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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..

| April 20, 2026  9:50 pm
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..

| April 20, 2026  9:18 pm
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..

| April 20, 2026  8:30 pm
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..

| April 20, 2026  7:58 pm
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..

| April 20, 2026  7:33 pm
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..

| April 20, 2026  7:13 pm
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..

| April 20, 2026  6:51 pm
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..

| April 20, 2026  6:33 pm
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..

| April 20, 2026  6:17 pm
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..

| April 20, 2026  6:03 pm
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..

| April 20, 2026  5:53 pm
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..

video | 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..

| April 20, 2026  5:19 pm
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..

| April 20, 2026  4:54 pm
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..

| April 20, 2026  4:40 pm
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..

| April 20, 2026  4:27 pm
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..

| April 20, 2026  4:09 pm
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..

| April 20, 2026  3:59 pm
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..

| April 20, 2026  3:22 pm
Indian Vice President concludes official visit to Sri Lanka

Indian Vice President concludes official visit to Sri Lanka

The Vice President of India, C. P. Radhakrishnan concluded his two-day visit to Sri Lanka this afternoon (20). MORE..

| April 20, 2026  2:53 pm
Six envoys present credentials to President

Six envoys present credentials to President

Two High Commissioners, three Ambassadors and the Apostolic Nuncio-designate of the Holy See presented their credentials to President Anura Kumara Dissanayake at the Presidential Secretariat today (20). MORE..

| April 20, 2026  2:45 pm
First tsunami waves reach Japan’s eastern coast

First tsunami waves reach Japan’s eastern coast

Local media is now reporting that the first tsunami waves are reaching Iwate prefecture, with one wave as high as 40cm recorded in Miyako port. MORE..

| April 20, 2026  2:33 pm
Sri Lanka’s tourist arrivals in 2026 surpass 800,000

Sri Lanka’s tourist arrivals in 2026 surpass 800,000

The number of tourist arrivals in Sri Lanka in 2026 has crossed the 800,000-mark, the Sri Lanka Tourism Development Authority (SLTDA) stated. MORE..

| April 20, 2026  2:28 pm
Three injured after three-wheeler falls into 50-foot precipice in Watawala

Three injured after three-wheeler falls into 50-foot precipice in Watawala

A three-wheeler carrying members of the same family veered off the road and fell down a precipice of about 50 feet, injuring three of the passengers. They have been admitted to the Watawala Regional Hospital. MORE..

| April 20, 2026  2:17 pm
Former Minister Piyasena Gamage granted bail

Former Minister Piyasena Gamage granted bail

The Colombo Magistrate’s Court has ordered the release of former Minister Piyasena Gamage on bail, following his arrest by the Commission to Investigate Allegations of Bribery or Corruption over allegations of corruption (CIABOC). MORE..

| April 20, 2026  1:53 pm