News Archive

Melania Trump denies ties to Jeffrey Epstein in rare public statement

US First Lady Melania Trump on April 10 denied that she had any relationship with Jeffrey Epstein and said she was not one of his victims, thrusting the Epstein matter back into the spotlight after her husband had sought to put it behind him. MORE..

(0)Comments | April 10, 2026  7:08 am

Vijay’s unreleased film Jana Nayagan leaked online before TN polls

Tamil superstar Vijay’s final film, Jana Nayagan, has been leaked online, even though it hasn’t been released in theatres yet. On Thursday night, small clips from the film were shared on social media, and by Friday morning, HD prints of the full film were uploaded to piracy sites. MORE..

(0)Comments | April 10, 2026  11:30 am

Advisory issued for severe lightning

An ‘Amber’ advisory has been issued by the Department of Meteorology for severe lightning in the Western, Sabaragamuwa, Southern, Uva provinces, and in Kandy and Nuwara-Eliya districts. MORE..

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

Parliament to debate no-confidence motion against Energy Minister today

The no-confidence motion submitted by opposition Members of Parliament against Minister of Energy, Kumara Jayakody, is scheduled to be taken up for debate in Parliament today (10). MORE..

(0)Comments | April 10, 2026  8:20 am

Former Iranian foreign minister dies of injuries sustained in airstrike – report

Iran’s former Foreign Minister Kamal Kharrazi has died as a result of injuries sustained during a US-Israeli strike earlier this month, according to Iranian media. MORE..

(0)Comments | April 10, 2026  5:38 am

Trump says Iran should not charge fees to tankers going through Strait of Hormuz

US President Donald Trump said on Thursday Iran should not charge fees to tankers going through the Strait of Hormuz, which has ‌been blockaded since the start of the Iran war, causing the worst disruption to global energy supplies in history. MORE..

(0)Comments | April 10, 2026  5:44 am

Britain celebrates late Queen Elizabeth II as a style icon to mark her centenary

The late Queen Elizabeth II believed the monarch had to be seen to be believed. And she made sure that was true even when Britain’s famously changeable weather intervened, pioneering the use of a clear plastic raincoat so that a stodgy black umbrella didn’t obscure her from public view. MORE..

(0)Comments | April 10, 2026  11:44 am

Asia Pacific faces weaker growth and higher inflation from Middle East crisis, ADB warns

Growth in developing Asia and the Pacific is expected to slow this year as the conflict in the Middle East disrupts trade and energy markets, the Asian Development Bank said on Friday, with the extent of the slowdown dependent on how long the crisis persists. MORE..

(0)Comments | April 10, 2026  8:33 am

Health authorities urge caution over extreme heat during ‘Avurudu’ festivities

Health authorities have urged the public to exercise caution when organizing New Year (Avurudu) festivals due to the prevailing extreme heat conditions. MORE..

(0)Comments | April 10, 2026  11:09 am

Global oil prices remain high ahead of UN-Iran talks in Pakistan

The price of global oil remains high ahead of negotiations between the US and Iran in Pakistan this weekend, which will take place amid growing concerns over whether the two-week ceasefire agreement between the countries will hold. MORE..

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

Trump says Iran’s handling of oil through Strait of Hormuz is ‘not the agreement we have’

Iran is doing a very poor job, dishonorable some would say, of allowing Oil to go through the Strait of Hormuz,” Trump wrote on his social media site Thursday evening. “That is not the agreement we have!” MORE..

(0)Comments | April 10, 2026  4:38 am

School holiday begins; Ministry announces second term schedule

The Ministry of Education (MOE) has announced that the second phase of the first school term for government and government-approved schools concludes today (10). MORE..

(0)Comments | April 10, 2026  8:16 am

SJB stages protest near Parliament; minor traffic congestion reported

The Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB) staged a protest demonstration along the Parliament access road near Diyatha Uyana in Battaramulla, resulting in minor traffic congestion in the surrounding areas, said Ada Derana reporter. MORE..

(0)Comments | April 10, 2026  10:01 am

More details emerge in private uni. student death at hotel in Homagama

Further details have emerged regarding the death of a student following a clash between two groups of students of a private university in Homagama. MORE..

(0)Comments | April 10, 2026  11:02 am

Five students of private university arrested over student’s death at hotel in Homagama

Five students of a private university have been arrested by Homagama Police over the death of a 19-year-old students following a clash between students last evening after a New Year (Avurudu) festival. MORE..

(0)Comments | April 10, 2026  7:52 am

Commissioner General of Motor Traffic further remanded

The Commissioner General of Motor Traffic, Kamal Amarasinghe, who was arrested by the Criminal Investigation Department (CID), has been further remanded until April 20 by the Pilessa Magistrate”s Court in Kurunegala. MORE..

(0)Comments | April 10, 2026  11:33 am

Showers expected in parts of the island after 2pm

The Department of Meteorology says that showers or thundershowers will occur at several places in Western, Sabaragamuwa, Southern and Uva provinces and in Kandy and Nuwara-Eliya districts after 2.00 p.m. MORE..

