2026 10:41 am

India raises gold and silver tariffs to 15% to curb imports, support rupee

India has raised import tariffs on gold and silver to 15% from 6%, government orders said on Wednesday, as part of efforts to curb overseas purchases of the metals and ease pressure on the country’s foreign exchange reserves. MORE..

(0)Comments | May 13, 2026 8:56 am

Dense fog disrupts traffic on Talawakelle–Nuwara Eliya road

Heavy rain accompanied by dense fog has been reported since early this morning (13) along the Talawakelle–Nuwara Eliya main road, affecting visibility and disrupting traffic movement in the area. MORE..

(0)Comments | May 13, 2026 9:38 am

RDA urges motorists to exercise caution on expressways

The Road Development Authority (RDA) has urged motorists travelling on expressways to pay close attention to warning messages displayed on electronic signboards due to prevailing adverse weather conditions. MORE..

(0)Comments | May 13, 2026 10:13 am

Harsha says he will not leave centre-right political camp

Samagi Jana Balawegaya Member of Parliament Harsha de Silva has dismissed speculation over his political future, stating that he has no intention of leaving the centre-right political camp and reaffirming his commitment to building a developed Sri Lanka. MORE..

(0)Comments | May 13, 2026 5:58 am

New pension scheme proposed for tea estate and factory employees

The Agricultural and Agrarian Insurance Board has announced plans to introduce a new pension scheme for workers engaged in the tea industry and related sectors. MORE..

(0)Comments | May 13, 2026 10:01 am

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