Sri Lanka, Vietnam sign four MoUs, bilateral agreement on Customs affairs

Sri Lanka and Vietnam signed four Memoranda of Understanding (MoUs) and one Agreement in the presence of President Anura Kumara Dissanayake and President of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam, Luong Cuong.

Do not get exposed to intense heat in queues at polling stations

Health authorities have warned the public to avoid exposing themselves to the intense heat affecting several areas of the country while waiting in queues at polling stations.

SJB complains to Election Commission against Prime Minister

The Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB) lodged a complaint against Prime Minister Harini Amarasuriya over a statement made by her asking her party supporters to campaign even during the silent period.

Prime Minister under probe over alleged election law violation

Sri Lanka’s main election monitoring body, the People’s Action for Free and Fair Election (PAFFREL), has requested the Election Commission to inquire into the complaint that Prime Minister Harini Amarasuriya violated election laws by asking her party’s supporters to campaign even during the silent period.

Mahesh Gammanpila taken back into remand custody

Former Additional Secretary of the Ministry of Agriculture, Mahesh Gammanpila, who was released on bail today over allegations of causing a loss of over Rs. 13 million to the government by importing a shipment of organic fertilizer contaminated with harmful bacteria and pathogens, has been taken back into remand custody after failing to fulfill the conditions of his bail.

Stray dog capture gang sparks meat trade fears

An organized gang capturing stray dogs in villages around the Moragahakanda reservoir and along the Elahera road has raised serious concerns among local residents, who suspect the animals are being slaughtered for meat.

Sri Lanka’s ‘Knights’ wins runners-up at International Music contest in India

Sri Lankan musical group ’Knights’ has secured the runner-up position at the ’Battle of the Bands – International’ competition held in Mumbai, India.

Vietnamese, Sri Lankan Presidents seek $1 bn in trade

Vietnam President Lương Cường on Monday held talks with Sri Lankan President Anura Kumara Dissanayaka after hosting an official welcome ceremony at the Presidential Palace in Hà Nội.

Over 96,000 foreigners donate eye corneas this year

A total of 96,000 foreign nationals have contributed eye corneas so far this year, with the majority of donations going to Egypt, followed by Lebanon, Pakistan, Iraq, Kenya, and 56 other countries, the Sri Lanka Eye Donation Society (SLEDS) announced.

Bangladesh to tour Sri Lanka for bilateral cricket series in June–July

The Bangladesh National Men’s Cricket Team will tour Sri Lanka in June and July 2025 for a bilateral series comprising Tests, ODIs, and T20Is.

Severe lightning warning for six districts

The Department of Meteorology has issued a severe lightning warning for six districts, effective until 11:00 p.m. today.

Krrish Tower issued red notice over dengue threat

Colombo’s Krrish Tower has been issued a red notice after health officials found it posed a serious dengue risk during a routine inspection.

Sri Lanka soar in ODIs and T20Is rankings with home dominance

Australia remains at the top in Tests, India leads the two white-ball formats, while Sri Lanka emerge big winners as the yearly ICC rankings refresh brings big movements across formats.

Former Agriculture Ministry Additional Secretary granted bail

The former Additional Secretary of the Ministry of Agriculture and former Chief Secretary of the Uva Province Mahesh Lasantha Gammanpila, was released on bail today over the allegation of causing a loss of over Rs. 13 million to the government by importing a shipment of organic fertilizer contaminated with harmful bacteria and pathogens.

Watch out for Cardinal Malcolm Ranjith: International media expert

While highlighting that the Catholic Church might look towards the East to find a successor to late Pope Francis, an analyst and media expert on religious affairs said one should watch out for Cardinal Malcolm Ranjith.

SLTB officers remanded for soliciting bribe

Two officials attached to the Sri Lanka Transport Board (SLTB) Eastern Province Regional Office were remanded till May 9, by Colombo Chief Magistrate Thanuja Lakmali today over allegations of soliciting a bribe of Rs. 100,000 to influence a disciplinary inquiry.

SL Customs to publicise names of tax defaulters, other offenders from June 1st

Sri Lanka Customs will publicise the names and particulars of individuals and companies defaulting taxes, seized smugglers and those who intentionally violate the Customs Ordinance on its official web portal from June 1st.

15 Sri Lankans trapped in Myanmar cyber camps to be rescued

Fifteen Sri Lankans who have been trapped in cybercrime centres in Myawaddy, Myanmar, are set to be rescued tomorrow, according to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Foreign Employment and Tourism.

President invites Vietnam’s Vingroup to invest in Sri Lanka

President Anura Kumara Disanayake, who is currently on a state visit to Vietnam, extended an open invitation to Vietnam’s leading conglomerate, Vingroup, to explore investment opportunities in Sri Lanka’s real estate and tourism sectors.

Complaint to CID against Tusitha Halloluwa over defamation of President

A complaint has been lodged with the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) against former Executive Director of the National Lotteries Board Tusitha Halloluwa, over an allegedly defamatory and false statement made regarding President Anura Kumara Dissanayake.

Trump orders reopening of Alcatraz prison

US President Donald Trump said on Sunday (May 4) he was directing the Federal Bureau of Prisons to rebuild and reopen the infamous Alcatraz prison in the San Francisco Bay to ’’house America’s most ruthless and violent Offenders.’’

Industry urges Health Minister to halt proposed G2G pharma imports

Three leading pharmaceutical associations in Sri Lanka have called on Health Minister Dr. Nalinda Jayatissa to immediately halt the proposed government-to-government (G2G) pharmaceutical import initiative as it could jeopardise patient safety, cripple local manufacturing, and open doors to corruption.

E-commerce spending via cards surge by 27.4% in 2024

E-commerce transactions via card payments in Sri Lanka witnessed robust growth of 27.4 percent YoY valuing at Rs.367.6 billion in 2024,

9 killed after 4 tourist boats capsize in China, state media reports

Nine people died when ’’sudden strong winds’’ capsized four tourist boats and plunged 84 people into the water in Southwestern China, state media reported on Monday (May 5).

No arrests yet in Rs. 4.5 M Swiss envoy theft case

The Kollupitiya Police are yet to make a breakthrough in the theft at the official residence of the Swiss Ambassador, where gold jewellery—including a diamond-studded ring—and luxury wristwatches worth approximately Rs. 4.5 million were reported stolen from a safe.

Eta Aquarids meteor shower peak on May 6, visible till May 27

The Eta Aquarids meteor shower will reach its peak tomorrow (6) and remain visible till May 27, the Astronomy Division of the Arthur C. Clarke Institute for Modern Technologies said.

Trump says non-US movies to be hit with 100% tariffs

US President Donald Trump says he will hit movies made in foreign countries with 100% tariffs, as he ramps up trade disputes with nations around the world.

Assailant slaps Turkish main opposition leader Özel

An assailant slapped Özgür Özel, leader of the main opposition Republican People’s Party (CHP), on Sunday as he was leaving an event in Istanbul.

Youth killed in Mount Lavinia shooting

A 19-year-old youth was shot dead in a gun attack on Beach Road, Mount Lavinia, this morning, police said.

Sri Lanka nears 900,000 tourist arrivals

Sri Lanka’s tourism sector is nearing the 900,000 arrival mark for the year, with 896,884 tourists recorded by the end of April 2025.