News Archive

Fairly heavy rainfall expected in parts of the island today

Showers or thundershowers will occur at most places of the island after 1.00 pm, today (13), the Department of Meteorology said. MORE..

(0)Comments | April 13, 2026  6:40 am

Two suspects arrested over wildlife poaching in Yala National Park

In a special operation conducted in Zone 02 of the Yala National Park, officers from the Police Special Task Force (STF) and the Department of Wildlife Conservation have arrested two suspects involved in killing wild animals and harvesting their meat. MORE..

(0)Comments | April 13, 2026  10:42 am

Trump attacks Pope Leo, calling him ‘weak’ on crime and ‘terrible’

U.S. President Donald Trump issued a scathing attack on Pope Leo late on Sunday, calling him ‘‘weak’’ on crime and ‘‘terrible’’ for foreign policy after the religious leader criticized Trump’s foreign ⁠and immigration policies. MORE..

(0)Comments | April 13, 2026  7:37 am

Australia appoints woman to lead its army for the first time

Australia on Monday said a woman would lead its army for the first time in history, as part of a reshuffle of the country’s defence force leadership. MORE..

(0)Comments | April 13, 2026  11:21 am

Makumbura Bus Terminal prepared to provide services for New Year travel - Officials

Arrangements have been made to provide transport facilities today (13) as well for passengers travelling to their hometowns for the Sinhala and Tamil New Year, the Assistant Manager of the Makumbura Multimodal Transport Centre, D.N. Weththasinghe, stated. MORE..

(0)Comments | April 13, 2026  11:35 am

First aid, medical support essential for New Year events due to extreme heat – Officials

National Institute of Sports Science (NISS) has emphasized that first aid and medical services must be made mandatory when organizing Sinhala and Tamil New Year festivals, due to the prevailing high temperatures. MORE..

(0)Comments | April 13, 2026  8:54 am

Special consumer protection raids to continue until April 30 – CAA

The Consumer Affairs Authority (CAA) has announced that its special raid and investigation programme conducted during the festive season will remain in operation until April 30. MORE..

(0)Comments | April 13, 2026  9:08 am

Special buses and trains deployed for New Year travel

In view of the upcoming Sinhala and Hindu New Year, the Sri Lanka Transport Board (SLTB) has announced that buses will continue to be deployed today (13) based on passenger demand for those travelling to their hometowns. MORE..

(0)Comments | April 13, 2026  7:35 am

MP Mujibur Rahman files CID complaint over coal tender irregularities

Several members of the Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB) including Member of Parliament (MP) Mujibur Rahman have lodged a complaint with the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) today (13). MORE..

(0)Comments | April 13, 2026  11:43 am

Iran still wants a nuclear weapon, Trump says

The US President Donald Trump says Iran still wants a nuclear weapon and expressed that intention during the meeting in Islamabad. MORE..

(0)Comments | April 13, 2026  9:00 am

30,000 MT fuel oil shipment arrives in Sri Lanka

A shipment of furnace oil required for electricity generation has arrived in Sri Lanka. MORE..

(0)Comments | April 13, 2026  10:34 am

Hungarian PM Viktor Orbán ejected after 16 years in European electoral earthquake

Hungarian voters on Sunday ousted long-serving Prime Minister Viktor Orbán after 16 years in power, rejecting the authoritarian policies and global far-right movement that he embodied in favor of a pro-European challenger in a bombshell election result with global repercussions. MORE..

(0)Comments | April 13, 2026  9:35 am

Iran says it will not ‘submit to any threat’

Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said the US and Iran were ‘‘inches away’’ from reaching a deal during peace talks in Pakistan, but Tehran was then met with ‘‘maximalism, shifting goalposts, and blockade’’. MORE..

(0)Comments | April 13, 2026  7:38 am

Oil jumps 8% to above $100 ahead of US blockade on Strait of Hormuz

Global oil prices jumped above $100 a barrel on Monday as the U.S. Navy prepared a blockade of the Strait of Hormuz that could restrict Iranian oil shipments after the U.S. and Iran failed to reach a deal to end the war. MORE..

(0)Comments | April 13, 2026  6:46 am

Public advised to follow health guidelines to avoid accidents during New Year events

Health authorities have urged the public to pay close attention to the health guidelines issued to minimize accidents during competitions and events organized in the Sinhala and Tamil New Year season. MORE..

(0)Comments | April 13, 2026  9:46 am

Ugandan woman arrested at BIA with cocaine concealed in her body

A foreign national who had concealed a stock of cocaine in her body has been arrested at the Bandaranaike International Airport (BIA) by officers of the Customs Narcotics Control Unit today (12). MORE..

