U.S. President Donald Trump said on Monday he had paused a planned attack against Iran to allow for negotiations to take place on a deal to end the U.S.-Israeli war, after Iran sent a new peace proposal to Washington. Trump said he had instructed the U.S. military that "we will NOT be doing the scheduled attack of Iran tomorrow, but have further instructed them to be prepared to go forward with a full, large scale assault of Iran, on a moment’s notice, in the event that an acceptable Deal is not reached." No such attack had previously been announced, and Reuters could not determine whether preparations had been made for strikes that would mark a renewal of the war Trump started in late February. Under pressure to reach an accord that would reopen the Strait of Hormuz, Trump has previously expressed hope that a deal was close on ending the war, and similarly threatened heavy strikes on Iran if Tehran does not reach ⁠a deal. In his post, he said the leaders of Qatar, Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates had requested that he hold off on the attack because "a Deal will be made, which will be very acceptable to the United States of America, as well as all Countries in the Middle East, and beyond." He did not offer details of the agreement being discussed. Trump’s post came after Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Esmaeil Baghaei confirmed that Tehran’s views had been "conveyed to the American side through Pakistan" but gave no details. A Pakistani source confirmed that Islamabad, which has conveyed messages between the sides in the war in the Middle East since hosting the only round of peace talks last month, had shared the latest proposal with Washington. But the source suggested progress had been difficult. The sides "keep changing their goalposts," the Pakistani source said, adding: "We don’t have much time." IRAN REMAINS DEFIANT Iran remained defiant in statements issued on state media after Trump’s announcement, warning the U.S. and its allies against making any further "strategic mistakes or miscalculations" in attacking Iran, while contending the Iranian armed forces were "more prepared and stronger than in the past." Iran’s top joint military command, Khatam al-Anbiya, said Iran’s armed forces are "ready to pull the trigger" in ⁠the event of any renewed U.S. attack, according to Iran’s Tasnim news agency. "Any renewed aggression and invasion ... will be responded to quickly, decisively, powerfully, and extensively," the commander of Khatam al-Anbiya, Ali Abdollahi, was quoted as saying. The Iranian peace proposal, as described by a senior Iranian source, appeared similar in many respects to Iran’s previous offer, which Trump rejected last week as "garbage". It would focus first on securing an end to the war, reopening the Strait of Hormuz - a major oil supply route that Iran has effectively blockaded - and lifting maritime sanctions. APPARENT SOFTENING BY WASHINGTON Contentious issues around Iran’s nuclear program and uranium enrichment would be deferred to later rounds of talks, the source said. However, in ⁠an apparent softening of Washington’s stance, the senior Iranian source said on Monday that the United States had agreed to release a quarter of Iran’s frozen funds - totalling tens of billions of dollars - held in foreign banks. Iran wants all the assets released. The Iranian source also said Washington had shown more flexibility in agreeing to let Iran continue some peaceful nuclear activity under supervision of the International Atomic Energy Agency. The U.S. has not confirmed ⁠that it has agreed to anything in the talks. Iran’s Tasnim news agency separately quoted an unidentified source as saying the U.S. had agreed to waive oil sanctions on Iran while negotiations were under way. Iranian officials did not immediately comment on Tasnim’s report, which a U.S.&nbsp;official, who declined to be named, said was false. A fragile ceasefire is in place after six weeks of war that followed U.S.-Israeli ⁠airstrikes on Iran, although drones have been launched from Iraq towards Gulf countries, including Saudi Arabia and Kuwait, apparently by Iran and its allies.&nbsp;Pakistan’s Foreign Ministry issued a statement on Monday condemning a drone attack on Sunday, in which Saudi Arabia said it had intercepted three drones that entered the country from Iraqi airspace. Source: Reuters

Trump says he paused attack on Iran as negotiations continue

Parliament is set to reconvene today (19), with sittings scheduled until May 22, the Parliamentary Secretariat said. The second reading debate on the Inland Revenue (Amendment) Bill will be taken up today. Deputy Minister Nishantha Jayaweera stated the Bill aims to simplify the tax system. SJB MP Ajith P. Perera alleged the amendments include provisions for criminal action over delayed tax payments. An adjournment debate on the Central Bank’s 2025 Economic Review Report is scheduled for May 20. Regulations under the Import and Export Control Act will be debated on May 21, while condolence motions are set for May 22.

