PAFFREL urges govt. to stop “technical excuses” and hold PC elections

The People’s Action for Free and Fair Elections (PAFFREL) Executive Director Rohana Hettiarachchi has issued a stern call to the government to stop utilizing ’’technical excuses’’ and committee appointments as a means to delay Provincial Council (PC) elections.

Iran considering US proposal to end war, official says

Iran says a US proposal to end the war is ’’still being considered’’, after reports that the two sides could be close to an agreement.

Electric buses key to resolving private bus industry crisis: Gemunu

The only sustainable solution to the severe financial and technological crisis faced by Sri Lanka’s private bus industry is a transition to electric buses, Chairman of the Lanka Private Bus Owners’ Association (LPBOA), Gemunu Wijeratne, said.

Currency pressure returns as Sri Lankan rupee slips past Rs.324 against US dollar

The Sri Lankan rupee weakened beyond the Rs.324 mark against the US dollar yesterday for the first time in more than two years, raising fresh concerns over the country’s fragile external balance sheet and rising foreign debt pressures.

Laugfs gas price exceeds Rs. 6,000

Laugfs gas price exceeds Rs. 6,000 as domestic LPG prices were revised upwards with effect from last night (6), the company announced.

Women to play with small balls

England fly-half Zoe Harrison says the introduction of smaller balls for this autumn’s WXV Global Series is “the worst decision someone has ever made”. Size 4.5 balls - about 3% smaller, but the same weight as a regulation size five - will be used for the tournament in September and October.

120 foreign suspects remanded without visas

The Officer in charge of the Welikada Police today informed the Colombo Additional Magistrate Nuwan Kaushalya that there is a suspicion whether the 120 foreign nationals who were arrested for allegedly engaging in illegal financial fraud while residing in the country without valid visas are also connected to the incident involving the misappropriation of USD 2.5 million from the Treasury by hackers.

CNN founder Ted Turner dies at 87

Ted Turner, the media maverick and philanthropist who founded CNN, a pioneering 24-hour network that revolutionized television news, died peacefully Wednesday, surrounded by his family, according to a news release from Turner Enterprises. He was 87.

Strangled in the cradle

Whoever declared that volleyball should be the National game of Sri Lanka must be rolling in his or her grave if not kicking their heels as the sport has been dealt a virtual death blow in the cradle.

President could face impeachment motion: Opposition

President Anura Kumra Dissanayake could face an impeachment motion for inflicting influence on judges though remarks made on impending judgements, the opposition said today.

Sri Lanka expresses grave concern over recent hostilities in West Asian region

Sri Lanka has expressed its grave concern regarding the recent hostilities in the West Asian region including attacks on critical energy infrastructure, which affect regional stability and peace efforts.

Vijay could demand Katchatheevu : Chamara Samapth

The new Tamil Vettri Kazhagam administration in Tamil Nadu led by Tamil Cinema Star Joseph Vijay Chandrasekhar is likely to demand Katchatheevu Island which is currently Sri Lanka, opposition MP Chamara Sampath Dassanayake told Parliament.

Market rebounds on earnings optimism and easing geopolitical tensions

The Colombo Stock Exchange witnessed a strong recovery today, with both indices closing firmly in positive territory, supported by improved investor sentiment. The upward momentum was largely driven by ongoing corporate earnings releases and expectations of robust March 2026 quarter results, which encouraged renewed buying interest across the market.

Opposition calls for adjournment debate on President’s remarks on court cases

Around 20 MPs representing the Opposition called for an adjournment debate on the remarks by President Anura Kumara Dissanayake in his May Day speech referring to court cases.

Supreme Court affirms death sentence for convicts in Vidya murder case

The Supreme Court today affirmed the death sentences imposed on four convicts on death row over the rape and murder of Sivaloganathan Vidya.

