Festive food raids surge: 817 legal cases filed

Public Health Inspectors (PHIs) have carried out 967 food safety raids islandwide during the ongoing festive season, resulting in 817 legal cases being filed against violators.

After 16 years in power, Hungarian Prime Minister concedes defeat

Hungarian voters on Sunday ousted long-serving Prime Minister Viktor Orbán after 16 years in power, rejecting the authoritarian policies and global far-right movement that he embodied in favour of a pro-European challenger in a bombshell election result with global repercussions.

April 19 declared day of prayers for Easter Sunday attack victims

The Catholic church in Sri Lanka has declared April 19, 2026 as a day of prayer for the victims of the Easter Sunday bomb attacks, Archbishop of Colombo Cardinal Malcolm Ranjith said today.

Orbán era swept away by Péter Magyar’s Hungary election landslide

Viktor Orbán’s 16 years in power is over, and the system condemned as an ’’electoral autocracy’’ lies in tatters, defeated by a 45-year-old former party insider who convinced a majority of Hungarians to bring it to an end.

Trump criticizes Pope Leo’s stance on Iran war, says he’s ‘not a fan’ of Catholic leader

President Donald Trump strongly criticized Pope Leo XIV on Sunday evening, denouncing his stance on the Iran war and saying he’s “terrible for foreign policy.”

Consumer Affairs Authority extends special raid until April 30

The Consumer Affairs Authority (CAA) said that its special raid and investigation programme launched for the festive season will continue until April 30.

Oil back above $100 as US to blockade Iranian ports after peace talks fail

Oil prices rose back above $100 a barrel as energy markets reopened in Asia on Monday after talks between the US and Iran ended without a new deal and President Donald Trump said he would blockade Iranian ports.

Iran will not yield to any threats: Ghalibaf

Bagher Ghalibaf, the Speaker of Iran’s parliament, has stated that his country will not submit to any threats from the United States.

Trump claims he could ‘take out Iran in one day’ after saying military was ‘LOCKED AND LOADED’

President Donald Trump told Fox News host Maria Bartiromo that he could “take Iran out in one day,” hours after his vice president emerged from talks in Islamabad without an agreement to end the war with Iran.

Two Pakistan Navy ships arrive in Colombo

The Pakistan Navy Ships (PNS) ’Taimur’ and ’Aslat’ arrived at the Port of Colombo today, on a goodwill visit. The visiting vessels were accorded a traditional welcome by the Sri Lanka Navy in keeping with established naval customs.

Over 55,000 depart Makumbura transport hub for New Year travel

The National Transport Commission (NTC) says that approximately 55,000 passengers have departed from the Makumbura Multimodal Centre (MMC) to their hometowns since April 8, marking the start of travel for the Sinhala and Hindu New Year season.

IRGC threatens to trap enemies in ‘deadly whirlpools’ of Hormuz

Iran’s Revolutionary Guards has warned that “any miscalculated move will trap the enemy in the deadly whirlpools in the Strait”.

Legal action against buses used for unauthorized passenger transportation

Authorities have launched a special operation to take legal action against buses engaged in unauthorized passenger transportation around the country.

Trump orders US naval blockade of Strait of Hormuz

President Donald Trump on Sunday ordered a US naval blockade of the Strait of Hormuz in response to Iran’s ’’unyielding’’ refusal to give up its nuclear ambitions during failed peace talks in Islamabad.

Jayasinghe siblings shine as U-20 Basketball Champions

Methika Jayasinghe and Binuthi Jayasinghe delivered exceptional performances at the recently concluded All-Island Under-20 Basketball Championship, securing championship titles and earning the prestigious Most Valuable Player (MVP) awards in their respective categories.

$1bn, a bride or a breakup: Uganda general’s bizarre ultimatum to Turkey

Uganda’s army chief Muhoozi Kainerugaba has sparked a diplomatic controversy after demanding $1 billion from Turkey along with what he described as “the most beautiful woman” in the country, while threatening to sever ties if his conditions are not met.

Sri Lanka on affected list as police clearance mandatory in UAE visa rule

The United Arab Emirates (UAE) has introduced a new visa regulation making police clearance certificates mandatory for applicants from selected countries, with Sri Lanka included on the list.

Special bus services launched for festive season travel

A special transport service plan has been launched to provide efficient travel facilities to the public during the festive season, with both long-distance and short-distance bus services operating from Colombo.

Six nabbed in Jaffna for illegal night diving

Six individuals have been apprehended by the Sri Lanka Navy for engaging in illegal night diving to harvest sea cucumbers during a search operation carried out at Nagar Kovil Beach in Jaffna.

Iranian official says ‘no one expected’ a deal in one meeting

The spokesperson for Iran’s Foreign Ministry has spoken with Iranian media after JD Vance’s comments.

Iran aims to restore majority of refining capability within two months, oil ministry official says

Iran expects to restore most ​damaged refining and ‌distribution facilities to 70–80% of their pre-attack ​capacity within one ​to two months, a ⁠senior oil official ​said, as authorities ​work to recover from a wave of strikes on ​energy infrastructure.

Matheesha Pathirana set to join KKR ahead of CSK clash

Sri Lankan pacer Matheesha Pathirana is likely to join the Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) squad ahead of their clash against Chennai Super Kings (CSK) on Tuesday, as per Times of India. The move comes as a much-needed boost for KKR’s depleted bowling attack.

NASA’s Artemis II crew speaks for first time after historic mission

The Artemis II astronauts received a hero’s welcome at NASA’s Houston base after returning from a record-setting deep-space mission.

Low quality coal: 250 gigawat hours of electricity to be lost

As many as 250 gigawatt-hours of electricity are expected to be lost over the three-month period of April, May, and June due to the use of inferior-quality coal, an Opposition politician alleged.

Legendary singer Asha Bhosle dies

Legendary singer Asha Bhosle, considered one of the greatest vocalists in modern Indian music, has died at the age of 92. The singer was admitted to Mumbai’s Breach Candy hospital on Saturday after she experienced cardiac and respiratory issues. Sources told HT that the singer had not been keeping well for the last few months and was brought to the hospital in a critical state. She was admitted to the ICU on Saturday night.

Suspect arrested over damage to newly reopened Pettah Bus Stand

A suspect has been arrested in connection with an incident of property damage at the recently renovated Pettah Central Bus Stand, Police said.

Severe lightning warning issued for several provinces

The Meteorology Department has issued a warning of thundershowers accompanied by severe lightning expected to occur in several parts of the country after 1.00 p.m. today.

Asha Bhosle remains in critical condition, PM Modi expresses concern

Legendary playback singer Asha Bhosle has been hospitalised at Mumbai’s Breach Candy Hospital after her health took a sudden turn on Saturday.

No coal cost burden in electricity tariffs: PUCSL

The Public Utilities Commission of Sri Lanka (PUCSL) has decided to exclude additional costs arising from the coal situation from electricity tariff revisions.

US-Iran peace talks: Australia urges both sides to return to negotiations

Australian Foreign Minister Penny Wong has called on the US and Iran to uphold the ceasefire and resume talks.