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COLOMBO (News 1st) - A leak in a pipeline carrying water from Ambatale to Kolonnawa has disrupted water supply in several areas around Kolonnawa.

According to the National Water Supply and Drainage Board (NWSDB), water supply to the Moragasmulla area in Nawala will be suspended until 8.00 p.m. today as a result.

The board also noted that several areas within the Kolonnawa Urban Council limits will experience low water pressure during this period.

Meanwhile, the NWSDB said repair work on the damaged pipeline has already commenced, and efforts are underway to restore normal supply as soon as possible.

COLOMBO (News 1st): The third phase of the Gammadda Rebuild initiative is currently underway in the Badulla District, focusing on rebuilding the lives of families affected by Cyclone Ditwah.

The programme is being carried out with the support of the Minderoo Foundation of Australia.

Under the initiative, beneficiaries will receive basic vocational training in several trades, including tailoring, carpentry, masonry, electrical work, plumbing, and welding.

Participants will also be provided with the necessary tools and equipment free of charge.

The training is being conducted with the support of the National Apprentice and Industrial Training Authority (NAITA), and participants will be awarded certificates upon successful completion.

Gammadda first responded to the devastation caused by Cyclone Ditwah through 'Sahana Yathra' to assist affected communities and later providing essential supplies through Gammadda Care and Dare programme to support families and improve their living conditions in the aftermath of the disaster.

A Boeing 787 jetliner operated by Lufthansa experienced a nose gear collapse while parked at a gate at Frankfurt Airport on Thursday.

Lufthansa said several staff members were injured in the incident. Passengers had not yet boarded the flight bound for Los Angeles.

"Several employees were injured and are currently receiving medical attention," Lufthansa said in a statement.

Only Lufthansa crew members and ground staff were onboard.

The German flag-carrier said the incident involving the Boeing dreamliner took place around 12:45 p.m.

A Lufthansa spokesperson said that "the aircraft’s nose landing gear unexpectedly retracted" while the plane was parked.

The spokesperson added that technicians and support staff are at the scene, and an investigation into the "exact circumstances" is ongoing in cooperation with the relevant authorities.

Source: DW

COLOMBO (News 1st): Today is World Environment Day and this year's theme is focusing on the urgent need to take action to mitigate climate change.

The main event for the celebration of World Environment Day is scheduled to be held at Temple Trees under the patronage of President Anura Kumara Dissanayake.

World Environment Day was established by the United Nations in 1973 to raise global awareness about environmental protection and encourage action to safeguard the planet’s natural resources.

Environmental experts warn that human activities and uncontrolled development continue to place significant pressure on ecosystems worldwide.

The effects are increasingly evident through rising global temperatures, melting glaciers, sea-level rise, extreme weather events, and devastating forest fires.

As a biodiversity-rich tropical island nation, Sri Lanka remains highly vulnerable to the impacts of climate change while also playing a vital role in environmental conservation efforts.

To mark World Environment Day, a week-long environmental awareness and conservation programme will be conducted across the country.

Minister of Environment Dr. Dhammika Patabendi said that five forests will be officially declared protected reserves today as part of the World Environment Day celebrations.

COLOMBO (News 1st): The Ministry of Rural Development, Social Security and Community Empowerment says a new set of regulations will soon be introduced to strengthen the registration and regulation of elders’ homes across the country.

Minister Dr. Upali Pannilage said that a comprehensive set of guidelines has already been prepared and will be forwarded to the Provincial Councils for approval.

According to the Minister, 455 elders’ homes have been officially registered to date, providing care for more than 10,000 elderly residents.

However, he noted that a number of institutions continue to operate without proper registration.

Under the proposed regulations, registration will become mandatory for all elders’ homes, enabling authorities to ensure proper oversight and standards of care.

Meanwhile, the Minister said the government has taken steps to assist the residents of the Anguruwatota elders’ home that was destroyed in a devastating fire.

He added that the Director of the National Secretariat for Elders visited the site and initiated the necessary measures to support those affected.

The fire, which broke out at the Anguruwatota Batagoda Elders’ Home on Wednesday, claimed the lives of 12 residents and left eight others injured.

Meanwhile, the director of the institution has been remanded until June 11 after being produced before the Horana Magistrate’s Court yesterday.

Investigations into the cause of the fire are continuing, while authorities have confirmed that the elders’ home had been operating without official registration.

COLOMBO (News 1st); The International Monetary Fund says PAYE levels are tied to medium-term revenue plan.

Evan Papageorgiou, IMF Mission Chief for Sri Lanka, said the configuration of income taxes, including PAYE, will be a key part of a medium-term revenue strategy the authorities are completing with IMF assistance.

Responding to a question posed by News 1st's Zufick Farzan on Thursday (4), the IMF Mission Chief indicated that steps are under way toward that strategy but did not state a specific timeframe for how long current PAYE levels will be maintained under the program.

COLOMBO (News 1st); Concerns have surfaced in Sri Lanka over whether the government can expand social welfare under the ongoing IMF-supported reform program.

Responding to an inquiry posed by News 1st's Zulfick Farzan, the IMF Mission Chief for Sri Lanka, Evan Papageorgiou, emphasized that protecting the poor and vulnerable remains a cornerstone of the Extended Fund Facility (EFF).

Papageorgiou clarified that the program includes a mandatory floor on social spending, requiring the government to allocate a minimum amount to shield low-income families. This benchmark is reviewed quarterly and, notably, Sri Lanka met the target at both end-December 2025 and end-March 2026.

He further highlighted that the IMF is encouraging authorities to strengthen targeting, coverage, and adequacy of social safety nets. A key step in this direction is the recertification of applicants under the Aswesuma welfare scheme, aimed at reducing errors and ensuring benefits reach those most in need.

COLOMBO (News 1st) - Sri Lanka’s Rumesh Tharanga delivered a historic performance at the Rome Diamond League 2026, recording the highest achievement ever by a Sri Lankan athlete in a Diamond League event.

He clinched the men’s javelin throw title with a massive throw of 92.62 metres, setting multiple records including a new tournament record and a new Sri Lankan national record.

With this performance, Tharanga broke the previous Diamond League record of 90.34 metres set in 2006 by Andreas Thorkildsen.

The throw also elevated him to 8th best javelin thrower of all-time, while making him the second-best Asian javelin thrower in history.

It is also the best performance in the men’s javelin throw event over the past four years and the top mark recorded this season.

Tharanga also surpassed his own national record of 89.37 metres, setting a new benchmark for Sri Lankan athletics on the world stage.

The world record in men’s javelin stands at 98.48 metres.

Tharanga is currently ranked 5th in the world rankings.