Monsoon Intensifies, Rupee Rebounds Amidst Political Debates and Crime Crackdowns

US President Donald Trump announced a peace agreement with Iran is 'largely negotiated and finalized,' potentially ending a three-month war atmosphere and reopening the Strait of Hormuz

. Locally, Prime Minister Harini Amarasuriya concluded her official visit to the UK, engaging in academic discussions on politics and development

. Opposition Leader Sajith Premadasa criticized the government for alleged deception and economic mismanagement, calling for a successor IMF agreement

. JVP General Secretary Tilvin Silva stated that Provincial Council elections are unlikely this year and denied Indian pressure, asserting only an NPP government will lead the country

. Foreign Minister Vijitha Herath embarked on an official visit to Australia and New Zealand to strengthen bilateral ties

. The US Embassy denied reports of an FBI team investigating the USD 2.5 million Treasury cyber fraud

, and the Indian Air Force Chief concluded a three-day visit, bolstering defence cooperation

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The Southwest Monsoon is expected to establish across Sri Lanka around May 26th or 27th, bringing increased rainfall to southwestern areas, though major river levels are returning to normal

. Adverse weather has affected 31,072 individuals across eight districts and claimed one life in Gampaha

. A 63-year-old man was tragically killed in a wild elephant attack in Ampara

. Heavy rainfall and poor visibility at BIA led to the diversion of multiple incoming flights to Mattala and Indian airports

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The Sri Lankan Rupee experienced a dramatic 2.7% surge, becoming Asia's best-performing currency after a nine-day losing streak, attributed to anticipated inflows from the IMF and ADB

. In response to market conditions, the Central Bank of Sri Lanka (CBSL) tightened Loan-to-Value (LTV) ratios for motor vehicle credit and introduced a 70% LTV limit for gold-backed loans, effective May 25, 2026, to ensure financial stability

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The National Building Research Organisation (NBRO) issued Level 2 (Amber) landslide warnings for parts of Kegalle and Ratnapura Districts, along with areas in Colombo, Gampaha, and Kalutara, due to heavy rainfall

. Adverse weather has partially damaged 200 houses nationwide, with one house completely destroyed in Ratnapura, and the Kalutara District reporting the highest number of affected homes

. The Meteorological Department forecasts intermittent rain or thunderstorms, with heavy showers exceeding 75mm in several provinces as the Southwest monsoon establishes

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Police arrested the main suspect and his wife in the Dikoya double murder case, recovering all 18 sovereigns of stolen gold jewellery

. A 41-year-old man was arrested and remanded for allegedly setting his 49-year-old wife on fire in a Mulleriyawa shop; the victim remains in intensive care

. Sri Lanka Police have issued Red Notices for 226 individuals believed to be hiding overseas, with nearly 90 linked to organized criminal activities, and have seized 272 automatic firearms

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The Sri Lankan Ministry of Health has significantly enhanced cervical cancer detection by deploying 18 new state-of-the-art Colposcopy machines to government hospitals, with 12 already installed and six more scheduled, at a total investment of Rs. 114 million

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Two workers were injured when a section of a multi-storey building collapsed in Kandy, with a protruding concrete section on the second floor breaking off; the injured were admitted to Peradeniya Teaching Hospital

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