Newspaper
The Island
May Day and postponement Vesak 2026
May Day can mean one of many things. In European countries it is a festival, dating back nearly a thousand years, celebrating the beginning of the summer.
4 min |
May 25, 2026
The Island
KKR replace Matheesha Pathirana with Luvnith Sisodia
Kolkata Knight Riders have signed Karnataka's Luvnith Sisodia as a replacement for the injured Matheesha Pathirana ahead of their final round-robin clash of IPL 2026 against Delhi Capitals.
1 min |
May 25, 2026
The Island
Record 274 climbers scale Everest via Nepal in one day!
A record number of 274 people scaled Mount Everest via Nepal on Wednesday, after a late start to this year's spring season due to a huge chunk of ice blocking the climbing route.
2 min |
May 25, 2026
The Island
South Asian changemakers shortlisted for Global Merit Index
The UK-based organization Impact Hallmarks (IH) has announced 188 finalists for its international opinion poll ahead of the Quarticentennial Merited Impacts Gazette (2000—2025).
1 min |
May 25, 2026
The Island
KIU University tops ministry-led review in higher education
KIU University has set a new benchmark in Sri Lankan higher education by achieving an 85.86% score in the latest Ministry-led Periodic Institutional Review, the highest among non-state universities.
1 min |
May 25, 2026
The Island
70th anniversary of Sixth Buddhist Council marked in Yangon
Sri Lanka’s Ambassador to Myanmar has participated in the opening ceremony of a solemn three-day commemoration, marking the 70th anniversary of the historic Sixth Buddhist Council, held under the Chairmanship of the Maha Sangha and Myanmar President Min Aung Hlaing, at the Maha Pasana Cave Ordination Hall in Yangon, the Foreign Ministry said.
1 min |
May 25, 2026
The Island
VAT reforms broaden tax net, but unclear wording risks disputes: Ernst & Young
Sri Lanka’s proposed Value Added Tax (VAT) amendments set for possible implementation on July 1, 2026, will significantly expand the tax base while leaving several critical ambiguities that could trigger legal disputes between businesses and tax authorities, according to a detailed analysis by Ernst & Young (EY).
1 min |
May 25, 2026
The Island
Farewell to Salah, Liverpool's 'Egyptian king'
Perhaps the fullest realisation of what Mohamed Salah has achieved at Liverpool will only come with time.
3 min |
May 25, 2026
The Island
IIHS Multiversity envisioned to produce a global nursing workforce
With the world facing a shortage of over 15 million nurses, Sri Lanka’s IIHS Multiversity has positioned itself as a dedicated hub for producing globally employable nursing professionals, aiming to address critical healthcare workforce gaps across developed nations.
1 min |
May 25, 2026
The Island
Millions in gold stolen from Hanthana temple relic chamber
Gold jewellery worth millions of rupees was stolen from the relic chamber of the Hanthana Sandagiri Maha Seya on Saturday.
1 min |
May 25, 2026
The Island
From Cinema to Couture
The Cannes Film Festival began in 1946 as a celebration of international cinema, designed to honour artistic excellence and provide filmmakers with a prestigious global platform.
2 min |
May 25, 2026
The Island
Sri Lanka launches Animal Nutrition Association to boost livestock industry
The Sri Lanka Association of Animal Nutrition (SLAAN) was officially inaugurated in Kandy in partnership with the U.S. Soybean Export Council (USSEC), marking a new chapter for the nation’s livestock sector.
1 min |
May 25, 2026
The Island
Study warns Galle rivers turning into hidden superbug hotspots
A new international scientific study has warned that urban rivers in Galle are rapidly deteriorating into “invisible hotspots” of antibiotic-resistant bacteria and disease risk, driven by untreated wastewater discharge and seawater intrusion.
1 min |
May 25, 2026
The Island
Strong demand for government securities signals caution over Sri Lanka's broader economy
Investor appetite for Sri Lanka's government securities strengthened sharply during the week ending May 22, with the Treasury Bill auction attracting bids amounting to about 1.7 times the offered volume, while secondary market transactions in Treasury Bills and Bonds surged 22.8 percent from the previous week, according to the latest weekly report of the Central Bank of Sri Lanka.
