At AusNewsLanka , we aim to keep the Australian community informed with timely updates. A Total Fire Ban is in force across most of Victoria today as hot, dry and windy conditions drive extreme fire danger. Authorities say the state is facing its driest start to a year since 2009. With parched bushland and strong north-westerly winds, the fire risk has surged. An extreme fire danger rating applies to most districts. Only the South-West and East Gippsland areas are rated high.

At AusNewsLanka , we aim to keep the Australian community informed with timely updates. Victorians are being urged to stay alert as fire danger is set to increase sharply tomorrow. An extreme fire danger rating is forecast for most of the state due to hot conditions and strong north-westerly winds, followed later by a gusty wind change. Only the South-West and East Gippsland districts are expected to face a lower, though still serious, high fire danger rating. Temperatures wi

Melbourne — Ticket sales for Naadha Gama Melbourne 2026 have marked a significant milestone for Sri Lankan live music events held in Australia, with 20% of tickets sold to audiences residing outside the state of Victoria. Interstate ticketing data shows demand led by New South Wales, followed by Queensland and South Australia, with further purchases recorded from other states and territories. For a Sri Lankan concert staged overseas, this level of interstate attendance is reg

Macktiles, Sri Lanka’s premier tile manufacturer, marked a significant milestone in its global expansion strategy last Friday (February 6) with the official launch of Macktiles Australia in Dandenong, Melbourne. The event was graced by two of Sri Lanka’s most celebrated sporting icons, former cricket captains TM Dilshan and Rangana Herath, who officiated the opening ceremony amidst a gathering of industry leaders and community members. Renowned as Sri Lanka’s largest tile man

This is a developing story brought to you by Aus News Lanka , your trusted source for news for Sri Lankans in Australia and beyond. Bandaranaike International Airport has welcomed the arrival of the historic Captain’s Choice Qantas flight on the famous Kangaroo Route, with 142 passengers landing in Colombo. Airport authorities said arrivals were handled smoothly through BIA’s Silk Route fast-track service, allowing passengers to move quickly and comfortably from arrival to e

At AusNewsLanka , we aim to keep the Australian community informed with timely updates. Lives and property are at risk as Cyclone Mitchell moves south along the Western Australian coast, with authorities warning some communities it is now too dangerous to leave. The Category 2 system was near Exmouth early this morning and is expected to cross the coast near Coral Bay later today or this evening. Emergency services have issued shelter-in-place orders for areas from Coral Bay

This is a developing story brought to you by Aus News Lanka , your trusted source for news for Sri Lankans in Australia and beyond. Applications are now open for Australia Awards Scholarships, giving Sri Lankan citizens the chance to study in Australia from 2027. Funded by the Australian Government, the program supports Sri Lanka’s development by helping future leaders gain advanced qualifications, professional skills and global experience. The 2027 intake offers Master’s de

At AusNewsLanka , we aim to keep the Australian community informed with timely updates. Australia is set for a dramatic weather shift, with widespread rain and storms expected across every state and territory in the coming days. Forecasters say large amounts of moisture have built up over northern and central parts of the country. This is likely to trigger unsettled conditions from the weekend and possibly into next week, bringing heavy rain and thunderstorms. Flooding is a r

At AusNewsLanka , we aim to keep the Australian community informed with timely updates. Octopus Australia is expanding its renewable energy portfolio with two major new projects, including what is set to become the largest battery in the country. The company will develop the Hanworth Battery Energy Storage System in New South Wales and the Dunmore Solar Farm and Battery project in Queensland. When complete, the Hanworth battery near Bannaby in NSW will have a capacity of 1.2

At AusNewsLanka , we aim to keep the Australian community informed with timely updates. Fire crews from interstate are joining South Australian firefighters as a large bushfire continues to burn out of control south of Adelaide. The blaze has been tearing through scrubland on the Fleurieu Peninsula since Sunday. At least three structures have been destroyed, and several homes have come under threat. Authorities say conditions remain tough, with steep terrain, thick vegetation

