Expressways generate over Rs. 100 million revenue on April 11, 12

Over Rs. 100 million in revenue was generated from expressway tolls on April 11 and 12, according to R.A.D. Kahatapitiya, Director of the Expressway Operation, Maintenance, and Management Division.

Heat index forecast warns of caution levels for 14 districts

While issuing a warm weather advisory today, the Natural Hazards Early Warning Centre of the Meteorology Department said that the temperature felt by the human body is expected to rise to caution levels.

Conquer adversity and work for a future of shared success during the new year: Sajith

Opposition Leader Sajith Premadasa today urged all Sri Lankans to navigate the road ahead, conquer adversity and work toward a future of shared success in the New Year.

Magnitude 5.6 earthquake jolts Myanmar

A magnitude 5.6 earthquake struck Myanmar on Sunday, the European Mediterranean Seismological Centre (EMSC) said, with no immediate reports of news casualties or property damage.

Police open fire at hijacked car in Kotahena

Police opened fire at a car that was fleeing after being hijacked in Kotahena last night.

Navy intercepts local fishing trawler smuggling over 100 kgs of Ice, heroin

Six suspects were arrested with 77 kilograms and 484 grams of heroin and 42 kilograms and 334 grams of Methamphetamine (Ice) during a special operation on the high seas by the Sri Lanka Navy.

Thundershowers expected in parts of the country: Met Department

Showers or thundershowers are expected at a few places in the Central, Sabaragamuwa, Western, Southern, and Uva Provinces, as well as in the Ampara and Batticaloa districts during the afternoon or night, the Forecasting Division of the National Meteorological Centre said.

Herbal bath marks farewell to the old year

In a deeply symbolic tradition observed across the country, communities gathered today (April 13), to perform the customary Ritual Bath for the Old Year, marking the end of one cycle and preparing to welcome the new.

Trump exempts smartphones and computers from new tariffs

US President Donald Trump’s administration has exempted smartphones and computers from reciprocal tariffs, including the 125% levies imposed on Chinese imports.

NCPA launches investigation into inhumane punishment of Grade 3 students

The National Child Protection Authority (NCPA) has launched an investigation into the inhumane punishment of Grade 3 students at a boys’ school in the Colombo Education Zone, NCPA Law Enforcement Director, Ms. Sajeewani Abeykoon said.

WhatsApp down: Users unable to send messages

Meta-owned social media giant WhatsApp was down for several users globally on Saturday (Apr 12), according to outage tracking website Downdetector.

Navy seizes over 100kg of heroin and ICE

The Sri Lanka Navy seized more than 100 kilograms of heroin and crystal methamphetamine (ICE) during a special maritime operation off the island’s western coast early this morning.

Getting ready for New Year

SriLankan cabin crew begin ’work to rule’ over meal allowance

The SriLankan Airlines Cabin Crew Members Association has launched a ’work to rule’ campaign, citing several demands, including the reallocation of their onboard meal allowance.

‘Bak’ full moon poya day.

Devotees are seen engaging in religious observances at the Bellanwila Rajamaha Viharaya in Colombo today on ‘Bak’ Full Moon Poya Day. The significance of Bak Poya is that it marks Buddha’s second visit to Sri Lanka. Pix by Nisal Baduge

CEB requests rooftop solar owners to temporarily switch off systems

The Ceylon Electricity Board (CEB) appeals to all rooftop solar system owners across the country to voluntarily switch off their systems during daytime hours—till 3:00 PM each day—from April 13 to April 21.

Pilleyan detained for 90 days

The Criminal Investigation Department (CID) has obtained a 90-day detention order for the further interrogation of former State Minister Sivanesathurai Chandrakanthan, also known as ’Pilleyan’, police said.

England’s record wicket-taker Jimmy Anderson awarded a knighthood

Jimmy Anderson is to be awarded a knighthood for “services to cricket” a year on from the final Test of his record-breaking England career.

Small plane crashes in Florida; all 3 on board killed

All three people on board a small plane were killed when the aircraft crashed in Boca Raton, Florida, on Friday morning, according to local officials and the Federal Aviation Administration.

Trump signs executive order on water pressure to ‘restore shower freedom’

A global trade-war rollercoaster was not enough to distract Donald Trump from fulfilling one of his longtime priorities on Wednesday: changing the federal definition of “shower head”, a move the White House said would “end the Obama-Biden war on water pressure”.

Bank card payments for expressway tolls to be implemented from May 1

Bank card transactions will be implemented from May 1 to facilitate toll payments on all expressways, Transport Minister Bimal Rathnayake announced.

Awareness programme held on new GovPay system for traffic fine payments

A special awareness programme was held today to inform the public about the pilot project enabling traffic fine payments through the GovPay online system. The event took place at the Government Information Department.

Pope Francis seen without usual papal attire

Pope Francis has been seen without his traditional papal attire as he visited St Peter’s Basilica on Thursday.

Lankan man, dog electrocuted in Malaysia during Shah Alam flood

A Sri Lankan man and a dog were found dead, believed to have been electrocuted, during a flood at a construction material storage facility in Taman Alam Indah, Section 25, here today.

Verite Research calls for united response for US tariff

Colombo based think-tank Verite Research called on the Sri Lankan government, and the world, to forge a multilateral approach in tacking the recently announced US tariff.

Market declines amid global caution and pre-holiday positioning

ASPI and S&P SL 20 indices ended lower today, as investor sentiment turned cautious ahead of the upcoming holiday season and amid continued global macroeconomic headwinds.

US has no capacity to impose its will on the rest of the world: Ranil

The U.S. does not have the economic capacity to impose its will on the rest of the world, former President Ranil Wickremesinghe said today.

No special access for elites at sacred tooth relic exposition

There will be no special queues or tickets for elite individuals during the exposition of yhe Sacred Tooth Relic of the Buddha, which is open to the public, Deputy Chief Prelate of the Asgiri Chapter and Deputy Secretary Venerable Narampanawa Ananda Thera said.

Special New Year open visits arranged for prisoners

The Prisons Department has announced special open visits for inmates on April 13 and 14 to mark the Sinhala and Tamil New Year, Prisons Commissioner and Media Spokesman Gamini B. Dissanayaka said.

No Rs.10,000 payout for migrant workers: SLBFE

The Sri Lanka Bureau of Foreign Employment (SLBFE) denied the content of a video circulating on YouTube, which falsely claims that the Bureau will provide migrant workers with Rs. 10,000 for the Sinhala and Tamil New Year.