Amber advisory issued for severe lightning across several provinces

The Meteorology Department has issued an Amber advisory warning of severe lightning conditions expected in several parts of the country, valid until 11.30 p.m. today.

Police warn of fake SriLankan Airlines scam targeting bank accounts

The Police have issued an urgent warning regarding a sophisticated financial fraud operation impersonating the national carrier, SriLankan Airlines.

Public urged not to distract ‘Walk for Peace’ procession as dog falls ill

The dog accompanying the “Walk for Peace” procession fell ill yesterday after being affected by heavy crowds and disruptions, and required medical treatment.

SLIATE union begins strike over longstanding issues

The Academics’ Union of the Sri Lanka Institute of Advanced Technological Education has decided to launch trade union action from today after more than 15 years of unsuccessful attempts to resolve longstanding issues through discussions with relevant authorities.

Deputy Minister escapes unhurt in accident

The vehicle carrying Deputy Minister of Education and Higher Education, Dr. Madura Seneviratne, was involved in an accident on Tuesday night (22).

China’s Xpeng expects to start delivering ’flying’ cars in 2027

Chinese electric vehicle maker Xpeng (9868.HK), expects to start large-scale ​production of its ’’flying’’ cars next year and of its humanoid robots in ‌the fourth quarter of 2026, President Brian Gu told Reuters on Thursday.

Hackers also attempted to obtain funds linked to payment to India: Deputy Minister

Deputy Minister of Finance Dr. Anil Jayantha said that the hackers who had fraudulently obtained funds to be made to the Australian Export Finance Agency, had also attempted to obtain funds associated with a payment to be made to India as well.

Krrish deal case against Namal fixed for May

The case against Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna (SLPP) Parliamentarian Namal Rajapaksa over the alleged Krrish deal was today fixed for May 29 by the Colombo High Court.

Trump envoy seeks to replace Iran with Italy in football World Cup

An envoy to Donald Trump has asked FIFA to replace Iran with Italy in the upcoming World Cup, the Financial Times reported on Wednesday.

Rupee slides further as dollar selling rate hits Rs. 321

The Sri Lankan rupee weakened further against the US dollar across commercial banks today (23), with the selling rate reaching Rs. 321.

Air India mulls broad flight cuts amid high fuel costs

Tata Group-owned Air India is weighing a significant scale-back of its flight operations after reportedly posting a loss of nearly Rs 20,000 crore in FY26, amid persistent operational headwinds and elevated aviation fuel costs, businessline newspaper reported on Thursday quoting industry sources.

Middle East conflict hits Sri Lanka tourism, arrivals down 20%

The ongoing conflict in the Middle East is negatively affecting Sri Lanka’s tourism industry, particularly as the peak tourist season approaches, Tourism Deputy Minister and MP Ruwan Ranasinghe said.

New Year holiday closure causes temporary drop in egg prices, industry says

The closure of shops and bakeries during the Sinhala and Hindu New Year period has led to a temporary decline in egg prices, Egg Producers Association Treasurer Wijaya Alwis said.

Stranded conductor found during major inspection in Colombo

A routine inspection in Colombo took an unusual turn this morning when a bus conductor was found left behind after his own bus reportedly drove off without him.

Let Parliament decide on probe on hacking of dollars 2.5 million: Free Lawyers

Whilst revealing that a sum of US dollars 2.5 million which the government sent to a certain donor as a payment of an installment has been hacked on December 31 last year, the Free Lawyers Organisation yesterday urged Speaker to get Parliament to come up with a proper investigation mechanism.

Demand for premium number plates surges past 1,100 since 2023

The number of motorists opting for high-value vehicle number plates has increased significantly, with over 1,100 plates either issued or reserved since 2023, officials told the Parliamentary Committee on Public Finance (COPF).

Personalized vehicle number plates planned following system upgrade

The Department of Motor Traffic (DMT) is planning to introduce personalized vehicle number plates featuring customers name, once its existing system is upgraded, officials informed the Parliamentary Committee on Public Finance (COPF).

Court dismisses cricketer Thushara’s NOC plaint following withdrawal

Sri Lankan cricketer Nuwan Thushara today withdrew the plaint he had filed before the Colombo District Court seeking an interim injunction compelling Sri Lanka Cricket to issue him a “No Objection Certificate” to enable his participation in the 2026 Indian Premier League (IPL) and other international premier league tournaments.

Trump says Iran won’t execute 8 women after he demanded their release

President Trump announced Wednesday that Iran will no longer execute eight women after he pleaded Tuesday for their freedom — calling it “very good news” in a social media post.

Iran FM discusses IRIS Dena attack with Sri Lanka, seeks justice

Iran’s Foreign Minister Seyed Abbas Araghchi said during a telephone conversation with Sri Lanka’s Foreign Minister Vijitha Herath that Iran will take all legal and political means to hold the perpetrators and those responsible accountable and bring them to justice over the attack on the IRIS Dena off the coast of Sri Lanka.

Submerged ruins resurface as Maussakelle water levels drop

The rapid decline in water levels at the Maussakelle Reservoir has exposed remnants of the old Maskeliya town, long submerged beneath its waters.

Power supply to remain uninterrupted: Nalinda

The government will not resort to power cuts, Cabinet Spokesperson and Minister of Health and Mass Media Nalinda Jayatissa said.

“Ehipassiko” peace march reaches third day, proceeds towards Kandy

The third day of the “Ehipassiko” peace march commenced this morning (23) at the historic Aluvihara Raja Maha Vihara.

Nalinda justifies politicians earning assets

In the wake of controversy surrounding accumulation of assets by ministers, Cabinet Spokesman Minister Nalinda Jayatissa said yesterday assets earned by politicians are not an issue as long as they can reveal how they were earned.

Drug price hike around the corner

Drug prices in Sri Lanka are set to increase in the near future with authorities considering a revision of existing price controls amid mounting pressure from importers grappling with rising global costs and a weakening rupee.

Sri Lanka chooses Chinese currency to pay for Russian oil transactions

Sri Lanka, which is planning to purchase crude oil from Russia, has agreed to settle payments in Chinese Renminbi (RMB), newly appointed Energy Minister Aruna Karunatilake said.

Iran says Strait of Hormuz cannot be opened due to ceasefire breaches

Iran’s chief negotiator in talks with the US said it is ’’not possible’’ for the Strait of Hormuz to be opened due to ’’the blatant violations of the ceasefire’’ by the US and Israel.

US Navy chief leaving post ’effective immediately’, Pentagon says

US Navy Secretary John Phelan is leaving the Trump administration, the Pentagon announced on Wednesday.

Peter Hill to return to SriLankan Airlines as next Chairman this week?

SriLankan Airlines is bracing for a highly contentious leadership overhaul at its upcoming board meeting scheduled for this Saturday, April 25.

US intercepts three Iranian oil tankers in Asian waters, sources say

The U.S. military has intercepted at least three Iranian-flagged tankers in ‌Asian waters and is redirecting them away from their positions near India, Malaysia and Sri Lanka, shipping and security sources said on Wednesday.