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External shocks to slow Sri Lanka’s economic growth in 2026: Prof. Priyanga Dunusinghe

External shocks to slow Sri Lanka’s economic growth in 2026: Prof. Priyanga Dunusinghe

Sri Lanka’s economic growth rate in 2026 is projected to be lower than the growth recorded in 2025, according to Professor in Economics at the Department of Economics, Priyanga Dunusinghe of the University of Colombo. MORE..

| April 22, 2026  12:50 pm
Arrested Premalal Jayasekara brought to court

Arrested Premalal Jayasekara brought to court

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 brought to the Nuwara Eliya Magistrate’s Court. MORE..

| April 22, 2026  12:28 pm
Retired Health Ministry legal officer arrested on bribery charges

Retired Health Ministry legal officer arrested on bribery charges

A former Chief Legal Officer (retired) of the Ministry of Health has been arrested by officers of the Commission to Investigate Allegations of Bribery or Corruption. MORE..

| April 22, 2026  11:58 am
Iran’s Revolutionary Guard opens fire on ship in Strait of Hormuz

Iran’s Revolutionary Guard opens fire on ship in Strait of Hormuz

Iran’s paramilitary Revolutionary Guard opened fire Wednesday on a container ship in the Strait of Hormuz, damaging the ship and further raising the stakes as planned ceasefire talks in Pakistan failed to materialize. MORE..

| April 22, 2026  11:32 am
Youth killed in motorcycle–jeep collision in Siyambalanduwa

Youth killed in motorcycle–jeep collision in Siyambalanduwa

An individual has been killed in an accident involving a motorcycle and a luxury jeep along the Siyambalanduwa– Ethimale road. MORE..

| April 22, 2026  11:08 am
Everyone born in UK after 2008 to be banned from smoking

Everyone born in UK after 2008 to be banned from smoking

Children aged 17 or younger will face a lifelong ban on buying cigarettes in UK, as the Tobacco and Vapes Bill clears British Parliament. MORE..

| April 22, 2026  10:30 am
Govt. pledges full support to strengthen “Ratama Ekata” anti-drug programme

Govt. pledges full support to strengthen “Ratama Ekata” anti-drug programme

The government would extend its fullest support to sustain and strengthen the ‘Ratama Ekata’ national programme launched with the aim of eradicating the drugs menace from the country, Deputy Minister of Defence, Major General Aruna Jayasekara (Retd) stated. MORE..

| April 22, 2026  10:08 am
Gold prices increase after US extends ceasefire with Iran

Gold prices increase after US extends ceasefire with Iran

Gold prices firmed on Wednesday as lower oil prices, following a U.S. extension of a ceasefire with Iran, eased fears of an inflation spike and prolonged high interest rates. MORE..

| April 22, 2026  9:17 am
Iranian military threatens to attack oil production sites of Gulf neighbors

Iranian military threatens to attack oil production sites of Gulf neighbors

An Iranian military commander has warned the country’s southern neighbors that if their land or facilities are used by enemies to attack Iran, “they should say goodbye to oil production in the Middle East region,” according to state media. MORE..

| April 22, 2026  9:15 am
Sri Lanka strengthens compliance measures to block terror funding channels

Sri Lanka strengthens compliance measures to block terror funding channels

Sri Lanka has strengthened its national security and counter-terrorism financing framework with renewed focus on Targeted Financial Sanctions (TFS), the Ministry of Defence said. MORE..

| April 22, 2026  8:39 am
Pope warns humanity’s at risk, in plea to world leaders

Pope warns humanity’s at risk, in plea to world leaders

The Pope has warned humanity’s future risks being “tragically compromised” due to a breakdown of international law and political responsibility. MORE..

| April 22, 2026  8:17 am
World Earth Day observed with focus on climate action and sustainability

World Earth Day observed with focus on climate action and sustainability

World Earth Day is being observed today (22). MORE..

| April 22, 2026  7:48 am
Premalal Jayasekara to be produced in court following arrest over firearm incident

Premalal Jayasekara to be produced in court following arrest over firearm incident

