Oil rises above $106 per barrel as US, Iran deadlocked in Strait of Hormuz

Oil prices have jumped on heightened tensions between the United States and Iran in the Strait of Hormuz following Washington and Tehran’s tit-for-tat captures of commercial vessels.

Two forest areas to be declared reserves during “Walk for Peace”

Two forest areas are to be declared as protected reserves today in connection with the ongoing “Walk for Peace” programme.

Medical data of half a million Britons listed for sale on Chinese website, government says

The medical data of half a million volunteers to Biobank, the UK’s health information database, has been offered for sale online, the government has said.

Tamil Nadu 2026 elections: Record 85% voter turnout

This live blog is now closedPolling to elect the 17 th Tamil Nadu Assembly was held on Thursday (April 23, 2026) from 7 a.m. till 6 p.m.

US says it does not object to Iran playing in World Cup but people with ties to IRGC won’t be allowed

U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio said on Thursday Washington had no objections to Iranian players participating in ​the 2026 FIFA World Cup but he added the players will ‌not be allowed to bring with them people with ties to Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC).

Former Afghanistan cricketer Shapoor Zadran battles life-threatening disease

Former Afghanistan cricketer Shapoor Zadran is battling for his life as he receives treatment for a rare life-threatening immune system disorder at a hospital in New Delhi, media reports say.

Iranian warship IRIS Booshehr still in SL waters despite crew repatriation

Despite more than 200 Iranian crew members rescued by Sri Lanka from two warships being repatriated, the Iranian Navy vessel IRIS Booshehr remains in Trincomalee waters after being detained in March 2026 following engine failure near Colombo in the aftermath of the sinking of IRIS Dena, the Daily Mirror learns.

Govt. should resign and hold a snap poll: Joint Opposition

Taking the government to task on a series of recent scams including the hacking of $ 2.5 million, the joint opposition yesterday said the entire Cabinet should resign and pave the way for a snap election.

Elsa 3 pellet cleanup expanded along Sri Lanka coast

Efforts to remove plastic pellets spilled from the Elsa 3, which sank off Kerala on May 25 last year, are being expanded as pollution continues to affect several coastal areas in Sri Lanka.

India slams Trump’s ’hellhole’ jibe, says comments uninformed, inappropriate

India on Thursday lashed out at US President Donald Trump for endorsing a post that described India as a ’’hellhole on the planet’’, saying such remarks were ’’uninformed, inappropriate and in poor taste’’, and that they did not reflect the true nature of bilateral ties.

Police probe sought over alleged USD 2.5 Mn Treasury payment misdirection

A complaint has been lodged with the Inspector General of Police calling for an immediate investigation into an alleged misdirection of a USD 2.5 million payment made by the Sri Lankan Treasury.

USD 2.5 million money heist - Who will bear the cost?

The NPP government is now facing a humiliating and serious financial scam which has robbed the people off USD 2.5 million from the state coffer, with senior Finance Ministry officials still unable to provide accurate answers as to where these monies went and who is responsible behind the theft.

Oneworld welcomes Hawaiian Airlines to alliance

The oneworld alliance has officially welcomed Hawaiian Airlines as its newest member, marking the addition of a third United States-based carrier alongside Alaska Airlines and American Airlines. The move also establishes Honolulu as a key global hub within the alliance’s network.

Lebanon-Israel ceasefire extended by three weeks

Lebanon and Israel extended their ceasefire for three weeks after a high-level meeting at the White House, U.S. President Donald ​Trump said on Thursday.

US special forces soldier arrested after allegedly winning $400,000 on Maduro raid

A US special forces soldier involved in the capture of Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro was arrested and charged for allegedly betting on that operation, netting him $400,000 in profits.

Sagarika train derails, coastal line disrupted

The Sagarika Express train operating from Beliatta to Maradana in Colombo has derailed between the North Kalutara and Wadduwa railway stations this morning, the Railways Department said.

Trump administration reclassifies cannabis as less dangerous

The US Department of Justice has officially reclassified cannabis as less dangerous, marking a major shift in the country’s drug policy.

Sri Lanka–UN talks focus on Haiti troop deployment standards

Discussions on the prospective deployment of Sri Lankan troops to Haiti under the proposed Gang Suppression Force (GSF), with a strong focus on operational readiness, compliance with UN standards, and adherence to human rights requirements, took centre stage during high-level talks between Sri Lanka and the United Nations in New York.

Govt reviews plan to place retiring sailors in global maritime jobs

Review progress on expanding foreign employment opportunities for retiring Sri Lanka Navy (SLN) personnel in the shipping and marine sector was the focus of a follow-up discussion held at the Office of the Deputy Minister of Defence in Colombo.

Market remains rangebound amid geopolitical uncertainty

The Colombo Stock Exchange ended the session on a subdued note, with both indices posting marginal losses as uncertainty surrounding the Middle East conflict continued to cloud investor sentiment. With no clear directional cues emerging, the market opened in a stalemate and remained largely rangebound throughout the day.

Deadline for 2026 GCE A/L applications ends tomorrow

The Examinations Department announced that the deadline for submitting applications for the General Certificate of Education (GCE ) Advanced Level Examination (A/L) Examination 2026 falls at 12:00 midnight tomorrow (24).

US forces board sanctioned ship in Indian Ocean, defence department says

US forces have interdicted a sanctioned vessel that is transporting oil from Iran, the country’s defence department has posted on X.

Young man remanded for secretly filming bathing neighbour

A man who had allegedly recorded a video of a neighbouring woman while she was bathing and had sent it to one of her friends was ordered to be remanded till May 4 by Colombo Chief Magistrate Asanga S. Bodaragama today.

Trump orders Navy to ‘shoot and kill any boat’ laying mines in Hormuz Strait

President Donald Trump on Thursday said he has ordered the U.S. Navy “to shoot and kill any boat” that is laying mines in the Strait of Hormuz.

Lebanon to seek ceasefire extension in U.S.-hosted talks with Israel

The ​U.S. will host a second meeting between Lebanese and Israeli envoys on Thursday (April 23, 2026), with Beirut seeking the ‌extension of a ceasefire between Israel and Hezbollah, a day after Israeli strikes ​killed at least five people including a journalist.

Applications deadline for ‘Presidential Environment Awards – 2026’ extended to May 15

The Central Environmental Authority (CEA) has announced an extension of the application deadline for the “Presidential Environment Awards – 2026” programme until May 15, 2026, following requests from prospective applicants.

Qatar Airways resumes daily Dubai, Sharjah flights as UAE travel links restored

Travellers in the UAE will once again have more flight options as Qatar Airways resumes daily services to Dubai and Sharjah from April 23, marking a key step in restoring regional connectivity.

MK Stalin, Vijay, EPS face high-stakes battles in key Tamil Nadu seats

The electoral battlelines are drawn, and voting day is here in Tamil Nadu, which goes to the polls in a single phase on April 23. The ruling DMK – in alliance with Congress and DMDK – faces AIADMK, which has tied up with BJP and PMK.

Australia assisting probe into payment issues

The Australian High Commission in Colombo said that it is aware of irregularities related to payments owed to the Australian Government, according to a statement posted on X.

Complaint lodged with IGP over alleged misdirection of USD 2.5 million Treasury payment

A complaint has been lodged with the Inspector General of Police calling for an immediate investigation into an alleged misdirection of a USD 2.5 million payment made by the Sri Lankan Treasury.