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UN Secretary General commends ceasefire extension
UN Secretary General commends ceasefire extension
United Nations Secretary General António Guterres has welcomed President Donald Trump’s announcement to extend the ceasefire, a spokesperson for his office said. MORE..
Donald Trump extends Iran ceasefire and Strait of Hormuz blockade
Donald Trump extends Iran ceasefire and Strait of Hormuz blockade
US President Donald Trump said Tuesday he would extend the U.S. ceasefire with Iran, which is set to expire Wednesday, despite calling off negotiations and warning earlier in the day he would resume bombing without a deal in place.
Sri Lanka seeks foreign partnerships to expand ports and aviation sector
Sri Lanka seeks foreign partnerships to expand ports and aviation sector
A special discussion was held between British High Commissioner to Sri Lanka Andrew Patrick and the Minister of Ports, Civil Aviation, and Energy, Anura Karunathilaka. MORE..
EU agrees to widen sanctions against Iran
EU agrees to widen sanctions against Iran
The European Union will expand the criteria of its Iran sanctions to include those responsible for blocking the Strait of Hormuz, which has been largely shut for nearly two months upending global energy and commodities markets, two EU diplomats said. MORE..
50 foreign nationals arrested for overstaying business visas
50 foreign nationals arrested for overstaying business visas
A total of 50 foreign nationals who had entered Sri Lanka on business visas and continued to remain illegally after their visas expired have been arrested this afternoon (21) by a group of officers from the Investigation Division of the Department of Immigration and Emigration. MORE..
PM instructs officials to expedite disaster relief and infrastructure restoration
PM instructs officials to expedite disaster relief and infrastructure restoration
Special attention should be given at the district level to expedite the payment of compensation for those affected by the Cyclone Ditwah and to accelerate reconstruction work, Prime Minister Dr. Harini Amarasuriya stated. MORE..
Pakistan urges US, Iran to consider extending 14-day ceasefire
Pakistan urges US, Iran to consider extending 14-day ceasefire
Pakistani Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar on Tuesday urged the United States and Iran to consider extending the 14-day ceasefire beyond its Wednesday deadline and “give dialogue and diplomacy a chance.” MORE..
Tourist arrivals in April top 85,000
Tourist arrivals in April top 85,000
A total of 88,221 tourists have arrived in the country thus far in April, data from the Sri Lanka Tourism Development Authority (SLTDA) shows. MORE..
US mulling financial help for Gulf countries, Trump says
US mulling financial help for Gulf countries, Trump says
US President Donald Trump has suggested that he may offer financial assistance - or a currency swap - with Gulf countries he believes have proven to be reliable allies with the war in Iran. MORE..
SLCPI calls for urgent action to prevent medicine shortages in Sri Lanka
SLCPI calls for urgent action to prevent medicine shortages in Sri Lanka
The Sri Lanka Chamber of the Pharmaceutical Industry (SLCPI) has called for urgent action to prevent a looming medicine shortage crisis in Sri Lanka, warning that growing pressure on the pharmaceutical supply chain could affect the country’s ability to ensure uninterrupted access to essential and life-saving medicines. MORE..
State Vesak celebrations 2026 set for May 27–June 2
State Vesak celebrations 2026 set for May 27–June 2
The official programme for the 2026 State Vesak Festival has been issued by the Ministry of Public Administration, Provincial Councils and Local Government. MORE..
US forces board ‘sanctioned’ oil tanker between Sri Lanka and Indonesia
US forces board ‘sanctioned’ oil tanker between Sri Lanka and Indonesia
The Pentagon says US forces boarded a sanctioned tanker overnight “without incident” in the Indo-Pacific region in efforts to “disrupt illicit networks” supporting Iran. MORE..
Flooding in Hatton–Dickoya submerges 50 estate houses
Flooding in Hatton–Dickoya submerges 50 estate houses
Around 50 estate houses in low-lying areas of the Fordyce Estate in Dickoya have submerged following heavy rainfall experienced this afternoon (21) in the Hatton–Dickoya area. MORE..
NATO criticises Russian and Chinese nuclear stances, urges cooperation with US
NATO criticises Russian and Chinese nuclear stances, urges cooperation with US
NATO criticised Russian and Chinese nuclear arms policies on Tuesday and urged both countries to work with the United States to establish greater stability and transparency at an upcoming international conference. MORE..
Easter Sunday attack investigation to be concluded soon, says Minister
Easter Sunday attack investigation to be concluded soon, says Minister
Investigations into the 2019 Easter Sunday attacks are expected to be successfully completed within a short period of time, the Minister of Public Security and Parliamentary Affairs, Ananda Wijepala stated. MORE..
Aswesuma April allowance to be credited tomorrow
Aswesuma April allowance to be credited tomorrow
The Welfare Benefits Board of Sri Lanka has announced that the April allowance of the Aswesuma Welfare Benefits Payment Scheme will be credited to the bank accounts of the relevant beneficiaries tomorrow (22). MORE..
UN urges Sri Lanka to deliver results in Easter bombing probe
UN urges Sri Lanka to deliver results in Easter bombing probe
The United Nations urged Sri Lanka on Tuesday to deliver concrete results after long-running investigations into the 2019 Easter Sunday suicide bombings that killed 279 people, including 45 foreigners. MORE..
Sri Lanka’s inflation increases to 2.4% in March
Sri Lanka’s inflation increases to 2.4% in March
The overall rate of inflation, as measured by the National Consumer Price Index (NCPI), has increased to 2.4% in March 2026, compared to 1.6% in February 2026, according to the latest data released by the Department of Census and Statistics. MORE..
Middle East tensions push up costs, dampen sentiment in India’s housing market
Middle East tensions push up costs, dampen sentiment in India’s housing market
Tensions in the Middle East are starting to ripple through India’s housing market, pushing up construction costs and making homebuyers more cautious. MORE..
Indian Navy Ship ‘Nireekshak’ arrives in Sri Lanka for training and operational visit
Indian Navy Ship ‘Nireekshak’ arrives in Sri Lanka for training and operational visit
The Indian Navy Ship (INS) ‘Nireekshak’ arrived in Sri Lanka for an Operational Turnaround (OTR) and a training visit today (21). 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-Central, North-Western, Western, Sabaragamuwa, Southern and Eastern provinces and the Monaragala district. MORE..
Court fixes May 12 for further evidence in Diana Gamage case
Court fixes May 12 for further evidence in Diana Gamage case
The Colombo Magistrate’s Court has ordered the further examination of evidence on May 12 in the case filed by the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) against former State Minister Diana Gamage. MORE..
Expressway revenue during festive period exceeds Rs. 536 million
Expressway revenue during festive period exceeds Rs. 536 million
The Ministry of Transport states that more than Rs. 536 million was earned from operators of vehicles using expressways during the Sinhala and Tamil New Year period from April 10 to 20. MORE..
67 drunk drivers arrested yesterday; 51 nabbed for reckless driving
67 drunk drivers arrested yesterday; 51 nabbed for reckless driving
A total of 25 individuals identified as directly linked to criminal activities have been arrested during operations carried out yesterday (20) under the ‘‘Nation United - National Drive’’ campaign aimed at eradicating narcotics from the country. MORE..
Sri Lanka receives USD 2.6M from Japan to strengthen climate resilience and gender equality
Sri Lanka receives USD 2.6M from Japan to strengthen climate resilience and gender equality
The Government of Japan, through its Japanese Supplementary Budget (JSB), has reaffirmed its commitment to supporting Sri Lanka’s development journey by announcing two new projects aimed at fostering climate resilience in vulnerable communities and advancing gender equality. MORE..