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Eight people killed in helicopter crash in Indonesia’s West Kalimantan
Eight people killed in helicopter crash in Indonesia’s West Kalimantan
All eight people on board a helicopter were killed when it crashed in Indonesia’s West Kalimantan province, authorities said on Friday as search teams tried to retrieve the bodies and wreckage. MORE..
First crude oil tanker since Middle East conflict to arrive today
First crude oil tanker since Middle East conflict to arrive today
Ceylon Petroleum Storage Terminals Limited (CPSTL) has announced that the first crude oil tanker to arrive in Sri Lanka since the outbreak of the Middle East conflicts is scheduled to arrive today (17). MORE..
Multi-day fishing vessel with suspected narcotics brought to Dikkowita Harbour
Multi-day fishing vessel with suspected narcotics brought to Dikkowita Harbour
UPDATE: The Police Narcotics Bureau (PNB) has confirmed that the substance recovered from the local multi-day fishing vessel is heroin. MORE..
| April 17, 2026 7:32 am
Registration of Persons Dept. services suspended today due to system failure
Registration of Persons Dept. services suspended today due to system failure
The Ministry of Digital Economy has announced that all public services of the Department for Registration of Persons (ID Office) have been temporarily suspended today (17) following an unexpected system breakdown. MORE..
Trump says he may go to Islamabad if Iran deal reached
Trump says he may go to Islamabad if Iran deal reached
US President Donald Trump said on Thursday that if a deal with Iran to conclude the war is reached and signed in Islamabad, he might go, and that Iran has agreed to almost everything. MORE..
G7 finance chiefs say it is urgent to limit Middle East war’s cost to global economy
G7 finance chiefs say it is urgent to limit Middle East war’s cost to global economy
Finance chiefs of the Group of Seven nations on Thursday said it was urgent to limit the cost to the global economy of an enduring Middle East war and “reaffirmed the pressing need to move toward a lasting peace.” MORE..
Showers expected in several provinces after 1pm today
Showers expected in several provinces after 1pm today
Showers or thundershowers will occur at several places in the Western, Sabaragamuwa, Southern and Uva provinces and in Kandy and Nuwara-Eliya districts after 1.00 pm, the Department of Meteorology stated. MORE..
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..
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..
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..
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..
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..
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..
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..
| 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..
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.
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..
| 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..
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..
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..
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..
| 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..
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..
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..
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..