Former Ratnapura District Parliamentarian Premalal Jayasekara, who was arrested yesterday (21) in connection with an alleged incident of threatening an individual with a firearm, is scheduled to be produced before the Nuwara Eliya Magistrate’s Court today (22). MORE..

| April 22, 2026  7:28 am
Air fares soar by nearly 25% as Iran war forces flights to re-route

Air fares soar by nearly 25% as Iran war forces flights to re-route

The war in the Middle East has helped to trigger a surge in air fares, with the lowest-priced economy tickets costing 24% more on average than they did a year ago, according to new research. MORE..

| April 22, 2026  7:05 am
Nine arrested over brutal assault on mother in Gokarella

Nine arrested over brutal assault on mother in Gokarella

A total of nine individuals have been arrested by the Gokarella Police in connection with the assault of a mother in public, an incident that recently drew widespread attention on social media. MORE..

| April 22, 2026  6:44 am
Oil prices fluctuate as status of US-Iran peace talks remains unclear

Oil prices fluctuate as status of US-Iran peace talks remains unclear

Global oil prices fluctuated in early Asian trading on Wednesday as the status of peace talks between the US and Iran remains unclear. MORE..

| April 22, 2026  6:22 am
“Walk for Peace” to begin in Dambulla under state patronage

“Walk for Peace” to begin in Dambulla under state patronage

The internationally recognized “Walk for Peace” is scheduled to commence today (April 22) from Dambulla, with arrangements in place to continue the event until April 28 under state patronage. MORE..

| April 22, 2026  6:03 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 today (22), the Department of Meteorology stated. MORE..

| April 22, 2026  5:31 am
UN Secretary General commends ceasefire extension

UN Secretary General commends ceasefire extension

UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres welcomes Washington’s extension of the ceasefire with Iran, said his spokesman on Tuesday. MORE..

| April 22, 2026  5:10 am
Donald Trump extends Iran ceasefire and Strait of Hormuz blockade

Donald Trump extends Iran ceasefire and Strait of Hormuz blockade

US President Donald Trump said Tuesday he would extend the U.S. ceasefire with Iran, which is set to expire Wednesday, despite calling off negotiations and warning earlier in the day he would resume bombing without a deal in place.

| April 22, 2026  4:12 am
Sri Lanka seeks foreign partnerships to expand ports and aviation sector

Sri Lanka seeks foreign partnerships to expand ports and aviation sector

A special discussion was held between British High Commissioner to Sri Lanka Andrew Patrick and the Minister of Ports, Civil Aviation, and Energy, Anura Karunathilaka. MORE..

| April 21, 2026  10:40 pm
EU agrees to widen sanctions against Iran

EU agrees to widen sanctions against Iran

The European Union will expand the criteria of its Iran sanctions to include those responsible for blocking the Strait of Hormuz, which has been largely shut for nearly two months upending global energy and commodities markets, two EU diplomats said. MORE..

| April 21, 2026  9:52 pm
50 foreign nationals arrested for overstaying business visas

50 foreign nationals arrested for overstaying business visas

A total of 50 foreign nationals who had entered Sri Lanka on business visas and continued to remain illegally after their visas expired have been arrested this afternoon (21) by a group of officers from the Investigation Division of the Department of Immigration and Emigration. MORE..

| April 21, 2026  9:24 pm
PM instructs officials to expedite disaster relief and infrastructure restoration

PM instructs officials to expedite disaster relief and infrastructure restoration

Special attention should be given at the district level to expedite the payment of compensation for those affected by the Cyclone Ditwah and to accelerate reconstruction work, Prime Minister Dr. Harini Amarasuriya stated. MORE..

| April 21, 2026  8:58 pm
Pakistan urges US, Iran to consider extending 14-day ceasefire

Pakistan urges US, Iran to consider extending 14-day ceasefire

Pakistani Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar on Tuesday urged the United States and Iran to consider extending the 14-day ceasefire beyond its Wednesday deadline and “give dialogue and diplomacy a chance.” MORE..

| April 21, 2026  8:28 pm