News Archive

Sri Lankan passenger arrested with over 11 kg of ‘Kush’ at BIA

A Sri Lankan passenger has been arrested today (06) by officials of the Sri Lanka Customs Narcotics Control Division at the Bandaranaike International Airport (BIA) for smuggling a large consignment of Kush cannabis estimated to be worth around Rs. 113.4 million. MORE..

(0)Comments | April 6, 2026  11:28 am

Iranian media says 15 ships passed through Strait of Hormuz in 24 hours

Iran’s Fars news agency, which is affiliated to the country’s Islamic Revolution Guards Corps (IRGC), said earlier that 15 ships passed through the Strait of Hormuz ‘‘with permission from Iran’’ in the previous 24-hour period. MORE..

(0)Comments | April 6, 2026  12:35 pm

Iran has formulated its response to ceasefire proposals, foreign ministry spokesperson says

Iran has formulated its positions and demands in response to recent ceasefire proposals conveyed via intermediaries, a foreign ministry spokesperson said on Monday, adding that negotiations were “incompatible with ultimatums and threats to commit war crimes.” MORE..

(0)Comments | April 6, 2026  3:33 pm

Two dead, two missing after Iran missile strike in Haifa, Israel

Two people have been killed while search operations are underway for two more individuals after an Iranian ballistic missile struck a residential building in Haifa, Times of Israel reported on Monday. MORE..

(0)Comments | April 6, 2026  1:44 pm

Energy conservation program introduced in schools

The Ministry of Education, Higher Education and Vocational Education has introduced the “Surakimu Lanka” school energy conservation programme aimed at building a culture of energy conservation within schools. MORE..

(0)Comments | April 6, 2026  4:47 pm

Iran Revolutionary Guard intelligence head killed

The head of intelligence for Iran’s paramilitary Revolutionary Guard was killed Monday in an attack targeting him, Iranian state media said. MORE..

(0)Comments | April 6, 2026  1:28 pm

Adjournment debate on Easter Sunday Attacks this week in Parliament

An adjournment debate on the 2019 Easter Sunday Attacks is scheduled to be held in Parliament this week. MORE..

(0)Comments | April 6, 2026  3:10 pm

Netflix to live stream Artemis II lunar flyby

NASA’s Artemis II mission is officially underway, and while Netflix didn’t carry the live feed of the historic Earth departure on April 1st, space enthusiasts are in for a massive consolation prize. MORE..

(0)Comments | April 6, 2026  10:01 am

GMOA temporarily ends strike

The island-wide strike launched by the Government Medical Officers’ Association (GMOA) will be temporarily concluded from 8.00 a.m. today (06). MORE..

(0)Comments | April 6, 2026  7:45 am

12-hour water cut in Pelanwatta and surrounding areas

The National Water Supply and Drainage Board (NWSDB) has announced that water supply to Pelanwatta and surrounding areas will be suspended from 8:00 p.m. today (6) until 8:00 a.m. tomorrow (7) as part of ongoing water management measures prompted by the prevailing dry weather. MORE..

(0)Comments | April 6, 2026  10:41 am

Artemis crew reaches the moon, approaches record-breaking distance from Earth

The four astronauts of NASA’s Artemis II mission entered the moon’s gravitational sphere of influence early Monday morning as they cruised along a path that will soon take them over the shadowed, lunar far side to become the farthest-flying humans in history. MORE..

(0)Comments | April 6, 2026  4:35 pm

UAE joins Bahrain in urging UNSC action on St of Hormuz

The UAE on Monday expressed its support to Bahrain in urging the Security Council to take action on the Strait of Hormuz. MORE..

(0)Comments | April 6, 2026  9:44 am

12-hour water cut in Homagama area today

The National Water Supply and Drainage Board (NWSDB) has announced a 12-hour water cut for Homagama and surrounding areas (Zone 01) today (06). MORE..

(0)Comments | April 6, 2026  6:38 am

Man attacked to death in Panamura; Two suspects arrested

A 46-year-old man has been attacked to death in the Panamura area. MORE..

(0)Comments | April 6, 2026  7:21 am

Duo arrested for hoarding over 800L of diesel in Maradana

Two suspects have been arrested in the Maradana area along D.R. Wijewardena Mawatha for hoarding 826 litres of diesel without a valid license. MORE..

(0)Comments | April 6, 2026  8:56 am

Strike hits Iranian university, gas outage in Tehran

The Sharif University of Technology has been hit by a strike, causing a gas outage in parts of Tehran. MORE..

(0)Comments | April 6, 2026  10:51 am

OPEC+ agrees to boost oil output when Strait of Hormuz reopens

OPEC+ agreed on Sunday to raise its oil output quotas by 206,000 barrels per day for May, a modest rise that will largely exist on paper as its key members are unable to raise production due to the U.S.-Israeli war with Iran. MORE..

