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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
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
No plans to attend second round of talks with US - Iranian spokesman

No plans to attend second round of talks with US - Iranian spokesman

Iran has not yet decided whether it will attend a second round of negotiations with the US, a spokesman for Iran’s foreign ministry says. MORE..

| April 20, 2026  1:52 pm
Tsunami warning issued after 7.4-magnitude earthquake hits off Japan

Tsunami warning issued after 7.4-magnitude earthquake hits off Japan

An earthquake with a preliminary magnitude of 7.4 struck off the northeastern coast of Japan on Monday (Apr 20) afternoon, the Japan Meteorological Agency said. MORE..

| April 20, 2026  1:43 pm
VP Radhakrishnan reaffirms India’s commitment to welfare of Tamil people in Sri Lanka

VP Radhakrishnan reaffirms India’s commitment to welfare of Tamil people in Sri Lanka

The Vice President of India, CP Radhakrishnan, today (20) visited houses built with the assistance of the Government of India under the Indian Housing Project (Phase III) at the Liddlesdale Estate, Ragala, Nuwara Eliya, and interacted with the beneficiaries. MORE..

| April 20, 2026  1:36 pm
Advisory issued for severe lightning across all provinces

Advisory issued for severe lightning across all provinces

An ‘Amber’ advisory has been issued by the Department of Meteorology for severe lightning across all provinces of Sri Lanka. MORE..

| April 20, 2026  1:18 pm
Iran executes two men accused of involvement in ‘spy network linked to Israel’

Iran executes two men accused of involvement in ‘spy network linked to Israel’

Iran executed two men convicted of cooperating with Israel’s Mossad intelligence service and planning attacks inside the country, the judiciary’s news outlet Mizan reported on ⁠Sunday. MORE..

| April 20, 2026  12:55 pm
Mahinda Rajapaksa says ‘grand plan’ in place to regain political power in New Year

Mahinda Rajapaksa says ‘grand plan’ in place to regain political power in New Year

Former President Mahinda Rajapaksa has stated that a significant plan is in place to regain political power in the New Year. MORE..

video | April 20, 2026  12:45 pm
Measures introduced to regulate tourist boat services at Gregory Lake

Measures introduced to regulate tourist boat services at Gregory Lake

The Mayor of the Nuwara Eliya Municipal Council, Upali Wanigasekera, has announced that steps will be taken to regulate tourist boat services at Gregory Lake under strict safety guidelines. MORE..

| April 20, 2026  12:18 pm
PHIs take legal action against over 1,200 shops after raids during festive season

PHIs take legal action against over 1,200 shops after raids during festive season

Public Health Inspectors (PHIs) across Sri Lanka have conducted inspections at 21,796 business establishments island wide targeting the festive season, according to the Public Health Inspectors’ Union (PHIU). MORE..

| April 20, 2026  12:17 pm
Gold prices rise in Sri Lanka; 24-carat exceeds Rs. 400,000

Gold prices rise in Sri Lanka; 24-carat exceeds Rs. 400,000

In line with global market trends, gold prices in Sri Lanka have increased by around Rs. 2000, according to local market data. MORE..

| April 20, 2026  12:02 pm
Commissioner General of Motor Traffic granted bail

Commissioner General of Motor Traffic granted bail

The Commissioner General of Motor Traffic, Kamal Amarasinghe, who was arrested by the Criminal Investigation Department (CID), has been granted bail by the Pilessa Magistrate’s Court in Kurunegala. MORE..

| April 20, 2026  11:55 am