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Pope criticises ‘tyrants’ who spend billions on wars after Trump spat

Pope criticises ‘tyrants’ who spend billions on wars after Trump spat

Pope Leo has criticised leaders who spend billions on wars and said the world was “being ravaged by a handful of tyrants” in unusually forceful comments during a visit to Cameroon. MORE..

| April 16, 2026  10:30 pm
Trump says will invite Netanyahu and Lebanese President Aoun to White House

Trump says will invite Netanyahu and Lebanese President Aoun to White House

Moments after announcing a ceasefire between Israel and Hezbollah, US President Donald Trump says he will be inviting Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Lebanese President Joseph Aoun to the White House “for the first meaningful talks between Israel and Lebanon since 1983.” MORE..

| April 16, 2026  9:50 pm
Israel and Lebanon agree to 10-day ceasefire, Trump says

Israel and Lebanon agree to 10-day ceasefire, Trump says

The leaders of Israel and Lebanon agreed to a 10-day ceasefire after officials from the two countries met in Washington, D.C., President Donald Trump said Thursday. MORE..

| April 16, 2026  9:21 pm
Europe could run out of jet fuel in 6 weeks, IEA warns

Europe could run out of jet fuel in 6 weeks, IEA warns

Europe may have just six weeks left of jet fuel, with serious consequences for the continent’s economy, the International Energy Agency warned on Thursday. MORE..

| April 16, 2026  9:16 pm
SriLankan Airlines suspends Country Manager over incident at Bangkok airport

SriLankan Airlines suspends Country Manager over incident at Bangkok airport

SriLankan Airlines has clarified what it describes as inaccurate and misleading media reports regarding an alleged clash involving an airline official and flight crew at Bangkok’s Suvarnabhumi International Airport. MORE..

| April 16, 2026  9:02 pm
SLTB to introduce card-only payment system for bus fares - chairman

SLTB to introduce card-only payment system for bus fares - chairman

All necessary arrangements have been made to introduce a card-only payment system for Sri Lanka Transport Board (SLTB) bus fares in the near future, says SLTB Chairman Sanjeewa Kanagaratne. MORE..

| April 16, 2026  8:04 pm
Two dead, six missing in drowning incident at Deduru Oya - Police

Two dead, six missing in drowning incident at Deduru Oya - Police

Two bodies have been recovered, while two others have been hospitalized and six individuals reportedly remain missing after a group of 15 went bathing in the Deduru Oya near the Kuratiyagahamula area of Nikaweratiya within the Kobeigane Police Division, police said. MORE..

video | April 16, 2026  7:51 pm
Sri Lanka better positioned to support vulnerable amid energy risks – IMF

Sri Lanka better positioned to support vulnerable amid energy risks – IMF

Sri Lanka has strengthened its fiscal position over the past three years, placing it in a better position to support vulnerable groups affected by global energy shocks, according to the IMF’s Asia and Pacific Director, Krishna Srinivasan. MORE..

| April 16, 2026  7:15 pm
Israeli strike severs last bridge linking southern Lebanon to rest of country – report

Israeli strike severs last bridge linking southern Lebanon to rest of country – report

An Israeli strike has severed the last bridge linking southern ⁠Lebanon to the rest of the country, a senior Lebanese security official told ⁠Reuters, adding that the strike “shattered” the ⁠bridge and left no ⁠possibility of repairing ⁠it.

| April 16, 2026  6:12 pm
Police statement on arrest of ex-MP Chandana Kathriarachchi

Police statement on arrest of ex-MP Chandana Kathriarachchi

Sri Lanka Police has issued a statement regarding the arrest of former Member of Parliament Chandana Kathriarachchi by the Colombo Crimes Division (CCD). MORE..

video | April 16, 2026  6:02 pm
Fishing vessel with suspected narcotics haul intercepted in naval operation

Fishing vessel with suspected narcotics haul intercepted in naval operation

The Sri Lanka Navy has taken into custody a local multi-day fishing vessel carrying several sacks suspected to contain narcotics during a special operation conducted in deep-sea waters south of Sri Lanka. MORE..

| April 16, 2026  5:23 pm
Warm weather advisory issued for most parts of the country

Warm weather advisory issued for most parts of the country

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..

| April 16, 2026  4:39 pm
Police to take strict action against vehicles emitting excessive black smoke