Parliament reconvenes today; Inland Revenue Bill to be debated

Chinese leader Xi Jinping is set to host his “old friend” Vladimir Putin less than a week after Donald Trump’s high-profile visit, as Beijing seeks to project itself as a stable and predictable power in a world shaken by trade tensions, wars and an energy crisis. China and Russia have cast Putin’s two-day trip this week — his 25th visit to China — as further evidence of their “all-weather” partnership, even as the West urges Beijing to pressure Moscow into ending its war in Ukraine. While China presents itself as a peace mediator in the conflict and a neutral party, Putin says China and Russia support each other’s “core interests” as he pursues additional energy deals with the world’s second-largest economy in the face of Western sanctions. “The Xi-Putin summit will telegraph to the world that the China-Russia strategic partnership remains the cornerstone of both countries’ foreign policies and that any attempt by the U.S. to drive a wedge between them is destined to fail,” said Ian Storey, principal fellow at the ISEAS-Yusof Ishak Institute in Singapore. The visit follows Trump’s trip last week, which generated positive optics but few major commercial agreements. Xi described ⁠Sino-U.S. ties as a relationship of “strategic stability,” challenging the “strategic competition” framework associated with former U.S. President Joe Biden. By hosting foreign leaders, China is seeking to strengthen its image as a pillar of global stability, in contrast to U.S. struggles to end the war in Ukraine and contain a separate conflict with Iran that has disrupted global energy flows. BEIJING SEEKS TO REASSURE During state visits, Beijing tries to reassure Western trading partners, including the U.S., about its rise as an economic and technological power while downplaying risks in their ties. The White House said after Trump’s China visit that a consensus had been reached on issues that will enhance “stability” for global businesses and consumers. At the same time, China’s engagement with countries such as Russia also reinforces its message that its diplomacy is consistent and not swayed by the actions of strategic partners, despite Western pressure. “It’s unrealistic to expect Xi to put pressure on Putin to end the war in Ukraine. Xi doesn’t wield that kind of influence over Putin and in any case the Chinese understand how a defeat for Russia in Ukraine would weaken Putin’s political standing,” said Storey. “As such, Beijing will continue to provide Moscow with diplomatic cover at the U.N., economic assistance and dual-use technologies for Russia’s armed forces,” he said. China says it has ⁠never provided lethal weapons to either side of the Russia-Ukraine conflict and that it strictly controls exports of dual-use items. “During the visit, the two heads of state will exchange views on cooperation across all areas of bilateral relations, as well as on international and regional issues of mutual concern,” Guo Jiakun, spokesperson at the Chinese Foreign Ministry, told a regular news conference on Monday. POWER OF SIBERIA 2 PIPELINE During Putin’s last visit in September 2025, Russia and China agreed to build the Power of Siberia 2 gas pipeline, but have yet to agree on pricing. Energy supply shortages linked to conflict in Iran may back Russia’s case for the pipeline as a long-term gas source. Beijing is expected, ⁠however, to stick to its diversification strategy by discussing supply deals with both Turkmenistan and Russia, said a Beijing-based industry expert. China could agree a broad deal with Russia covering annual supply volumes and terms such as supply flexibility and seasonality, while leaving pricing open-ended, said the person, who declined to be named due to the sensitivity of the topic. Price negotiations could take years. Xi in 2014 announced a fourth pipeline linking Turkmenistan’s giant Galkynysh gas field to northwest ⁠China, but the project has yet to be finalised due to pricing disputes and complexity involving Uzbekistan, Kyrgyzstan and Tajikistan, through which the pipeline transits. China remains the largest buyer of Russian oil, including pipeline supplies and sea-borne shipments. Despite Western sanctions on Russia’s oil exports, Chinese independent refiners are regular customers, with transactions settled largely in Chinese yuan. State oil refiners also recently resumed purchases following a brief U.S. sanction waiver. Russia agreed in ⁠2025 to supply an additional 2.5 million metric tons of oil per year to China via Kazakhstan. “In principle, we have reached a high degree of consensus regarding the taking of a serious — indeed, very substantial — step forward in our cooperation within the oil and gas sectors,” Putin told reporters on May 9. “If we succeed in finalising them and bringing them to a conclusion during the visit, I will be very pleased.” Source: Reuters

Xi to host ‘old friend’ Putin as China projects stable global role after Trump visit

The ‘‘National War Heroes’ Commemoration Ceremony’’ is scheduled to be held today (19), at the National War Heroes’ Monument in Battaramulla, continuing the tradition of honoring those who fought against terrorism.&nbsp;&nbsp; The event will be attended by President Anura Kumara Dissanayake and organized under the auspices of the Ranaviruseva Authority.&nbsp;&nbsp; Notably, for the first time, relatives of fallen soldiers from the Northern and Eastern provinces will participate in this year’s memorial, emphasising a nationwide recognition of their sacrifice.