(0)Comments | April 10, 2026  7:27 am

Artemis II astronauts hurtle home from moon toward splashdown

The four Artemis II astronauts, returning from the world’s first crewed moon voyage in over half a century, hurtled back toward Earth on Friday aboard their gumdrop-shaped Orion spacecraft, headed for a splashdown in the Pacific Ocean off Southern California. MORE..

(0)Comments | April 10, 2026  10:52 am

Kuwait says National Guard site, vital facilities hit by ‘hostile’ drones

Kuwait said Thursday evening that a National Guard site and several vital facilities were targeted by “hostile” drones. MORE..

(0)Comments | April 10, 2026  4:49 am

Police constable arrested for allegedly accepting liquor bottle as bribe

A Police Constable attached to the Dharmapuram Police Station was arrested yesterday (9) by officers of the Commission to Investigate Allegations of Bribery or Corruption (CIABOC) for allegedly accepting a bottle of liquor as a bribe. MORE..

(0)Comments | April 10, 2026  11:16 am

Hip-hop pioneer, Afrika Bambaataa, dies aged 68

Afrika Bambaataa, one of the founding figures of hip-hop culture, has died at the age of 68, the Hip Hop Alliance has confirmed. MORE..

(0)Comments | April 10, 2026  9:44 am

GMOA strike continues for second consecutive day

The island-wide strike launched by the Government Medical Officers’ Association (GMOA) in hospitals continues for the second consecutive day today (10). MORE..

(0)Comments | April 10, 2026  9:05 am

ADB projects Sri Lanka’s economic growth to moderate in 2026

Sri Lanka’s economic growth is projected to moderate from 5.0% in 2025 to 4.0% in 2026, before rising slightly to 4.2% in 2027, according to the Asian Development Bank (ADB). MORE..

(0)Comments | April 10, 2026  11:52 am

Russia’s Putin announces Orthodox Easter ceasefire, Ukraine’s Zelenskiy agrees

Russian President Vladimir Putin on Thursday announced a 32-hour ceasefire over a two-day period for Orthodox Easter and his Ukrainian counterpart Volodymyr Zelenskiy said Kyiv would abide by the measure. MORE..

(0)Comments | April 10, 2026  8:53 am

182 killed, 890 injured in Israeli strikes in Lebanon

Lebanon’s Health Ministry said Wednesday that Israeli strikes across multiple parts of the country, including the capital, Beirut, have killed at least 182 people, according to an updated death toll. MORE..

(0)Comments | April 9, 2026  6:00 am

Showers expected after 2pm in several areas today

Showers or thundershowers will occur at a few places in the Western, Sabaragamuwa and Northwestern provinces and in the Galle, Matara, Kandy, Nuwara-Eliya and Mannar districts after 2.00 p.m., the Department of Meteorology stated. MORE..

(0)Comments | April 9, 2026  6:05 am

IGP bans gifts and external funding for New Year events; allocates Rs. 250 per officer

The Inspector General of Police, Priyantha Weerasuriya has issued a set of instructions to all police officers regarding the acceptance of gifts and the provision of monetary allowances for New Year celebrations. MORE..

(0)Comments | April 9, 2026  7:15 am

Iran tells ships how to avoid mines in Strait of Hormuz - state media

Ships planning to pass through the Strait of Hormuz should take alternative routes, to “comply with the principles of maritime safety and to be protected from possible collisions with sea mines”, Iran’s Revolutionary Guards said in a statement cited in Iranian state media. MORE..

(0)Comments | April 9, 2026  8:53 am

Iran says peace talks would be ‘unreasonable’ following Israeli strikes on Lebanon

Israel pounded Lebanon with its heaviest strikes yet on Wednesday (Apr 8), killing hundreds of people and drawing a threat of retaliation from Iran, which suggested it would be “unreasonable” to proceed with talks to forge a permanent peace deal with the United States. MORE..

(0)Comments | April 9, 2026  5:39 am

Man arrested with conch shell in Kalutara

An individual has been arrested for the possession of a conch shell (Valampuri) near the Kalutara depot. MORE..

(0)Comments | April 9, 2026  10:31 am

US military will remain around Iran until Tehran complies with deal: Trump

US President Donald Trump said all U.S. ships, aircraft, and military personnel would stay in place in and around Iran until it fully complied with a deal. MORE..

(0)Comments | April 9, 2026  9:34 am

Donald Trump blasts NATO after closed-door Rutte meeting

US President Donald Trump bashed NATO and appeared to renew his threats over Greenland after a closed-door meeting with alliance chief Mark Rutte, during which he was expected to discuss possibly leaving the pivotal security bloc. MORE..

(0)Comments | April 9, 2026  7:00 am

Bahrain and several other countries reopen airspace after US-Iran ceasefire agreement

Syria, Iraq and Bahrain announced the reopening of their airspace Wednesday following the announcement of a ceasefire agreement between the US and Iran, according to civil aviation authorities. MORE..

