Local

Thirteen people were injured in a multiple-vehicle collision in Eheliyagoda town last night (15), Police said. The accident occurred when

Pakistan's Army chief Field Marshal Asim Munir has arrived in Tehran leading a high-level delegation, as diplomatic efforts intensify to

A student ⁠has shot at least nine people dead, including fellow pupils, and wounded at least ⁠13 at a middle

The Ministry of Transport, Highways and Urban Development has introduced an online bus seat reservation system for passengers travelling from

Sri Lanka Police announced that the IGP Public Relief Day and the IGP Relief Day for police officers will not

Two bodies have been recovered on Wednesday (15) after a father and his four sons were caught in a drowning

The Sri Lanka Transport Board has earned Rs. 1 billion in revenue within six days by providing transport services during

US President Donald Trump says China has agreed "not to send weapons to Iran", after he wrote to President Xi

- A 32-year-old woman has been killed after being attacked with a sharp weapon in Netolagama, Wellawaya. Initial investigations have revealed that the murder occurred following a personal dispute between the victim. who is a married woman, and her lover.The deceased has been identified as a resident of Netolagama, Wellawaya.

Gold prices in Sri Lanka have climbed by around Rs. 4,000, according to market data. According to Colombo Pettah gold

The Department of Meteorology has issued an advisory for warm weather in the Northern, North-central, North-western, Western, Sabaragamuwa, Southern, Eastern

A total of 238 Iranian nationals who had been under Sri Lanka's care departed for Iran yesterday, authorities confirmed.The group comprised Iranian nationals who were aboard the vessel IRIS Dena, which came under attack in waters close to Sri Lanka's coastline, and IRIS Bushehr.Following the incident, the stranded passengers were rescued by the Sri Lanka Navy and brought to safety.After remaining under Sri Lanka's protection, arrangements were made for their repatriation. A special aircraft carrying the Iranian nationals departed Sri Lanka last night, marking the completion of their return journey to Iran.

International Monetary Fund Managing Director Kristalina Georgieva has warned that the war in the Middle East has abruptly disrupted global economic momentum, forcing the IMF to downgrade growth projections after previously preparing to revise them upward.Georgieva said the global economy had been building strong momentum, with growth forecasts on track for an upgrade. However, she said a sudden shock from the Middle East conflict has reversed that outlook, introducing significant uncertainty and compelling the IMF to present multiple economic scenarios rather than a single forecast path.She explained that the IMF is now outlining a range of outcomes depending on two key factors: the duration of the war and the extent of infrastructure destruction. These variables, she said, will determine how deeply and how long the global economy is affected.According to Georgieva, if the conflict ends within the coming weeks, a relatively rapid recovery remains possible. In such a scenario, global growth would slow and inflation would rise, but the effects would be measurably less severe.However, she cautioned that a prolonged conflict accompanied by greater infrastructure damage would place the global economy in a far more adverse position.She said that if supply disruptions continue through the summer, global economic growth would slow much more significantly. In addition, Georgieva warned of a worst-case scenario, one she said she hopes will not materialize, that could push the world economy into such a deep slowdown that some countries would fall into recession. She noted that such an outcome could dominate discussions at the IMF's annual meetings in Thailand.Georgieva described the shock from the conflict as both large and global, emphasizing that about 20 percent of oil and gas supply is missing from the world economy. Because oil and gas are globally traded commodities, she said rising prices affect everyone.However, she noted that some countries are experiencing far greater harm through slowed economic activity rather than price pressures alone.She also highlighted the worsening supply situation, pointing out that while tankers that departed earlier have now reached their destinations, no new shipments are leaving to replace them. As a result, she said, economic conditions are expected to deteriorate further in April following already negative developments in March.Georgieva added that closely monitoring market developments and improving understanding of ongoing disruptions are essential components of the IMF's policy advice to member countries as uncertainty continues to grow.

