Hot News
‘‘Some findings in Auditor General’s coal import report unacceptable’’ – Minister Wasantha
‘‘Some findings in Auditor General’s coal import report unacceptable’’ – Minister Wasantha
Minister Wasantha Samarasinghe has stated that certain findings in the Auditor General’s report on the controversial coal importation cannot be accepted. MORE..
| April 21, 2026 7:03 am
Special religious ceremonies to be held island-wide to mark 2019 Easter Sunday Attacks
Special religious ceremonies to be held island-wide to mark 2019 Easter Sunday Attacks
Seven years have elapsed since the Easter Sunday attacks, and island-wide religious observances are being conducted today (21) in solemn remembrance of the victims. MORE..
Iraq and Syria tout their reopened border crossing as an alternative oil route
Iraq and Syria tout their reopened border crossing as an alternative oil route
Iraq and Syria have reopened a key border crossing between the two nations for the first time in more than a decade, with officials highlighting its potential for trade and oil exports. MORE..
Trump says US will not lift Hormuz blockade until deal made with Iran
Trump says US will not lift Hormuz blockade until deal made with Iran
The US will not lift its blockade on Iranian ports until a deal has been reached with Tehran, US President Donald Trump has said, amid continuing uncertainty over whether fresh talks to end the war will take place. MORE..
Heavy rainfall expected in most parts of the island today
Heavy rainfall expected in most parts of the island today
Showers or thundershowers will occur at most places of the island after 1.00 pm, today (21), the Department of Meteorology said. MORE..
Lebanon, Israel to hold second round of talks in Washington on Thursday
Lebanon, Israel to hold second round of talks in Washington on Thursday
A second meeting between Lebanon and Israel will take place in Washington on Thursday, with official details to be announced later, a senior Lebanese official said on Monday. MORE..
Body found near residence of slain Weligama PS Chairman Lasantha Wickramasekara
Body found near residence of slain Weligama PS Chairman Lasantha Wickramasekara
Police have recovered a body from a well located near the residence of the late Weligama Pradeshiya Sabha Chairman, Lasantha Wickramasekara, who was previously shot dead. MORE..
Trump says ceasefire expires Wednesday but it’s ‘highly unlikely’ he would extend it further
Trump says ceasefire expires Wednesday but it’s ‘highly unlikely’ he would extend it further
US President Donald Trump said he now considers the ceasefire with Iran over “Wednesday evening Washington time” but that it’s “highly unlikely” he would extend it further if a deal is not reached. MORE..
Trump tariff refunds begin after Supreme Court order
Trump tariff refunds begin after Supreme Court order
The Trump administration has begun processing refunds for billions of dollars in tariffs that the US Supreme Court struck down in February. MORE..
Govt. aims to transform schools into safe, caring spaces for children: PM Harini
Govt. aims to transform schools into safe, caring spaces for children: PM Harini
The Prime Minister and the Minister of Education, Higher Education and Vocational Education, Dr. Harini Amarasuriya, today (20) affirmed that the government’s goal is to transform schools into safe and trustworthy environments where children receive love and care. MORE..
Donald Trump ‘to consider lifting blockade in Strait of Hormuz’ to break deadlock in peace talks
Donald Trump ‘to consider lifting blockade in Strait of Hormuz’ to break deadlock in peace talks
US President Donald Trump will consider lifting an American naval blockade in the Strait of Hormuz to enable peace talks with Iran in Islamabad, according to reports. MORE..
UNP denies circulating social media statement on May Day celebrations
UNP denies circulating social media statement on May Day celebrations
The United National Party (UNP) has dismissed as false a statement currently circulating on social media under the title “UNP’s stance on celebrating International Workers’ Day,” which uses the party’s official logo. MORE..
Special traffic plan in place tomorrow near Kochchikade Church
Special traffic plan in place tomorrow near Kochchikade Church
A special traffic plan will be in effect tomorrow (April 21) in and around the St. Anthony’s Church in Kochchikade, in view of a special religious service, police stated. MORE..
CBSL presents Annual Economic Review and Financial Statements and Operations reports to President
CBSL presents Annual Economic Review and Financial Statements and Operations reports to President
The “Annual Economic Review 2025” and “Financial Statements and Operations 2025” reports of the Central Bank of Sri Lanka have been presented to the Minister of Finance, Planning and Economic Development, President Anura Kumara Dissanayake, at the Presidential Secretariat today (20). MORE..
Iran’s President says war must end to focus on rebuilding
Iran’s President says war must end to focus on rebuilding
Iran needs to end the war against the United States and Israel as swiftly as possible to focus on the bigger task of reconstruction, according to President Masoud Pezeshkian. MORE..
New NIE Director General assumes duties
New NIE Director General assumes duties
Senior Professor OG Dayaratna Banda has assumed duties as the 15th Director General of the National Institute of Education (NIE) Maharagama, with effect from today (April 20). MORE..
Excise revenue surpasses first quarter target
Excise revenue surpasses first quarter target
The Excise Department of Sri Lanka has reported a record performance in revenue collection during the first quarter of 2026, exceeding its projected target and registering notable year-on-year growth. MORE..
Anura Karunathilaka sworn in as new Energy Minister
Anura Karunathilaka sworn in as new Energy Minister
Minister of Ports and Civil Aviation Anura Karunathilake has been appointed as the Minister of Energy. MORE..
| April 20, 2026 5:30 pm
WHO team reviews Sri Lanka’s health system reform program
WHO team reviews Sri Lanka’s health system reform program
A World Health Organization (WHO) expert team has arrived in Sri Lanka to review the progress of the country’s health system and submit recommendations to strengthen it further, the Ministry of Health said in a statement. MORE..
Alert for potential mega-quake in Japan issued, tsunami warnings still in effect
Alert for potential mega-quake in Japan issued, tsunami warnings still in effect
The Japan Meteorological Agency has issued an alert for a potential mega-quake, following the magnitude 7.7 quake on Monday. The agency says residents in seven prefectures should prepare for disaster and listen for any updates. MORE..
Netanyahu condemns Israeli soldier who attacked statue of Jesus Christ
Netanyahu condemns Israeli soldier who attacked statue of Jesus Christ
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has condemned “in the strongest terms” the damaging of a “Catholic religious icon” by an Israeli soldier in southern Lebanon. MORE..
Warm weather advisory issued for several provinces
Warm weather advisory issued for several provinces
A warm weather advisory has been issued for residents of the Northern, North-Western, North-Central, Western, Sabaragamuwa, Eastern and Southern provinces and the Monaragala district. MORE..
At least 25 killed in firecracker factory blast in India
At least 25 killed in firecracker factory blast in India
At least 25 people have been killed in an explosion at a firecracker factory in the southern Indian state of Tamil Nadu, with four others seriously injured. MORE..
Road accidents rise sharply during festive period, police reveal
Road accidents rise sharply during festive period, police reveal
A surge in road traffic accidents has been recorded between April 10 and 19 this year compared to the same period last year, according to Deputy Inspector General of Police in charge of Traffic Control and Road Safety, W. P. J. Senadeera. MORE..
Another 19 Indian fishermen to be repatriated from Sri Lanka
Another 19 Indian fishermen to be repatriated from Sri Lanka
A total of 19 Indian fishermen, who were detained by the Sri Lanka Navy, are scheduled to be repatriated from Sri Lanka this evening (20), marking the latest batch of releases amid sustained diplomatic efforts between the two countries. MORE..