News Archive

Lockdown in Philippine Senate after gunshots fired

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..

‘Gampaha Ousmand’ arrested for aiding Ganemulla Sanjeewa killing

‘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..

Trump, Xi meet in Beijing for talks

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..

Passengers allowed to leave norovirus-hit cruise ship

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..

Thief jailed after stealing unreleased Beyoncé music from car

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..

Puttalam records highest rainfall of over 250 mm within 24 hours

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.

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

‘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..

Higher Europe air fares ‘inevitable’, says industry head

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..

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

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..

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

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..

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

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..

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..

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

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..

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

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..

33 reservoirs at spill level, says Irrigation Dept.

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..

Train services on Puttalam line limited to Chilaw due to flooding

Train services on Puttalam line limited to Chilaw due to flooding

The Department of Railways says train services on the Colombo-Puttalam railway line have been limited only up to Chilaw Railway Station due to sudden flooding. MORE..

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

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..

CBSL, Finance Ministry working to prevent repeat of USD 2.5 million fraud – Governor

CBSL, Finance Ministry working to prevent repeat of USD 2.5 million fraud – Governor

The Central Bank of Sri Lanka (CBSL) and the Ministry of Finance are working closely to strengthen systems and prevent a recurrence of the incident involving the alleged fraudulent transfer of USD 2.5 million belonging to the Finance Ministry, CBSL Governor Dr. Nandalal Weerasinghe stated. MORE..

Officials instructed to prioritise public needs when launching development projects

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..

CEA urges public to avoid plastic and polythene for Vesak decorations and ‘Dansal’

CEA urges public to avoid plastic and polythene for Vesak decorations and ‘Dansal’

The Central Environmental Authority (CEA) has issued a special announcement urging the public to refrain from using polythene and plastic materials for various decorations and ‘Dansal’ activities during the upcoming Vesak festival. MORE..

Indian passenger arrested at BIA with over 4kg of Kush and Hashish

Indian passenger arrested at BIA with over 4kg of Kush and Hashish

An Indian national was arrested by officers of the Sri Lanka Customs Narcotics Control Unit at the Green Channel arrival terminal of the Bandaranaike International Airport (BIA) while attempting to smuggle a stock of Kush cannabis and Hashish into the country. MORE..

Donald Trump begins trip to China amid Iran war impasse

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..

Red warning issued for heavy rains in several areas

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..

One dead, over 60 families affected by adverse weather

One dead, over 60 families affected by adverse weather

An individual has died while 62 families in four districts have been affected by prevailing adverse weather conditions. MORE..

Donald Trump posts graphic of Venezuela as 51st US state

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..

68 filariasis cases reported in Sri Lanka last year

68 filariasis cases reported in Sri Lanka last year

A total of 68 cases of filariasis were identified in Sri Lanka during the past year, the Anti Filariasis Campaign stated. MORE..

Suspect arrested with ‘Ice’ in Ragama

Suspect arrested with ‘Ice’ in Ragama

An individual has been arrested with ‘Ice’ (crystal methamphetamine) in Batuwatta, Ragama. MORE..

Colombo Port container volumes rise nearly 14 pct in 1st 4 months of 2026

Colombo Port container volumes rise nearly 14 pct in 1st 4 months of 2026

The Port of Colombo has recorded a 13.9 percent increase in container handling volumes during the first four months of 2026, Sri Lanka Ports Authority (SLPA) said on Wednesday. MORE..

UGC removes Sabaragamuwa University Vice Chancellor from post

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..

Low-pressure system northeast of Sri Lanka to weaken within 48 hours – Met. Dept.

Low-pressure system northeast of Sri Lanka to weaken within 48 hours – Met. Dept.

The low-pressure area located northeast of Sri Lanka is expected to move away from the island and gradually weaken over the next 48 hours, the Department of Meteorology stated. MORE..

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

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..

Jacqueline Fernandez withdraws petition to turn approver in ED case

Jacqueline Fernandez withdraws petition to turn approver in ED case

Bollywood actor Jacqueline Fernandez on Tuesday withdrew her plea seeking to turn approver in a Rs 200 crore (INR 2 billion) money laundering case involving alleged conman Sukesh Chandrashekar. MORE..

Kesbewa records 204mm of rainfall in 22 hours

Kesbewa records 204mm of rainfall in 22 hours

The highest rainfall recorded during the past 22 hours was reported from Kesbewa, with 204 millimetres of rain, the Department of Meteorology stated. MORE..

Provincial revenue dept. office employee arrested for accepting bribe

Provincial revenue dept. office employee arrested for accepting bribe

A sanitation worker attached to the Provincial Revenue Department District Office in Polonnaruwa was arrested today (13) by officers of the Commission to Investigate Allegations of Bribery or Corruption (CIABOC) for allegedly accepting a bribe of Rs. 35,000 to help obtain a land valuation report prepared at a reduced value. MORE..

New pension scheme proposed for tea estate and factory employees

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..

Duo arrested over attempted abduction using toy pistol

Duo arrested over attempted abduction using toy pistol

Two relatives have been arrested for allegedly attempting to abduct a young woman after threatening her with a pistol later identified as a toy firearm, Sri Lanka Police stated. MORE..

Harsha says he will not leave centre-right political camp

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..

RDA urges motorists to exercise caution on expressways

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..

Dense fog disrupts traffic on Talawakelle–Nuwara Eliya road

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..

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

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..

Vijay wins Tamil Nadu trust vote with 144 MLAs voting in favour; DMK walks out

Vijay wins Tamil Nadu trust vote with 144 MLAs voting in favour; DMK walks out

Chief Minister Vijay on Wednesday comfortably won the trust vote in the 234-member Tamil Nadu Assembly, with 144 MLAs backing his government against the majority mark of 118. MORE..

New initiative introduced to support farmers amid rising input costs

New initiative introduced to support farmers amid rising input costs

A special program aimed at educating farmers on alternative practices in response to rising costs of fuel, fertiliser, and other agricultural inputs is scheduled to commence tomorrow (14). MORE..

School transport bus and SLTB bus collide in Dikwella

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..

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

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..

President says another fuel price increase necessary to curb consumption

President says another fuel price increase necessary to curb consumption

President Anura Kumara Dissanayake stated that the government’s objective is to reduce fuel consumption and that decisions such as the increase in fuel prices were taken accordingly. MORE..

India’s Congress leader Sonia Gandhi hospitalised

India’s Congress leader Sonia Gandhi hospitalised

India’s Congress leader Sonia Gandhi was admitted to Medanta Hospital in Gurugram on Wednesday, reported IANS. MORE..

Landslide reported in Maha Aragama, Wellawaya

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..

NBRO urges vigilance over landslide risks amid heavy rainfall

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..

Welipenna Interchange entry to Southern Expressway flooded

Welipenna Interchange entry to Southern Expressway flooded

The entrance to the Southern Expressway towards Colombo at the Welipenna Interchange has been inundated due to heavy rainfall, the Road Development Authority (RDA) said. MORE..

Level 2 landslide warnings issued to several areas in five districts

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..