(0)Comments | April 6, 2026  4:38 pm

Sri Lanka-born actress allegedly dies by suicide in Chennai

Tamil television actress Subashini, known for playing a key role in popular Tamil soap Kayal, has died by suicide in Chennai. MORE..

(0)Comments | April 6, 2026  3:00 pm

GMOA raises concerns over removal of specialist posts in hospitals

The Government Medical Officers’ Association (GMOA) has alleged that specialist medical posts have been removed from several hospitals across the country. MORE..

(0)Comments | April 6, 2026  4:25 pm

Iran, US receive plan to end hostilities, immediate ceasefire; source says

Iran and the United States have received a plan to end hostilities that could come into effect on Monday and reopen the Strait of Hormuz, a source aware of the proposals said on Monday. MORE..

(0)Comments | April 6, 2026  12:32 pm

Iran warns to respond ‘‘in kind’’ to any US attacks on its infrastructure

Iran’s Foreign Ministry spokesperson Esmail Baghaei responded to US President Donald Trump’s threats, warning that Iran will respond ‘‘in kind’’ to any attack on its infrastructure, Al Jazeera reported. MORE..

(0)Comments | April 6, 2026  7:00 am

Special consumer protection program launched ahead of festive season

The Consumer Affairs Authority (CAA) has launched a special program to safeguard consumers in view of the upcoming festive season, Chairman Hemantha Samarakoon announced. MORE..

(0)Comments | April 6, 2026  2:19 pm

Chinese national arrested over murder of foreign woman in Kohuwala

A 26-year-old Chinese national has been arrested in connection with the murder of a foreign national woman, who was attacked to death using a sharp weapon in a residence in the Kohuwala area. MORE..

(0)Comments | April 6, 2026  9:45 am

The 40 minutes when the Artemis crew loses contact with the Earth

No-one will have been further from home than the Artemis astronauts. MORE..

(0)Comments | April 6, 2026  6:47 am

Nigerian army rescues 31 held after Easter church attack

Thirty-one civilians held hostage following a Sunday morning church attack in north-west Nigeria have been rescued, the army has said. MORE..

(0)Comments | April 6, 2026  4:01 pm

Sun directly over parts of Sri Lanka today

Showers or thundershowers will occur at several places in Northern, Eastern, North-central, Central and Sabaragamuwa provinces and in Puttalam, Galle and Matara districts after 2.00 p.m, today (06), the Department of Meteorology said. MORE..

(0)Comments | April 6, 2026  6:00 am

Former SIS Chief Suresh Sallay files writ petition challenging arrest and detention

Former Head of the State Intelligence Service, Major General (Retired) Suresh Sallay, has filed a writ petition before the Court of Appeal, through his attorneys, challenging his arrest and detention by the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) under the Prevention of Terrorism Act (PTA). MORE..

(0)Comments | April 6, 2026  3:08 pm

Oil prices hit $110 after Trump’s latest threats

Oil prices hit $110 (£83.38) a barrel after President Donald Trump’s expletive-laden threat against Iran on social media. MORE..

(0)Comments | April 6, 2026  10:03 am

South Korea says ‘credible intelligence’ indicates North Korean leader’s daughter is successor

South Korea’s spy agency now believes North Korean leader Kim Jong Un’s teenage daughter has been positioned as his successor, lawmakers said on Monday, citing a recent public display of her driving a tank that was likely intended to dispel any doubts. MORE..

(0)Comments | April 6, 2026  3:30 pm

Fire breaks out at wax fabric manufacturing factory in Wattala

A fire has broken out this morning (06) at a wax fabric manufacturing factory located in the Mabola area of Wattala. MORE..

(0)Comments | April 6, 2026  8:09 am

“Turning New Year transactions into QR payments will be a turning point” - President

President Anura Kumara Dissanayake stated that officials must provide the necessary impetus for society to embrace efficient practices. MORE..

(0)Comments | April 6, 2026  12:17 pm

A milestone for Artemis II: Astronauts enter the ‘lunar sphere of influence’

The crew’s Orion capsule entered what’s known as the lunar sphere of influence at around 12:41 a.m. ET Monday, crossing into the region of space where the moon’s gravitational pull is stronger than the pull of Earth’s. MORE..

(0)Comments | April 6, 2026  12:47 pm

At least 11 killed in Israeli airstrikes in Lebanon on Easter Sunday

An Israeli airstrike on Kfarhata, a village in south Lebanon, killed seven people on Sunday, including a 4-year-old child, Lebanon’s health ministry said in a statement. MORE..

(0)Comments | April 6, 2026  6:03 am

Laugfs gas shipment arrives at Hambantota

A vessel carrying 7,000 metric tonnes of LP gas arrived in the country, according to LAUGFS Gas PLC. MORE..

