Wadduwa derailment: Partial line clearance underway, services still disrupted

The efforts are underway to clear the obstruction caused by the derailment of the “Sagarika” train near Wadduwa Railway Station today (24), with plans to restore at least one track before evening office hours to resume commuter services, the Railway Department says

Liquor shops to close for three days in May

All liquor shops islandwide will be closed for three days in May in view of International Workers’ Day and the Vesak festival, the Department of Excise said.

ID office warns of financial fraud using its name

The Department for Registration of Person (ID Office) warned that a certain party is misappropriating the name of the Department to obtain personal information and commit financial fraud.

Colombo High Court Trial-at-Bar rejects Pujith Jayasundara’s request to amend dock statement

The Colombo High Court Trial-at-Bar today rejected a request by former Inspector General of Police Pujith Jayasundara, an accused in the Easter Sunday bomb attacks case, seeking permission to add fresh facts to a statement he had made from the dock.

Australia offers support over Finance Ministry system fraud: PM

The government is taking necessary legal action over a recent financial fraud involving unauthorized access to the computer system of the Department of External Resources under the Ministry of Finance, Prime Minister Harini Amarasuriya stated.

Report on Cardinal’s resignation fake: Sri Lankan Catholic Church

The news which is being circulated with the headline Archbishop of Colombo Cardinal Malclom Ranjith is to resign, is fake, spokesman for the Sri Lankan Catholic Church Fr. Jude Krishantha said today.

High Court to recall Yoshitha Rajapaksa’s case on June 10

Colombo High Court Judge Rashmi Singappuli today ordered that the case filed by the Attorney General against Yoshitha Rajapaksa, son of former President Mahinda Rajapaksa, and his grandmother Daisy Forrest under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act be recalled on June 10.

Johnston Fernando granted bail

Former Minister Johnston Fernando was granted bail by the Wattala Magistrate’s Court after spending four months in remand custody over a case involving the alleged misuse of a Lanka Sathosa lorry.

Sri Lanka launches first national event calendar to boost industry

Sri Lanka’s first-ever national event calendar was launched in Colombo yesterday (23) under the patronage of Industry and Entrepreneurship Development Minister Sunil Handunnetti.

Man rescued after climbing traffic light near Presidential Secretariat

A man who climbed onto a traffic light in front of the Presidential Secretariat in Colombo was safely rescued this morning by Police and firefighters.

Norway plans to ban social media use by children under 16

Norway said on Friday it would present ​a bill in parliament by year-end ‌to ban children from using social media until they turn 16, making technology companies responsible ​for the task of age verification.

Former First Lady Maithree Wickremesinghe questioned by CID

Former First Lady Maithree Wickremesinghe is currently being questioned by the Criminal Investigation Department (CID), a spokesperson from former President Ranil Wickremesinghe’s office said.

Railway officials begin clearing derailed Sagarika train on coastal line

Clearing work has begun on the Sagarika train that derailed earlier this morning on the coastal railway line.

Gazette issued amending Vesak holiday

The government has amended the public holiday originally granted for May 2, 2026, moving it to May 31, 2026, following the declaration of Vesak Week from May 27 to June 2, 2026.

Govt low-income housing projects left abandoned, many houses destroyed

Houses built under government housing assistance programmes for low-income families between 2015 and 2019 have been found abandoned and in a damaged condition in the Polonnaruwa District.

Thundershowers expected islandwide after 1 p.m. today

The Meteorology Department has issued a warning saying that showers and thundershowers are expected in many parts of the country after 1.00 p.m. today.

Failed vehicle number plate project led to removal of province code

The Department of Motor Traffic (DMT) has admitted that the removal of province codes from vehicle number plates was due to a failed project.

Oil rises above $106 per barrel as US, Iran deadlocked in Strait of Hormuz

Oil prices have jumped on heightened tensions between the United States and Iran in the Strait of Hormuz following Washington and Tehran’s tit-for-tat captures of commercial vessels.

Two forest areas to be declared reserves during “Walk for Peace”

Two forest areas are to be declared as protected reserves today in connection with the ongoing “Walk for Peace” programme.

Medical data of half a million Britons listed for sale on Chinese website, government says

The medical data of half a million volunteers to Biobank, the UK’s health information database, has been offered for sale online, the government has said.

Tamil Nadu 2026 elections: Record 85% voter turnout

This live blog is now closedPolling to elect the 17 th Tamil Nadu Assembly was held on Thursday (April 23, 2026) from 7 a.m. till 6 p.m.

US says it does not object to Iran playing in World Cup but people with ties to IRGC won’t be allowed

U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio said on Thursday Washington had no objections to Iranian players participating in ​the 2026 FIFA World Cup but he added the players will ‌not be allowed to bring with them people with ties to Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC).

Former Afghanistan cricketer Shapoor Zadran battles life-threatening disease

Former Afghanistan cricketer Shapoor Zadran is battling for his life as he receives treatment for a rare life-threatening immune system disorder at a hospital in New Delhi, media reports say.

Iranian warship IRIS Booshehr still in SL waters despite crew repatriation

Despite more than 200 Iranian crew members rescued by Sri Lanka from two warships being repatriated, the Iranian Navy vessel IRIS Booshehr remains in Trincomalee waters after being detained in March 2026 following engine failure near Colombo in the aftermath of the sinking of IRIS Dena, the Daily Mirror learns.

Govt. should resign and hold a snap poll: Joint Opposition

Taking the government to task on a series of recent scams including the hacking of $ 2.5 million, the joint opposition yesterday said the entire Cabinet should resign and pave the way for a snap election.

Elsa 3 pellet cleanup expanded along Sri Lanka coast

Efforts to remove plastic pellets spilled from the Elsa 3, which sank off Kerala on May 25 last year, are being expanded as pollution continues to affect several coastal areas in Sri Lanka.

India slams Trump’s ’hellhole’ jibe, says comments uninformed, inappropriate

India on Thursday lashed out at US President Donald Trump for endorsing a post that described India as a ’’hellhole on the planet’’, saying such remarks were ’’uninformed, inappropriate and in poor taste’’, and that they did not reflect the true nature of bilateral ties.

Police probe sought over alleged USD 2.5 Mn Treasury payment misdirection

A complaint has been lodged with the Inspector General of Police calling for an immediate investigation into an alleged misdirection of a USD 2.5 million payment made by the Sri Lankan Treasury.

USD 2.5 million money heist - Who will bear the cost?

The NPP government is now facing a humiliating and serious financial scam which has robbed the people off USD 2.5 million from the state coffer, with senior Finance Ministry officials still unable to provide accurate answers as to where these monies went and who is responsible behind the theft.

Oneworld welcomes Hawaiian Airlines to alliance

The oneworld alliance has officially welcomed Hawaiian Airlines as its newest member, marking the addition of a third United States-based carrier alongside Alaska Airlines and American Airlines. The move also establishes Honolulu as a key global hub within the alliance’s network.