At AusNewsLanka , we aim to keep the Australian community informed with timely updates. Southeastern Australia has recorded its driest January in 17 years, continuing a very dry start to the summer season. Rainfall across the region was well below normal, marking the second-driest start to a year since 1965. On average, weather stations reported about 23mm less rain than usual for January. Large parts of Victoria, South Australia, southern NSW and northern Tasmania saw signif

At AusNewsLanka , we aim to keep the Australian community informed with timely updates. A tropical low over central NT is lingering near the eastern Gregory region today. It’s expected to drift west over the next couple of days. Intense rainfall is forecast tonight across the south-western Carpentaria, eastern Gregory, north-western Barkly and northern Tanami districts. Downpours could bring 80–100mm within six hours, with isolated totals reaching 120mm. Rain may persist into

At AusNewsLanka , we aim to keep the Australian community informed with timely updates. Australia’s heatwave isn’t just a daytime problem. Hot nights are also creating serious health risks. While daytime temperatures have pushed close to 50°C in parts of Victoria, NSW, South Australia, the ACT and Queensland, overnight conditions have stayed above 34°C in some areas. Marree in northern SA recorded two nights in a row at that level after daytime highs above 48°C. In Adelaide,

This is a developing story brought to you by Aus News Lanka , your trusted source for news for Sri Lankans in Australia and beyond. Australia Day was marked with a special reception at the Australian High Commissioner’s Residence on 23 January. The event was hosted by the Australian High Commissioner and brought together guests from government and the private sector. Housing, Construction and Water Supply Minister Dr. Susil Ranasignhe attended as Chief Guest. The evening hig

At AusNewsLanka , we aim to keep the Australian community informed with timely updates. The Australian dollar climbed sharply overnight, reaching its strongest level against the US dollar since February 2023. It was trading around US70.11 cents, up about 1.4%. The move comes as the US dollar weakens broadly. Analysts say global uncertainty and the slide in the greenback are helping lift the Aussie. The rise also comes just before Australia’s latest inflation data, due at 11:3

At AusNewsLanka , we aim to keep the Australian community informed with timely updates. Parts of Victoria are enduring extreme temperatures, marking the hottest day since the 2009 Black Saturday fires. Several towns recorded temperatures above 48°C, while parts of Melbourne reached 45°C. The heat is worsening already severe fire conditions. Authorities have declared extreme fire danger, warning of fast-moving and unpredictable blazes as a major wind change sweeps across the s

At AusNewsLanka , we aim to keep the Australian community informed with timely updates. Communities in southwest Victoria are being told to leave immediately as fast-moving bushfires burn out of control during a severe heatwave. A statewide total fire ban is active, with temperatures forecast to surge close to 50°C on Tuesday. Authorities warn worsening heat and strong winds could make fires unpredictable and impossible to contain in some areas. Evacuation orders Emergency wa

At AusNewsLanka , we aim to keep the Australian community informed with timely updates. The Australian dollar has climbed to its highest level in roughly 16 months, marking another strong start to 2026 for the currency, as fresh jobs data and market pricing sharply boost expectations that the Reserve Bank of Australia (RBA) may raise interest rates sooner than previously anticipated. The AUD/USD pair recently neared 0.685 US cents, its strongest since late 2024, and showed re

At AusNewsLanka , we aim to keep the Australian community informed with timely updates. Australia Day is being marked across the country with celebrations, ceremonies and community events, as the Prime Minister urges Australians to focus on unity. Anthony Albanese says the national day is a chance to recognise shared values and the diverse backgrounds that shape modern Australia. He noted the importance of welcoming new citizens while also acknowledging the deep history of Fi

At AusNewsLanka , we aim to keep the Australian community informed with timely updates. Victoria is heading into an intense heatwave over the long weekend, while northern Australia faces a separate weather threat. Parts of Victoria are forecast to exceed 40°C, with the most extreme heat expected on Tuesday. Northern towns, including Mildura, could set new temperature records. Mildura is forecast to reach 42°C tomorrow and up to 48°C on Tuesday, close to its all-time high. Mel