Iran says it won’t accept ’maximalist demands’ as Islamabad hosts peace push

Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi laid out Iran’s demands and its reservations about U.S. positions on Saturday as Islamabad hosted a new push to end a war that has ​killed thousands and roiled global markets.

Government aims to significantly reduce deaths caused due to road accidents by 2029: Bimal

Claiming that the government has undertaken significant work to ensure transport safety, Minister of Transport and Highways Bimal Rathnayake said today that the government is planning to significantly reduce the number of deaths caused due to road accidents by the year 2029.

Pirates hijack oil tanker off the coast of Somalia, Sri Lankan among crew

Pirates have hijacked an oil tanker with 17 crew that was sailing near the Somali coast, according to multiple security officials who spoke to the BBC.

Sri Lankan arrested with Rs. 25 mn worth Kush at BIA

A 33-year-old Sri Lankan, who was arriving from Bangkok, was arrested with 2,505 gms of Kush valued at Rs. 25 million at the Bandaranaike International Airport (BIA).

Bangladesh duo sanctioned for ICC Code of Conduct breach during ICC Women’s Championship against Sri Lanka

Nahida Akter and Sarmin Sultana of Bangladesh have been fined 10 per cent of their match fee for breaching the ICC Code of Conduct.

Severe lightning advisory issued for several areas

The Department of Meteorology issued an advisory for severe lightning for the Western, Sabaragamuwa and North-Eestern Provinces and the Galle, Matara, Kandy and Nuwara-Eliya districts after 1.00 p.m today.

Fitch warns Asia faces higher food inflation risk

Fitch Ratings has warned that emerging markets in Asia could face rising cost pressures across agribusiness and food supply chains if a prolonged US-Iran conflict disrupts global fertiliser supplies during the planting season.

Person who shot dead constable during Kasippu raid sentenced to death after 18 year trial

One of the four accused who stood indicted with the murder of a constable during a raid on an illicit brewery was found guilty and sentenced to death by Balapitiya High Court Judge Ruchira Weliwatta.

Conduct independent forensic audit on hacking of US $ 2.5 million: FLSP

Whilst raising concerns on the hacking of US $ 2.5 million, which was sent as an instalment payment for a loan which the government of Sri Lanka has borrowed, the Front Line Socialist Party (FLSP) yesterday called for an independent forensic audit by a reputed institution.

Pressure mounts on Finance Secretary to resign

The association called ’Free Lawyers’, which exposed the US $ 2.5 million cyber theft, urged Finance Ministry Secretary Harshana Suriyapperuma to step down.

Surge in scams raises alarm over financial fraud and data theft in Sri Lanka

Sri Lanka is witnessing a troubling surge in sophisticated scams, with fraudsters increasingly exploiting public trust, government identities, and digital platforms to steal personal and financial information.

US $ 2.5 million cyber heist comes under IMF watch

The theft of US $ 2.5 million by cybercriminals who breached the computer systems of the Finance Ministry has come under the spotlight of the International Monetary Fund (IMF), which is closely watching the situation, a spokesperson said.

Iran says ‘no meeting’ to take place with the US in Islamabad

Esmaeil Baghaei, spokesman for Iran’s Foreign Ministry, says “no meeting is planned to take place between Iran and the US”.

Iran’s foreign minister arrives in Pakistan, Trump expects offer satisfying US demands

Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi arrived in the Pakistani capital Islamabad on Friday to discuss proposals ​for restarting peace talks with the U.S., offering some hope for an end to the eight-week war that has killed thousands and sown turmoil in global markets.

Australian officers currently assisting investigations in SL

Australian officers are currently assisting with Sri Lanka’s investigation into the incident in which cyber criminals stole US $ 2.5 million after breaching the computer systems of the Finance Ministry, according to Australian High Commissioner Matthew Duckworth.

Questioning former First Lady gives rise to more issues: UNP

The questioning of former First Lady Professor Maithree Wickremesimghe by the CID has given rise to many issues including health risks, a senior figure of the United National Party (UNP) said today.

Market ends flat as cautious sentiment persists

The Colombo Stock Exchange traded within a narrow range and closed on a largely flat note, with both indices ending near their opening levels, reflecting a lack of clear market direction. Subdued turnover and lower share volumes highlighted weak investor conviction, as participants continued to adopt a wait-and-see approach amid ongoing geopolitical uncertainty.

Netanyahu reveals he quietly underwent treatment for undisclosed prostate cancer

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu quietly underwent treatment for prostate cancer, he said Friday, as he publicized the results of his annual medical examination.

President must disclose recipient of $2.5m transfer: Namal

National Organizer of the Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna (SLPP) Namal Rajapaksa has called on the President to immediately reveal the recipient of a controversial US$2.5 million transfer, alleging that the government is attempting to conceal multiple financial irregularities.

Spain PM dismisses report on US mulling Nato membership suspension over Iran rift

Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez on Friday dismissed a Reuters report that an internal Pentagon email explored adverse ways for the United States to deal with Nato allies who Washington believes failed to support the US’s military campaign against Iran, with one of the options being suspension of Spain’s membership of the military coalition.

Bus operators in hot water over unfair fare hikes

Police have warned that legal action will be taken against bus operators found charging fares above the approved rates, following a surge in public complaints.

ICC confirms crimes against humanity trial of ex-Philippine leader Duterte

Judges ⁠at the International Criminal Court (ICC) have confirmed all three counts of murder as crimes against ⁠humanity against former Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte and committed him to trial.

Registration of Vesak ‘Dansal’ begins; PHIs warn of action over non-compliance

The registration process for ‘Dansal’ organised islandwide in view of the upcoming Vesak Poya has already commenced, Public Health Inspectors (PHIs) said.

Microsoft and Meta announce large staff reductions as they spend big on AI

Meta and Microsoft are trimming their workforces by thousands as they make heavy investments in AI and executives claim that the technology is meeting their companies’ productivity needs.

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.