Puvitharan sets new Sri Lankan pole vault record

National athlete Arunthavarasa Puvitharan of the Sri Lanka Army Sports Club created a new Sri Lanka record in the men’s pole vault event.

Veteran journalist D.B.S. Jeyaraj passes away at 72

D.B.S. Jeyaraj, one of Sri Lanka’s most respected veteran journalists and political commentators, has passed away in Canada at the age of 72.

Ukraine drones kill four in Russia, Moscow faces biggest attack in over a year

At least four people were killed, including three in the Moscow region, after Ukraine launched its biggest overnight drone attack on the Russian capital in more ​than a year, local officials said on Sunday.

Western Province Governor to step down after successor is appointed

Western Province Governor Hanif Yusoof has resigned from his post and will officially step down once a suitable successor is appointed, according to a statement issued by him.

Two Nepali Sherpa climbers break own records on Mount Everest

Two renowned Nepali guides have scaled Mount Everest with one called the “Everest Man” breaking his own record set last year with a 32nd climb and the other, known as the “Mountain Queen”, breaking her own women’s record with an 11th summit.

Colonial-era artefacts are more than museum pieces: Hemachandra

Cultural objects displaced during the colonial period should not be viewed merely as museum possessions, but as part of the living heritage, identity, and historical memory of nations and peoples, Acting Foreign Minister Arun Hemachandra said while addressing the inauguration of the “Whose Law?” Research Conference held in Colombo on 13 May 2026.

Low-pressure system North of Sri Lanka weakens; Final weather bulletin issued

The Meteorology Department says the low-pressure area located north of Sri Lanka has weakened, with its impact on the Bay of Bengal and surrounding sea areas gradually reducing.

Mental health safeguards urged in Keheliya drug case as trial nears end

Calls are mounting for the implementation of formal mental health safeguards for suspects involved in the ongoing high-profile pharmaceutical-related case linked to former Health Minister Keheliya Rambukkella, as the lengthy trial approaches its final stage before the Colombo High Court.

IMF to consider Sri Lanka’s fifth, sixth reviews on May 27

The International Monetary Fund’s Executive Board is to review the fifth and sixth reviews of Sri Lanka’s Extended Fund Facility (EFF) programme on May 27, 2026.

Minister orders action over hospital medicine shortages

Concerns over medicine shortages, equipment limitations and administrative inefficiencies at the Colombo National Hospital (CNH) came under sharp focus during a high-level management meeting held at the hospital recently, prompting the Deputy Health Minister to order an urgent review of supply and service systems.

Two nabbed in Hatton over Rs. 4 million Telecom cable theft racket

Two suspects have been arrested by officers of the Hatton Police Criminal Investigation Division for allegedly cutting, burning, and stealing telephone cables belonging to the Hatton Telecom office in the Norwood, Maskeliya and Castlereagh areas.

Rs. 50 million plasma exchange machines donated to Health Ministry

The Health Ministry has received two advanced blood plasma exchange machines worth over Rs. 50 million, donated to strengthen treatment services for leptospirosis and blood-related cancer patients in Sri Lanka.

Wanawasala train crash: Stolen rail parts sold for Rs. 3,000

The railway components dismantled from the site of the Wanawasala train accident were sold for a meager sum of Rs. 3,000, according to Deputy Inspector General (DIG) of Police for the Western Province North, Kalinga Jayasinghe. Speaking at a press conference today (17), the DIG revealed that th police have identified the location where the stolen parts were purchased and have taken the establishment’s owner into custody.

EC calls for updates to 2026 voter register via GN officers

The Election Commission has urged individuals who have not been included in the 2026 electoral register, or those who have changes in their address, name, or National Identity Card (NIC) details, as well as those born before 01 February 2009, to contact their respective Grama Niladhari officers for verification and updates.

Rescue diver dies during search for bodies of Italians who drowned in Maldives caves

A rescue diver has died while searching for the bodies of a group of Italians who died in a scuba-diving accident in the Maldives.

8 balls in, Pathirana suffers injury blow

Matheesha Pathirana’s long-awaited debut for Kolkata Knight Riders ended in disappointment after the Sri Lankan pacer suffered an injury just eight deliveries into the clash against Gujarat Titans.

Exchange rate error costs People’s Bank Rs. 656 Mn

The People’s Bank said that it is in the process of recovering approximately Rs. 656 million mistakenly paid to customers following a systemic exchange rate error in its remittance platform that affected transactions processed between May 2023 and March 2026.

Bulgaria wins Eurovision Song Contest, Israel comes second again

Bulgaria won the Eurovision Song Contest for the first time on Saturday in a final overshadowed ​by five countries’ boycott over Gaza, claiming a dramatic victory despite another big public vote for Israel that again secured it ‌second place.

12 major reservoirs open spill gates, 6 at medium level

The Irrigation Department says that the spill gates of 12 major reservoirs and 06 medium-sized reservoirs have been opened due to the prevailing rainy weather conditions.

Malwana student standoff draws PM’s attention

The attention of the Education, Higher Education and Vocational Education Minister, and Prime Minister Dr. Harini Amarasuriya has been drawn to the situation involving a group of university students who have been staying for several days on a land in the Malwana area under the custody of the Dompe Divisional Secretariat.

WHO declares Ebola outbreak in DR Congo a global health emergency

The World Health Organization (WHO) has declared an Ebola outbreak in the Democratic Republic of Congo’s eastern Ituri province a public health emergency of international concern.

Low-pressure area located to the north weakening: Met. Department

The low-pressure area located to the north of Sri Lanka is gradually weakening, the Department of Meteorology said today.

SriLankan clarifies UAE fraud, Chennai fund misuse cases

SriLankan Airlines has issued a clarification regarding reports on two separate financial incidents involving a fraudulent payment linked to a compromised service provider email account in the UAE and the alleged misappropriation of company funds at its office in Chennai, India.

Suspect arrested over Wanawasala train derailment

A suspect has been arrested in connection with the train derailment near Wanawasala after investigations revealed that metal components had allegedly been removed from a railway switch point, railway authorities and Police said.

Ali Sabry defends govt’s vehicle import duty hike

Former Foreign Minister Ali Sabry has backed the Sri Lankan government’s decision to impose a temporary 50% surcharge on vehicle import duties, calling it a “prudent and timely measure” to protect the country’s fragile foreign exchange reserves amid growing global uncertainty.

At least eight dead, 25 injured in train collision that sparks bus fire in Thailand

At least eight people were killed and 25 ​others injured after a ‌train collision triggered a fire that engulfed a public bus in ​Bangkok on Saturday, rescue officials ​and police said.

Low-pressure system continues to influence weather; Heavy showers expected

The low-pressure area located northeast of Sri Lanka continues to persist and is being closely monitored for its behavior, development, and movement over the coming hours, the Meteorology Department said.

Claims of 150% vehicle price hike false: Deputy Finance Minister

Deputy Finance Minister Anil Jayantha has dismissed claims that vehicle prices would increase by 150% following the government’s latest decision to impose additional taxes on vehicle imports, describing the reports as “completely false.”

Senior IS leader killed by US and Nigerian forces

Nigeria’s President Bola Tinubu has confirmed the killing of a senior Islamic State (IS) leader in a joint-operation with the US.

NCPA assures justice, protection in Anuradhapura child abuse case

NCPA Assures Protection and Justice for Minor Girl in Anuradhapura Abuse Case The National Child Protection Authority (NCPA) has said that it is closely monitoring investigations into the alleged child abuse incident involving a minor girl in Anuradhapura, which has recently sparked public concern and controversy.