Political Probes Intensify, Economic Adjustments Made Amidst Heavy Rains and Regional Shifts

Actor Joseph Thalapathy Vijay has been sworn in as the 17th Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu, marking a historic shift as his Tamizhaga Vetri Kazhagam (TVK) secured 108 seats and formed a coalition government

. In Sri Lanka, former President Mahinda Rajapaksa confirmed his appearance before the Bribery Commission today for the Airbus deal inquiry, with new reports detailing an alleged US$2 million bribe

. This follows the death of former SriLankan Airlines CEO Kapila Chandrasena amid the same bribery probe, with former Minister Sarath Weerasekera blaming the Bribery Commission for his mental depression

. Separately, US President Donald Trump rejected Iran's peace proposals as 'unacceptable,' leading to sharply rising global crude oil prices and suspended maritime traffic in the Strait of Hormuz

. President Anura Kumara Dissanayake reviewed the 'Prajashakthi' National Poverty Alleviation Programme, with Rs. 23,000 million in projects approved for implementation

. Agriculture Minister K.D. Lalkantha assured sufficient fertilizer for the Yala season, warning of legal action against those spreading false information

. The Yal Devi train service to Kankesanthurai has resumed with four air-conditioned first-class compartments

. A prisoner convicted in the murder of former MP Amarakeerthi Athukorale died after falling from Welikada Prison's 'L' ward

. The GMOA denied any link between its trade union action and a recent stillbirth at Trincomalee Hospital

. Health and Mass Media Minister Dr. Nalinda Jayatissa departed for the 21st Asia Media Summit in the Maldives

. Udaya Gammanpila appeared before a parliamentary committee and the TID regarding statements on customs container releases and national security

. The case against Shashi Weerawansa for allegedly obtaining a diplomatic passport with forged documents was adjourned to May 25th

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Sri Lanka Police announced strict legal action against vehicles with unauthorized modifications and noisy exhausts to enhance road safety

. A 52-year-old man was fatally assaulted with an iron rod in Embilipitiya following an argument

. Notorious organized crime suspect Manoj Suranga Liyanage, alias 'Batuvatte Chamara,' was extradited from Azerbaijan via India and taken into custody by the Colombo Crime Division

. In Dodanduwa, a cybercrime ring was busted, leading to the arrest of 54 foreign nationals, including 35 Indian and 19 Nepali individuals

. Police urged property owners to thoroughly vet tenants due to a rise in criminal misuse of rented premises for unlawful activities

. A suspect was remanded over an alleged Rs. 180 million gold fraud, where a businessman was deceived into parting with money for a promised five kilograms of gold

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The National Building Research Organisation (NBRO) extended landslide early warnings for eight districts until tomorrow evening, with a Level 2 (Amber) warning for Passara DSD in Badulla

. An atmospheric disturbance has developed into a low-pressure area northeast of Sri Lanka, bringing continued showery conditions, heavy rainfall exceeding 100 mm in several provinces, and anticipating strong winds and rough seas

. The Meteorological Department also warned of strong lightning and temporary strong winds in several provinces after 1:00 PM today

. Heavy rainfall has caused 12 major and 6 medium-scale reservoirs to overflow, with spill gates opened at numerous locations including Lunugamvehera, Rajanganaya, and Deduru Oya

. Flooding disrupted traffic in Wellawaya and Bandarawela, inundating roads and approximately 10 houses

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The Public Utilities Commission of Sri Lanka (PUCSL) approved an 8%-14.4% electricity tariff hike for high-consumption domestic users, effective May 11th, with only 7.29% of consumers affected

. The government intervened to stabilize fertilizer prices for the Yala season, with a bag now costing farmers Rs. 9,900, and an additional free fertilizer subsidy announced for small tea estate owners

. Sri Lanka secured access to the US market for Blue Swimming Crab exports, meeting stringent conditions of the U.S. Marine Mammal Protection Act

. Water tariffs are set for review on June 30th as part of a semi-annual process, considering prevailing economic conditions and recent electricity bill increases

. The Consumer Affairs Authority sealed a factory in the Homagama Industrial Zone for producing and distributing substandard 6mm steel bars without mandatory SLS certification

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Four schools in Deniyaya, previously closed due to a viral fever outbreak affecting approximately 56 students, are set to reopen on May 13th after disinfection measures

. The Health Ministry suspended two doctors at Trincomalee General Hospital following an investigation into an infant death on April 9th, accusing them of neglecting duties during a problematic delivery amidst a GMOA strike

. On a cruise ship off Cape Verde, three deaths and multiple confirmed cases of human-to-human Hantavirus transmission have been reported, with the WHO involved and American and French nationals testing positive after leaving the ship

. The Ministry of Health reported that a substantial 84% of Sri Lanka's population is willing to donate their eyes, with the National Eye Bank having successfully transplanted 12,000 corneas domestically and provided 4,000-5,000 internationally

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A low-pressure zone northeast of Sri Lanka is expected to bring continued heavy rainfall over the next few days, with some areas receiving over 100 mm, and warnings issued for strong winds and lightning

. Emergency services are operating 24/7, and flooding has been reported in the Monaragala area due to continuous rain.

A Turkish Airlines flight (TK 726, Airbus A330) carrying 277 passengers and 11 crew experienced a tyre fire while taxing at Kathmandu's Tribhuvan Airport. All individuals were safely evacuated using emergency exits, and the airport was closed for approximately one hour

. No injuries were reported.