Sri Lanka deeply shocked by tragic death of President Raisi: Ranil

Sri Lanka is deeply shocked and saddened by the tragic death of President Ebrahim Raisi, Foreign Minister Amir Abdollahian and other senior Irani officials, President Ranil Wickremesinghe said in a messege on X.

Crash site of Iranian president’s helicopter

Scenes of the crash site where the Iranian president, foreign minister and other occupants of the helicopter, including East Azerbaijan Province Governor Malek Rahmati were killed.

Elon Musk to visit Sri Lanka this year to launch Starlink

Elon Musk has accepted an invitation by President Ranil Wickremesinghe to visit Sri Lanka this year to launch his Starlink satellite internet service, the Daily Mirror learns.

Chief prelates urge Presidential pardon for Ven. Gnanasara Thera on Vesak Poya day

Recognising the efforts of Bodu Bala Sena (BBS) General Secretary Ven. Galaboda Atte Gnanasara Thera in promoting national unity and social support, the Chief Prelates of the Malwathu, Asgiri, Ramanna Nikaya, and the Amarapura Maha Sangha Sabha have appealed to the President to grant Ven. Gnanasara Thera a pardon on Vesak Poya day.

Iran’s President Raisi, Foreign Minister die in helicopter crash

Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi and his foreign minister died when their helicopter crashed as it was crossing mountain terrain in heavy fog, an Iranian official told Reuters on Monday.

What happens if an Iranian president dies in office?

Iranian President Raisi and the officials accompanying him are feared dead after the Red Crescent says it has found “no signs of the helicopter’s occupants being alive” at the crash site.

Total of 10,299 people affected, two injured due to rain, drought

A total of 10,299 people from 3,518 families have been affected, while two have been injured due to the prevailing weather conditions, Disaster Management Centre Deputy Director Thusitha Waidyarathne said.

None of the rivers have reached flood levels

None of the rivers have reached flood level so far due to the heavy rains yesterday, according to the data collected by the Irrigation Department, Irrigation (Hydrology) Director Eng. S.P.C. Sugeeshwara Bandara said.

March outstanding credit card balance stands at Rs. 148.7 bn

Outstanding credit card balance of the licensed commercial banking sector has little changed in March from February despite an uptick signaling the trend that would follow as the consumers grow more optimistic about the economy. The interest rates have fallen to single digit levels.

Govt. revenue in January surge 62% on economic turnaround, higher taxes

The revenue to the government, including the grants, rose by a staggering 61.8 percent in January 2024. This is a result of the government raking in billions of rupees out of people’s pockets to appease the International Monetary Fund’s revenue targets.

MR, Sabry pray for well being of Iranian President

In the wake of the tragic incident involving Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi, former President Mahinda Rajapaksa and Foreign Minister Ali Sabri have extended their heartfelt prayers to the Iranian people.

Iran helicopter crash: President Ebrahim Raisi dies

Iranian media has confirmed the death of Iran’s President Ebrahim Raisi, aged 63, and Foreign Minister Hossein Amir-Abdollahian following a helicopter crash in the country’s mountainous province of East Azerbaijan.

SJB suggests new dates for debates with NPP

Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB) MP Nalin Bandara Jayamaha in a letter addressed to National Peoples Power (NPP) Executive Committee Member Dr. Nalinda Jayatissa has suggested new dates for the proposed debate between its leader Sajith Premadasa and NPP leader Anura Kumara Dissanayake and the party’s economic experts.

Special holiday declared for Puttalam district schools

All schools in the Puttalam district will be closed tomorrow, May 20, due to adverse weather conditions, Governor of the North-Western Province said.

Saluting the brave…

The 15th National War Heroes’ Day was commemorated on Sunday (19) at the National War Heroes’ Memorial in Battaramulla under the aegis of Prime Minister Dinesh Gunawardena. Among the participants were former military leaders such as Field Marshal Sarath Fonseka, Admiral of the Fleet Wasantha Karannagoda, and Marshal of the Air Force Roshan Goonetileke. Military leaders from various eras also came together to honour the fallen war heroes.

Sri Lanka cricketer to retire after World Cup & migrate to Melbourne

One of Sri Lanka’s senior cricketers looks set to retire from white ball cricket at the end of T20 World Cup 2024 in USA and West Indies, Daily Mirror reliably learns.

Indian guru and spiritual leader in Sri Lanka

During his three-day visit to Sri Lanka, humanitarian, spiritual leader and Global Ambassador of Peace, Gurudev Sri Sri Ravi Shankar met with journalists at an exclusive gathering at the Taj Samudra Hotel. He shared insights on how Art of Living centres established in Sri Lanka have helped people to come out of trauma and symptoms such as PTSD. A first day cover was also launched in honour of his visit. Pix by Kithsiri De Mel

Fire breaks out near Colombo port

A fire has broken out near the port of Colombo. It is reported that the fire broke out in a lodging of employees working on the expressway near the Colombo port premises.

Excise Dept. should be digitalized to avoid major taxing malpractices: Harsha

Helicopter in Iranian president’s convoy in accident, says state TV

Iran’s state television reported that one of the helicopters in the convoy carrying President Ebrahim Raisi was involved in an accident.

Col. 7 businessman arrested for assaulting Iranian Ambassador

A businessman from Colombo 7 has been arrested over the alleged assault on Iranian Ambassador Dr. Alireza Delkhosh at the Colombo City Center (CCC) car park last evening.

President meets Indonesian Coordinating Minister for Maritime Affairs, Investments

President Ranil Wickremesinghe, who is on an official visit to Indonesia, met Luhut Binsar Pandjaitan, the Coordinating Minister of Maritime and Investment Affairs of the Republic of Indonesia, the President’s Media Division (PMD) said.

Pindapatha Charika

A Pindapatha Charika was held at the Sri Swarna Shaila Bimbarama Viharaya at Katubedda, Moratuwa in view of the Vesak Poya Day under the guidance of Venerable Pannala Sobitha thera, head of the Bimbarama Viharaya. About 15 monks participated in the Pindapatha Charika. Pix by Kithsiri De Mel

BOI concerned over proposed Economic Transformation Bill

The Sri Lanka All Union Alliance of the Board of Investment (BOI) has issued a stark warning against the proposed Economic Transformation Bill, set to be submitted to Parliament on May 22.

Stitching Buddhist flags...

The picture shows employees of a self-owned business in Demetagoda stitching Buddhist flags to be sold to the public in light of the Vesak festival. Pix by Nisal Baduge

Ranil meets Elon Musk

President Ranil Wickremesinghe met Elon Musk in Bali and spoke about Sri Lanka being connected to the starlink network.

Man arrested for triple murder in Gampaha

A 42-year-old man has been arrested in connection with the murder of three individuals from the same family at Maladeniya in Nalla, Gampaha early this morning.

Over 280 kgs of narcotics destroyed using high-powered incinerator in Puttalam

Over 280 kgs of narcotics were destroyed using a new high-powered incinerator built at a cost of over Rs. 11 million at Vanathavilluwa in Puttalam yesterday.

President orders to resume ’Suraksha’ students’ insurance programme

President Ranil Wickremesinghe has directed to resume the ’’Suraksha’’ student insurance programme, which was temporarily halted due to economic issues.

Landslide warnings for seven districts

The National Building Research Organisation (NBRO) has issued landslide warnings for seven districts due to the ongoing heavy rainfall.