Suresh Sallay returns to CID after hospitalisation

Major General (Retired) Suresh Sallay, the former head of the State Intelligence Service, who had been admitted to the National Hospital in Colombo due to an illness related to his ear, was brought back to the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) today after receiving treatment.

24-hour help line launched for fishing and aquaculture fuel issues

A 24-hour help line has been launched to assist the fishing sector and industries such as seafood processing and aquaculture with fuel supply issues.

‘Ratama Ekata’ operation: 89 red-notice criminals to be repatriated

Security forces in Sri Lanka are taking steps to repatriate 89 criminals who have been issued international red notices under the ongoing ‘Ratama Ekata’ national operation targeting drugs and organised crime.

Fertilizer shortage threatens Yala paddy cultivation: Farmers’ Union warns

A severe fertilizer shortage could jeopardize paddy cultivation during the upcoming Yala season, National Farmers’ Union Chairman Anuradha Tennakoon warned.

Will study and come up with in Parliament on Iranian vessel issue: Ravi K

Opposition MP Ravi Karunanayake, who was one-time Minister of Foreign Affairs, said today he will come up with a statement in Parliament after finding the real facts on the Iranian vessel issue.

Oil prices rise higher as Iran denies US talks, dimming deescalation hopes

Oil prices have climbed higher amid fading hopes of deescalation in the Iran war following Tehran’s denial that talks with the United States are under way.

Russia’s Deputy Energy Minister arrives in Sri Lanka

The Deputy Minister of Energy of Russia, Roman Marshavin, arrived in the country on a three-day official visit this morning.

Hormuz route opened for India: Iranian FM

Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi on Thursday said that they have permitted the passage of vessels for friendly countries, including India, through the Strait of Hormuz.

At least 24 people die after bus plunges into Bangladesh river

A bus carrying about 40 people plunged into a river in central Bangladesh as it was driving onto a ferry, leaving at least 24 people dead, authorities said on Thursday.

Iran readies law to charge tolls in strait of Hormuz: ’ships must pay for security’

Iran is preparing legislation to impose toll charges on vessels passing through the Strait of Hormuz, according to an Al Jazeera report citing Iranian news agencies Fars and Tasnim.

Tehran issues warning to regional neighbour if Iranian island occupied

A senior official in Tehran has warned that intelligence reports suggest that “Iran’s enemies” ⁠are planning to occupy an Iranian island with support ‌from an unnamed country in the region.

Police warn public of fake discount airline ticket scams

Sri Lanka Police have issued a warning to the public over fraudulent messages circulating on social media offering airline tickets at unusually low or special discounted rates.

5,000 in final stage of kidney disease; 300 transplants in a year

A total of 5,000 patients have been reported in the final stage of kidney disease, while 300 kidney transplants have been carried out in a year, the Health Promotion Bureau said.

Government of Sri Lanka has insulted Iran: Opposition

The government of Sri Lanka has insulted Iran by denying the remark made by the Iranian Ambassador in Colombo that the vessel IRIS Dena received an official invitation from Sri Lanka to visit the island nation.

Fuel, and supplies are sufficient till mid-May: CPC claims

Amid public worries about fuel, Ceylon Petroleum Corporation (CPC) Managing Director Mayura Netthikumara said there is enough fuel, and supplies are safe until mid-May.

Sri Lanka among countries receiving UK prisoner transfers under formal agreements

Sri Lanka has been identified as one of the countries to which the United Kingdom has transferred foreign national offenders under established Prisoner Transfer Agreements (PTAs), according to official UK Government policy.

Turkish Airlines increases flight frequency to Colombo amidst crisis in Middle East

Amidst flight disruptions, Turkish Airlines has decided to increase the frequency of flights between Istanbul and Colombo by two additional flights per week to assist stranded tourists and enable travellers’ access to Sri Lanka, Daily Mirror learns.

Doctors want Saturday declared off-day amid fuel crisis

The Association of Medical Specialists (AMS) has called for Saturday to be declared an off day, as the ongoing fuel crisis is placing severe strain on them.

Switch on fans when leaving pets at home, vets urge public

As temperatures soar, veterinarians are warning that Sri Lanka’s animals are facing a silent heat crisis, with dehydration posing a serious threat to pets, farm animals and even birds.

Only rain gods can save Sri Lanka from power crisis

Amidst disruption to global fuel supply, power generation is set to be a challenging task for Sri Lanka unless it rains sufficiently in the areas where the major hydropower reservoirs are located, an official said.

Hospital bed shortage may worsen amid ageing population, doctors warn

Sri Lanka’s hospital system currently has nearly 85,000 beds, but the capacity may not be sufficient to meet future health demands, the Doctors’ Trade Union Alliance for Medical and Civil Rights warned, raising concerns over the growing elderly population and rising number of patients requiring specialised treatment.

Iran’s foreign minister says there are no negotiations with US

Iran’s foreign minister says the country is not currently negotiating with the US to end the war and ’’does not intend’’ to do so.

Central Bank resists rate hike

The Central Bank left its key policy rate, the Overnight Policy Rate, unchanged at 7.75 percent yesterday, at its second policy meeting for the year.

Man arrested over dangerous tricycle driving, animal cruelty

A man was arrested by Chilaw Police following a road accident involving a tricycle driven in a dangerous manner on the Chilaw–Kurunegala road, police said.

Limited water capacity amid dry weather, NWSDB warns

The National Water Supply and Drainage Board (NWSDB) says the limited capacity of water treatment plants has become a concern due to the increased demand for pipe-borne water during the current dry weather conditions.

Iran rejects US proposal, lays out five conditions for ending imposed war: Source

Iran has responded negatively to an American proposal aimed at ending the ongoing imposed war, insisting that it will only occur on Tehran’s own terms and timeline, a senior political-security official told Press TV on Wednesday.

Iran military claims it fired missiles at USS Abraham Lincoln carrier

Iran fired cruise missiles at the USS Abraham Lincoln aircraft carrier, the military said in a statement carried by state television, warning of further launches when the strike group’s ships come in range.

US 15-point plan reaches Tehran as Iran publicly scoffs at diplomacy

Iran has received a US 15-point proposal via Pakistan aimed at opening a path toward a ceasefire, a senior Iranian source told Reuters on Wednesday, though the venue for any talks was still under discussion and Tehran publicly denied that negotiations with Washington had begun.

Suspect arrested for fuel QR code fraud in Nittambuwa

A suspect has been arrested in Nittambuwa by the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) for allegedly overriding the fuel QR code of a woman’s vehicle and fraudulently obtaining fuel by generating a new QR code using the vehicle’s data.

Sanjeewa Dharmaratne appointed Acting IGP

Senior Deputy Inspector General of Police Sanjeewa Dharmaratne has been appointed as the Acting Inspector General of Police.