(0)Comments | April 6, 2026  5:07 pm

National QR Payment Promotion Programme launched by President

Marking a new milestone in Sri Lanka’s digital economy, the launch of the “National QR Payment Promotion Programme” officially commenced today (06) under the patronage of President Anura Kumara Dissanayake. MORE..

(0)Comments | April 6, 2026  9:46 am

Airstrike on Iranian city of Eslamshar kills at least 13

An airstrike early Monday struck a residential building in a city southwest of Iran’s capital, Tehran, killing at least 13 people, Iranian media reported. MORE..

(0)Comments | April 6, 2026  8:34 am

Special weekly Wednesday holiday granted to state sector cancelled from Apr. 8

The special weekly Wednesday holiday granted to government offices, schools, universities and judicial services will be cancelled from April 8, the Commissioner General of Essential Services, Prabath Chandrakeerthi has announced. MORE..

(0)Comments | April 6, 2026  4:50 pm

National Child Protection Authority receives over 10,000 complaints in 2025

The National Child Protection Authority (NCPA) reports that more than 10,000 complaints were recorded in 2025. MORE..

(0)Comments | April 6, 2026  3:27 pm

Prices of several food items to increase from midnight today

The All Ceylon Restaurant Owners’ Association has announced that the prices of ‘Rice and Curry’ packets, ‘Fried Rice’, and ‘Kottu’ will increase by Rs. 20 in response to the recent rise in domestic LP gas prices. MORE..

(0)Comments | April 6, 2026  10:50 am

Tender called for coal supply to Lakvijaya Power Plant

A tender has been called to select a coal supplier for the 2026/2027 season of the Norochcholai Lakvijaya Power Plant. MORE..

(0)Comments | April 6, 2026  1:51 pm

Sri Lanka to receive normal rainfall by May or June – Met. Dept

The Director General of the Department of Meteorology of Sri Lanka, Athula Karunanayake, stated that Sri Lanka is expected to receive its usual rainfall by May or June. MORE..

(0)Comments | April 6, 2026  1:23 pm

12-hour water cut in Homagama today

The National Water Supply and Drainage Board (NWSDB) has announced that water supply in the Homagama area will be suspended today from 8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m., lasting a total of 12 hours. MORE..

(0)Comments | April 5, 2026  8:53 am

Prime Minister Harini highlights message of hope and renewal on Easter

In her message to mark Easter Sunday, Prime Minister Dr. Harini Amarasuriya stated that Easter, devoutly celebrated by Christians to commemorate the Resurrection of Jesus Christ, is a time to extend wishes for a blessed celebration filled with peace, happiness, and blessings. MORE..

(0)Comments | April 5, 2026  7:02 am

At Easter vigil, Pope Leo urges world not to grow numb to war

Pope Leo led the world’s Catholics into Easter at a Saturday night vigil Mass in St. Peter’s Basilica and urged people not to feel numbed by the scope of the conflicts raging across the world but to work for peace. MORE..

(0)Comments | April 5, 2026  7:26 am

New ‘Lord of the Rings’ movie from Stephen Colbert and his son in development at Warner Bros.

Warner Bros. has revealed that Stephen Colbert and his son are developing a brand new ‘‘Lord of the Rings’‘ movie. The announcement came Tuesday night via the studio’s various social media accounts. MORE..

(0)Comments | April 5, 2026  8:59 am

GMOA continues its ongoing strike today

The strike initiated by the Government Medical Officers’ Association (GMOA) continues today (05). MORE..

(0)Comments | April 5, 2026  8:36 am

Russian attack on Ukraine market kills five

A Russian drone attack on a market in southern Ukraine has killed five people and injured 21, including a 14-year-old girl, the prosecutor general’s office says. MORE..

(0)Comments | April 5, 2026  6:43 am

Trump says Iran military leaders killed in Tehran strike

US President Donald Trump said on Saturday (local time) that ‘‘many’‘ of Iran’s military leaders were killed in a huge strike on the Islamic republic’s capital. MORE..

(0)Comments | April 5, 2026  8:41 am

President Anura calls for peace, love and forgiveness in Easter message

In his Easter message, President Anura Kumara Dissanayake has highlighted that Christian devotees in Sri Lanka and around the world mark Easter Sunday with deep reverence, commemorating the Resurrection of Christ as a symbol of hope, renewal, and compassion. MORE..

(0)Comments | April 5, 2026  7:00 am

Fairly heavy rainfall expected in parts of the island today

Showers or thundershowers will occur at several places in Western, Sabaragamuwa, Central, Southern, Uva, Eastern and Northcentral provinces after 2.00 p.m, today (05), the Department of Meteorology said. MORE..

(0)Comments | April 5, 2026  6:37 am