Trump says if agreement isn’t reached with Iran, ’’the bombing starts’’

US President Donald Trump issued a new warning to Iran, saying if they don’t come to an agreement, the “bombing starts” and it will “higher level and intensity than it was before.”

Supreme Court orders replantation near Nakolagane Viharaya

The Supreme Court today delivered a judgment ordering the Director General of Wildlife Conservation to initiate a replantation programme to restore cleared forest areas in the immediate vicinity of the Nakolagane Purana Raja Maha Viharaya in Ehetuwewa, in the Kurunegala District.

State of Play as ICC World Test Championship 2025–27 resumes

With Bangladesh set to host Pakistan, the ICC World Test Championship 2025–27 resumes, and Sri Lanka re-enter the frame aiming to build on their early gains in the push towards the final at Lord’s.

Rs. 300,000 fine on three Matara outlets for selling rice above MRP

Three retail outlets in the Matara District have been fined a total of Rs. 300,000 for selling rice above the government-mandated Maximum Retail Price (MRP), the Consumer Affairs Authority (CAA) said.

Litro holds gas prices steady for May

Litro Gas Lanka Ltd has announced that it will not increase domestic gas prices for May 2026, citing the need to provide relief to consumers amid rising international gas prices and challenging exchange rate conditions.

MP Archchuna seen recording video in Parliament garden

MP Ramanathan Archchuna, who has been a controversial figure ever since he entered Parliament, became the centre of attraction again when he was seen recording a video in the garden outside the Parliament lobby.

Dengue cases on the rise: Dengue Control Unit

Sri Lanka is witnessing a surge in dengue infections, with 2,671 active cases reported as of May 4, according to Dr. Kapila Kannangara, Acting Chairman of the National Dengue Control Unit (NDCU).

Canary Islands leader rejects docking of cruise ship hit by hantavirus outbreak

The regional government of Spain’s Canary Islands is opposed to allowing ‌a luxury cruise ship that has been hit by an outbreak of the deadly hantavirus to dock on the archipelago, its leader, Fernando Clavijo, said on Wednesday.

Vijay’s TVK seeks CPI’s support after Congress, CPI(M) outreach

Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK) president C. Joseph Vijay has reached out to the Communist Party of India (CPI), a constituent of the DMK-led Secular Progressive Alliance (SPA), seeking support to form the government in Tamil Nadu after the party emerged as the single largest in the State Assembly with 108 seats, short of a simple majority in the 234-member House.

Trial against Kumara Jayakody to begin June 17

Colombo High Court Judge Rashantha Godawela has fixed June 17 to commence the trial in the case filed by the Commission to Investigate Allegations of Bribery or Corruption against former Power and Energy Minister Kumara Jayakody.

Trump says ’Project Freedom’ to be paused

The US operation to guide stranded vessels through the Strait of Hormuz will be paused for a ’’short period of time’’, President Donald Trump announced on Tuesday evening.

Iran’s Araghchi holds talks with China’s Wang Yi in Beijing

Iran’s Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi is holding talks with his Chinese counterpart, Wang Yi, in Beijing amid tensions with the United States in the Strait of Hormuz.

Ravi K questions CBSL oversight over Rs. 13.2 Bn NDB fraud

MP Ravi Karunanayake has raised serious concerns in Parliament over regulatory failures surrounding the reported Rs. 13.2 billion fraud at NDB Bank, questioning how authorities failed to detect the alleged irregularities over more than three years.

$ 2.5 million heist was discovered after suspicion arose on another transaction: Deputy Minister

The alleged heist of $ 2.5 million was discovered only after a suspicion arose when a repayment was made to Exim Bank India, Deputy Minister Anil Jayantha told Parliament yesterday.

About 10–15% of urban schoolchildren overweight: Expert

Raising concern over the prevalence of childhood obesity in Sri Lanka, Consultant Paediatrician Dr. Maheshaka Wijayawardena said 10–15% of school-aged children are overweight or obese in urban areas.