'National War Heroes’ Commemoration Ceremony’ to be held today under the patronage of President

The Ministry of Public Administration has issued a circular to improve solid waste management in state institutions. The circular directs all institutions to stop purchasing and using single-use plastic water bottles from May 31. Heads of institutions have been instructed to prevent the use of single-use plastics within their organisations. The circular applies to Ministry Secretaries, Provincial Chief Secretaries and heads of departments and boards. State institutions are required to follow the “Reduce, Reuse, Recycle” concept under existing guidelines.

New circular issued to strengthen solid waste management in state institutions

A special traffic plan will be in place today (19) for the National War Heroes’ Commemoration Ceremony in Battaramulla. The event will be held at the Parliamentary Grounds under the patronage of President Anura Kumara Dissanayake. Traffic restrictions will be enforced on Parliament Road from Polduwa Junction to Keangnam Junction from 3.30 pm until the event concludes. Police have announced alternative routes via Battaramulla, Palanthuna and Keangnam, and designated parking areas for buses and trucks along Japan Sri Lanka Friendship Road.

Special traffic plan for National War Heroes’ Commemoration Ceremony in Battaramulla

&nbsp;<ul><li>Hundreds still await placements after lottery rejection</li><li>SLBFE seeks Israeli reconsideration for excluded applicants</li><li>Protest staged outside Presidential Secretariat over delays</li><li>Agriculture sector opportunities limited by qualification gaps</li></ul> Hundreds of qualified Sri Lankan job seekers bound for Israel are still without placements after being dropped through a lottery-based recruitment scheme, with authorities now seeking urgent reconsideration from the Israeli Government.&nbsp;Additional General Manager (Acting) -- Local Affairs of the Sri Lanka Bureau of Foreign Employment (SLBFE), A K U Rohana, told The Daily Morning yesterday (18), the recruitment process was carried out under bilateral agreements between the two countries. Rohana also said that 400 to 500 applicants in the restaurant, hotel, housekeeping, and related sectors are still waiting for opportunities despite earlier intervention by the Sri Lankan Government seeking reconsideration for the rejected job seekers.He explained that under the existing recruitment mechanism, Israel follows a lottery system in which only around 75 per cent of submitted applications are selected, while the remaining 25 per cent are excluded.He said the system was intended to ensure transparency and avoid allegations of favouritism or bribery in the recruitment process. “For example, if we send 100 applications, around 75 per cent pass the lottery while 25 per cent are considered unsuccessful,” he said, adding that the applicants themselves are aware of the process.He noted that around 900 applicants who had initially been excluded from restaurant, hotel, and housekeeping sector jobs were reconsidered following a special request made by the Foreign Affairs, Foreign Employment and Tourism Minister. However, even after that intervention, several hundred applicants remain without placements.The affected applicants are now seeking another opportunity, while the Sri Lankan authorities have formally requested the Israeli Government to either reconsider the rejected group or permit them to reapply after a break period.Rohana further noted that discussions have already been held with the relevant Israeli authorities and a response is expected within the coming weeks.He said that agreements for the agriculture sector are currently limited, partly due to applicants not meeting the qualification standards required by Israeli farms.Sri Lanka currently has one main labour agreement with Israel alongside seven implementation protocols covering sectors including caregiving, agriculture, hotel housekeeping and cleaning, manufacturing, restaurants, and commerce and services, a category introduced recently.A group of Sri Lankan job seekers for Israel staged a protest outside the Presidential Secretariat on 15 May, demanding Government intervention over long delays in their deployment.

Israel Jobs in Limbo 

<ul><li>Monaragala DS pledges disciplinary action if any official is found guilty&nbsp;</li></ul> In the wake of allegations of fraud and commission-taking linked to the distribution of cyclone Ditwah disaster compensation payments, Monaragala District Secretary (DS), A G Nishantha, said that any State official found to have involved in wrongdoing would face necessary disciplinary action, stressing that there is no political interference in the related investigations.Speaking to The Daily Morning yesterday (18), he said that various allegations had been reported and that investigations are already underway. He added that compensation payments were credited directly into recipients’ bank accounts and that the authorities also monitor whether the relevant work corresponding to the compensation had been carried out properly.&nbsp;“We are looking into all incidents reported during this process and action will definitely be taken where necessary. If any Government official has committed wrongdoing, the required action will be taken against them. There is no political interference in these matters,” he said. The remarks came after residents of Monaragala alleged that several officials attached to the Monaragala Divisional Secretariat had engaged in fraudulent practices during the process of distributing Ditwah disaster compensation payments, including forcibly taking portions of compensation money from recipients.Some residents claimed that they had been asked to pay commissions in order to receive compensation that had already been approved for them. One female recipient accused a Disaster Relief Services Officer attached to the Disaster Relief Services Division of taking Rs 100,000 as commission from her compensation payment. She had received a Rs&nbsp; two million cheque on 20 April and had gone to the bank accompanied by an official and another individual connected to the office.&nbsp;She alleged that the official later took Rs 100,000 from the cash bundle, claiming it as his commission. Separate allegations have also surfaced against a Grama Niladhari (GN) attached to the Maduruketiya area under the Monaragala Divisional Secretariat. Residents alleged that individuals seeking compensation had been asked to pay commissions in order to secure approval for higher compensation amounts. The Disaster Relief Services Officer accused of seeking a commission from a Ditwah victim had already been suspended from duty. The Maduruketiya GN accused of demanding commissions had also been transferred to another division to facilitate the investigation.

