Hello Kitty joins plastic waste awareness Campaign in Sri Lanka

Globally recognised character Hello Kitty joined Sri Lanka’s efforts to promote responsible plastic use and environmental conservation by participating in a special awareness programme organised at the Central Environmental Authority (CEA) on May 19.

Reduction in vehicle imports after surcharge: Minister

Deputy Minister of Finance Anil Jayantha Fernando said today that vehicle imports in the country have reduced after the imposition of the 50 percent surchage on vehicle imports.

Over 5,000 phones recovered in two years, Police issue advisory

Sri Lanka Police have issued a public advisory urging the public to act quickly when mobile phones are lost or stolen, warning of risks linked to data misuse and criminal activity involving missing devices. The advisory comes as authorities report the recovery of more than 5,000 mobile phones over the past two years.

Elon Musk’s X fined $650,000 after failing to comply with Australian child safety notice

Elon Musk’s social media network X has been fined A$650,000 (US$463,063) after admitting it failed to provide information about how it was tackling online child abuse material.

Selected businessmen allowed to open thousands of LCs to import vehicles: MP

A few selected businessmen have been allowed to open Letters of Credit (LCs) to import vehicles, MP Mujibur Rahman told Parliament today.

Probe launched into missing paintings at Art Gallery: Minister

An investigation has been launched into the dissarearance of 42 invaluable ancient paintings which had been kept at the National Art Gallery, Minister of Buddhasasana, Religious and Cultural Affairs Sunil Senevi said today.

Gajendrakumar Ponnambalam denies abuse allegations by MP Archchuna

MP Gajendrakumar Ponnambalam in Parliament today denied allegations by MP Ramanathan Archchuna of abusing a lady inside Parliament premises.

PM Harini holds talks with UK Foreign Secretary

Prime Minister Harini Amarasuriya who is on an official visit to London, United Kingdom, to participate in the 43rd Commonwealth of Learning (COL) Board of Governors Meeting 2026, held a bilateral meeting with Yvette Cooper MP, Foreign Secretary of the United Kingdom.

Ebola vaccine could take nine months as death toll rises further, WHO warns

The World Health Organization (WHO) says it could take up to nine months before a vaccine against this particular species of Ebola is ready.

Rupee hits new low against USD

The Sri Lankan Rupee has weakened further against the US Dollar, with the selling rate surpassing the Rs. 354 mark, according to the latest exchange rate report issued by the Central Bank of Sri Lanka today (20).

Luxury cruise liner ‘Mein Schiff 6’ makes maiden voyage to Sri Lanka

The luxury cruise liner Mein Schiff 6 has docked at the East Container Terminal (ECT) of the Colombo Port, marking its very first visit to Sri Lanka. Sailing under the flag of Malta, the vessel arrived carrying 2,380 international tourists and a dedicated crew of 951 members.

Man nabbed over alleged assault and robbery at liquor party in Kalutara

A suspect has been arrested in connection with an alleged assault and robbery during a liquor party in North Kalutara, police said.

E-ticket breakdown on Kelani Valley line leaves travelling without tickets

A breakdown in the e-ticket entry system at seven railway stations on the Kelani Valley Railway Line resulted in three office trains operating to Colombo Fort without issuing tickets to passengers this morning (21), Chairman of the Railway Station Master’s Association Sumedha Somaratne said.

128 wild elephants die in Sri Lanka between January and May

The Department of Wildlife Conservation said that 128 wild elephant deaths have been reported between January 1 and May 15 this year.

Government to lift energy restrictions for Vesak week

The final coordination meeting for the Buddha Rashmi Vesak Zone was held at Temple Trees under the patronage of Secretary to the Prime Minister Pradeep Saputhanthri.

Police freeze assets of couple over alleged drug trafficking

The Illegal Assets Investigation Division has frozen the assets and properties of a married couple accused of operating a major drug trafficking network using instant money transfer methods.

Suraksha insurance scheme for school children will be continued: Deputy Minister

The Surakasha insurance scheme for school children will be continued after it ends in 2027, Deputy Minister Nalin Hewage told Parliament today.

Double trouble for some school children in the Central Province: Hakeem

Children in schools in the Central Province which have been earmarked for relocation after the Ditwah cyclone faced double trouble when their education was disrupted once again as a result of the recent adverse weather conditions, Opposition MP Rauff Hakeem told Parliament yesterday.

UK eases sanctions on Russian oil imports as fuel prices soar

The United Kingdom government said it had eased sanctions on imports of Russian jet fuel and diesel refined in third countries, amid soaring fuel prices caused by the Iran war and prolonged closure of the Strait of Hormuz.

Delay in appointment of judges: Justice Minister declines to answer

Justice Minister Harshana Nanayakkara declined to answer a question related to the delay in the appointment of eight judges to the country’s superior courts.

Steady increase in Thalassaemia cases in coming years -Health Authorities

Between 45 and 60 children are born annually with major thalassemia in Sri Lanka, while health authorities have warned of a growing risk of the hereditary blood disorder increasing steadily in the future despite the comparatively low number of patients currently reported.

US charges Cuba’s Raúl Castro with murder over 1996 downing of two planes

The US has charged former Cuban leader Raúl Castro with conspiracy to kill US nationals and other crimes over the 1996 downing of two planes between Cuba and Florida.

Is Sri Lanka performing gender-change procedures on children?

A controversy has arisen in Sri Lanka following claims questioning whether gender-change procedures are being carried out on children in the country’s hospitals.

Trump says willing to wait for a few days to get ’right answer’ on Iran peace deal

U.S. President Donald Trump on Wednesday said the United States was ready to proceed with further attacks ​on Tehran if Iran did not agree to a peace deal, but suggested Washington could wait a few days to ’’get the right answers.’’

When fuel subsidies sink the rupee, why increase the tax on vehicles ?

On 15 May 2026, President Anura Kumara Dissanayake, who also serves as Sri Lanka’s finance minister, issued an order under the Customs Ordinance imposing a 50% surcharge on imports classified under HS Code 87.02 (vehicles for the transport of ten or more persons including the driver), HS Code 87.03 (passenger motor vehicles), and HS Code 87.04 (vehicles for the transport of goods).

Government mulls reducing imports, fuel usage against rising dollar

President Anura Kumara Dissanayake today stressed the need to reduce import cost and fuel usage in a move to curtail the outflow of the Dollar reserves in the country adding that the Government has already submitted proposals to the International Monetary Fund (IMF) regarding the matter.

IPL Fireball for Sri Lanka Tour

The entire cricketing world is talking about him and next month India’s 15-year old batting dynamite may bring some sections of life in Sri Lanka to a standstill when he tours the island with his country’s second string team that has many players currently drawing packed stadia at the Indian Premier League (IPL).

High blood pressure cases on the rise in Sri Lanka: Health experts warn

Health authorities in Sri Lanka have warned of a rising number of high blood pressure cases across the country, urging the public to take greater care in monitoring and controlling both systolic and diastolic blood pressure levels.

Two companies loyal to NPP open 4,000 LCs day before surcharge imposed: Marikkar

Two companies loyal to the National People’s Power (NPP) government have opened Letters of Credit (LCs) to import 4,000 vehicles on May 15, a day before the government imposed a 50 percent surcharge on vehicle imports, Samagi Jana Balawegaya MP S.M. Marikkar alleged today.

Meeting Pillayan in prison no secret: Namal

Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna (SLPP) MP Namal Rajapaksa said it is no secret that he visited TMVP leader Sivasathurai Chandrakanthan, also known as Pillayan, while he was in prison in 2018/19.