China’s Xi signals trade progress as ‘biggest summit’ with Trump begins

With his approval ratings dented by his entanglement in the Middle East, Trump’s hotly anticipated trip to China - the first by a U.S. president to America’s main strategic rival since his last visit there in 2017 - has taken on added significance.

Experts warn of rising risks as children spend more time on online games

Online gaming is facing growing scrutiny as concerns mount over its behavioural and psychological impact on children, including addiction, exposure to strangers, and rising cases of uncontrolled in-game spending.

River water levels recede as rain eases

Water levels in several major river basins have begun to recede following reduced rainfall over the past 24 hours, the Irrigation Department said.

Animal welfare bill in final stage

Sri Lanka’s long-awaited Animal Welfare Bill, aimed at replacing the country’s 119-year-old animal protection law, has reached the final stage before being presented to Cabinet, animal rights activists said.

How can Tilvin Silva prejudge outcome? asks GL

Former External Affairs Minister G. L. Peiris, who now presides over an amalgam of political parties under the banner of the Joint Opposition, yesterday questioned the real motive behind the Presidential Commission appointed to probe coal transactions dating back to 2009, while also criticising ruling party General Secretary Tilvin Silva for appearing to prejudge the outcome even before investigations are concluded.

Meningitis situation under control: Health authorities

Health authorities have assured that the viral meningitis situation reported among schoolchildren in Deniyaya is currently under control, while surveillance and preventive measures continue in the area.

Government cannot continue to bear losses of fuel sale: President

Claiming that the fuel import cost has gone up by six times in May when compared to February due to the Middle East war, President Anura Kumara Dissanayake said yesterday the government cannot continue to bear the losses of the fuel and electricity supply.

Adverse weather will last for a few more days: Met Department

The current adverse weather conditions which has already claimed one life is expected to prevail for a few more days with an improvement expected around the weekend, an official from the Department of Meteorology said yesterday.

Sino-Lanka maritime research stopped due to disruptions, hope SL Govt will take right decision- Chinese ambassador

Chinese Ambassador Qi Zhenhong said yesterday that the routine marine scientific research conducted by scientists from both sides in Sri Lanka waters had been delayed due to various disruptions, and expressed hope that the Sri Lanka government, in consideration of its own sovereignty, dignity and interests, would make the right decision at an early date.

U.S donated Coast Guard Cutter arrives in Sri Lanka following record journey

The former U.S. Coast Guard Cutter DECISIVE, which departed from the Baltimore U.S. Coast Guard Yard East Wall Jetty, has arrived in Trincomalee after a nearly three-month voyage.

Dream of owning home in Sri Lanka slips further

The dream of owning a home in Sri Lanka is slipping further out of reach for everyday citizens, even as foreign money pours into the country’s luxury property market. While the economy shows signs of recovery and international investors are eagerly funding high-end apartments and hotels, local families are left facing a massive shortage of affordable housing.

Osman Gunasekera arrested over alleged role in ‘Ganemulla Sanjeewa’ murder

The Colombo Crimes Division (CCD) has arrested Osman Gunasekera, alias ‘Gampaha Osman,’ over his alleged involvement in the assassination of organized crime figure Sanjeewa Kumara Samararatne, better known as ‘Ganemulla Sanjeewa.’

US drops $15,000 visa deposit for foreign fans with World Cup tickets

The Trump administration will exempt football fans from 50 countries subject to a $15,000 (£11,000) visa deposit requirement, provided they are travelling to the US for the World Cup with valid match tickets.

10,000 waiting for heart surgeries amid rising costs

Over 10,000 patients are currently on waiting lists for heart surgeries in government hospitals, while the soaring cost of private sector treatment has made lifesaving procedures unaffordable for many Sri Lankans, according to the Medical and Civil Rights Doctors’ Trade Union Alliance.

One trip, one ticket: New EU rules aim to ease train travel

The EU plans to force railway companies to sell rivals’ tickets on their websites and share data with booking platforms, under new rules unveiled Wednesday aiming to boost train travel.

CEA urges public to avoid polythene, plastic for Vesak decorations

The Central Environmental Authority (CEA) has urged the public to refrain from using polythene and plastic materials for Vesak decorations and dansals, warning that the use of several single-use plastic items remains prohibited under the law.

“No one is above the law” must apply equally: Namal

Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna (SLPP) National Organizer and Parliamentarian Namal Rajapaksa said that if the President’s claim that “no one is above the law” is to be upheld, all individuals allegedly involved in wrongdoing must be investigated without exception.

Revenue office worker arrested over alleged bribery deal

A sanitation worker attached to the Polonnaruwa Provincial Revenue District Office was arrested by anti-corruption officials today (13) for allegedly obtaining a bribe to alter a land valuation report linked to a government land transfer.

Banking earnings weigh on market as investor sentiment turns cautious

The Colombo Stock Exchange ended today’s session on a negative note, as weaker-than-expected Banking sector earnings for the quarter dampened overall investor sentiment. Declines in both QoQ and YoY performances across several banking counters triggered selling pressure during the first hour of trading, pushing the ASPI down by over 100 points intraday before the market gradually stabilized.

Trump arrives in Beijing with CEOs ahead of Xi meetings

U.S. President Donald Trump has landed in Beijing for a highly anticipated presidential summit with his Chinese counterpart, Xi Jinping.

UNP questions President’s congratulatory message to TN Chief Minister

The United National Party (UNP) today said it was surprising to see President Anura Kumara Dissanayake extend his personal congratulations to the recently elected Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu, C. Joseph Vijay.

Sri Lanka’s withholding tax remains among lowest in the world: Verité Research

Withholding tax in Sri Lanka remains in the bottom 10 percent of countries that tax interest income even after the increase in withholding tax on interest income from 5 percent to 10 percent in April 2025, the Verité Research said.

Russian drone attacks kill nine in Ukraine after ceasefire expires

Nine people have been killed and at least 28 injured in the latest Russian drone attacks across Ukraine, local officials have said.

Showery weather to continue for next two days

The prevailing showery weather conditions across Sri Lanka are expected to continue over the next two days due to a low-pressure area located to the northeast of the island, the Meteorological Department said in its forecast issued at 4.00 p.m. today (13).

Flash floods disrupt Puttalam railway line; train services restricted to Chilaw

Train services on the Puttalam railway line have been restricted up to Chilaw Railway Station due to flooding caused by adverse weather conditions, the Railways Department announced today.

Rs. 3.1 bn project to add 16 new cath labs to state hospitals

The Health and Mass Media Ministry will install 16 new cardiac catheterisation laboratories (cath labs) in government hospitals this year at a cost of Rs. 3.1 billion, in a major move to strengthen cardiac care services across Sri Lanka.

Sri Lanka launches digital seed certification and traceability system

The Agriculture, Livestock, Lands and Irrigation Ministry and the Agriculture Department, with technical support from the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations, have launched the CROPIX Seed Production, Certification and Traceability System aimed at modernising Sri Lanka’s seed sector through digital technology.

One dead as adverse weather affects over 200 people

One death has been reported from Batticaloa due to the prevailing adverse weather conditions affecting several parts of the country, according to the latest situation report issued by the Disaster Management Centre.

More than 70 million warnings sent to people seeking child abuse material

More than 70 million warning messages have been sent to people attempting to access child sexual abuse material (CSAM) online over the past two years, the Lucy Faithfull Foundation says.

19 major reservoirs spilling, gates opened in nine others: Irrigation Department

The Irrigation Department said 19 major reservoirs across the country were spilling while gates had been opened in nine reservoirs as of 10.00 a.m. today (13), following continued heavy rainfall experienced in several areas.