Vesak is today as per UN charter: Ranil

Former President Ranil Wickremesinghe, in a letter addressed to Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB) General Secretary Ranjith Madduma Bandara, said that his party cannot participate in the SJB May Day rally today as Vesak is celebrated today as per the UN charter.

President signals intensified anti-corruption drive, targets major cases

President Anura Kumara Dissanayake says the government is intensifying legal action against corruption and organised crime, claiming that a series of high-profile cases are moving through the courts under strengthened state institutions.

Four-member forensic panel appointed for suspended official’s post-mortem

The Health Ministry Secretary has said that a panel of four expert forensic medical specialists has been appointed to conduct the post-mortem examination of the Assistant Director of the Department of Foreign Resources, who had been suspended in connection with the alleged $2.5 million incident linked to the Treasury.

Hormuz blockade sees alternative land routes opening for trade

The closure of the Strait of Hormuz is reshaping trade routes with container ship traffic now using land routes to reach destinations, the AFP news agency reports.

19 rescued from drowning in April as Sri Lanka Coast Guard total reaches 2,629

The Sri Lanka Coast Guard rescued 19 people from drowning during April 2026 in a series of operations carried out along popular beaches around the island.

Oscar goes missing after Academy Award winner is blocked from taking it on flight

Oscar winner Pavel Talankin was forced to check his golden statuette for his documentary Mr Nobody Against Putin at a New York airport - and now it’s missing.

Thundershowers likely after 1.00 pm today: Met Dept

Showers or thundershowers are expected over most parts of the island after 1.00 pm today, the Meteorology Department said.

Govt issues circular to confirm temporary staff as permanent

The government has issued a circular to grant permanent appointments to employees currently serving on a temporary, casual (daily), substitute, contract or concessionary basis in government institutions.

U.K. whiskey tariffs eased after Trump met with King Charles III

President Donald Trump posted online Thursday that he would remove tariffs on some whiskey, a move that could ease trade tensions for Scotch whisky and Kentucky bourbon producers.

Tobacco-free Sri Lanka: Can post-2010 generation be smoke-free?

Can Sri Lanka create a tobacco-free generation among children born after 2010? A new proposal submitted to Health and Mass Media Minister Dr Nalinda Jayatissa aims to do just that.

Sri Lanka faces essential drug shortage amid economic pressure, doctors’ union warns

Sri Lanka is facing a shortage of several essential medicines due to economic pressures and disruptions in the drug supply mechanism, a medical trade union representative has warned.

Myanmar’s detained former leader Aung San Suu Kyi moved to house arrest, military says

Myanmar’s detained former leader Aung San Suu Kyi is to be moved to house arrest, state media reported on Thursday, more than five years after the military ousted the civilian government she led and jailed the Nobel laureate.

US $ 3.7 billion Sinopec investment still in limbo

The government will take at least another couple of months to decide on the proposed Sinopec Oil Refinery Project in Hambantota, which is the largest single Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) in Sri Lanka’s history, a Minister said.

Tight security, traffic plans in place for nationwide May Day events

Police have deployed thousands of officers, including Special Task Force personnel and intelligence units, across the country for security and traffic management during today’s May Day rallies and parades.

Fertiliser boss says war puts 10 billion meals a week at risk

The interruption to supplies of fertiliser and its key ingredients due to the war in Iran could cost up to ten billion meals a week and will hit poorest countries hardest, according to the boss of one of the world’s biggest fertiliser producers.

Government remains dedicated to creating fair and safe working environment: PM

Prime Minister Dr. Harini Amarasuriya said the government remains dedicated to creating a fair and safe working environment by expanding existing services and implementing new programmes aimed at improving the living standards of working people.

’We continue to work while learning and learn while working, towards steady progress’: President

The primary objective of the government is to safeguard the rights of the working people in this nation and to create a more stable economy and a brighter future for our children, rather than allowing them to endure suffering, tears and pain, President Anura Kumara Dissanayake said.

Sri Lankan population surges as India takes lead in Australia migration

India has overtaken England to become Australia’s largest overseas-born population group, while the Sri Lankan-born community has also recorded a notable surge, according to the latest data released by the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS).

No fuel price revision today; decision pending discussion: CPC

The Ceylon Petroleum Corporation (CPC) announced that fuel prices will not be revised today (May 1), as the scheduled discussion on price adjustments has not yet been held.

Treasury heist takes a dark turn

Against the backdrop of ongoing investigations into the disappearance of US$2.5 million from the treasury account, an official from the Finance Ministry who was under probe had been found dead in his home garden in Kuliyapitiya yesterday.

Iran threatens painful response if US renews attacks

Iran said on Thursday it would respond with ’’long and painful strikes’’ on U.S. positions if Washington renewed attacks and ​restated its claim to the Strait of Hormuz, complicating U.S. plans for a coalition to reopen the waterway.

Colombo consumer prices jump above CB’s 5% target as higher fuel prices reverberates through economy

The consumer inflation measured by the Colombo Consumer Price Index (CCPI) jumped in April as the higher fuel prices caused by the war in Iran fed quickly through the rest of the economy sending the prices

War risk premiums surge up to 50% amid ME tensions, hitting Sri Lanka trade

War risk insurance premiums for vessels operating in the Red Sea and the Persian Gulf have surged by up to 50 percent with extreme cases reaching as high as three percent of vessel value per voyage due to

Public to be invited to name new lion cubs

Allowing children to suggest names for two newborn lion cubs, the Dehiwala Zoological Gardens has invited the public to visit and witness the young animals.

Oil price hits highest since 2022 after report Trump to be briefed on new Iran options

Oil prices jumped to their highest since 2022 after a report that the US military is set to brief President Donald Trump on new plans for potential action in the Iran war.

Cricket tarnished by more scandals

While Indian youngsters like Vaibhav Sooryavanshi , Ayush Mhatre and Yashasvi Jaiswal continue to make headlines for their incredible performances, unprecedented talent and fearless approach to the game, two U-19 youngsters from the Sri Lankan squad have made headlines for all the wrong reasons.

Market slides on oil Shock as global risk sentiment turns negative

The Colombo Stock Exchange closed in negative territory today, with both indices declining sharply amid a broad-based sell-off triggered by deteriorating global sentiment. Brent crude oil prices surged above the $120 mark following escalating geopolitical tensions in the Middle East, reinforcing a risk-off environment across global markets.

Eran and Team to Convert SLC

Eran Wickremaratne, the new head of Sri Lanka Cricket, said his top priority would be to transform the administration of the sport into a professional and accountable set-up following his entry into the hot seat replacing Shammi Silva.

Sri Lanka seal series, hit peak before World Cup

Sri Lanka head into the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup 2026 in strong form after sealing an unassailable 2–0 lead in their T20I series against Bangladesh women’s national cricket team.

Customs begins digitisation drive to boost efficiency, transparency in container release

The Sri Lanka Customs today launched a digitisation initiative covering several key operations, including container release, aimed at improving efficiency and transparency for the trading community.