Human-to-human transmission suspected on board hantavirus cruise ship, WHO says

Some human-to-human transmission may have occurred on board the cruise ship hit by a hantavirus outbreak that has left three people dead and several others ill, the World Health Organization (WHO) said Tuesday.

PUCSL to review 2026 electricity tariff due to price hike concerns

The Public Utilities Commission of Sri Lanka (PUCSL) is set to hold a stakeholder consultation tomorrow on the proposed Extraordinary Electricity Tariff Review for 2026, amid growing public concern over potential increases in electricity charges.

Namal calls for govt. intervention over attack on Jaffna fisherman

Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna (SLPP) National Organizer Namal Rajapaksa today raised a serious concern in Parliament regarding a Sri Lankan fisherman from Palali, Jaffna, who was allegedly assaulted and abducted and is now receiving medical treatment in Chennai, India.

Heavy rain expected islandwide from tomorrow

The Intertropical Convergence Zone (ITCZ), where winds from the Northern and Southern Hemispheres converge, is expected to significantly influence weather conditions over Sri Lanka, leading to an increase in rainfall from tomorrow (06), the Meteorology Department said.

Government resumes stalled archaeological restoration work: Minister

The current government has resumed restoration work on several archaeological sites that had been previously stalled, Buddhist Studies, Religious and Cultural Affairs Minister Dr. Hiniduma Sunil Senavi said.

Cabinet clears major contracts to upgrade Southern highway corridor

The Cabinet of Ministers has approved two major contracts under the National Highways Widening and Improvement Programme to rehabilitate key sections of the Colombo–Galle–Hambantota–Wellawaya (A002) Road, aimed at strengthening connectivity along the southern corridor.

Treasury Secretary not a dual citizen, Minister Jayatissa

Dismissing growing speculation, Minister Nalinda Jayatissa said Finance Ministry Secretary Harshana Suriyapperuma was not a dual citizen during his time in public office.

Iranian foreign minister heads to China for talks

Abbas Araghchi will travel to Beijing later today for discussions.

Menzies Aviation wins SriLankan contract at Sydney Airport

The Cabinet of Ministers has approved a proposal to award the contract for ground handling services for SriLankan Airlines at Sydney Airport in Australia. This decision follows the expiration of the previous service agreement on April 30, 2026.

Ravi K proposes Speaker to use official residence

Opposition MP Dayasiri Jayasekara alleged that Speaker Jagath Wickramaratne is using the Speaker’s official residence and another apartment in the apartment complex belonging to the Ministry of Public Administration, Provincial Councils and Local Government, despite claims of not using any residences.

PET scan services to resume after shortage of key chemical resolved

PET scan services, which had been suspended since March 27 due to a shortage of the radioactive chemical FDG, are set to resume from tomorrow (May 6).

Middle East truce in doubt as US and Iran fight for control of Strait of Hormuz

A fragile truce in the Middle East was under strain on Tuesday after the U.S. and Iran exchanged fire ​in the Gulf as they wrestled for control of the Strait of Hormuz.

Sri Lanka captain closes in on No.1 ranking ahead of T20WC

Eye-catching gains on the updated T20I rankings for a host of players from Sri Lanka and Bangladesh with just over a month until the T20 World Cup.

Urgent debate in Parliament today on disappearance of USD 2.5 million from Treasury

The government today agreed to grant an urgent debate on the disappearance of USD 2.5 million from the Treasury, following a request by the Opposition.

Namal congratulates Vijay on TN election win

Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna (SLPP) National Organiser and MP Namal Rajapaksa has congratulated actor-turned-politician C. Joseph Vijay on his reported victory in the Tamil Nadu elections.

Sandwich boys exploited by sadism at schools rugby

First came the purported attack on a rugby referee in a mafia like pursuit by a group of thugs on motorcycles.

One clause of Inland Revenue Amendment Bill inconsistent with Constitution

The Supreme Court has determined that Clause 34(1) of the Inland Revenue Amendment Bill is inconsistent with the Constitution, Speaker Jagath Wickramaratne announced in Parliament today.

India-Sri Lanka land bridge: time for wavering over: Indian envoy

Indian High Commissioner Santosh Jha renewed the call for the need to build a land link between Sri Lanka and India and said the time for wavering is over.

Court orders forensic analysis in case involving minor

The Anuradhapura Chief Magistrate Siyapath Sasindu Wickramaratne yesterday directed the Gampaha Division Police Children and Women’s Bureau to submit case materials to the Government Analyst and present the report to court in connection with an alleged abuse case involving a 15-year-old girl, reportedly implicating a Buddhist monk and several other individuals.

Galle Prison under fire after underworld celebration video leaks

A viral video showing an alleged birthday celebration inside the high-security Galle Prison has triggered public concern and prompted an official investigation into possible security lapses and breaches of prison regulations.

Rejection of Sri Lankan student visa applications to Australia surge to 38%

Sri Lankan students are increasingly affected by the impact of Australia’s tightened student visa policies, with new data showing a significant rise in rejection rates for higher education visas.

President faces contempt of court allegations over remarks on May 25 judgment

Riled by President Anura Kumara Dissanayake’s claim that he had prior knowledge of a judgment to be delivered on May 25, the Joint Opposition is now planning to address a letter to the Chief Justice, drawing his attention to this very distressing situation.

Sri Lanka named priority country in U.S. Food for Progress funding for 2026

The United States Department of Agriculture’s Foreign Agricultural Service has officially designated Sri Lanka as a priority country for its Food for Progress programme in the upcoming 2026 fiscal year.

Sajith should act as Opposition Leader, not as SJB leader: Joint Opposition

Sajith Premadasa should act as the Opposition Leader and should work with all Opposition political parties, former Minister Dilan Perera said on behalf of the Joint Opposition.

Special Parliamentary Committee appointed to review election laws

A special Parliamentary committee chaired by Minister of Public Administration, Provincial Councils and Local Government Dr. A.H.M.H. Abayarathna has been appointed to review and make recommendations on laws pertaining to elections, except for laws pertaining to the Provincial Council elections.

37 Chinese nationals arrested in Negombo deported under tight security

A group of 37 Chinese nationals who had entered Sri Lanka on business visas and were allegedly hiding in a house in the Negombo area were deported late last night following their arrest by immigration authorities.

Explosion at China fireworks factory kills 21 people

A blast at a fireworks factory in China’s Hunan province has killed 21 people and left 61 wounded, according to state media.

VAT revision not a tax increase, govt. clarifies tax change

Deputy Minister of Economic Development Nishantha Jayaweera yesterday rejected claims of a looming VAT hike, stating that tax changes due to take effect on July 1, 2026, are intended to streamline the system without increasing the overall tax burden.

Sri Lanka’s new VAT rules could have negative outcome on tourism, telecom, IT sectors

The government’s latest move to expand the Value Added Tax (VAT) net to the digital economy, effective July 1, has triggered alarm bells across multiple sectors.

US strikes Iranian fast boats as Iran attacks UAE oil facility

President Donald Trump says the US has struck seven Iranian ’’fast boats’’ in the Strait of Hormuz, as Washington seeks to guide stranded ships out of the Gulf through the largely closed waterway.