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Sri Lanka, Iran Foreign Ministers hold phone conversation

Sri Lanka, Iran Foreign Ministers hold phone conversation

Minister of Foreign Affairs Vijitha Herath has held a telephone conversation with Abbas Araghchi, the Foreign Minister of the Islamic Republic of Iran. MORE..

| April 23, 2026  6:12 am
Auspicious time for planting of tree saplings for New Year falls today

Auspicious time for planting of tree saplings for New Year falls today

The auspicious time for Planting of Tree Saplings, as specified in the Sinhala and Tamil New Year auspicious time schedule (‘Nekath Seettuwa’), falls today (April 23).

| April 23, 2026  5:50 am
Heavy rainfall above 75 mm expected in parts of the island today

Heavy rainfall above 75 mm expected in parts of the island today

Showers or thundershowers will occur at most places of the island after 1.00 pm.

| April 23, 2026  5:30 am
US intercepts three Iranian oil tankers in Asian waters - Report

US intercepts three Iranian oil tankers in Asian waters - Report

The US military has intercepted at least three Iranian-flagged tankers in Asian waters and is redirecting them away from their positions near India, Malaysia and Sri Lanka, shipping and security sources said on Wednesday.

| April 23, 2026  5:11 am
Iran says Strait of Hormuz cannot be opened due to ceasefire breaches

Iran says Strait of Hormuz cannot be opened due to ceasefire breaches

Iran’s chief negotiator in talks with the US said it is “not possible” for the Strait of Hormuz to be opened due to “the blatant violations of the ceasefire” by the US and Israel.

| April 23, 2026  5:02 am
Trump says US-Iran talks ‘possible’ within 36 to 72 hours: report

Trump says US-Iran talks ‘possible’ within 36 to 72 hours: report

US President Donald Trump said Wednesday a new round of peace talks with Iran is “possible” within the next 36 to 72 hours, a report said, a day after he announced an extension of a ceasefire with the Islamic Republic to allow for diplomatic efforts to continue. MORE...

| April 22, 2026  10:30 pm
Finance Ministry says investigations underway after hackers breached a dept’s computer system

Finance Ministry says investigations underway after hackers breached a dept’s computer system

The Ministry of Finance, Planning and Economic Development says it has already lodged complaints with law enforcement agencies and other relevant institutions regarding the theft committed by cyber hackers who breached the computer system of the External Resources Department of the Ministry of Finance, Planning and Economic Development. MORE..

| April 22, 2026  10:15 pm
Nearly 20 injured after bus veers off road, crashes into tree in Kinniya

Nearly 20 injured after bus veers off road, crashes into tree in Kinniya

Nearly 20 passengers were injured after a private bus veered off the road and crashed into a tree near the Upparu-aru Bridge on the Trincomalee - Batticaloa main road within the Kinniya Police Division this evening (22). MORE..

| April 22, 2026  8:58 pm
Second Nepali minister leaves month-old government

Second Nepali minister leaves month-old government

Nepal’s Minister of Home Affairs, Sudan Gurung, resigned on Wednesday saying there had been questions over his investments and other matters, the second minister to go from the month-old government. MORE..

| April 22, 2026  8:14 pm
USD 2.5 million Treasury payment diverted to hackers? – Opposition demands urgent probe

USD 2.5 million Treasury payment diverted to hackers? – Opposition demands urgent probe

Reports claiming that USD 2.5 million from Sri Lanka’s Treasury may have likely been diverted to cybercriminals has sparked concern, with the government yet to respond to the allegation highlighted by the country’s opposition. MORE..

| April 22, 2026  7:31 pm
EU to consider forcing countries to hold, redistribute jet fuel stocks

EU to consider forcing countries to hold, redistribute jet fuel stocks

The European Union is considering requiring countries to hold stockpiles of jet fuel, and potentially redistribute it based on regional needs and shortages, Europe’s energy policy chief told Reuters on Wednesday, as concerns mount over possible shortages tied to the U.S.-Israeli war with Iran. MORE..

| April 22, 2026  6:56 pm
President directs to complete compensation payments for partially damaged homes before May-end

President directs to complete compensation payments for partially damaged homes before May-end

President Anura Kumara Dissanayake has instructed officials to ensure that the Government approved compensation of Rs. 500,000 for houses partially damaged by Cyclone Ditwah is paid to all beneficiaries before the end of May, except in exceptional circumstances. MORE..