1 min |
May 25, 2026
The Island
Ransiri Perera re-elected Sri Lanka Scout Association President
The Election and Annual General Meeting of the Sri Lanka Scout Association for the 2026/2027 term was held on May 23, at its National Headquarters, with several key office bearers re-elected and new appointments made.
1 min |
May 25, 2026
The Island
The illusion of foolproof identity: Are even biometrics under threat by AI?
For quite a few decades, we have nonchalantly operated under a comforting and standard assumption that our bodies are our ultimate legal deeds.
6 min |
May 25, 2026
The Island
Human-caused leopard deaths soar in Sri Lanka's Central Highlands, new study warns
A groundbreaking international study, spanning 17 years, has revealed an alarming rise in human-caused deaths of the endangered Sri Lankan leopard, with the majority of fatalities concentrated in the tea estate landscapes of the Central Highlands.
2 min |
May 25, 2026
The Island
Wayamba Don faults Govt, CBSL for "passive" approach to rupee crisis
The government and the Central Bank of Sri Lanka (CBSL) adopted a passive approach to the recent sharp depreciation of the rupee, Professor Aminda Methsila Perera of Wayamba University told Hiru News yesterday.
1 min |
May 25, 2026
The Island
Motion to ban social media use for children under 15 submitted to Parliament
Kurunegala District SJB MP Dayasiri Jayasekera has submitted a motion to Parliament seeking to restrict social media use for children under the age of 15, citing growing concerns over mental health issues, cyber risks and declining educational performance among minors.
1 min |
May 25, 2026
The Island
FM to visit Australia, New Zealand for high-level talks
Foreign Affairs, Foreign Employment and Tourism Minister Vijitha Herath will be on an official visit to New Zealand and Australia from May 26 to June 3 at the invitation of the two governments, the Ministry has said.
1 min |
May 25, 2026
The Island
Matara MC issues warrant for arrest of Basil
The Matara Magistrate’s Court yesterday issued a warrant for the arrest of former Minister Basil Rajapaksa after he failed to appear before court in connection with an ongoing financial crimes case.
1 min |
May 23, 2026
The Island
US raises threat of military action against Cuba
Secretary of State Marco Rubio says Cuba poses a national security threat to the US
2 min |
May 23, 2026
The Island
DMT now claims it has nearly 100,000 number plates unclaimed by vehicle owners
The Department of Motor Traffic (DMT) yesterday called on vehicle owners to collect nearly 100,000 unclaimed number plates issued during 2023 and 2024, before June 30, 2026.
1 min |
May 23, 2026
The Island
EC says it is ready to hold PC polls under any system approved by Parliament
The Election Commission has informed the Parliamentary Select Committee on Provincial Council Elections that it is prepared to conduct the polls under any electoral system approved by Parliament.
1 min |
May 23, 2026
The Island
Elderly couple hacked to death in Hatton shop
Hatton Police have launched a full-scale investigation into the brutal murder of an elderly couple, found dead inside their shop in the Hatton-Dikoya town.
1 min |
May 23, 2026
The Island
US deepens European uncertainty with deployment of 5,000 troops to Poland: Al Jazeera
United States President Donald Trump has announced plans to deploy an additional 5,000 troops to Poland, Al Jazeera has reported.
3 min |
May 23, 2026
The Island
Torrential rains cause havoc countrywide
Heavy and persistent rains lashed several parts of Sri Lanka yesterday, triggering flooding, transport disruptions, flight diversions and multiple disaster warnings as water levels rose in key river basins and low-lying urban areas.
1 min |
May 23, 2026
The Island
Rupee depreciation worries continuing to hamper investments
CSE trading indicated some stability yesterday but both local and foreign investors seem to be continuing to be concerned about the steady rupee depreciation.
1 min |
May 23, 2026
The Island
IRD tops Rs. 1 Trillion in tax revenue
The Inland Revenue Department (IRD) has surpassed the Rs. 1 trillion mark in tax revenue collection, recording a major milestone in the country’s revenue generation efforts and fiscal management.
1 min |
May 23, 2026
The Island
‘Weekend reimagined by NYNE LUXE, Bentota’
The southern coast has long held a timeless allure, but few destinations balance accessibility and indulgence quite like Bentota.
1 min |