Errant Ditwah officials to face the music 

<ul><li>Says EGL is a direct fuel consumer&nbsp;</li></ul> Even as talks continue over fuel supply terms for electricity generation, a dispute between the Electricity Generation Lanka (Pvt) Ltd and the Ceylon Petroleum Corporation over dealer margins remains unresolved, with the latter maintaining that the charges cannot be waived because EGL functions as a direct fuel consumer.Speaking to The Daily Morning yesterday (18), Energy Minister Anura Karunathilaka said the disagreement centred on dealer margins linked to fuel prices.“The electricity entity says that the dealer margin should be removed. But there is a problem because it is a fuel consumer. The CPC’s position is that the charge cannot be removed because the electricity entity is a direct consumer,” he said.He added that discussions between the two parties were continuing, with authorities now exploring an alternative mechanism to ensure a fair arrangement instead of altering the standard dealer margin structure.“We may have to look at another option. Instead of dealer margin-related changes, we need to create a fair mechanism for the electricity entity through a different method. We are currently studying the matter,” he said.The remarks came in the wake of allegations that the electricity generator has continuously failed to enter into fuel procurement agreements with the CPC. Electricity Consumers’ Association General Secretary Sanjeewa Dhammika recently alleged that although the Public Utilities Commission of Sri Lanka (PUCSL) had repeatedly instructed the power generator over the past three years to sign an agreement with the CPC regarding fuel purchases, those directives had not been implemented. He further claimed that the PUCSL had even issued written orders on the matter but had failed to pursue legal action despite having the authority to do so. However, PUCSL Director – Communication Jayanath Herat said that the Commission had acted within the required timeframe and followed the necessary procedures regarding the issue. He added that legal action could not be taken immediately and that a specific process had to be followed before action could be pursued under the relevant legal provisions. He further noted that conditions requiring the relevant companies to enter into fuel procurement agreements had been included during the latest electricity tariff revision process.

Trump says he paused attack on Iran as negotiations continue

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Xi to host ‘old friend’ Putin ...

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'National War Heroes’ Commemor ...

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New circular issued to strengt ...

Special traffic plan for National War Heroes’ Commemoration Ceremony i ...

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Israel Jobs in Limbo

Israel Jobs in Limbo

Errant Ditwah officials to face the music

Errant Ditwah officials to fac ...

CPC rejects request to remove dealer margins

CPC rejects request to remove ...

Parliament reconvenes today; Inland Revenue Bill to be debated

Parliament reconvenes today; I ...

Xi to host ‘old friend’ Putin as China projects stable global role aft ...

Xi to host ‘old friend’ Putin ...

'National War Heroes’ Commemoration Ceremony’ to be held today under t ...

'National War Heroes’ Commemor ...

New circular issued to strengthen solid waste management in state inst ...

New circular issued to strengt ...

Special traffic plan for National War Heroes’ Commemoration Ceremony i ...

Special traffic plan for Natio ...

Israel Jobs in Limbo

Israel Jobs in Limbo

Errant Ditwah officials to face the music

Errant Ditwah officials to fac ...

CPC rejects request to remove dealer margins

CPC rejects request to remove ...

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Parliament reconvenes today; Inland Revenue Bill to be debated

Parliament reconvenes today; I ...

Xi to host ‘old friend’ Putin as China projects stable global role aft ...

Xi to host ‘old friend’ Putin ...

Bringing the news paper to your fingertips

'National War Heroes’ Commemoration Ceremony’ to be held today under t ...

'National War Heroes’ Commemor ...

New circular issued to strengthen solid waste management in state inst ...

New circular issued to strengt ...

Special traffic plan for National War Heroes’ Commemoration Ceremony i ...

Special traffic plan for Natio ...

Israel Jobs in Limbo

Israel Jobs in Limbo