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The number of foreign tourist arrivals in the country in 2026 is approaching the one million mark, according to data from the Sri Lanka Tourism Development Authority (SLTDA).

According to the latest statistics, a total of 990,032 tourists have visited Sri Lanka so far this year.

During the first 24 days of May, 113,755 foreign tourists entered the country, the SLTDA noted.

India continues to be the leading source of tourist arrivals during this period, contributing 46,998 visitors.

Additionally, 7,287 tourists arrived from the United Kingdom, 7,250 from China and 5,782 from Germany.

In May 2025, a total of 132,919 tourists visited Sri Lanka.

China's leader Xi Jinping met with Pakistan's Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif in Beijing on Monday (May 25), state media reported, as diplomatic efforts by several countries to formally end the Iran war drag on.

The high-level meeting, reported by state news agency Xinhua, followed Sharif's talks earlier in the day with Premier Li Qiang, China's No 2 leader.

Pakistan has emerged as a central mediator between the United States and Iran, hosting face-to-face talks last month that failed to yield a lasting agreement.

Sharif was accompanied on his trip by army chief Asim Munir, Islamabad's key negotiator between the United States and Iran, Pakistan television showed on Monday.

Xi praised Pakistan for "taking the initiative to play a mediating role in restoring peace in the Middle East", according to a Chinese readout of the talks between the two leaders.

"Both sides should continue to maintain close communication and coordination (and) jointly oppose unilateralism and Cold War mentality," Xi said.

China has played a quieter mediation role, shepherding phone calls and meetings with officials of affected Gulf countries.

Sharif, speaking to Chinese leaders alongside Munir, said "the world is passing through a critical moment", Pakistan's state-run PTV channel showed.

"Pakistan has played a sincere role to mediate between US and Iran. Field marshal (Munir) was in Tehran and did not want to miss this great visit," Sharif said.

"Things are moving in the right direction. I would like to thank China's support to promote peace," he said.

Sharif kicked off his four-day official visit in Hangzhou in eastern Zhejiang province on Saturday.

It follows a visit by Munir to Tehran on Friday and Saturday alongside Pakistan's Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi as part of mediation efforts to end the war.

China has said it would work with Pakistan to "make positive contributions to the early restoration of peace and stability in the Middle East".

In April, Pakistan hosted the only direct negotiations between US and Iranian officials to take place since the war began.

Munir was at the centre of the action during that round of talks, greeting both delegations on their arrival and displaying bonhomie with US Vice President JD Vance.

But the talks ultimately failed, with Iran accusing the United States of making "excessive demands".

Source: AFP

– Agencies

The Epidemiology Unit of the Ministry of Health has issued a set of special guidelines to all health authorities and relevant institutions aimed at controlling and preventing the spread of meningitis.

The Ministry of Health and Mass Media said the guidelines cover suspected symptoms, clinical diagnosis and classification, modes of transmission, treatment, preventive measures, public health practices, school-related instructions, sample collection and laboratory testing, clinical management and community-level control measures, as well as guidance for public gatherings and events.

Health officials have observed that the disease is spreading rapidly, particularly among schoolchildren.

Common symptoms include fever, headache and vomiting, while health authorities note that most cases recover within seven days.

According to the guidelines, meningitis can spread through contaminated food and water via the faecal-oral route, respiratory droplets from coughing or sneezing and close personal contact. Symptoms typically appear within 3 to 7 days after exposure.

Preventive measures include frequent handwashing with soap and water, covering the mouth and nose when coughing or sneezing, avoiding close contact with infected persons and ensuring proper ventilation in homes and buildings.

The guidelines were issued under the direction of a team led by Chief Epidemiologist of the Epidemiology Unit, Dr. Palitha Karunapema, in consultation with specialist medical experts.

They have been distributed island-wide to provincial and regional health authorities, hospital directors, medical administrators, community physicians, and medical officers of health for implementation.

The Parliamentary Select Committee on Reviewing Election Laws has met for the first time in Parliament under the chairmanship of the Minister of Public Administration, Provincial Councils and Local Government, Prof. A.H.M.H. Abayarathna.

The primary objective of the committee is to review laws relating to the electoral system, including the Registration of Electors Act, the Local Authorities Elections Ordinance, the Parliamentary Elections Act, the Presidential Elections Act, as well as amendments made to those laws over the years and special legislative provisions relevant to their implementation.

In addition, the committee has been tasked with evaluating the need to revise, amend and consolidate the laws and to recommend necessary reforms and amendments to the current legal framework governing elections, the Department of Communication of Parliament said in a statement. 

Meanwhile, in order to conduct a comprehensive study, the committee has been vested with the authority to summon any individual before the committee as deemed necessary, require the submission of any document or report and obtain evidence either in writing or orally. 

Furthermore, the committee is empowered to obtain the assistance of experts and professionals with specialized knowledge in relevant fields to support its work.

Accordingly, the members of the committee agreed to obtain public views for the committee’s activities and to raise wider public awareness regarding the review process.

The meeting was attended by Deputy Minister Sunil Watagala and Members of Parliament Ravi Karunanayake, J.C. Alawathuwala, Harshana Rajakaruna, Kathiravelu Shanmugam Kugathasan, Ruwanthilaka Jayakody, Thushari Jayasinghe, and Chandima Hettiarachchi.

The Department of Prisons has announced special arrangements to facilitate family visits for inmates in view of the upcoming Hajj and Vesak festivals.

Accordingly, special visits will be allowed on May 28 and May 30 across all prisons in the country.

The Department said the initiative is aimed at allowing inmates to meet their relatives during the festive season under regulated conditions.

During these visits, relatives will be permitted to bring food and sweets for inmates. However, authorities have instructed that the items should be limited to quantities sufficient for a single inmate.

The Commissioner of Prisons and Media Spokesperson, A.C. Gajanayake stated that the arrangements will be implemented in line with existing health guidelines and prison regulations.

He further added that all visiting procedures will be carried out strictly under the established prison rules to ensure order and security within the institutions.