Police to take strict action against vehicles emitting excessive black smoke

Deputy Inspector General (DIG) of Traffic Control and Road Safety, W.P.J. Senadheera, said that strict legal action will be taken against vehicles emitting excessive black smoke while operating on public roads. MORE..

| April 16, 2026  4:30 pm
Further details emerge on arrest of ex-MP Chandana Kathriarachchi

Further details emerge on arrest of ex-MP Chandana Kathriarachchi

Further details have emerged regarding the arrest of former Member of Parliament Chandana Kathriarachchi by the Colombo Crimes Division (CCD). MORE..

video | April 16, 2026  4:14 pm
First crude oil tanker since Middle East conflict to arrive in Sri Lanka tomorrow

First crude oil tanker since Middle East conflict to arrive in Sri Lanka tomorrow

Ceylon Petroleum Storage Terminals Limited (CPSTL) has announced that the first crude oil tanker to arrive since the onset of the Middle East conflict is scheduled to reach the island tomorrow (17). MORE..

| April 16, 2026  3:55 pm
Registration of Persons Dept. temporarily suspends services tomorrow due to system failure

Registration of Persons Dept. temporarily suspends services tomorrow due to system failure

The Department for Registration of Persons (ID Office) has announced that all public services, including the one-day service at its head office and all provincial offices, will be suspended tomorrow (April 17). MORE..

| April 16, 2026  3:49 pm
Pakistan says no dates set for second round of US-Iran talks

Pakistan says no dates set for second round of US-Iran talks

No dates have been decided for the second round of talks between ⁠the U.S. and Iran, a spokesperson for Pakistan’s foreign ministry said on Thursday. MORE..

| April 16, 2026  3:21 pm
Pope Leo to hold peace meeting in Cameroon amid Trump attacks

Pope Leo to hold peace meeting in Cameroon amid Trump attacks

Pope Leo was scheduled to travel to the biggest city in Cameroon’s conflict-hit anglophone region on Thursday, the latest stop on an ambitious four-country Africa tour amid attacks on the pontiff by U.S. President Donald Trump. MORE..

| April 16, 2026  2:35 pm
Advisory issued for severe lightning

Advisory issued for severe lightning

An ‘Amber’ advisory has been issued by the Department of Meteorology for severe lightning in the Western, Sabaragamuwa, Central and Uva provinces and in Galle, Matara and Kurunegala districts. MORE..

| April 16, 2026  2:21 pm
Fuel and electricity supply to continue uninterrupted despite Middle East conflict – Minister

Fuel and electricity supply to continue uninterrupted despite Middle East conflict – Minister

Minister of Health and Mass Media, Dr. Nalinda Jayatissa, has stated that Sri Lanka’s fuel and electricity supply will continue without interruption despite the ongoing conflict in the Middle East. MORE..

video | April 16, 2026  2:13 pm
Former MP Chandana Kathriarachchi arrested

Former MP Chandana Kathriarachchi arrested

Former Member of Parliament Chandana Kathriarachchi has been arrested by the Colombo Crimes Division (CCD). MORE..

| April 16, 2026  1:50 pm
Police to seize vehicles with non-standard number plates

Police to seize vehicles with non-standard number plates

Sri Lanka Police have announced that vehicles fitted with number plates that do not comply with prescribed standards will be taken into police custody and produced before court. MORE..

| April 16, 2026  1:18 pm
44 dead in 42 road accidents reported during festive period: Police

44 dead in 42 road accidents reported during festive period: Police

Sri Lanka Police reported a total of 42 road traffic accidents across the island between April 10 and 15, resulting in 44 fatalities. MORE..

| April 16, 2026  1:13 pm
TIME releases list of ‘100 most influential people’; Trump, Mamdani, Netanyahu among top leaders

TIME releases list of ‘100 most influential people’; Trump, Mamdani, Netanyahu among top leaders

TIME released its list of the ‘100 Most Influential People of 2026’ on Wednesday, naming Pope Leo, US President Donald Trump, New York Mayor Zohran Mamdani, among others. MORE..

| April 16, 2026  12:13 pm
Six Chinese nationals arrested with smuggled cigarettes at BIA

Six Chinese nationals arrested with smuggled cigarettes at BIA

A total of six Chinese nationals who illegally brought a consignment of cigarettes into the country have been arrested by Customs officers at the Bandaranaike International Airport (BIA). MORE..

| April 16, 2026  12:11 pm