(0)Comments | April 12, 2026  2:42 pm

Passengers urged to report overcharging bus operators to ‘1955’ hotline

The National Transport Commission has urged passengers to lodge complaints via the ‘1955’ hotline against bus operators who charge fares exceeding the approved rates. MORE..

(0)Comments | April 12, 2026  5:18 pm

7 notorious gang members transferred to Welisara Prison – Dy Minister

Seven notorious members of organised crime gangs have been transferred from Boossa High-Security Prison to the newly established prison at the Welisara Navy Camp. MORE..

(0)Comments | April 12, 2026  8:28 am

New York subway stabbings leave 3 hurt as police shoot and kill knife-wielding man

A man with a machete who attacked three people randomly at a major New York City subway station Saturday morning was shot and killed by police, authorities said. MORE..

(0)Comments | April 12, 2026  1:29 pm

Six nabbed in Nagar Kovil over illegal harvesting of sea cucumbers

A total of six individuals have been apprehended by the Sri Lanka Navy for illegal night diving to harvest sea cucumbers during a search operation conducted at the Nagar Kovil beach in Jaffna. MORE..

(0)Comments | April 12, 2026  3:42 pm

49 killed in road accidents within a week - Minister

A total of 49 individuals have died in separate road accidents during the past week from April 4 to 10. MORE..

(0)Comments | April 12, 2026  8:49 am

55,000 passengers travel via Makumbura Transport Hub during festive period

Approximately 55,000 passengers have travelled from the Makumbura Multimodal Centre (MMC) to their hometowns since April 8, authorities say. MORE..

(0)Comments | April 12, 2026  6:25 pm

UK pauses its plan to cede Chagos Islands after US opposition

Britain’s government said on Saturday it had put on hold its deal to cede sovereignty of the Chagos Islands - home to the U.S.-British Diego Garcia air base - which has been criticised by U.S. President Donald Trump. MORE..

(0)Comments | April 12, 2026  6:59 am

Economic shock of Middle East war to cast shadow over IMF, World Bank meetings

Top finance officials from around the world will convene in Washington this week under the shadow of the war in the Middle East, which has delivered a third major shock to the global economy after the COVID pandemic and Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022. MORE..

(0)Comments | April 12, 2026  4:43 pm

JD Vance leaves Islamabad as Iran negotiations end without a deal

US Vice President JD Vance said Sunday, April 12 that talks with Iran failed to reach an agreement, saying he was leaving after putting forward a “final and best offer”. MORE..

(0)Comments | April 12, 2026  11:08 am

Man arrested for damaging Pettah Bus Stand remanded

A 33-year-old man has been arrested in Kelaniya for allegedly damaging public property at the refurbished Sri Lanka Transport Board (SLTB) bus stand complex in Pettah, Colombo. MORE..

(0)Comments | April 12, 2026  10:29 am

Donald Trump says US will blockade Strait of Hormuz

US President Donald Trump on Sunday said the U.S. will blockade the Strait of Hormuz after talks held in Pakistan to end the Iran war hit the skids. MORE..

(0)Comments | April 12, 2026  6:46 pm

Police urge caution on social media use during New Year holidays

The general public has been urged to exercise caution in their use of social media during the Sinhala and Tamil New Year festive season. MORE..

(0)Comments | April 12, 2026  4:26 pm

Donald Trump attends UFC fight during US-Iran peace talks

US President Donald Trump attended a UFC event in the state of Florida on Saturday as talks between Washington and Tehran in Pakistan ended without an agreement. MORE..

(0)Comments | April 12, 2026  1:42 pm

PUCSL to exclude coal-related costs from tariff revisions

The Public Utilities Commission of Sri Lanka (PUCSL) has decided to exclude additional costs arising from the coal situation when revising electricity tariffs. MORE..

(0)Comments | April 12, 2026  10:13 am

46-year old attacked to death with sharp weapon in Horana

A 46-year-old man has been reportedly attacked to death using a sharp weapon in the Malwanegama area of Horana. MORE..

(0)Comments | April 12, 2026  9:39 am

UK PM urges US and Iran ‘to find a way through’ after peace talks fail

Sir Keir Starmer has urged the US and Iran “to find a way through” after the failure of peace talks, as he also called for the fragile ceasefire to continue and warned against any further escalation. MORE..

(0)Comments | April 12, 2026  4:05 pm

Six killed in road accidents in the past 24 hours

A total of six individuals have been killed in separate road accidents reported from several parts of the island within the past 24 hours, police stated. MORE..

(0)Comments | April 12, 2026  2:32 pm

Special transport services deployed for New Year travel

The Ministry of Transport, Highways and Urban Development says special bus and train services have been implemented today (12) also for commuters traveling to their hometowns ahead of the Sinhala and Tamil New Year. MORE..