World Bank Group President Ajay Banga has outlined a phased financial response plan aimed at helping countries manage the economic fallout from prolonged global disruptions, warning that the effects of conflict and supply-chain damage are likely to last longer than many anticipate.Speaking on the World Bank's response approach, Banga said the first priority is the rapid availability of financing. He explained that through the World Bank's crisis response toolkit and clauses embedded in certain existing projects, finance ministers could potentially access between US$20 billion and US$25 billion almost immediately. He described this as "real money" that could be mobilised quickly, noting that countries are still assessing what they need and how much support will ultimately be required.Banga cautioned, however, that this funding is not grant money and that countries must be mindful of their fiscal constraints when drawing on these resources. He acknowledged that governments around the world are already facing significant fiscal challenges.If the crisis caused by the middle east conflic continues for six months or more, Banga said the World Bank's next step would be to repurpose existing projects, redirecting them toward areas that would be most helpful under prolonged strain. By doing so, the Bank estimates it could mobilise a total of US$50 billion to US$60 billion from its 2025 programme, representing an additional US$30 billion to US$40 billion beyond what was initially planned.Should conditions deteriorate further and extend beyond that timeframe, Banga said the World Bank would need to examine its balance sheet and available headroom to determine how much more support could be provided. Over a period of approximately 15 months, he said the Bank believes it could reach a total response capacity of about US$80 billion.Banga said the goal is to build a toolkit with a tiered response capacity, allowing the World Bank to scale its support depending on how long and how severely the crisis continues. While acknowledging that global institutions cannot control the immediate impact of conflicts, he stressed that they can control how they respond.He said the focus must be on short-term measures to reduce pain and manage difficult conditions, while also recognising that the disruption should not be viewed as a brief episode.Even if fighting were to stop immediately, Banga warned that it would take time for global supply systems to stabilise, particularly where energy infrastructure has been affected.

- Another fuel tanker carrying a stock of 36,700 metric tonnes of Octane 92 petrol arrived in the island today, Ceylon Petroleum Corporation confirmed. The fuel stock was ordered from India to boost the local supply of fuel. The Corporation further stated that measures are being taken to unload the shipment immediately for distribution.

The Sri Lankan Rupee remains steady against the US Dollar today (15), compared to last Friday. According to the Central

The Department of Meteorology has issued an advisory for severe lightning in the Western, Sabragamuwa, Central and Uva Provicnes, and

The Sri Lankan Navy seized an Indian fishing boat and apprehended four (04) Indian fishermen for poaching in Sri Lankan

The Welfare Benefits Board has announced that the disbursement of benefits for the first round of Aswesuma recipients is set to resume this July, following the conclusion of necessary beneficiary surveys. Chairman Nimal Kotawalagedara stated that they expect to complete these surveys by the end of May, while warning that strict legal action will be taken against anyone found to have provided false information. This legal recourse will also extend to those who have already obtained benefits through fraudulent means. Additionally, the benefit period for 2023 first-round recipients was extended until June specifically to facilitate the ongoing information update process.

The Kohuwala office of the Lanka Coal Company, which was sealed by the Criminal Investigation Department, is scheduled to be reopened today. The premises was sealed last Saturday after the CID launched a formal investigation into coal imports spanning back to 2009.This investigation was initiated following a complaint lodged with the CID by the Secretary to the President, Nandika Sanath Kumanayake, who requested a thorough inquiry into the matter. The Ministry of Power and Energy stated that the Criminal Investigation Department is expected to collect the specific files required for the ongoing probe today. The Ministry further noted that the operations of the Lanka Coal Company will return to normal once these investigative procedures are completed.

President Anura Kumara Dissanayake called on the Most Venerable Thibbatuwawe Sri Sumangala Mahanayaka Thera of the Malwathu Chapter of the

A group of monks from the Walk for Peace delegation has embarked on a sacred journey from Dallas Fort Worth

The Sri Lankan rupee remains steady against the US dollar across commercial banks in Sri Lanka today (15), compared to

The State Oil-Anointing Ceremony marking the Sinhala and Tamil New Year 2026 was held this morning (15) at the Sri Maha Natha Devalaya premises within the historic Temple of the Sacred Tooth Relic in Kandy, under the patronage of President Anura Kumara Dissanayake.The ceremony was conducted in accordance with long-standing New Year traditions and customs through the joint organisation of the Ministry of Health and Mass Media and the Department of Ayurveda.The event took place under the guidance and blessings of the Chief Prelates of the Malwathu and Asgiri Chapters.Earlier in the morning, President Dissanayake visited the Temple of the Sacred Tooth Relic, where he engaged in religious observances and received blessings in celebration of the Sinhala and Tamil New Year. Following these observances, the President proceeded to the Sri Maha Natha Devalaya to take part in the State Oil-Anointing Ceremony.At the auspicious time of 6:55 a.m., the Anunayake Thera of the Malwathu Chapter, Venerable Dimbulkumbure Wimaladhamma Thera, ceremonially anointed oil on the President and those present at the ceremony.Members of the Maha Sangha chanted Seth Pirith and invoked blessings on the President and the public, reaffirming the traditional belief in health, well-being, and prosperity associated with the ritual.After the religious rites, President Dissanayake engaged in friendly conversation with those present and inquired about their well-being, while members of the public extended their New Year greetings to the President.

Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna (SLPP) National Organizer, MP Namal Rajapaksa, says the party will move forward while learning from past