Sun directly overhead across Sri Lanka

The sun will be directly overhead across Sri Lanka from April 5 to 15, due to its apparent northward movement, said the Department of Meteorology.

12-hour water cut in Padukka tonight

A 12-hour water cut will be imposed in Padukka and surrounding areas from 8.00 pm today till 8.00 am tomorrow, the National Water Supply and Drainage Board (NWSDB) said.

Two Chinese passengers nabbed at BIA for cigarette smuggling attempt

Two Chinese passengers were arrested by a team of Customs officers at the Bandaranaike International Airport, (BIA), this morning while attempting to smuggle a stock of cigarettes worth Rs. 3.63 million through the “Green Channel” without declaration.

Trump confirms rescue of US officer, says ‘we got him’

The US president is now confirming the rescue of the weapons officer who went missing after his F-15E jet was shot down over Iran.

Iran executes two men involved in January protests judiciary news outlet says

Iran executed two men convicted of attempting to storm a ​military facility and access an armoury ‌during unrest in January, the Mizan news outlet of its judiciary said on Sunday.

US says it has arrested relatives of late Iranian ​general Qasem ​Soleimani

The niece and grand-niece of the deceased commander of the Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corps, Gen Qasem Soleimani, have been arrested, the US state department has said.

Gates of hell will open for you’: Iran rejects Trump’s ‘helpless’ 48-hour ultimatum to reopen Strait of Hormuz

Iran on Saturday rejected US President Donald Trump’s ‘48-hour ultimatum’, in which he threatened to destroy the nation’s essential infrastructure if a deal is not reached within the stipulated time.

Sri Lanka postpones VAT on digital services until July 1

The government has further postponed the implementation of an 18% Value Added Tax (VAT) on digital services supplied by non-resident providers through electronic platforms until July 1, according to a circular issued by the Inland Revenue Department.

GMOA launches island-wide token strike today

The Government Medical Officers’ Association (GMOA) has announced that its island-wide token strike will commence today (05) at 08.00 a.m., following a decision taken at its Executive Council meeting held yesterday.

Northern railway line train services to resume from April 9

The Railways Department has announced that train services along the Northern Railway Line will resume from April 9, following the completion of reconstruction work on sections damaged by Cyclone Ditwah.

Trump warns Iran has 48 hours to reopen Strait of Hormuz

US President Donald Trump recalls his twice-delayed threat to bomb Iran’s energy sites if it doesn’t open the Strait of Hormuz, which expires on Monday.

Sajith did attend Gammanpila’s book launch

Opposition Leader Sajith Premadasa did attend the launch of the book ’Searching for the Mastermind of the Easter Sunday Attacks’ written by former Minister Udaya Gammanpila, MP Mujibur Rahman confirmed today.

GMOA strike baseless, no room for talks – Minister

The strike launched by the Government Medical Officers’ Association (GMOA) over the appointment system for doctors who have completed their internship has no basis for discussion, Minister of Health and Mass Media Nalinda Jayatissa said.

Over Rs. 6 million spent to train a doctor: Minister

The government spends more than Rs. 6 million of public tax money to produce a single doctor, Rural Development, Social Security and Community Empowerment Minister, Upali Pannila said today.

NWSDB to further trim duration of water cuts in Colombo areas

The National Water Supply and Drainage Board (NWSDB) has announced plans to further shorten the duration of scheduled water cuts in several areas across Colombo.

Venerable Dr. Kirinde Assaji Thera honoured with lifetime achievement award in UK

Venerable Dr. Kirinde Assaji Thera has been awarded a Lifetime Achievement Award by Canterbury Christ Church University in recognition of his global spiritual leadership and decades of community service.

Indian buying Iranian crude without any payment hurdle

Indian refiners are buying crude from Iran as part of their efforts to secure oil supplies amid the disruption in energy flows due to the West Asia war and there are no payment-related hurdles in paying for Iranian oil, the government said Saturday.

‘1990 Suwa Seriya’ opens new head office in Colombo

The new head office of the 1990 Suwa Seriya Foundation was officially inaugurated today (April 4) under the patronage of Health and Media Minister Nalinda Jayatissa.

Thundershowers with severe lightning expected

Thundershowers accompanied by severe lightning are likely to occur in several parts of the country after 1.00 p.m. today, the Meteorology Department said.

Iran, US race to recover missing crew member of crashed American fighter jet

Iranian and American forces raced each other Saturday to recover a crew member of the first US fighter jet to go down inside Iran since the start of the war.

Indian art record: Ravi Varma painting fetches $17.9m

A 19th-century masterpiece by Raja Ravi Varma has sold for a record $17.9 million at an auction in Mumbai, setting a new benchmark for Indian art and underscoring its growing global value.

Water levels low at Kalatuwawa and Labugama

The capacity of Kalatuwawa and Labugama reservoirs have been fast swindling due to the prolonged dry weather. The water supply to Colombo and its suburbs depend on these two reservoirs. This has resulted in intermittent water cuts to manage the situation. National Water Supply and Drainage Board has requested consumers to use water sparingly.

Omani, French and Japanese vessels transit the Strait of Hormuz

A French container ship, three Oman-linked tankers and a Japanese-owned gas carrier have crossed ⁠⁠the Strait of Hormuz, as some vessels make the passage through the contested waterway.

Petrol price drops to Rs378 as Pakistan PM cuts levy amid backlash

ISLAMABAD: Just a day after an unprecedented surge in petroleum prices, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Friday announced a major relief measure, slashing the petroleum levy by Rs80 per litre and bringing the price of petrol down to Rs378 per litre.

Reduce taxes, tariff; Opposition MPs tell IMF

Opposition MPs who met the visiting IMF delegation at the parliamentary complex requested them to intervene in getting the Sri Lankan government to grant tax and tariff cuts.

Food prices spiked in March as Middle East conflict drove up energy costs

Food prices rose sharply in March as war in the Middle East drove up energy prices and freight costs around the world, a UN report says.

Afternoon showers expected across island

Showers or thundershowers are expected in most parts of the island after 1.00 p.m. today, according to the weather forecast issued at 5.30 a.m.

Justice for daily wage earner: SC awards Rs. 225,000 for police abuse

While awarding Rs. 225,000 in compensation to a daily wage earner for unlawful arrest, detention and torture by three policemen attached to the Hanwella Police Station in 2023, the Supreme Court held that the Constitution does not permit law enforcement authorities to treat individuals differently based on prejudice or social profiling, particularly on account of their poor economic status.

TPA secures direct Presidential mechanism for hill country Tamil issues

A high-level meeting between President Anura Kumara Dissanayake and the Tamil Progressive Alliance (TPA), led by MP Mano Ganesan, has resulted in a key administrative step aimed at addressing issues faced by the Indian-origin Malayaha Tamil community.

Russian oil unlikely anytime soon

Sri Lanka is unlikely to secure a shipment of Russian oil anytime soon, as logistical arrangements are still under discussion while the one-month US sanctions waiver is due to expire on April 11, the Daily Mirror learns.