AI in Higher Education: A shift that cannot be ignored?

Artificial Intelligence (AI) is no longer a distant concept; it is already integrated into the daily lives of everyone, including students across Sri Lankan higher education institutions.

Iranian Ambassador links Minab tragedy with orphaned children in Colombo

Iranian Ambassador Alireza Delkhosh brought together the memory of the Minab school tragedy with the lives of orphaned children in Sri Lanka, turning a simple gathering at the Fathima Orphanage into a moment of shared sorrow, empathy and solidarity.

Final rites of suspended Finance Ministry official today

The final rites of Ranga Nishantha Rajapaksa, the suspended Assistant Director of the External Resources Department of the Ministry of Finance, are scheduled to take place this afternoon, May 2.

US withdrawing 5,000 troops from Germany, US officials say

The United States is withdrawing 5,000 troops from NATO ally Germany, the Pentagon announced on Friday, as ​a rift over the Iran war widens between President Donald Trump and Europe.

Tourist arrivals top 850,000 despite dip in March, April

Tourist arrivals to Sri Lanka have surpassed the 850,000 mark so far this year, despite a slowdown in recent months, said the Sri Lanka Tourism Development Authority (SLTDA).

An influential figure behind the appointment of Eran as the Chief of SLC Transition Committee: Chamara

There is an influential lady behind the appointment of Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB) Member Eran Wickremaratne as the Chairman of Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) transitional committee, Sri Lanka Freedom Party (SLFP) National Organiser Chamara Sampath Dassanayake alleged yesterday.

Fire at Kalutara IRD Office under investigation

Police have initiated an investigation into a fire that erupted at the Kalutara Regional Office of the Inland Revenue Department on Thursday (30) night.

24-year imprisonment for sexually abusing 15-year-old boy

A Dhamma school teacher who stood indicted with causing grave sexual abuse to a 15-year-old boy was found guilty and sentenced to 24 years’ rigorous imprisonment by Monaragala High Court Judge Dr. Damith Nalinda Hewawasam on Thursday (30).

Some opposition groups plotting to destabilise country, create turmoil: President

Claiming that certain opposition politicians are plotting to destabilise the government and create turmoil in the country, President Anura Kumara Dissanayake said yesterday such ploys will be unsuccessful as the stability of the government is relying on people’s trust.

War with US ’likely’ to restart after Trump rejects proposal, Iranian official says

Trump said on Friday that he was ’’not satisfied’’ with Iran’s latest proposal, without detailing which elements he opposes, while the White House refused to comment on the state of the negotiations.

US bypasses congressional review for military sales of $8.6 billion to Middle East allies

BBC - U.S. President Donald Trump’s administration has bypassed congressional review to approve military ‌sales totaling over $8.6 billion to Middle Eastern allies Israel, Qatar, Kuwait and the United Arab Emirates.

Govt. moves to tighten foreign travel rules for monks

The government is moving to strictly enforce and update regulations governing the foreign travel of Buddhist monks, aiming to restore order and address serious misconduct within the clergy.

Qatar Airways resumes operations to Iraq

Doha, Qatar: Qatar Airways continues to reinstate its network across the Middle East, announcing the return of passenger flights to Baghdad (BGW), Basra (BSR), and Erbil (EBL) in Iraq, starting on May 10, 2026.

Trump says he’s dissatisfied with Iranian proposal as rift with allies deepens

U.S. President Donald Trump said on Friday he was not satisfied with the latest Iranian proposal for ​talks on the Iran war, while Iran’s foreign minister said Tehran was ready for diplomacy if the United States changes its approach.

Mahindananda Foundation returns leased property to Railways Department

The Mahindananda Aluthgamage Foundation has returned a property it occupied for nearly 20 years to the Department of Railways.

Investigating officer overseas over Easter probe: President

The government has initiated investigations into high profile cases where an investigating officer is currently overseas with regard to the Easter Sunday bomb attacks probes, President Anura Kumara Dissanayake said today.

Nepal Embassy to host ‘Sagarmatha Programme’ to boost Everest Tourism links with Sri Lanka

The Embassy of Nepal in Colombo has announced plans to host a special “Sagarmatha Programme” on May 29, 2026, aimed at promoting Nepal’s mountain heritage—particularly Mount Everest—and strengthening cultural and adventure tourism ties with Sri Lanka.

First Batch of 2026 Hajj pilgrims departs

The first group of Sri Lankan pilgrims for the 2026 Hajj season departed from Bandaranaike International Airport in Katunayake tonight (May 1).

Post-mortem confirms suicide in death of suspended Treasury Assistant Director

A four-member committee of forensic medical experts has confirmed that the suspicious death of a suspended Assistant Director of the Ministry of Finance was a suicide caused by self-inflicted injuries.

Iran says it has sent its latest proposal to US via Pakistani mediators

An Iranian diplomatic source has told Al Jazeera that the government submitted a new proposal to Pakistani mediators on Thursday.

Riot erupts over Australian Indigenous girl’s suspected killer, authorities urge calm

Hundreds of protesters clashed with Australian emergency services ​workers in a remote town following the arrest of a man suspected of murdering a 5-year-old Indigenous girl, police said ‌on Friday.

U-19 cricketers released on bail over alleged bathroom filming incident

Two members of Sri Lanka’s Under-19 cricket team who were arrested over the alleged recording of an obscene video involving a woman at a hotel in Narahenpita have been released on bail, Police said.

Journalists manhandled, barred from usual coverage at SJB May Day rally

Media personnel who were present to cover the Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB) May Day rally this afternoon were not allowed to engage in the usual coverage as they were chased away.

Fire at Inland Revenue Kalutara office; no impact on tax data systems

A fire broke out at the Kalutara Regional Office of the Inland Revenue Department on last night (April 30), prompting immediate response measures, authorities said.

Amber alert for severe lightning issued across several provinces

The Department of Meteorology has issued an ‘Amber’ advisory warning of severe lightning in several parts of the country, effective from noon today (01) until 11.30 p.m.

Vesak is today as per UN charter: Ranil

Former President Ranil Wickremesinghe, in a letter addressed to Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB) General Secretary Ranjith Madduma Bandara, said that his party cannot participate in the SJB May Day rally today as Vesak is celebrated today as per the UN charter.

President signals intensified anti-corruption drive, targets major cases

President Anura Kumara Dissanayake says the government is intensifying legal action against corruption and organised crime, claiming that a series of high-profile cases are moving through the courts under strengthened state institutions.

Four-member forensic panel appointed for suspended official’s post-mortem

The Health Ministry Secretary has said that a panel of four expert forensic medical specialists has been appointed to conduct the post-mortem examination of the Assistant Director of the Department of Foreign Resources, who had been suspended in connection with the alleged $2.5 million incident linked to the Treasury.

Hormuz blockade sees alternative land routes opening for trade

The closure of the Strait of Hormuz is reshaping trade routes with container ship traffic now using land routes to reach destinations, the AFP news agency reports.

19 rescued from drowning in April as Sri Lanka Coast Guard total reaches 2,629

The Sri Lanka Coast Guard rescued 19 people from drowning during April 2026 in a series of operations carried out along popular beaches around the island.