Imposed Customs duty surcharge had favoured brand-new vehicle importers: Importers

The Vehicle Importers Association of Sri Lanka (VIASL) has raised concerns over the impact of the government’s recently imposed 50 percent surcharge on Customs Import Duties for most imported motor vehicles, claiming that the measure might have been abused by brand new vehicle import agents, even though the government has done it in good faith.

Can Sri Lanka navigate its way out of crisis?

As the nation grapples with a volatile cocktail of fiscal mismanagement, soaring inflation, an escalating energy crisis, high taxation, and the looming threat of El Nino, economic forecasters are revising their growth projections for 2026. In this week’s analysis, One could examine the entangled challenges threatening the island’s fragile recovery and asks the critical question on every citizen’s mind, ’’how do we move forward’’

Provincial Council elections cannot be conducted this year - Tilvin

The elections to the Provincial Councils cannot be conducted this year because of current developments in the country, an official said.

Ampara district special coordinating committee meeting under presidential patronage

The Ampara District Special Coordinating Committee meeting is scheduled to be held this afternoon (22) at the auditorium of the Ampara District Secretariat under the patronage of President Anura Kumara Dissanayake.

Over 92,000 applications received for 1,989 Health Assistant vacancies

More than 92,000 applications have been received for the recruitment of 1,989 vacancies for the post of Health Assistant (Junior) Grade III in government hospitals and healthcare institutions, the Ministry of Health and Mass Media stated.

Opposition wants party leaders’ meeting to discuss economic crisis

The Opposition today called for a party leaders’ meeting to discuss the current economic crisis and decide what Parliament could do about it, while the ruling party said there is no such necessity.

US to send 5,000 more troops to Poland, Trump says

President Donald Trump has said the US will be sending an additional 5,000 troops to Poland, a week after the Pentagon cancelled a planned deployment of 4,000 troops to the country.

Landslide warnings issued for six districts

The National Building Research Organisation (NBRO) has issued landslide early warnings for six districts following adverse weather conditions prevailing across the country.

Minor flood warning issued for low-lying areas of Kelani River valley

The Department of Irrigation has issued a minor flood warning in the low-lying areas of the Kelani River valley within the Divisional Secretariat Divisions of Ruwanwella, Seethawaka, Dompe, Dehiovita, Eheliyagoda, Yatiyantota and Bulathkohupitiya.

Nearly 100,000 uncollected number plates pile up: DMT

Nearly one hundred thousand vehicle number plates printed during 2023 and 2024, but not yet collected by vehicle owners, are currently piled up within its premises, the Department of Motor Transport (DMT) announced.

South-West monsoon strengthens; Over 300 mm heavy rain in Gampaha and Kegalle

The South-West monsoon is gradually becoming established over the island, with more than 300 mm of heavy rainfall recorded in the Gampaha and Kegalle districts this morning, Director of the Meteorology Department Merril Mendis said.

Nine flights diverted due to heavy rain at Katunayake airport

Heavy rainfall experienced in the early hours of May 22 around the Katunayake International Airport caused significant disruption to flight operations, the Airport Duty Officer said.

Sri Lanka warned of Rs. 380+ emergency measures needed now not tomorrow - Former Diplomat Kananathan

Sri Lanka’s rupee has once again come under severe pressure, sliding rapidly to around Rs. 354 against the US dollar this morning, raising fresh concerns about the country’s fragile external sector and declining foreign reserve position.

A major bureaucratic reshuffle in the offing?

In a major shift within Sri Lanka’s diplomatic postings, the Daily Mirror learns that Sri Lanka’s current Ambassador to the United States Mahinda Samarasinghe will return back to the country in July after ending his term. It is learnt that Samarasinghe will likely be replaced by President Anura Kumara Dissanayake’s Secretary, Dr. Nandika Sanath Kumanayake as the new Ambassador to Washington DC.

