Suspected Ebola case reported in India

A suspected case of Ebola virus disease has been reported in Rajasthan, prompting health authorities to activate precautionary protocols while awaiting laboratory confirmation. The patient, a woman from Uganda who arrived in Jaipur from Sharjah on Friday morning aboard an Air Arabia flight, was flagged during routine airport screening after exhibiting symptoms consistent with Ebola virus disease.

FCID arrests Wimal’s ex-media secretary

Former Media Secretary to Wimal Weerawansa, Prasad Manju, has been arrested by the Financial Crimes Investigation Division (FCID) in connection with an investigation into the alleged misuse of state resources, Police said.

Rupee depreciation not an economic crisis, says Deputy Finance Minister

Deputy Minister of Finance and Planning Dr. Anil Jayantha Fernando has dismissed claims that the recent depreciation of the Sri Lankan rupee signals an economic crisis, describing such portrayals as misleading.

US Senate approves US$70 billion for Trump immigration crackdown

The US Senate on Friday (Jun 5) approved US$70 billion in funding for Donald Trump’s hardline immigration crackdown, but only after a long day of votes on multiple amendments that highlighted Republican infighting over some of the president’s other contentious policy proposals.

LAUGFS gas prices remain unchanged

LAUGFS Gas PLC has announced that domestic LPG prices will remain unchanged for June despite rising global procurement costs, supply chain challenges, and the depreciation of the Sri Lankan rupee.

Police hunt three suspects in Meegoda fatal crash

Police have sought public assistance to locate and arrest three suspects who allegedly fled the scene of the fatal road accident near the Meegoda Junction on the Avissawella-Colombo High Level Road, which claimed six lives and left seven others critically injured.

Fifa regrets free ticket error but demands fans pay

Fifa has admitted an error on its website allowed 60 fans to purchase World Cup tickets for free.

Nearly 50 people die of thirst in Sahara desert after lorry breaks down

At least 49 people have died of thirst in a remote part of the Sahara desert in northern Niger after the truck carrying them broke down, authorities said.

Huge flags and pyrotechnics with World Cup anthems

Fifa has unveiled what it describes as a new ’’unique, immersive experience’’ pre-match ceremony for all matches at the 2026 World Cup.

Special islandwide dengue control programme as cases rise

The Ministry of Health has announced the implementation of a special dengue mosquito control programme on June 8, 9, and 10, in light of the rising spread of the disease in Sri Lanka.

Rs. 30 Mn worth properties frozen in probe linked to female drug trafficker

The Illegal Assets Investigation Division has launched an investigation into a suspected drug trafficking operation following a complaint referred by the Inspector General of Police (IGP) involving a female suspect residing in Colombo 14.

Anil Jayantha to represent Sri Lanka at ILO meet

Minister of Labour and Deputy Minister of Finance and Planning Dr. Anil Jayantha Fernando is scheduled to leave Sri Lanka on June 7 to attend the 114th Annual Conference of the International Labour Organization (ILO) in Geneva, Switzerland.

Indonesia’s Mount Lewotobi Laki-Laki erupts, forcing airport to close

A highly active volcano in eastern Indonesia erupted several times on Friday (Jun 5), spewing towering ash columns into the sky and forcing a local airport to close, authorities said.

Xi Jinping to meet Kim Jong Un in rare visit to North Korea

China’s president Xi Jinping will meet Kim Jong Un next week in a trip to North Korea, in his first visit in nearly seven years, according to both countries’ state media.

Assistant Manager, security officer arrested over Horana bank robbery

An Assistant Manager and a security officer have been arrested in connection with the robbery of Rs. 35 million from a state bank in Horana recently.

Zelensky proposes face-to-face talks in open letter to Putin

Volodymyr Zelensky has called for a face-to-face meeting between himself and Vladimir Putin in a renewed bid to end the war.

Several injured in Boeing 787 nose-gear collapse in Frankfurt

Several staff members were injured when the nose gear ​of a Boeing (BA.N) 787 jetliner unexpectedly collapsed ‌at a gate at Frankfurt airport on Thursday, its operator Lufthansa (LHAG.DE) said.

Immediate measures underway to address flooding on airport access roads

Immediate action has been launched to address the recurring flooding of access roads leading to the Bandaranaike International Airport, following interventions by Deputy Minister Janitha Ruwan Kodituwakku.

Bear opens window in factory escape, Japanese police say

A bear that was holed up inside an electronics factory in north-east Japan after attacking four people has eluded capture, apparently by opening a window by itself and fleeing under the cover of night, authorities said.

US plans to fight flesh-eating screwworm outbreak with flies and dogs

US agriculture and health officials have outlined a plan to combat a flesh-eating parasite that has been detected in the US for the first time since 1966.

Several areas brace for 100 mm of rain

Heavy rainfall of about 100 mm is expected at some places in the Western and Sabaragamuwa provinces and in the Galle, Matara, Kandy and Nuwara Eliya districts today, the Department of Meteorology said.

’World-first’ vaccine designed by artificial intelligence

Artificial intelligence has been used to develop a ’’fundamentally new’’ type of vaccine that could protect against large swathes of viruses and prevent pandemics, say researchers.

Shakira to perform at World Cup opening ceremony

Colombian pop star Shakira will perform her official song for the 2026 World Cup at the competition’s opening ceremony in Mexico.

Death toll rises to 13 in Anguruwatota elders’ home fire

The death toll from the fire at the ‘Senehase Kedella’ elders’ home in Batagoda, Anguruwatota has risen to 13, after another victim succumbed to severe burn injuries while receiving treatment in hospital.

’1990’’ under military rule: Suwa Seriya employees launch protest

For the first time in its history, employees of the ’1990’ Suwa Seriya emergency ambulance service have launched a street protest yesterday in Colombo. Staff members gathered to voice their strong dissent against what they described as a newly imposed ’’military-style administration’’ and arbitrary workspace transfers that undermine the welfare of workers.

Water sources polluted with human waste, contained constituents unfit for human consumption

Laboratory tests carried out by the health authorities have revealed that the spread of Meningitis in the Deniyaya area recently was due to the use of polluted water. It has been revealed that the people in the affected area depend on natural water resources including fountains and the community water supplies to meet their requirements of drinking water.

Construction sector on brink as 40% of firms become inactive - Sri Lanka Construction Association President

About 40 percent of businesses in Sri Lanka’s construction sector have become inactive due to continued changes in tax policies, the increase in VAT and the depreciation of the rupee, President of Sri Lanka Construction Association Susantha Liyanaarachchi said.

People living in tents face severe hardship, move back to homes in endangered areas

More than 25 Ditwah affected families living in tents in Wewandon estate in Kotmale have been burdened with further hardship due to the prevailing heavy rains.

The Super El Niño is Not a Prophecy of Doom. It is a Deadline.

It is easy to read headlines about the coming Super El Niño in 2026 and feel a familiar dread. After the economic implosion of 2022, the agricultural wipeout of 2021, and the floods of recent years, we suffer from climate fatigue. We treat these warnings like astrological prophecies vague, distant, and unavoidable.

Fresh move to restructure two State Banks? : Ravi K

Highlighting that there is a fresh move to restructure two State Banks by offering shares to the public, Opposition MP Ravi Karunanayake yesterday urged the Government to come out with the actual position with regard to the two institutions.