U-19 cricketers seek settlement over alleged bathroom video

Four members of the Sri Lanka Under-19 cricket team who were arrested over allegations of secretly filming several female doctors who were in the shower inside their room in a Colombo hotel are exploring the possibility of a settlement in the case, the Colombo Magistrate’s Court was informed.

No shortage of funds to conduct PC polls: Nalinda

Claiming that there is no shortage of funds to conduct the Provincial Council elections, Cabinet Spokesman Minister Nalinda Jayatissa said today the government is ready to hold the PC polls at anytime after resolving the legal berriers through Parliament.

No fuel shortage, sufficient stocks until July: CPC

Sri Lanka has sufficient fuel stocks to meet demand until the end of July, Managing Director of the Ceylon Petroleum Corporation (CPC) and Ceylon Petroleum Storage Terminals Limited (CPSTL), Mayura Nettikumarage, said.

Sri Lankans turn to renovating old homes as building costs soar

A dramatic shift is underway in Sri Lanka’s real estate sector as investors and homebuyers increasingly opt to purchase lands with existing structures for renovation, stepping away from ground-up developments.

Health Ministry issues sweeping meningitis directive amid concerns over school spread

A special set of nationwide instructions issued by the Epidemiology Unit of the Health Ministry on the control of enteroviral meningitis has sparked attention, as the disease is reported to be spreading in schools and community settings across the country.

Attack on Galle Face protesters: AG to frame changes against Deshabandu

The Attorney General’s Department today informed the Supreme Court that the Attorney General is expected to file indictments against former Inspector General of Police (IGP) Deshabandu Tennakoon over his alleged failure to prevent the attacks on protesters at Galle Face on May 9, 2022.

Wimal Weerawansa arrested

Former Minister Wimal Weerawansa was arrested a short while ago after arriving at the Thalangama Police Station to record a statement, Police said.

Work from home soon

In a bid for economic risk mitigation over the falling dollar rate and surging import bills, the government mulls the reintroduction of work from home for the public and private sector employees as done during the pandemic , an official said yesterday.

CBSL imposes strict caps on vehicle loans and leases effective May 25

The Central Bank of Sri Lanka (CBSL) has issued a new directive introducing strict maximum caps on Loan-to-Value (LTV) ratios for credit facilities granted for the purchase or utilization of motor vehicles.

EPF lags behind listed companies and banks on transparency: Verité Research

The Employees’ Provident Fund (EPF), despite being Sri Lanka’s largest financial institution, has lower transparency and disclosure standards compared to other entities that manage funds on behalf of third parties, such as companies listed on the Colombo Stock Exchange, licensed commercial banks, and unit trusts.

Vijitha Herath to visit Australia, New Zealand on official tour

Foreign Affairs, Foreign Employment and Tourism Minister Vijitha Herath is scheduled to undertake an official visit to New Zealand and Australia from 26 May to 3 June 2026 at the invitation of the two governments.

Court orders Rainbow agency owner to repay victims within a year

The Gangodawila Magistrate has ordered the owner of Rainbow Manpower Foreign Employment Agency, accused of conducting a large-scale foreign employment scam by promising jobs in Romania, to repay the money owed to victims within one year.

FBI arrives in Sri Lanka to investigate cyber thefts

A team from the U.S. Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) has arrived in Sri Lanka to assist local authorities in investigating the cyber theft of $2.5 million from Sri Lankan Treasury funds in one instance and another US $ 625,000 in terms of payment to the US postal authorities , a senior officer told the *Daily Mirror*.

Warrant issued for Basil Rajapaksa

Matara Chief Magistrate Chaturanga Eranga Dissanayake has issued a warrant for the arrest of former Minister Basil Rajapaksa.

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.

Rupee hits new low against USD

The Sri Lankan Rupee has weakened further against the US Dollar, with the selling rate surpassing the Rs. 354 mark, according to the latest exchange rate report issued by the Central Bank of Sri Lanka today (20).

When fuel subsidies sink the rupee, why increase the tax on vehicles ?

On 15 May 2026, President Anura Kumara Dissanayake, who also serves as Sri Lanka’s finance minister, issued an order under the Customs Ordinance imposing a 50% surcharge on imports classified under HS Code 87.02 (vehicles for the transport of ten or more persons including the driver), HS Code 87.03 (passenger motor vehicles), and HS Code 87.04 (vehicles for the transport of goods).

Health Ministry gears up for Ebola outbreak

The Ministry of Health has decided to implement measures consisting of five steps in line with the recommendations of the World Health Organisation (WHO), following the WHO declaration of the Ebola virus epidemic situation as a Public Health Emergency of International Concern.

Imported milk powder price increased from today

The Milk Powder Importers’ Association has announced a revision in the prices of imported milk powder, citing prevailing market conditions and exchange rate fluctuations.

Rupee depreciation’s double edge

Sri Lanka has done impressive work on its domestic finances. We achieved a primary surplus and collected nearly 5 trillion rupees in taxes. But this success is in rupees only. Our external balance sheet – the one measured in dollars – remains dangerously weak.

Ashu Marasinghe defamation case settled in court

Former Parliamentarian Prof. Ashu Marasinghe’s defamation case seeking Rs.1.5 billion in compensation from former Parliamentarian Hirunika Premachandra and another respondent over an alleged statement that he abused a dog was settled before the Kaduwela Magistrate’s Court yesterday after the parties reached a compromise.

Court questions absence of statements from two crucial witnesses in Kapila case

The Colombo Fort Magistrate today questioned the absence of statements from two crucial witnesses connected to the death of former SriLankan Airlines Chief Executive Officer Kapila Chandrasena.

Rupee value slides against major currencies

In the wake of the Sri Lankan rupee depreciating rapidly against major international currencies, Central Bank Governor Dr. Nandalal Weerasinghe said the exchange rate decline could not be used as the sole criterion to determine the status of the economy, as it had both positive and negative implications.

Technical failure disrupts Foreign Ministry attestation services

The Consular Affairs Division of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Foreign Employment and Tourism informed the public that all document attestation services have been temporarily suspended until further notice due to an unexpected technical failure of the Electronic Document Attestation System (e-DAS).

Is the govt. higher up considering inviting Opposition MPs?

Following months of speculation of arguments and rifts within the NPP camp, the Daily Mirror reliably learns that some senior government members have told President Anura Kumara Dissanayake to consider inviting capable parliamentarians from the opposition to join the government in an attempt to take the nation forward.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Govt. imposes 50% Custom duty surcharge on vehicle imports

The Ministry of Finance has decided to levy a 50% surcharge on the prevailing Customs import duties applicable to all imported vehicles, effective immediately from today (May 16).