| April 22, 2026  5:20 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-Central, North-Western, Western, Sabaragamuwa, Southern and Eastern provinces and the Monaragala district. MORE..

| April 22, 2026  5:05 pm
Detention order on ex-SIS chief Suresh Sallay to continue

Detention order on ex-SIS chief Suresh Sallay to continue

The Colombo Fort Magistrate’s Court today directed the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) to report on May 20 the progress of the investigations into the arrested suspects...MORE..

| April 22, 2026  4:12 pm
Iran’s IRGC Navy claims it has seized two ships in Strait of Hormuz - state media

Iran’s IRGC Navy claims it has seized two ships in Strait of Hormuz - state media

The IRGC has seized two vessels in the Strait of Hormuz, state news has claimed. MORE..

| April 22, 2026  3:54 pm
Chaminda Pathiraja appointed Controller General of Immigration and Emigration

Chaminda Pathiraja appointed Controller General of Immigration and Emigration

The Cabinet of Ministers has granted approval to appoint Iraj Chaminda Pathiraja to the post of Controller General of Immigration and Emigration on a permanent basis. MORE..

| April 22, 2026  3:47 pm
Three vessels hit by gunfire in Strait of Hormuz, crews safe

Three vessels hit by gunfire in Strait of Hormuz, crews safe

At least three container ships were hit by gunfire in the Strait of Hormuz on Wednesday, maritime security sources and the United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO) said. MORE..

| April 22, 2026  3:46 pm
Expert committee to monitor implementation of recommendations on Easter attacks

Expert committee to monitor implementation of recommendations on Easter attacks

The Cabinet of Ministers has granted approval to establish a structured mechanism to monitor the implementation of recommendations related to the 2019 Easter Sunday attacks. MORE..

| April 22, 2026  3:38 pm
Sri Lanka Embassy in Riyadh launches special weekend consular service

Sri Lanka Embassy in Riyadh launches special weekend consular service

The Embassy of Sri Lanka in Riyadh has introduced a Special Weekend Consular Services Programme to assist Sri Lankan expatriates who are unable to visit the Embassy during regular working days. MORE..

| April 22, 2026  3:34 pm
Second ship fired on in Strait of Hormuz - UKMTO

Second ship fired on in Strait of Hormuz - UKMTO

The UK Maritime Trade Operations Centre (UKMTO) is reporting that a second vessel has been fired upon in the Strait of Hormuz. MORE..

| April 22, 2026  2:27 pm
Advisory issued for severe lightning in several provinces

Advisory issued for severe lightning in several provinces

An ‘Amber’ advisory has been issued by the Department of Meteorology for severe lightning in the Western, Sabaragamuwa, Central, North-Western, North-Central, Southern and Uva provinces and in Ampara, and Batticaloa districts. MORE..

| April 22, 2026  2:06 pm
Former SIS Chief Suresh Sallay produced before Fort Magistrate’s Court

Former SIS Chief Suresh Sallay produced before Fort Magistrate’s Court

The Former Director of the State Intelligence Service, Suresh Sallay, who is currently detained under the Prevention of Terrorism Act (PTA), has been produced before the Colombo Fort Magistrate’s Court under tight security by officers of the Criminal Investigation Department (CID). MORE..

| April 22, 2026  2:00 pm
Thirteen killed in second India fireworks blast in three days

Thirteen killed in second India fireworks blast in three days

At least 13 people have been killed in an explosion at a firecracker factory in India’s southern state of Kerala, officials say. MORE..

| April 22, 2026  1:47 pm
Former MP Premalal Jayasekara granted bail

Former MP Premalal Jayasekara granted bail

Former Ratnapura District Parliamentarian Premalal Jayasekara, who was arrested yesterday (21) in connection with an alleged incident of threatening an individual with a firearm, has been granted bail. MORE..

| April 22, 2026  1:33 pm
Opposition calls for key officials to testify before committee probing controversial release of 323 containers

Opposition calls for key officials to testify before committee probing controversial release of 323 containers

Opposition members of the Parliamentary Committee appointed to investigate the release of 323 containers from the Colombo Harbour that were not subjected to mandatory physical inspection have submitted a proposal requesting the summoning of several high-ranking officials to give evidence. MORE..

| April 22, 2026  1:16 pm