Politics
Gnanasara Thera granted bail after Islam remarks indictments
Colombo High Court released the BBS general secretary on bail after indictments were served over remarks said to insult Islam.
Politics
1913 stories 
Politics
Hemasiri Fernando Tells Court Sirisena Had Prior Knowledge of Easter Attack Intelligence
Former Defence Secretary Hemasiri Fernando told a Trial-at-Bar that ex-President Sirisena knew of intelligence warnings before the 2019 Easter attacks.
Politics
Israel Ambassador Reuven Azar Meets Foreign Minister Herath on Bilateral Cooperation
Israeli Ambassador Reuven Azar and Foreign Minister Vijitha Herath met on Thursday to discuss expanding bilateral cooperation across multiple sectors.
Politics
Police roll out May Day traffic and security plan, NPP rally at Maharagama
Sri Lanka Police announce traffic diversions for Friday's May Day rallies, with NPP gathering at Maharagama and parties marching across Colombo.
Politics
Met Department DG Appears Before PSC Probing Cyclone Ditwah Warning Failures
Met DG Athula Karunanayake appeared before the Parliamentary Select Committee probing why authorities failed to issue public warnings before Cyclone Ditwah.
Politics
Buddhist Monks Travelling Abroad to Need Mahanayaka Recommendation
Government enforces rules requiring monks to get Mahanayaka recommendations before travelling abroad, with Sections 41–42 of the Ordinance under review.
Politics
Navy seizes 2,000 kg of kendu leaves off Chilaw, arrests 4 Indians and 6 Sri Lankans
A Navy patrol off Chilaw on April 28 intercepted an Indian dhow transferring 54 sacks of beedi-wrap leaves to three local dinghies, Newswire reported.
Politics
NPF Demands Dissanayake Explain Stalled Russia Energy Talks
NPF says new Energy Minister Anura Karunatilleke has met the British envoy but not the Russian ambassador, despite two Russian delegations to Colombo.
Politics
AKD addresses NPP Nuwara Eliya May Day rally: 'people and government united'
President Dissanayake tells the NPP Nuwara Eliya rally a new form of governance has been established as the party holds 21 simultaneous events islandwide.
Politics
Puttalam police seize 994 kg of illicit turmeric
Puttalam CIB officers arrested a 34-year-old Norochcholai resident in Palavi over 994 kg of smuggled turmeric on which no customs duties had been paid.
Politics
Verdict in four bribery cases against ex-Deputy Minister Sarana Gunawardena postponed to May 26
Colombo High Court Judge Mohamed Mihail defers judgment in CIABOC cases over alleged National Lotteries Board vehicle-rental losses dating back to 2006.
Politics
Foreign Ministry seeks public help to identify Sri Lankan woman with memory loss in Saudi Arabia
Rahima Sahabdeen, last known residence Bambalapitiya, is unable to confirm her identity; Ministry names her parents and three daughters in renewed appeal.
Politics
Supreme Court Orders Three Police Inspectors to Pay Rs. 1.5mn for Assaulting Fellow Officer
The court found a Gampaha Sub-Inspector's fundamental rights were violated in a 2022 assault and that his subsequent suspension was unlawful.
Politics
Sri Lanka Climbs Five Places to 134th in 2026 World Press Freedom Index
Sri Lanka rose from 139th to 134th of 180 countries in the 2026 RSF World Press Freedom Index, scoring 40.77 — but RSF says journalism remains in danger.
Politics
Karunanayake: Sri Lanka only learned of $2.5M theft after Australia flagged debt-payment delay
NDF MP says five payments on a $22.9M Australian loan instalment were missed before Canberra raised the alarm; Central Bank also bears responsibility.
Politics
JMO panel rules interdicted Treasury official Ranga Rajapaksa's death a suicide
A four-JMC panel ruled all injuries on Ranga Rajapaksa's body were self-inflicted, confirming the interdicted Finance Ministry official's death a suicide.
Politics
Treasury Secretary Reverses Course, to Appear Before COPF at 1pm
Suriyapperuma will testify on the USD 2.5 million cyber theft after a one-day standoff with the Committee on Public Finance.
Politics
US Embassy marks 15 years of American Corner Jaffna, opens Freedom 250 Pavilion
Embassy inaugurates new outdoor engagement space at Nallur facility ahead of US 250th independence year; 400 programmes hosted in 2025.
Politics
Sri Lanka looking to expand cooperation with Israel: Foreign Minister Herath
Vijitha Herath meets Israeli Ambassador Reuven Javier Azar and pledges 'continued engagement' even as Israel's southern Lebanon ground campaign continues.
Politics
President Reviews Plans for New Central Highlands Protection Authority
President Dissanayake reviewed legal provisions for a new authority to protect upper watershed areas after Cyclone Ditwah landslides exposed the risk.
Politics
Government Explores Digital Overhaul of Aswesuma Beneficiary Identification
Finance Ministry meeting weighs revised eligibility, Grama Niladhari involvement and digitalisation to speed up Aswesuma welfare beneficiary selection.
Politics
Court of Appeal Hears Challenge to Mass Chinese Deportation, Petitioner's Whereabouts Unknown
Jingjing Liao, deported with 125 others on a March 29 special flight, says lawyers were locked out of Welisara camp; AG's office to defend arrest as lawful.
Politics
CIABOC: Mahinda's affidavit incomplete; Shiranthi's Torrington property frozen
CIABOC orders Mahinda Rajapaksa to resubmit a full assets affidavit and suspends transfer of Shiranthi's Colombo home pending a Siriliya account inquiry.
Politics
Marshad Barry appointed Chairman of Waqf Board for 27th term
Marshad Barry, Amana Bank senior official and SL-Malaysia Business Council Chair, has been named to head the 27th Waqf Board for Muslim charitable trusts.