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Iran says it will not ‘submit to any threat’
Iran says it will not ‘submit to any threat’
Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said the US and Iran were ‘‘inches away’’ from reaching a deal during peace talks in Pakistan, but Tehran was then met with ‘‘maximalism, shifting goalposts, and blockade’’. MORE..
Trump attacks Pope Leo, calling him ‘weak’ on crime and ‘terrible’
Trump attacks Pope Leo, calling him ‘weak’ on crime and ‘terrible’
U.S. President Donald Trump issued a scathing attack on Pope Leo late on Sunday, calling him ‘‘weak’’ on crime and ‘‘terrible’’ for foreign policy after the religious leader criticized Trump’s foreign and immigration policies. MORE..
Special buses and trains deployed for New Year travel
Special buses and trains deployed for New Year travel
In view of the upcoming Sinhala and Hindu New Year, the Sri Lanka Transport Board (SLTB) has announced that buses will continue to be deployed today (13) based on passenger demand for those travelling to their hometowns. MORE..
Oil jumps 8% to above $100 ahead of US blockade on Strait of Hormuz
Oil jumps 8% to above $100 ahead of US blockade on Strait of Hormuz
Global oil prices jumped above $100 a barrel on Monday as the U.S. Navy prepared a blockade of the Strait of Hormuz that could restrict Iranian oil shipments after the U.S. and Iran failed to reach a deal to end the war. MORE..
Fairly heavy rainfall expected in parts of the island today
Fairly heavy rainfall expected in parts of the island today
Showers or thundershowers will occur at most places of the island after 1.00 pm, today (13), the Department of Meteorology said. MORE..
Trump says China would face a 50% tariff if it transfers weapons to Iran
Trump says China would face a 50% tariff if it transfers weapons to Iran
US President Donald Trump warned that China would face a 50% tariff if it transfers weapons to Iran, but said he doubted Beijing would do so, despite US intelligence indicating it had such plans. MORE..
12 Indian fishermen arrested for poaching in northern seas
12 Indian fishermen arrested for poaching in northern seas
The Sri Lanka Navy has seized an Indian fishing boat and apprehended 12 Indian fishermen for poaching in Sri Lankan waters, off Kovilam in Kareinagar, Jaffna. MORE..
Restoration of damaged upcountry railway track still ongoing
Restoration of damaged upcountry railway track still ongoing
The “Udarata Menike” train operating from Colombo to Badulla is currently limited to Rambukkana due to ongoing repair work on the main railway line. MORE..
| April 12, 2026 8:59 pm
Trump predicts Iran will return to the negotiating table, threatens he could take country out “in one day”
Trump predicts Iran will return to the negotiating table, threatens he could take country out “in one day”
US President Donald Trump on Sunday predicted that Iran would return to the negotiating table while warning that he could take out Iran in “in one day.” MORE..
Two Pakistan Navy ships arrive in Colombo
Two Pakistan Navy ships arrive in Colombo
The Pakistan Navy Ship (PNS) TAIMUR and ASLAT arrived at the Port of Colombo on a goodwill visit, the Sri Lanka Navy said. The visiting ships were welcomed by the Sri Lanka Navy in compliance with naval traditions. MORE..
France calls for Lebanon to be included in ceasefire deal
France calls for Lebanon to be included in ceasefire deal
Lebanon “has to be included” in the ceasefire deal between Iran and the United States, said Pascal Confavreux, a spokesperson for the French Ministry for Europe and Foreign Affairs. MORE..
Heavy showers end prolonged dry spell in central hills
Heavy showers end prolonged dry spell in central hills
Thundershowers have been reported in the western slopes of the central hills, particularly in key catchment areas, bringing an end to nearly three months of prolonged dry weather. MORE..
Resigned CEB employees yet to receive compensation, Unions claim
Resigned CEB employees yet to receive compensation, Unions claim
A group of employees who opted for voluntary retirement following the restructuring of the Ceylon Electricity Board (CEB) claim that they have not yet received the compensation pledged to them. MORE..
Donald Trump says US will blockade Strait of Hormuz
Donald Trump says US will blockade Strait of Hormuz
US President Donald Trump on Sunday said the U.S. will blockade the Strait of Hormuz after talks held in Pakistan to end the Iran war hit the skids. MORE..
55,000 passengers travel via Makumbura Transport Hub during festive period
55,000 passengers travel via Makumbura Transport Hub during festive period
Approximately 55,000 passengers have travelled from the Makumbura Multimodal Centre (MMC) to their hometowns since April 8, authorities say. MORE..
Israel’s Ben-Gvir visits flashpoint Al-Aqsa Mosque compound
Israel’s Ben-Gvir visits flashpoint Al-Aqsa Mosque compound
Israel’s far-right police minister Itamar Ben-Gvir visited the flashpoint Al-Aqsa Mosque compound in Jerusalem on Sunday, saying he was seeking greater access for Jewish worshippers and drawing condemnation from Jordan and the Palestinians. MORE..
Sajith urges Govt to reduce prices of essential goods to ease public burden
Sajith urges Govt to reduce prices of essential goods to ease public burden
The Leader of the Opposition, Sajith Premadasa has called on the government to reduce the prices of fuel, gas, medicines, food and fertilizer in order to provide relief to the public. MORE..
At least 3,375 Iranians killed during war, state media says
At least 3,375 Iranians killed during war, state media says
At least 3,375 people have been killed in Iran since the US and Israel began strikes on the country, according to state media Islamic Republic of Iran Broadcasting (IRIB). MORE..
Passengers urged to report overcharging bus operators to ‘1955’ hotline
Passengers urged to report overcharging bus operators to ‘1955’ hotline
The National Transport Commission has urged passengers to lodge complaints via the ‘1955’ hotline against bus operators who charge fares exceeding the approved rates. MORE..
Economic shock of Middle East war to cast shadow over IMF, World Bank meetings
Economic shock of Middle East war to cast shadow over IMF, World Bank meetings
Top finance officials from around the world will convene in Washington this week under the shadow of the war in the Middle East, which has delivered a third major shock to the global economy after the COVID pandemic and Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022. MORE..
Police urge caution on social media use during New Year holidays
Police urge caution on social media use during New Year holidays
The general public has been urged to exercise caution in their use of social media during the Sinhala and Tamil New Year festive season. MORE..
UK PM urges US and Iran ‘to find a way through’ after peace talks fail
UK PM urges US and Iran ‘to find a way through’ after peace talks fail
Sir Keir Starmer has urged the US and Iran “to find a way through” after the failure of peace talks, as he also called for the fragile ceasefire to continue and warned against any further escalation. MORE..
Six nabbed in Nagar Kovil over illegal harvesting of sea cucumbers
Six nabbed in Nagar Kovil over illegal harvesting of sea cucumbers
A total of six individuals have been apprehended by the Sri Lanka Navy for illegal night diving to harvest sea cucumbers during a search operation conducted at the Nagar Kovil beach in Jaffna. MORE..
‘Strait of Hormuz is in Iran’s hands and tolls must be paid’ - Deputy Parliament Speaker
‘Strait of Hormuz is in Iran’s hands and tolls must be paid’ - Deputy Parliament Speaker
Iranian Deputy Speaker of Parliament Haji Babaei has said the Strait of Hormuz is completely in Iran’s hands and “its tolls must be paid in rials” - the Iranian currency. MORE..
Iran says no deal expected in single session after US talks stall
Iran says no deal expected in single session after US talks stall
Iran’s foreign ministry said no one had held any expectation that talks with the United States could have reached an agreement within one session after the marathon negotiations in Islamabad stalled on Sunday (Apr 12). MORE..