News Archive

Spirit Airlines faces potential shutdown as bailout negotiations stall

Spirit Airlines is reportedly preparing to shut down indefinitely after filing for bankruptcy last summer, as recent government bailout negotiations appear to have failed. MORE..

(0)Comments | May 2, 2026  11:44 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

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

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

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

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

Sri Lanka’s Brief Garden featured in New York Times Style Magazine

Brief Garden in Beruwala has been featured in The New York Times Style Magazine’s latest feature titled “Nine Artists on the Gardens They’ll Never Forget.” MORE..

(0)Comments | May 2, 2026  4:45 pm

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

India’s historic rise a gateway for Sri Lanka’s future collaboration and progress – Sajith

Opposition Leader Sajith Premadasa says that the relationship between Sri Lanka and India must never be viewed through the prism of competition, but rather embraced as a tremendous opportunity for mutual prosperity. MORE...

(0)Comments | May 2, 2026  3:48 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

Advisory issued for severe lightning

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

(0)Comments | May 2, 2026  3:02 pm

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

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

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

Special traffic plan announced for Maldivian President’s visit

Sri Lanka Police have taken steps to implement a special traffic plan in view of the upcoming official visit of Maldivian President Mohamed Muizzu to Sri Lanka. MORE..

(0)Comments | May 2, 2026  4:17 pm

Britney Spears charged in California with driving under influence

Prosecutors in California have filed a criminal charge against Britney Spears over her arrest last month for allegedly driving under the influence. MORE..

(0)Comments | May 1, 2026  3:40 pm

Sri Lanka and Nepal reaffirm bilateral ties during Ambassador’s farewell call on PM

The Ambassador of Nepal to Sri Lanka, Dr. Purna Bahadur Nepali, paid a farewell courtesy call on Prime Minister Dr. Harini Amarasuriya at the Temple Trees premises. MORE..

(0)Comments | May 1, 2026  5:02 pm

Seven-year-old boy sets world record with 29km swim from Sri Lanka to India

Seven-year-old swimmer Ishank from Ranchi has achieved a rare feat by crossing a challenging sea route between Sri Lanka and India, setting a new world record at a very young age. MORE..

(0)Comments | May 1, 2026  3:03 pm

Ex-President Ranil Wickremesinghe extends greetings to SJB May Day Rally

Former President Ranil Wickremesinghe has issued a congratulatory message to the Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB) on the occasion of its May Day rally held today (01). MORE..

(0)Comments | May 1, 2026  3:25 pm

Wasantha Mudalige alleges govt plan to hand over biometric data to Indian company

Former Convener of the Inter-University Students’ Federation (IUSF), Wasantha Mudalige, has claimed that there is a plan to hand over the biometric data (fingerprints and iris scans) of Sri Lankan citizens to an Indian company. MORE..

(0)Comments | May 1, 2026  5:00 pm

Traffic limited to single lane on Gelanigama–Dodangoda stretch of expressway

Sri Lanka Police have announced that traffic on the Gelanigama–Dodangoda section of the Southern Expressway has been restricted to a single lane in the direction of Matara due to ongoing road repair work. MORE..

(0)Comments | May 1, 2026  2:02 pm

Israel says detained Gaza flotilla activists to be taken to Greece

Israel’s foreign ministry earlier said around 175 activists had been taken off more than 20 boats. MORE..

(0)Comments | May 1, 2026  9:11 am

Princess Diana’s unheard recordings set to be revealed in new docuseries

A new three-part documentary series is set to explore the private life of Princess Diana, featuring never-before-heard audio recordings that are expected to shed fresh light on her time within the royal family. MORE..

(0)Comments | May 1, 2026  6:32 pm

Circular issued to regularize casual-substitute public sector employees with permanent appointments

The Ministry of Public Administration, Provincial Councils and Local Government has issued Circular No. 11/2026, introducing a mechanism to grant permanent appointments to employees recruited to public sector institutions on a temporary, casual, substitute, contract, or relief basis. MORE..

(0)Comments | May 1, 2026  1:25 pm

President highlights workers as driving force behind economic progress in May Day message

President Anura Kumara Dissanayake says that Sri Lanka is marking this year’s International Workers’ Day at a decisive moment, as the country records significant economic progress despite a challenging global environment shaped by conflict. MORE..

(0)Comments | May 1, 2026  8:14 am

Probe launched into fire at Kalutara Inland Revenue Dept office

The Department of Inland Revenue (IRD) states that police and relevant authorities have launched investigations into the fire that broke out at the Kalutara Regional Office. MORE..

(0)Comments | May 1, 2026  5:25 pm

May Day rallies underway islandwide, Colombo at centre as special police security deployed

Political parties across Sri Lanka have organized a series of rallies, meetings and other events today (01) to mark International Workers’ Day, with several major events centered in Colombo. MORE..

(0)Comments | May 1, 2026  10:43 am

Myanmar ex-leader Aung San Suu Kyi to be moved to house arrest, state media says

Myanmar’s detained former leader Aung San Suu Kyi is to be moved to house arrest, state media reported on Thursday, more than five years after the military ousted the civilian government she led and jailed the Nobel laureate. MORE..

