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Bangladeshi national arrested with foreign cigarettes worth Rs. 5.1 mln at BIA
Bangladeshi national arrested with foreign cigarettes worth Rs. 5.1 mln at BIA
A foreign national who attempted to smuggle a stock of foreign cigarettes has been arrested by a group of Customs officers at the Bandaranaike International Airport (BIA). MORE..
| April 19, 2026 11:51 am
Trump ‘pulled’ into war by Netanyahu, says former VP
Trump ‘pulled’ into war by Netanyahu, says former VP
Former Vice-President Kamala Harris says Donald Trump has been ‘‘pulled’’ into war with Iran by Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. MORE..
Mother and daughter killed in suspected arson attack in Maharagama
Mother and daughter killed in suspected arson attack in Maharagama
A mother and her teenage daughter have been killed in a suspected arson attack at a two-storey residence in Maharagama, police said. MORE..
Trump hails Israel as ‘great ally,’ hits out at nations that ‘have shown their true colors’
Trump hails Israel as ‘great ally,’ hits out at nations that ‘have shown their true colors’
President Donald Trump has strongly defended Israel in a recent post on Truth Social, calling the country a ‘‘great ally’’ and praising its strength and resilience during times of conflict. MORE..
Indian Vice President arrives in Sri Lanka
Indian Vice President arrives in Sri Lanka
The Vice President of India, C. P. Radhakrishnan has arrived in Sri Lanka, a short while ago. MORE..
| April 19, 2026 9:42 am
NTC fines 80 buses for overcharging during New Year period
NTC fines 80 buses for overcharging during New Year period
The National Transport Commission (NTC) has taken action to fine 80 buses for overcharging passengers during the Sinhala and Tamil New Year period. MORE..
Trump, Iran cite progress in talks as uncertainty hangs over Strait
Trump, Iran cite progress in talks as uncertainty hangs over Strait
Iran’s top negotiator said recent talks with the U.S. had made progress but gaps remained over nuclear issues and the Strait of Hormuz, while President Donald Trump cited ‘‘very good conversations’‘ with Tehran despite warning against ‘‘blackmail’‘ over the key shipping channel. MORE..
Two bodies recovered after drowning incident in Nallachchiya Reservoir
Two bodies recovered after drowning incident in Nallachchiya Reservoir
Two bodies have been recovered inside a culvert along a canal carrying water from the left bank of the Nallachchiya Reservoir in Thambuttegama, police said. MORE..
Indian VP to arrive in Sri Lanka today; Special traffic plan announced
Indian VP to arrive in Sri Lanka today; Special traffic plan announced
The Vice President of India, C. P. Radhakrishnan is scheduled to arrive in Sri Lanka today (19) on an official visit. MORE..
Iran declares the Strait of Hormuz fully closed, state media reports
Iran declares the Strait of Hormuz fully closed, state media reports
The navy of Iran’s Revolutionary Guard Corps said it extended the closure to the corridor it had earlier designated for the safe passage of vessels through the strategic waterway and declared the strait fully closed until the U.S. blockade on Iranian ports and ships is lifted. MORE..
Shooting incident reported in residence at Midigama
Shooting incident reported in residence at Midigama
A shooting incident has been reported in the Midigama area last night (18) at around 11.40 p.m.MORE..
At least six killed in Kyiv as gunman opens fire and takes hostages
At least six killed in Kyiv as gunman opens fire and takes hostages
At least six people have been killed and others injured after a person opened fire in Kyiv on Saturday, Ukrainian officials say. MORE..
Fairly heavy rainfall expected in several parts of the island
Fairly heavy rainfall expected in several parts of the island
Atmospheric conditions will be favorable for afternoon thundershowers in most parts of the island from tomorrow (20), the Department of Meteorology said. MORE..
India summons Iran’s ambassador after Indian-flagged tankers shot at near Strait of Hormuz
India summons Iran’s ambassador after Indian-flagged tankers shot at near Strait of Hormuz
India on Saturday summoned Iran’s ambassador in New Delhi after two Indian vessels were forced to reverse course in the Strait of Hormuz following reports of gunfire from Iran’s Revolutionary Guard. MORE..
