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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..
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..
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..
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..
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..
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..
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..
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..
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..
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..
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..
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..
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..
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..
| 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..
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..
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..
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..