Risk of medicine shortage due to dollar crisis, trade union warns

The ongoing depreciation of the Sri Lankan rupee against the US dollar could trigger a shortage of medicines in both the public and private sectors, Medical and Civil Rights Doctors’ Trade Union Alliance Chairman Dr. Chamal Sanjeewa warned.

Angry crowd sets Ebola hospital tents on fire in DR Congo

An angry crowd set alight a section of a hospital at the epicentre of the Ebola outbreak in the eastern Democratic Republic of Congo after family and friends of a young man thought to have died from the virus were prevented from taking his body away for burial.

Kalu Ganga water levels rise; Minor flood warning issued

Heavy rainfall pounding the Kalu Ganga Basin has triggered a warning of possible minor flooding in several low-lying areas of Ratnapura District within the next few hours, authorities said.

Prevailing rain in South-West to continue for hours

The Meteorology Department says the South-West monsoon is gradually getting established over the island, with prevailing rainy conditions over the south-western parts expected to continue during the next few hours.

Four unbeaten teams clash for top spot

The Dialog Schools Rugby League tournament is now in full flow with the completion of the fourth round matches last week and now reaching the tail-end stage of the league segment before it shifts to the Cup segment.

No religious sentiments in cricket says new chief

Head of the Sri Lanka Cricket’s Transformation Committee, Eran Wickremaratne, buried accusations against his religious conviction and at the same time asked a responsible media to show proof that his Christian beliefs stood in the way of others and will it stand in the way of fair-play in cricket administration.

Air France and Airbus found guilty of manslaughter over 2009 plane crash

Air France and Airbus have been found guilty of manslaughter over a 2009 plane crash which killed 228 people.

Indian Air Force Chief meets Sri Lanka Navy Commander

Cricket back to People and Parliament

Cricket in Sri Lanka is on the pathway for an unprecedented overhaul into the realms of accountability, decency and responsibility, the new Transformation Committee of the sport declared at its first meeting of journalists today nearly a month after replacing a despised hierarchy that nine out of ten people wanted dismissed.

Sri Lanka women snatch 1-0 lead in thriller

Sri Lanka A women pulled off a thrilling three wicket win with three balls to spare against the visiting New Zealand A women in the first of the three match T20 series at the Rangiri Dambulla Stadium today to take a 1-0 lead.

Subcommittee to probe Norochcholai Power Plant environmental impact

A subcommittee has been appointed to carry out a detailed investigation into the environmental impact of the Norochcholai Lakvijaya Power Plant, following concerns raised during discussions at the Sectoral Oversight Committee on Environment, Agriculture and Resource Sustainability.

IRD surpasses Rs. one trillion tax revenue milestone

The Inland Revenue Department (IRD) has announced that it has successfully collected over Rs. one trillion in tax revenue as of May 18, 2026, marking a significant milestone in the country’s fiscal performance.

Sub-Inspector among five officers held over alleged gold robbery

Five police officers, including a Sub-Inspector, who were arrested and produced before court over the alleged robbery of more than two kilograms of gold worth over Rs. 100 million, were remanded till June 1 and ordered to be produced for an identification parade on that date by Colombo Additional Magistrate Darshika Premaratne.

Record 274 climbers scale Mount Everest in a single day from Nepali side

A record number of 274 climbers scaled Mount Everest on Wednesday, a hiking ‌official said, the highest number ever to reach the world’s tallest peak on the same day from the Nepali side.

Complaints filed over Dilum Amunugama’s ‘prostitute’ remark about minor witness

Complaints have been lodged regarding remarks allegedly made by Dilum Amunugama, the National Organizer of the political movement Sarva Jana Balaya, during a public media conference held yesterday (20), in which a minor girl under state care was reportedly referenced in a manner described as derogatory.

South-West monsoon gradually establishing over Sri Lanka

The Meteorology Department says the South-West monsoon is gradually establishing over the island, bringing increased rainfall and strong winds to several parts of the country.