(0)Comments | May 1, 2026  7:51 am

Fertiliser boss says war puts 10 billion meals a week at risk

The interruption to supplies of fertiliser and its key ingredients due to the war in Iran could cost up to ten billion meals a week and will hit poorest countries hardest, according to the boss of one of the world’s biggest fertiliser producers. MORE..

(0)Comments | May 1, 2026  11:24 am

Iran threatens painful response if US renews attacks

Iran said on Thursday it would respond with “long and painful strikes” on U.S. positions if Washington renewed attacks and restated its claim to the Strait of Hormuz, complicating U.S. plans for a coalition to reopen the waterway. MORE..

(0)Comments | May 1, 2026  7:30 am

MP Dilith Jayaweera accuses govt of misusing state power against working class

The leader of ‘Sarvajana Balaya’, Member of Parliament Dilith Jayaweera, stated that the “theatrical politics” of President Anura Kumara Dissanayake has no future and alleged that the current administration has become one of the most corrupt governments within a short period of time. MORE..

(0)Comments | May 1, 2026  3:01 pm

Apple says iPhone 17 ‘most popular ever’ as sales soar

Apple has seen demand for its iPhone reach new heights with sales growth in China outpacing all other regions. MORE..

(0)Comments | May 1, 2026  3:30 pm

Advisory issued for severe lightning

An ‘Amber’ advisory has been issued by the Department of Meteorology for severe lightning in the Sabaragamuwa, Central, Uva, North-Central provinces and in Vavuniya, Mullaittivu, Kilinochchi, Mannar, Kurunegala and Trincomalee districts. MORE..

(0)Comments | May 1, 2026  1:52 pm

PM Harini pledges stronger labour rights in May Day Message

Prime Minister Harini Amarasuriya says that the history of Sri Lanka’s labour movement reflects a long struggle marked by sacrifice, resilience, and determination in the pursuit of rights, justice, and dignity. MORE..

(0)Comments | May 1, 2026  8:56 am

Trump to remove whisky tariffs after King Charles’ visit

US president Donald Trump has said he will remove all tariffs and restrictions on whisky imports in honour of King Charles and Queen Camilla’s state visit to the US. MORE..

(0)Comments | May 1, 2026  6:22 pm

A 17th Century ‘supercomputer’ once owned by Indian royalty sells for record in auction

A spectacular brass astrolabe - or a hand-held astronomical computer - from the 17th Century, once part of the royal collection of Jaipur city in western India, has been sold for more than £2m ($2.75m) at an auction in London. MORE..

(0)Comments | May 1, 2026  3:21 pm

21-year-old arrested with Ice and heroin in Madampitiya

A 21-year-old suspect has been arrested in connection with the possession of ‘Ice’ (Crystal Methamphetamine) and heroin, following a raid conducted in the Ranmuthu Sewana area within the Madampitiya Police Division. MORE..

(0)Comments | May 1, 2026  10:56 am

UK terrorism threat level raised to severe after Golders Green attack

The public should be “alert and vigilant” but not “alarmed” following an increase to the terrorism threat level in the UK, the security minister has said. MORE..

(0)Comments | May 1, 2026  10:49 am

Fairly heavy rainfall above 50 mm expected in some parts of the island

Showers or thundershowers will occur in the most parts of the island after 1.00 pm, the Department of Meteorology said. MORE..

(0)Comments | May 1, 2026  7:20 am

Iran sends latest proposal to US in negotiations for deal to end war, Iranian media reports

Iran has sent its latest proposal to the US to end the war via Pakistani mediators, according to Iranian media outlet IRNA. MORE..

(0)Comments | May 1, 2026  6:17 pm

Special JMO panel appointed for interdicted Finance Ministry official’s post-mortem

A panel of four Judicial Medical Consultants has been appointed to conduct the post-mortem examination of the Assistant Director of the Finance Ministry’s Department of External Resources, who had been under suspension over allegations related to the misappropriation of Treasury funds, the Secretary to the Ministry of Health said. MORE..

(0)Comments | May 1, 2026  1:19 pm

‘2026 will go down in history as year of justice against corruption’ - President

President Anura Kumara Dissanayake stated that the National People’s Power (NPP) government is the only administration in Sri Lanka to have secured the full confidence of the people. MORE..

(0)Comments | May 1, 2026  2:24 pm

Large groundwater source discovered in Urubokka, easing drinking water crisis

The National Water Supply and Drainage Board (NWSDB) said that it has discovered a large groundwater source in the Mananketiya area of Urubokka, offering a potential solution to the severe drinking water shortage affecting the area. MORE..

(0)Comments | May 1, 2026  1:46 pm

Over 160,000 arrested in drug-related cases in the past six months - Police

Sri Lanka Police have stated that investigations into illegal assets have been initiated against 289 individuals arrested during island-wide raids conducted over the past six months under the “Ratama Ekata - National Operation”. MORE..

(0)Comments | May 1, 2026  5:28 pm