News Archive

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

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

Netanyahu warns Israel will continue to strike Hezbollah ‘wherever necessary’

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu says Israel will continue to strike Hezbollah ‘‘wherever necessary’’, following a ceasefire agreement between the US and Iran. MORE..

(0)Comments | April 9, 2026  3:54 pm

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

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

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

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

12-hour water cut announced for Homagama and Pelenwatta

A 12-hour water cut will be imposed in the Homagama and Pelenwatta areas today (09) and tomorrow (10) due to the prevailing dry weather conditions, the National Water Supply and Drainage Board (NWSDB) announced. MORE..

(0)Comments | April 9, 2026  1:26 pm

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

Extension of State of Public Emergency passed in Parliament

The motion to approve the extension of the State of Public Emergency under the Public Security Ordinance was passed in Parliament today (9) by a majority of 110 votes. MORE..

(0)Comments | April 9, 2026  5:40 pm

Sri Lanka repatriates 125 telecom fraud suspects to China

Sri Lankan police recently repatriated 125 individuals suspected of involvement in telecom fraud, who had been apprehended during earlier crackdown operations, to China, the Chinese Ministry of Public Security (MPS) said on Thursday. MORE..

(0)Comments | April 9, 2026  10:23 pm

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

UK deployed military to deter Russian submarines from its waters

Britain deployed its armed forces to deter Russian submarines from attacking its cables and pipelines when they spent around a month in British waters earlier this year, defence minister John Healey said on Thursday. MORE..

(0)Comments | April 9, 2026  4:03 pm

Health Minister cancels scheduled meeting with GMOA

Minister of Health Nalinda Jayatissa has announced that the discussion scheduled for today (09) with the Government Medical Officers’ Association (GMOA) will not be held. MORE..

(0)Comments | April 9, 2026  11:57 am

Public urged to control blood sugar levels during festive season

The general public has been urged by medical professionals to take steps to control blood sugar levels during the Sinhala and Tamil New Year festive season. MORE..

(0)Comments | April 9, 2026  2:46 pm

Tom Holland says new Spider-Man film will add more humour and ‘fun’ elements

Actor Tom Holland has revealed that the ‘‘Spider-Man: Brand New Day’‘ film did some additional photography recently to add in ‘‘more humor’‘ and beef up a ‘‘villain plotline’‘ despite officially wrapping up production last year. MORE..

(0)Comments | April 9, 2026  1:43 pm

Easter Sunday attacks a conspiracy planned since 2017 – Public Security Minister

Public Security Minister Ananda Wijepala has claimed that ongoing investigations have uncovered that the 2019 Easter Sunday attacks were not an isolated incident, but a result of a conspiracy that had been in motion since 2017. MORE..

(0)Comments | April 9, 2026  4:28 pm

Iran warns US must choose between ceasefire and war via Israel, ‘it cannot have both’

Iran warned on Wednesday that the US must choose between a ceasefire and ‘‘continued war via Israel,’‘ saying Washington ‘‘cannot have both." MORE..

(0)Comments | April 9, 2026  12:39 pm

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

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

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

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

Govt has comprehensive plan to elevate living standards of farmers – President

The National New Rice Festival, a traditional annual ceremony in which newly harvested rice from the Maha season is offered to the sacred Jaya Sri Maha Bodhi, was held this morning (09) under the patronage of President Anura Kumara Dissanayake, in the presence of the historic Jaya Sri Maha Bodhi in Anuradhapura. MORE..

(0)Comments | April 9, 2026  4:38 pm

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

Met. Department warns of possible extended drought if El Niño develops

The Department of Meteorology has indicated that an El Niño event during the southwest monsoon season could result in drought conditions extending through September. MORE..

(0)Comments | April 9, 2026  1:47 pm

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

Warm weather advisory issued for most parts of the country

A warm weather advisory has been issued for tomorrow (10) for residents of the Western, Sabaragamuwa, Southern, Eastern, North-Western, Northern and North-Central provinces and in Monaragala District. MORE..

(0)Comments | April 9, 2026  3:49 pm

Colombo Fort Railway Station modernization project launched

The modernization project of the Colombo Fort Railway Station was officially launched today (09), with Prime Minister Dr. Harini Amarasuriya presiding over the inauguration. MORE..

(0)Comments | April 9, 2026  2:17 pm

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

SLC to file objections to Nuwan Thushara’s petition over non-issuance of NOC

Sri Lanka Cricket has informed the Colombo District Court that it intends to file objections to a petition submitted by cricketer Nuwan Thushara over the non-issuance of a “No Objection Certificate” (NOC) to participate in the 2026 Indian Premier League. MORE..

(0)Comments | April 9, 2026  3:24 pm

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

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

Sri Lankan woman injured following Israel strikes in Lebanon

A Sri Lankan woman has reportedly sustained minor injuries following airstrikes carried out by Israel on Lebanon yesterday (08). MORE..

(0)Comments | April 9, 2026  1:14 pm

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

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

More than 3,000 Iranians killed during war, medical body says

More than 3,000 people were killed throughout Iran during the war that ⁠began on February 28, Iran’s forensic chief told state media on Thursday, adding ⁠that 40% of the dead needed forensic ⁠work to be identified and ⁠returned to families.

(0)Comments | April 9, 2026  3:18 pm

British Airways cuts Middle East flights, shifts capacity to Asia and Africa

British Airways said on Thursday it will cut flights to the Middle East when services resume, permanently drop Jeddah as a destination, while adding capacity to India and Africa, as heightened regional tensions disrupt schedules and weigh on demand. MORE..

(0)Comments | April 9, 2026  7:10 pm

Iranian negotiators head to Pakistan - despite skepticism over ‘repeated ceasefire violations’

An Iranian delegation is heading to Pakistan today to begin negotiations with the US on ending the war, Iran’s ambassador to Pakistan has confirmed. MORE..

(0)Comments | April 9, 2026  11:43 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

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

Youth arrested with over 1kg of ICE in Maradana

A youth has been arrested for the possession of 1 kilogram and 220 grams of crystal methamphetamine (Ice) during a special raid conducted in Maradana. MORE..

(0)Comments | April 9, 2026  7:45 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

Over 200,000 SMEs ceased operations between 2018–2022, says Deputy Minister

More than 200,000 micro, small, and medium-scale enterprises (SMEs) in Sri Lanka ceased operations between 2018 and 2022 due to various reasons, the Deputy Minister of Finance and Planning, Dr. Anil Jayantha said. MORE..

(0)Comments | April 9, 2026  1:00 pm

Kudawa entrance to Sinharaja Reserve closed for six days

The Kudawa Entrance of the Sinharaja Forest Reserve will be closed for six days from tomorrow (10) until April 15, the Sinharaja Forest Reserve Controller’s Office announced. MORE..

(0)Comments | April 9, 2026  11:38 am

Govt’s policy is to build a sustainable public transport system – PM

Prime Minister Dr. Harini Amarasuriya emphasized that the government’s policy is to build a sustainable transport system that enables children, women, the elderly, and persons with disabilities to access services conveniently. MORE..

(0)Comments | April 9, 2026  4:01 pm

Ministry urges schools not to burden parents with excessive event expenses

The Ministry of Education, Higher Education and Vocational Education says that there have been reports of excessive spending on events and various celebrations organized in schools. MORE..

(0)Comments | April 9, 2026  7:02 pm

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