(0)Comments | April 9, 2026  6:19 am

Ex-President Ranil Wickremesinghe returns to the island

Former President Ranil Wickremesinghe, who underwent a surgery in Singapore, has returned to the island this morning (09). MORE..

(0)Comments | April 9, 2026  10:55 am

GMOA to launch 48-hour token strike from 8am

The Government Medical Officers’ Association (GMOA) has announced that it will begin a 48-hour nationwide token strike starting from 8:00 a.m. today (09). MORE..

(0)Comments | April 9, 2026  6:25 am

Holy sites in Jerusalem reopens

Israeli police announced that holy sites in Jerusalem will reopen to visitors and worshippers on Thursday morning. MORE..

(0)Comments | April 9, 2026  10:03 am

Hezbollah fires rockets at Israel in first attack since ceasefire

Hezbollah, Iran’s proxy militia in Lebanon, said early Thursday it fired rockets at northern Israel in response to Israeli ceasefire violations, in its first attack since the deal was reached, Reuters news agency reported. MORE..

(0)Comments | April 9, 2026  7:30 am

Power outages reported in several areas

Power outages have been reported in several parts of the island yesterday, affecting multiple areas due to a technical failure. MORE..

(0)Comments | April 9, 2026  5:46 am

President reiterates commitment to alleviating rural poverty

The 59th Aluth Sahal Mangallaya or the National New Rice Festival commenced today (09) at the sacred Jaya Sri Maha Bodhi under the patronage of President Anura Kumara Dissanayake. MORE..

(0)Comments | April 9, 2026  9:54 am

Oil prices surge as investors remain wary of US-Iran ceasefire

Oil prices rose on Thursday on investors’ concerns supply from the key Middle East producing region may not fully resume amid doubts the two-week ceasefire between the U.S. and Iran will hold and as the crucial Strait of Hormuz remains restricted. MORE..

(0)Comments | April 9, 2026  8:40 am

EU urges shift from ‘fragile’ US-Iran ceasefire to permanent peace during Riyadh mission

Vice-President of the European Commission (EU) Kaja Kallas arrived in Saudi Arabia on Wednesday, for a high-stakes diplomatic push to transform a temporary two-week truce between the United States and Iran into a lasting regional settlement. MORE..

(0)Comments | April 9, 2026  10:50 am

Nepal issues arrest warrant for ex-PM Deuba in graft probe

Nepal has issued an arrest warrant for former prime minister Sher Bahadur Deuba for alleged corruption, officials said on Thursday (Apr 9), making him the latest high-profile figure targeted under the new government. MORE..

(0)Comments | April 9, 2026  11:24 am

Suspect arrested in Ganemulla with large haul of heroin and ICE

An individual has been arrested in Ganemulla along with a stock of heroin and crystal methamphetamine (Ice) believed to belong to an organized large-scale drug trafficker. MORE..

(0)Comments | April 9, 2026  6:47 am

JD Vance says Iran would be foolish to let talks collapse over Lebanon

United States Vice President JD Vance has warned Iran that it would be “dumb” to jeopardise its ceasefire with Washington over Israel’s attacks in Lebanon. MORE..

(0)Comments | April 9, 2026  8:00 am

Northern Line train services resume

Train services on the Northern Line, which were disrupted following Cyclone Ditwah, resumed this morning (09), according to Sri Lanka Railways. MORE..

(0)Comments | April 9, 2026  5:31 am

Sri Lankan Australian playwright Shakthi wins Windham-Campbell Prize

Sri Lankan Australian playwright S Shakthidharan, widely known as Shakthi, has won the $US175,000 ($250,000) Windham-Campbell Prize for drama. MORE..

(0)Comments | April 9, 2026  7:58 am

Australia says Lebanon must be included in Middle East ceasefire

Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese told reporters Thursday that the two-week ceasefire announced this week ‘‘is an important step forward.’’ MORE..

(0)Comments | April 9, 2026  9:24 am

Ben Gurion Airport to fully reopen as Israel lifts flight restrictions after ceasefire

The Transportation Ministry announced that Israel will fully reopen the country’s airspace and resume regular operations at Tel Aviv’s Ben Gurion Airport starting at midnight Wednesday-Thursday, roughly one day after a ceasefire was announced between the US, Israel and Iran. MORE..

(0)Comments | April 9, 2026  5:00 am

US ‘achieved every single objective’ in the Iran war, White House says

The White House has reaffirmed its claims to have “achieved every single objective” set out since the start of the Iran war.

(0)Comments | April 9, 2026  6:41 am

IMF reaches staff-level agreement on fifth and sixth reviews of Sri Lanka’s EFF

Sri Lanka and the International Monetary Fund (IMF) have reached staff-level agreement on economic policies to conclude the combined Fifth and Sixth Reviews of Sri Lanka’s reform program supported by the IMF’s Extended Fund Facility. MORE..

(0)Comments | April 9, 2026  10:49 am