Govt issues circular to confirm temporary staff as permanent

The government has issued a circular to grant permanent appointments to employees currently serving on a temporary, casual (daily), substitute, contract or concessionary basis in government institutions.

U.K. whiskey tariffs eased after Trump met with King Charles III

President Donald Trump posted online Thursday that he would remove tariffs on some whiskey, a move that could ease trade tensions for Scotch whisky and Kentucky bourbon producers.

Tobacco-free Sri Lanka: Can post-2010 generation be smoke-free?

Can Sri Lanka create a tobacco-free generation among children born after 2010? A new proposal submitted to Health and Mass Media Minister Dr Nalinda Jayatissa aims to do just that.

Sri Lanka faces essential drug shortage amid economic pressure, doctors’ union warns

Sri Lanka is facing a shortage of several essential medicines due to economic pressures and disruptions in the drug supply mechanism, a medical trade union representative has warned.

Myanmar’s detained former leader Aung San Suu Kyi moved to house arrest, military says

Myanmar’s detained former leader Aung San Suu Kyi is to be moved to house arrest, state media reported on Thursday, more than five years after the military ousted the civilian government she led and jailed the Nobel laureate.

US $ 3.7 billion Sinopec investment still in limbo

The government will take at least another couple of months to decide on the proposed Sinopec Oil Refinery Project in Hambantota, which is the largest single Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) in Sri Lanka’s history, a Minister said.

Tight security, traffic plans in place for nationwide May Day events

Police have deployed thousands of officers, including Special Task Force personnel and intelligence units, across the country for security and traffic management during today’s May Day rallies and parades.

Fertiliser boss says war puts 10 billion meals a week at risk

The interruption to supplies of fertiliser and its key ingredients due to the war in Iran could cost up to ten billion meals a week and will hit poorest countries hardest, according to the boss of one of the world’s biggest fertiliser producers.

Government remains dedicated to creating fair and safe working environment: PM

Prime Minister Dr. Harini Amarasuriya said the government remains dedicated to creating a fair and safe working environment by expanding existing services and implementing new programmes aimed at improving the living standards of working people.

’We continue to work while learning and learn while working, towards steady progress’: President

The primary objective of the government is to safeguard the rights of the working people in this nation and to create a more stable economy and a brighter future for our children, rather than allowing them to endure suffering, tears and pain, President Anura Kumara Dissanayake said.

Sri Lankan population surges as India takes lead in Australia migration

India has overtaken England to become Australia’s largest overseas-born population group, while the Sri Lankan-born community has also recorded a notable surge, according to the latest data released by the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS).

No fuel price revision today; decision pending discussion: CPC

The Ceylon Petroleum Corporation (CPC) announced that fuel prices will not be revised today (May 1), as the scheduled discussion on price adjustments has not yet been held.

Treasury heist takes a dark turn

Against the backdrop of ongoing investigations into the disappearance of US$2.5 million from the treasury account, an official from the Finance Ministry who was under probe had been found dead in his home garden in Kuliyapitiya yesterday.

Iran threatens painful response if US renews attacks

Iran said on Thursday it would respond with ’’long and painful strikes’’ on U.S. positions if Washington renewed attacks and ​restated its claim to the Strait of Hormuz, complicating U.S. plans for a coalition to reopen the waterway.

Colombo consumer prices jump above CB’s 5% target as higher fuel prices reverberates through economy

The consumer inflation measured by the Colombo Consumer Price Index (CCPI) jumped in April as the higher fuel prices caused by the war in Iran fed quickly through the rest of the economy sending the prices

War risk premiums surge up to 50% amid ME tensions, hitting Sri Lanka trade

War risk insurance premiums for vessels operating in the Red Sea and the Persian Gulf have surged by up to 50 percent with extreme cases reaching as high as three percent of vessel value per voyage due to

Public to be invited to name new lion cubs

Allowing children to suggest names for two newborn lion cubs, the Dehiwala Zoological Gardens has invited the public to visit and witness the young animals.

Oil price hits highest since 2022 after report Trump to be briefed on new Iran options

Oil prices jumped to their highest since 2022 after a report that the US military is set to brief President Donald Trump on new plans for potential action in the Iran war.

Cricket tarnished by more scandals

While Indian youngsters like Vaibhav Sooryavanshi , Ayush Mhatre and Yashasvi Jaiswal continue to make headlines for their incredible performances, unprecedented talent and fearless approach to the game, two U-19 youngsters from the Sri Lankan squad have made headlines for all the wrong reasons.

Market slides on oil Shock as global risk sentiment turns negative

The Colombo Stock Exchange closed in negative territory today, with both indices declining sharply amid a broad-based sell-off triggered by deteriorating global sentiment. Brent crude oil prices surged above the $120 mark following escalating geopolitical tensions in the Middle East, reinforcing a risk-off environment across global markets.

Eran and Team to Convert SLC

Eran Wickremaratne, the new head of Sri Lanka Cricket, said his top priority would be to transform the administration of the sport into a professional and accountable set-up following his entry into the hot seat replacing Shammi Silva.

Sri Lanka seal series, hit peak before World Cup

Sri Lanka head into the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup 2026 in strong form after sealing an unassailable 2–0 lead in their T20I series against Bangladesh women’s national cricket team.

Customs begins digitisation drive to boost efficiency, transparency in container release

The Sri Lanka Customs today launched a digitisation initiative covering several key operations, including container release, aimed at improving efficiency and transparency for the trading community.

Corporal punishment remains second-highest child abuse complaint, NCPA reports

The second highest category of complaints received by the National Child Protection Authority (NCPA) relates to physical abuse, with between 2,000 and 2,500 cases of corporal punishment reported each year.

Govt to strengthen regulation of preschools and day care centres

Women and Child Affairs Minister Saroja Savithri Paulraj has said that there is a need to further expand and strictly enforce legal and policy provisions in light of recent concerns over the safety and wellbeing of children in early childhood development and day care centres.

Tamil Nadu Elections- Possible outcome: A Competitive Edge, Not a Landslide BUT DMK Stalin will bounce back

Tamil Nadu, long dominated by Dravidian parties, has historically relied on expansive welfare programs. However, there are indications that voters are beginning to scrutinize the financial viability of these schemes more closely. Questions around state debt, budget allocation, and economic efficiency are becoming central to political discourse.

Finance Ministry official suspended over USD 2.5m cyber fraud found dead

An official of the External Resources Department (ERD) of the Ministry of Finance who was among four officials suspended in late April 2026 pending a disciplinary inquiry into a USD 2.5 million cyber fraud, was found dead in Kuliyapitiya, police said.

New York City Mayor urges King Charles to return 105.6-ct diamond

New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani has called for the return of the priceless Koh-i-Noor diamond from the UK, just hours before meeting King Charles.

SLPI strengthens digital journalism with AI and data-driven training initiatives

The Sri Lanka Press Institute (SLPI), with the support of the India–Sri Lanka Foundation, continues to enhance digital journalism in Sri Lanka through a series of practical training programmes for media professionals.

Inquiry requested into Harshana Suriyapperuma’s dual citizenship

A complaint has been lodged with the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) seeking an inquiry into whether Secretary to the Treasury Dr. Harshana Suriyapperuma holds dual citizenship.