The Australian Government, WFP and UNICEF have signed a 3-year partnership (2018-2020) with a funding of AUD750,000 (around 89 million Sri Lanka Rupees), to ensure stronger preparedness and faster, more integrated responses to natural disaster emergencies in Sri Lanka.

The Disaster Management Center (DMC) says that 84,943 persons in 14 districts have been affected due to the heavy monsoon rain and strong winds across Sri Lanka.

Petroleum Resources Development Minister Arjuna Ranatunga yesterday stated that country could save US$ 400–450 million per year through a new and more efficient oil refinery system.

Sri Lanka’s cricket board on Tuesday increased wages for national players by more than a third after making record profits in 2017.

Around 20,000 Sri Lankans die every year due to the diseases caused by the use of tobacco, an official here said on Tuesday.

The Cabinet has approved a 12.5% bus fare hike and to increase the minimum fare up to Rs 12 with effect from midnight, Deputy Minister of Transport Ashoka Abeysinghe said.

Sri Lanka’s Johann Peries successfully summited the 29,030 feet of Mount Everest at 5.55 a.m in Nepal time today.

The Ratnapura, Galle, Matara, Kegalle, Kalutara, Anuradhapura, Mullaitivu, Trincomalee, Badulla, Nuwara Eliya and Matale districts were affected by the South-Western monsoonal rains.

Due to the prevailing adverse weather conditions, 1,024 persons have been displaced while a total of 13,314 have been affected, stated the Disaster Management Center (DMC). According to the DMC, 7 deaths have been confirmed so far due to the current weather condition.

A press release has been made to respond government’s recent clarification on fuel prices by media secretary of former president Mahinda Rajapaksa.

Five people were reported dead due to adverse weather conditions with the Meteorology Department predicting landslides and floods if the heavy rains persist in the country in the next few days.

The National Building Research Organization (NBRO), issued a level 3 Landslide Early Warning at 7:30 PM on Saturday (May 20), requesting the public to evacuate to safer locations.

Taking a swipe at former President Mahinda Rajapaksa and former Defence Secretary Gotabaya Rajapaksa, Finance and Mass Media Minister Mangala Samaraweera today said that both former leaders now seem to be engaged in an untiring effort to throw the country again into “Vipath Maga” (the destructive path).

The 16 Sri Lanka Freedom Party (SLFP) MPs who left the unity government will meet the former President Mahinda Rajapaksa on the 23rd May.

Minister Mahinda Amarawera elaborated on the decision taken by the SLFP Central Committee to appoint an interim office bearer.

Colombo Mayor Rosy Senanayake yesterday instructed the Colombo Municipal Council (CMC) Commissioner to suspend all fines charged from parking meters in the city.