Three arrested over Rs. 30 million Canada job scam

Three individuals have been arrested over an alleged large-scale job scam involving nearly Rs. 30 million, where victims were promised employment opportunities in Canada, the Sri Lanka Bureau of Foreign Employment (SLBFE) said.

Lufthansa flights disrupted as cabin crew stage strike

Lufthansa (LHAG.DE), flights were significantly disrupted on Friday as cabin crew union UFO staged a one-day strike, the airline’s third ​work stoppage in two months, impacting operations at its ‌Frankfurt and Munich hubs.

Spanish minister urges Iran to negotiate in ‘good faith’

Spain’s Foreign Minister has told reporters before Saturday’s talks: “I encourage Iran, this is what I conveyed to the Iranian foreign minister, to take part in those negotiations and to participate in good faith.”

Day after National Vesak Festival not a public holiday: Labour Dept.

The Labour Department has clarified that the day after the National Vesak Festival in 2026, which falls on May 30, will not be observed as a public holiday.

Severe lightning warning issued for several provinces

The Department of Meteorology has issued a warning for Western, Sabaragamuwa, Southern, and Uva provinces, as well as Kandy and Nuwara Eliya districts, stating that thundershowers accompanied by severe lightning are likely at several locations after 1.00 p.m.

France and Pakistan condemn ‘Lebanon ceasefire violations’

Pakistan’s Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar and French Foreign Minister Jean-Noel Barrot have “expressed concern over serious ceasefire violations made in Lebanon”, in a phone call on Friday morning.

Health sector heading for crisis due to multiple challenges: Doctors’ Union

The Doctors’ Trade Union Alliance for Medical and Civil Rights has warned that Sri Lanka’s health sector is heading towards a serious crisis due to multiple challenges, including shortages of doctors and other healthcare personnel, lack of essential equipment, poor maintenance, and insufficient raw materials for laboratory and other services.

Iran’s former foreign minister Kamal Kharrazi dies following Israeli strike on home

Kamal Kharrazi, Iran’s former foreign minister and head of the Strategic Council on Foreign Relations, died on the evening of April 10 from injuries sustained in a US-Israeli strike on his home, Eqtesad Online reported.

Navy seizes Indian trawler, 10 fishermen held off Mannar

Ten Indian fishermen were apprehended while allegedly poaching in Sri Lankan waters north of Mannar.

India proposes new rules to regulate news and political posts on social media

The Indian government has proposed changes to extend its regulatory framework to a wider range of online news voices, including influencers and podcasters on platforms such as Facebook, YouTube and X.

IRD records Rs. 606 bn revenue in first quarter of 2026

The Inland Revenue Department (IRD) has collected tax revenue amounting to Rs. 606,002 million during the first quarter of 2026, continuing its strong performance following a record-breaking year in 2025.

Colombo Central Bus Stand damage may be organised act: Deputy Minister

Damage caused to sanitary facilities at the newly renovated Colombo Central Bus Stand may be the result of an organised activity, Transport and Highways Deputy Minister M.M. Prasanna Kumara Gunasena said.

Netanyahu faces domestic and international pressure

Polls released in the Israeli media are pointing out what a difficult position Benjamin Netanyahu is in.

Vijay’s unreleased film Jana Nayagan leaked online before TN polls

Tamil superstar Vijay’s final film, Jana Nayagan, has been leaked online, even though it hasn’t been released in theatres yet. On Thursday night, small clips from the film were shared on social media, and by Friday morning, HD prints of the full film were uploaded to piracy sites. The unreleased film has yet to receive CBFC clearance and has been in limbo for three months.

Speaker warns MP Rasamanickam

Speaker Jagath Wickramaratne today warned Ilankai Thamil Arasu Katchi (ITAK) MP Shanakiyan Rasamanickam that he would be removed from the Chamber if he failed to comply with his ruling.

Ravi K’s social media tag line used to attack Minister Lal Kantha

Opposition MP Ravi Karunanayake revealed in Parliament today that his social media tag line has been fraudulently used by two women for verbally attacking Minister K.D. Lal Kantha.

Cop arrested for taking liquor bribe over traffic offence

A Police Constable attached to the Dharmapuram Police Station was arrested by officials from the Commission to Investigate Allegations of Bribery or Corruption (CIABOC) on charges of soliciting and accepting a bottle of arrack as a bribe.

Iran delegation still to leave for talks in Pakistan as Israel attacks Lebanon

Iran’s negotiating team has not yet left for scheduled talks with the US this weekend in Pakistan due to Israel’s attacks on Lebanon, says Abas Aslani, a senior research fellow at the Iran-based Center for Middle East Strategic Studies.

There was a supreme leader who controlled Zahran: Minister

Probes have revealed that there was a supreme leader who controlled Zahran, who led the suicide attacks on Easter Sunday in 2019, Minister of Public Security Ananda Wijepala told Parliament yesterday.

Coal procurement scam losses could reach Rs 100 billion: Opposition

While highlighting that total losses from the coal procurement could reach Rs 100 billion, opposition parties in Parliament said yesterday that the entire Cabinet is responsible for the scam.

El Niño may trigger drought until September: Met. Department warns

The Meteorology Department has warned that if El Niño conditions develop during the southwest monsoon, the country could face a prolonged drought lasting until September.

Russia’s Putin announces Orthodox Easter ceasefire, Ukraine’s Zelenskiy agrees

Russian President Vladimir Putin on Thursday announced a 32-hour ceasefire over a two-day period for Orthodox ‌Easter and his Ukrainian counterpart Volodymyr Zelenskiy said Kyiv would abide by the measure.

Public advised to take precautions during hot New Year period

Health authorities are urging the public to take necessary precautions when organizing and participating in Sinhala and Tamil New Year festivities, citing the prevailing extreme hot weather conditions across the country.

Rise in NCDs raises health concerns ahead of festive season

Sri Lanka is witnessing a sharp rise in non-communicable diseases (NCDs), posing a growing public health concern across the country.

Wanindu Hasaranga ruled out of IPL

Sri Lankan leg-break bowler Wanindu Hasaranga has been ruled of the ongoing Indian Premier League due to injury, his franchise Lucknow Super Giants said on Thursday.

IMF watchful of NDB dealing with internal fraud

In the wake of an internal fraud rattling the National Development (NDB), the International Monetary Fund (IMF) said yesterday that it is closely watching the situation and is in touch with the Central Bank.

Middle East war poses significant challenges to Sri Lanka – IMF

The International Monetary Fund (IMF) said that despite the gains, Sri Lanka continues to face significant challenges due to the ongoing conflict in the Middle East.

First hand account of NDB fraud

Losing Rs.13.2 Billon because of fraud from a major Sri Lankan bank is hard to believe. It reminds us of a programme from the suspenseful ‘Money Heist’. But from that Rs. 13.2 Billion, the claim that customers’ monies have not been affected is even harder to believe.

Electricity bills in focus as IMF reforms, global costs drive tariff pressure

Electricity bills are set to remain in fresh focus as Sri Lanka pushes ahead with IMF-backed reforms, with rising global energy costs forcing further tariff pressure even as authorities try to protect struggling households.

Opposition backs protest against Power and Energy Minister

A group of protesters, together with opposition Members of Parliament, staged a demonstration near the Parliamentary premises today, calling for the resignation of Power and Energy Minister Kumara Jayakody.