Vijay to take oath as Tamil Nadu Chief Minister tomorrow

Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK) chief Vijay is set to take oath as the Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu on Sunday at 3 PM.

Low-pressure area likely to form near Sri Lanka by May 11

A low-level atmospheric disturbance in the vicinity of Sri Lanka is likely to develop into a low-pressure area around May 11, with prevailing showery conditions across the island expected to continue over the next few days, the Department of Meteorology said.

‘PIC-Net’ Initiative launched to improve efficiency of public service delivery

Plans have been made to establish the Public Impact Champions Network (PIC-Net) with the aim of driving institutional-level digital transformation across the public sector, as a key component of the Government’s Digital Economy Strategy.

Warning issued as heavy rains lash several provinces

The Department of Meteorology has issued an ‘Amber’ advisory for heavy rainfall in several parts of the country, warning that showers exceeding 100 mm are likely in some areas.

Airbus probe: SLPP says Mahinda Rajapaksa receives letter of summons

Former President Mahinda Rajapaksa has been summoned to appear before Sri Lanka’s Commission to Investigate Allegations of Bribery or Corruption (CIABOC) on May 12 to provide a statement in connection with the Airbus deal investigation.

Sri Lanka’s Fertility Shock: Is the Crisis Real?

Sri Lanka’s latest population census has delivered what appears to be a demographic shock. According to the 2024 Census of Population and Housing, the country’s fertility rate has fallen to just 1.3 children per woman—a level usually associated with some of the world’s lowest-fertility societies. If taken at face value, this would signal a dramatic and rapid shift in how Sri Lankan families are formed.

Marauding elephant herd wreak havoc in Ennungoda village

A herd of more than 20 wild elephants that raided the Kottukachchiya division has wreaked havoc, destroying houses and cultivated land. Villagers who expressed concern about the threat of wild elephants in the area, said civilian life in several villages had been disrupted.

Electricity tariffs to rise by 18% for high-consumption users

The Public Utilities Commission of Sri Lanka (PUCSL) has announced a decision to increase electricity tariffs by 18% for the second and third quarters of 2026.

SLs first Women’s Sub Fertility Medical Unit opens in Galle

For the first time in Sri Lanka a Women’s Sub Fertility Medical Unit was established yesterday at Karapitiya German-Sri Lanka Friendship Women’s Hospital.

Russia says US, Bahrain should withdraw UN resolution on Iran’s actions in Hormuz Strait

Moscow is urging the US and Bahrain to withdraw a draft resolution in the UN Security Council that calls on Iran to end its blockade in the Strait of Hormuz.

ACMC suspends party membership of Kurunegala Deputy Mayor

The All Ceylon Makkal Congress (ACMC) has officially suspended the party membership of the Deputy Mayor of the Kurunegala Municipal Council, Ashardeen Moinudeen, with immediate effect. The decision follows his arrest by authorities over allegations of soliciting a significant bribe.

MasterChef Sri Lanka Grand Finale to Air on 9th May

After months of intense challenges, emotional eliminations, and unforgettable culinary moments, MasterChef Sri Lanka is set to crown its first-ever winner this Saturday, May 9th at 8.00 p.m.

Viet Nam and SL agree to upgrade bilateral relations into a comprehensive partnership programme

Visiting Vietnamese President To Lam who addressed Parliament yesterday announced that both his country and Sri Lanka have agreed to upgrade the bilateral relationship into a comprehensive and active bilateral programme.

Irresponsible speculation to be discouraged; thorough, impartial, objective investigation needed - GL

Referring to the death of former Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of SriLankan Airlines Kapila Chandrasena, former External Affairs Minister Prof. G.L. Peiris who is actively involved in opposition politics said that irresponsible speculation should be discouraged, and the best way for it was the conduct of a complete, thorough, impartial investigation into the incident.

Courts Registrar remanded

The former Registrar of Welimada Magistrate’s Court who had been arrested by Welimada Police in connection with the alleged theft of case productions was produced before Welimada Magistrate R.A.C.P Amaratunga and remanded till May 18.

16th National Lotus Flower Ceremony tomorrow at Samadhi Buddha Statue

Organized by the Siseth Foundation under the theme ’’Ending Conflicts, For Universal Humanity,’’ the event features an offering of 200,000 lotus flowers.