(0)Comments | April 12, 2026  8:33 am

‘Strait of Hormuz is in Iran’s hands and tolls must be paid’ - Deputy Parliament Speaker

Iranian Deputy Speaker of Parliament Haji Babaei has said the Strait of Hormuz is completely in Iran’s hands and “its tolls must be paid in rials” - the Iranian currency. MORE..

(0)Comments | April 12, 2026  3:18 pm

Man arrested with heroin haul in Buttala

Sri Lanka Police has arrested a suspect with the largest stock of heroin seized in the Buttala area in recent times. MORE..

(0)Comments | April 12, 2026  10:54 am

Legal action against buses operating without permits during festive season

Legal action has been taken against seven buses operating without passenger transport service permits following a raid conducted in Colombo, officials said. MORE..

(0)Comments | April 12, 2026  12:39 pm

US-Iran talks pause for now, disagreements remain

Negotiations between the United States and Iran appeared to have concluded for now, Iran’s government said early on Sunday, after a series of talks in Pakistan to end the six-week war between Washington and Tehran. MORE..

(0)Comments | April 12, 2026  6:48 am

At least 30 dead in stampede at Haiti’s historic Laferriere Citadel

At least 30 people were killed on Saturday in a stampede in the northern countryside of Haiti, authorities said, warning that the death toll could rise. MORE..

(0)Comments | April 12, 2026  7:24 am

Sajith urges Govt to reduce prices of essential goods to ease public burden

The Leader of the Opposition, Sajith Premadasa has called on the government to reduce the prices of fuel, gas, medicines, food and fertilizer in order to provide relief to the public. MORE..

(0)Comments | April 12, 2026  5:47 pm

Iran says no deal expected in single session after US talks stall

Iran’s foreign ministry said no one had held any expectation that talks with the United States could have reached an agreement within one session after the marathon negotiations in Islamabad stalled on Sunday (Apr 12). MORE..

(0)Comments | April 12, 2026  2:53 pm

‘Paddington’ musical, Hollywood stars to vie for prizes at Olivier Awards

Paddington Bear is in the running for pawfuls of Olivier Awards at Britain’s top theatre honours on Sunday, where a stage adaptation of the beloved children’s books along with fellow musical “Into The Woods” lead the nominations. MORE..

(0)Comments | April 12, 2026  1:05 pm

Legendary Indian singer Asha Bhosle dies at 92

Legendary Indian playback singer Asha Bhosle is reportedly no more at the age of 92. MORE..

(0)Comments | April 12, 2026  1:24 pm

Advisory issued for severe lightning

An ‘Amber’ advisory has been issued by the Department of Meteorology for severe lightning in the Western, Sabaragamuwa, Central, Southern, North-Western, Uva provinces and in Ampara, Batticaloa, Polonnaruwa districts. MORE..

(0)Comments | April 12, 2026  12:46 pm

Vice President JD Vance says talks with Iran have ended after 21 hours without reaching agreement

US Vice President JD Vance said negotiations have ended early Sunday between the US and Iran without a peace deal after the Iranians refused to accept American terms to not develop a nuclear weapon. MORE..

(0)Comments | April 12, 2026  7:30 am

Fairly heavy rainfall expected in parts of the country

Showers or thundershowers will occur at several places in the Western, Sabaragamuwa, Central, Southern, North-Western and Uva provinces and in Ampara, Batticaloa and Polonnaruwa districts after 1.00 p.m., the Department of Meteorology stated. MORE..

(0)Comments | April 12, 2026  6:38 am

Health officials urge parents to remain vigilant of children during festive season

Consultant Paediatrician Dr. Deepal Perera of the Lady Ridgeway Hospital for Children in Colombo has urged parents to be more vigilant with children during the Sinhala and Tamil New Year festive season. MORE..

(0)Comments | April 12, 2026  11:51 am

Israel’s Ben-Gvir visits flashpoint Al-Aqsa Mosque compound

Israel’s far-right police minister Itamar Ben-Gvir visited the flashpoint Al-Aqsa Mosque compound in Jerusalem on Sunday, saying he was seeking greater access for Jewish worshippers and drawing condemnation from Jordan and the Palestinians. MORE..

(0)Comments | April 12, 2026  6:07 pm

Campaign against Iran not over, existential threats removed: Netanyahu

Claiming “historic achievements” in the fight against Iran, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said in a video statement on Saturday (April 11, 2026) that the “campaign is not yet over,” but Israel managed to foil Iran’s nuclear ambitions. MORE..

(0)Comments | April 12, 2026  7:10 am

Legendary Indian singer Asha Bhosle dies at 92

Legendary Indian playback singer Asha Bhosle is reportedly no more at the age of 92. MORE..

(0)Comments | April 12, 2026  1:17 pm