CBSL Chief discusses geopolitical risks and trade settlement mechanisms with China and India
CBSL Chief discusses geopolitical risks and trade settlement mechanisms with China and India
The Governor of the Central Bank of Sri Lanka (CBSL), Dr. Nandalal Weerasinghe held bilateral discussions with the Governor of the People’s Bank of China, Dr. Pan Gongsheng on the sidelines of the International Monetary Fund–World Bank Spring Meetings 2026. MORE..
2 Indian-flagged vessels attacked by Iran gunboats in Hormuz, crew safe: Sources
2 Indian-flagged vessels attacked by Iran gunboats in Hormuz, crew safe: Sources
Two Indian-flagged vessels were fired at by Iranian gunboats in the Strait of Hormuz today, sources have said. No one was injured and the vessels were not damaged, they said. The two ships, however, had to turn back after the incident northeast of Oman in the shipping lane critical for oil trade. MORE..
Iran got ‘a little cute’ but ‘very good conversations going on’ – Trump
Iran got ‘a little cute’ but ‘very good conversations going on’ – Trump
US President Donald Trump has addressed the latest developments in the Iran war as Tehran reversed its decision to reopen the Strait of Hormuz today. MORE..
India’s VP to expand outreach to Indian-origin Tamil community during Sri Lanka visit
India’s VP to expand outreach to Indian-origin Tamil community during Sri Lanka visit
In a wide-ranging diplomatic and people-centric engagement, Indian Vice President CP Radhakrishnan will hold talks with Sri Lanka’s top leadership and connect with the Indian-origin Tamil community during his two-day official visit beginning April 19, marking a significant milestone in bilateral ties between the two countries. MORE..
Iran says no date set for next round of negotiations with US
Iran says no date set for next round of negotiations with US
No date has been set for the next round of negotiations between Iran and the United States, Iran’s deputy foreign minister said on Saturday, adding that a framework of understanding must be agreed first. MORE..
Sri Lanka ratifies ILO convention on eliminating violence, harassment in workplaces
Sri Lanka ratifies ILO convention on eliminating violence, harassment in workplaces
Sri Lanka’s Permanent Representative to the United Nations in Geneva, Ambassador Sumith Dassanayake, has deposited the instrument of ratification of the Violence and Harassment Convention, 2019 (No. 190), with the Director-General of the International Labour Organization (ILO), Mr Gilbert F. Houngbo. MORE..
Merchant vessels report gunfire as they attempt to cross Hormuz – report
Merchant vessels report gunfire as they attempt to cross Hormuz – report
There have been reports of gunfire after at least two merchant vessels tried to pass through the Strait of Hormuz, the news agency Reuters reports, citing three maritime sources. MORE..
Special traffic plan announced for visit of Indian VP
Special traffic plan announced for visit of Indian VP
Sri Lanka Police has announced a special traffic plan to be implemented in view of the official visit of the Vice President of India, C. P. Radhakrishnan. MORE..
Separate incidents of violence against women trigger outrage and police action across Sri Lanka
Separate incidents of violence against women trigger outrage and police action across Sri Lanka
Three separate incidents involving violent attacks on women have been reported from Moragahahena, Gokarella, and Ragama, prompting police investigations and multiple arrests. MORE..
| April 18, 2026 3:16 pm
Passenger arrested with cigarettes worth over Rs. 5 mln at BIA
Passenger arrested with cigarettes worth over Rs. 5 mln at BIA
A Sri Lankan passenger attempting to smuggle a consignment of foreign-manufactured cigarettes and e-cigarettes valued at Rs. 5.53 million into the country was arrested by Customs officials at the Bandaranaike International Airport (BIA) in the early hours of today (18). MORE..
Strait of Hormuz ‘closed’ again, Iranian state media say
Strait of Hormuz ‘closed’ again, Iranian state media say
Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) headquarters said Saturday that the Strait of Hormuz has returned to its previous state of “strict management” following what it described as Washington’s repeated breaches of commitments by continued blockade. MORE..