Chief Prelate of Atamasthana arrested

The Chief Prelate of the Atamasthana, Venerable Pallegama Hemarathana Thero, has been arrested following serious allegations of sexually abusing a 15-year-old girl.

America ready to support probe into cyber thefts

In the wake of the US $ 2.5 million cyber theft at the Finance Ministry and reports of America’s Federal Bureau (FBI) being approached for help in investigations, the United States said it values its law enforcement partnership with Sri Lanka and is prepared to consider official requests for assistance submitted through appropriate diplomatic and law enforcement channels.

Robbery at Salawa Estate

An armed gang of six men that entered the superintendent’s bungalow in Kosgama Salawa Estate of the Pussellawa Estate Company in the early hours of last morning had trussed up the watchers and robbed the superintendent of Rs. 10 million at gun point and fled in his vehicle.

Trump announces three-day ceasefire in Russia-Ukraine war

United States ⁠President Donald Trump ⁠says ‌there will be a three-day ceasefire in ⁠the war between ⁠Russia and ⁠Ukraine.

Post-mortem of former SriLankan Airlines CEO to be conducted today

The post-mortem examination of the former Chief Executive Officer of SriLankan Airlines, Kapila Chandrasena, is scheduled to take place today, May 9.

Sri Lanka rules out possibility of claiming compensation for any marine pollution

Sri Lanka has ruled out the possibility of seeking compensation over the sinking of the Iranian Navy frigate IRIS Dena off the country’s southern coast, with authorities stating that international law does not permit compensation claims against warships and that no confirmed environmental damage linked to the vessel has so far been reported, according to an official.

Inconsistency of institutions, officials led to theft of USD 2.5 million: COPF

The lack of consistency among the institutions and officials involved on the confirmation of payment and balances of foreign debts led to the alleged USD 2.5 million theft, a report of the Committee on Public Finances (COPF) which was submitted to Parliament revealed.

Former CEO found dead following arrest warrant

The investigation into the multi-billion dollar SriLankan Airlines Airbus deal has taken a chilling and dramatic turn following the death of its central figure, former CEO Kapila Chandrasena. The latter was found dead early Friday morning at his brother-in-law, the legendary Sri Lankan cricketer, Aravinda De Silva’s Kollupitiya residence.

Magistrate orders arrest of Ven. Hemarathana Thera over alleged abuse of a 15-year old girl

Anuradhapura Chief Magistrate today ordered the arrest of Anuradhapura Atamasthadipathi Ven. Pallegama Hemarathana Thera who is suspected to have abused a 15-year-old girl, and her mother involved in the incident.

Special privileges alleged in allocation of ‘Besa Visas’ for Haj pilgrimage

Allegations have surfaced over the allocation of special “Besa Visas” for the Haj pilgrimage, with claims that wives of certain Haj Committee members have been granted the facility despite repeated assurances that the visas would be issued solely to Haj agents involved in pilgrimage arrangements.

Former Weligama PS chairman remanded over Rs. 40 mn loss to state

Former SLPP Weligama Pradeshiya Sabha Chairman Daya Pushpa Kumara Battage has been remanded by Colombo Additional Magistrate Liyan Werasawithana until May 19 over allegations of causing a loss exceeding Rs. 40 million to the State.

President of Viet Nam departs Sri Lanka

The delegation led by Tô Lâm, President of the Socialist Republic of Viet Nam and General Secretary of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of Viet Nam departed Sri Lanka tonight (08) from the Bandaranaike International Airport, Katunayake, successfully concluding the State Visit undertaken at the invitation of President Anura Kumara Dissanayake.

Kurunegala deputy mayor arrested over bribery deal

The Deputy Mayor of the Kurunegala Municipal Council and a member of the All Ceylon Makkal Congress was arrested over allegations of soliciting a Rs. 3 million bribe from a businessman in exchange for awarding a tender.

Kiridi Oya overflow floods around 30 houses in Wellawaya

Around 30 houses in several areas of Wellawaya have been inundated following the overflow of the Kiridi Oya, according to the Monaragala District Disaster Management Centre said.