Panel picking Iran’s next supreme leader has reached consensus, members say

The body tasked with selecting Iran’s new supreme leader has reached a decision, several members said Sunday, although the name has yet to be announced.

’’Will position Sri Lanka as “Sri Lanka of Humanity” on global stage: President

The Sri Lankan nation will be branded before the world as a nation that has taken up the banner of humanity among those who support and bless it in any conflict that arises in the world, President Anura Kumara Dissanayake said today.

Sri Lanka grants one-month free visas to rescued Iranian sailors

The government will grant free one-month visas to a group rescued from Iranian vessels, allowing them to remain in Sri Lanka under humanitarian protection, Minister of Public Security Ananda Wijepala said.

Leopards spotted inside Peradeniya University, safety notice issued

The University of Peradeniya has issued a safety notice to students and staff following several reported leopard sightings within the university premises.

Western Province schoolchildren rally for a future without road accidents

Hundreds of schoolchildren from across the Western Province gathered in Colombo yesterday to promote road safety through art at a special competition aimed at creating awareness about preventing road accidents.

CEB employees granted 25% salary increase amid restructuring

All employees of the Ceylon Electricity Board (CEB) have been granted a 25 percent salary increase as part of the transition to the newly established successor companies under the ongoing restructuring of Sri Lanka’s electricity sector.

22 Iranian sailors from IRIS Dena moved to Koggala Air Force Base

Twenty-two sailors from the Iranian naval ship IRIS Dena who were rescued following the attack near Sri Lankan waters have been transferred to the Koggala Air Force Base after receiving treatment at hospital.

U.S. respects Sri Lanka’s decision on Iranian warship incident

The United States has said it respects Sri Lanka’s sovereignty in handling matters related to the Iranian warship IRIS Bushehr and its crew.

Fire reported at shop in Maharagama

A blaze erupted at a shop in Maharagama town earlier today.

Trump tells Britain he does not need its help to win Iran war

President Donald Trump said on Saturday that Britain is giving ’’serious thought’’ to ​sending two aircraft carriers to the Middle East, but added ‌that the U.S. does not need them to win the war with Iran, in the latest clash between the military allies.

Explosion reported outside US embassy in Oslo, police say

Police in Norway have cordoned off the area around the US embassy in Oslo after an explosion was reported there.

INDOPACOM rejects Iran’s claim that sunken warship IRIS Dena was unarmed

The United States Indo-Pacific Command (INDOPACOM) has rejected claims that the Iranian warship IRIS Dena was unarmed when it was sunk in a submarine attack near Sri Lankan waters, stating that the vessel was a legitimate military target under the Law of Armed Conflict.

Trump rejects settling Iran war, raises prospect of killing all its potential leaders

U.S. President Donald Trump said he is not interested in negotiating with Iran and raised the possibility that the Iran war would only end once Tehran no longer has a functioning military or any remaining leadership in power.

Navy, Police seize Rs. 73 mn worth foreign cannabis in Kayts

The Sri Lanka Navy, in a joint operation with the Sri Lanka Police, seized approximately 368 kilograms of foreign-origin cannabis during a raid at the Suruvil beach area of Kayts Island in Jaffna.

Chief Lay Custodian of Ruhunu Kataragama Devalaya passes away

Somipala T. Ratnayake, the Chief Lay Custodian (Kapu Dhurandhara) of the Ruhunu Maha Kataragama Devalaya, has passed away at the age of 87, according to family sources.

BASL President urges better preparation for Sri Lanka’s representatives at global forums

The President of the Bar Association of Sri Lanka (BASL), Rajeev Amarasuriya, has called for improved preparation and support for Sri Lanka’s representatives participating in international forums, following remarks made by Foreign Minister Vijitha Herath during a recent panel discussion at the Raisina Dialogue in New Delhi.

LAUGFS Gas apologises for recent inconvenience, thanks customers

The LAUGFS Gas Company has issued a message addressing the inconvenience faced by customers in recent days, while expressing appreciation for their continued support.

Trump says U.S. will expand Iran targets after Tehran apologizes to neighbors

President Donald Trump, set to honor slain U.S. service members at Dover, threatened to widen U.S. targets after Iran’s president dismissed the notion of surrender.

Donald Trump vows ‘Iran will be hit very hard’

Iran is ‘the loser of the Middle East,’ and will be for many decades until they surrender or, more likely, completely collapse! Mr. Trump said after Iranian President ​Masoud Pezeshkian earlier apologised to Iran’s Gulf neighbours

No power cuts despite rumours over Norochcholai coal supply: Ministry

The Ministry of Energy has urged the public not to be misled by false reports claiming that power cuts would be imposed due to issues related to coal supplies at the Lakvijaya Coal Power Plant.

Warm weather advisory issued for several provinces

The Meteorology Department has issued a warm weather advisory for several provinces and districts across Sri Lanka, warning that the heat index is likely to rise to caution levels on Sunday (08).

Fools are at war today: Cardinal

Condemning the war in the Middle East, Archbishop of Colombo Cardinal Malcolm Ranjith said today that those who are engaged in hostilities are fools.

Sri Lanka won’t back any side in Iranian vessel incident – Vijitha Herath

Sri Lanka is handling the recent vessel incident involving Iranian personnel strictly in accordance with international law and does not intend to support any side, Foreign Minister Vijitha Herath said on Saturday.

Drone attack near Dubai International Airport forces suspension of flights

Operations at Dubai International Airport (DXB) were temporarily suspended on Saturday but have since partially resumed, officials have confirmed.

Iran to halt strikes on neighbours unless attacks from there: Pezeshkian

Arab states in the Gulf and beyond that house US assets have been targeted in Iranian retaliatory strikes in the war.

At least 25 schools in Kandy district faces landslide threat

At least 25 schools in the Kandy district have been found to be vulnerable to landslide risks, Prime Minister Harini Amarasuriya informed Parliament yesterday.

Pakistani man found guilty in Iran-backed plot to kill US politicians

A Pakistani man with ties to Iran has been found guilty of plotting to assassinate US politicians and officials.

Iranian vessels came here as Navy Commander asked them verbally – Opposition MP

Making further allegations regarding recent developments in the Indian Ocean, Opposition MP Chamara Sampath Dassanayake told Parliament yesterday that the Sri Lankan Navy Commander would incur blame for the Iranian vessel episode as he had verbally invited the ships IRIS Dena and IRIS Bushehr to visit Sri Lanka.

Sri Lankan woman found dead in Australia

A Sri Lankan woman was found dead at a rural property in Victoria’s Latrobe Valley in Australia, in an incident police are investigating as a suspected murder-suicide.

Pakistan raises retail fuel prices by about 20% due to Middle East tension

Pakistan on Friday raised consumer prices for diesel and petrol about 20%, citing ​higher oil prices driven by conflict in ‌Iran.