Japan issues rare special advisory over chance of more powerful quake

Authorities have warned residents of northeastern Japan to prepare for an even larger earthquake after a magnitude 7.7 quake struck off the coast of Iwate on Monday, triggering tsunami across a broad swath of the area.

Trump ‘considering’ lifting naval blockade

Donald Trump will consider lifting the US blockade of the Strait of Hormuz in order to overcome the deadlock in peace talks.

PCB imposes one-year PSL ban on Dasun Shanaka for contract breach

The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) on Monday announced imposing a two-year ban on Sri Lanka’s T20I captain Dasun Shanaka from participating in the Pakistan Super League (PSL) over his ’’unilateral withdrawal’’ from the ongoing 11th edition.

Fire at Rajasthan refinery site a day before PM Modi’s inauguration

A fire broke out at the Pachpadra Refinery in Balotra on Monday afternoon — just a day before its scheduled inauguration by Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

UNP denies social media report on May Day rally

The United National Party (UNP) today denied the social media report which said the party is to hold a joint May Day rally with other parties.

Excise Department earns record revenue in first quarter of 2026

The Sri Lanka Excise Department has earned a record revenue of Rs. 70.4 billion in the first quarter of 2026, exceeding the set revenue target of Rs. 61.95 billion for the same period.

Anura Karunathilaka sworn in as Energy Minister

President Anura Kumara Dissanayake has appointed Anura Karunathilaka as the new Minister of Energy.

Philippines, US and allies start military exercises testing ’real‑world’ readiness

Philippine and U.S. forces will carry out maritime strike drills on a remote Philippine ‌island near Taiwan during annual exercises that started on Monday, which Manila’s military chief said would test their readiness under ’’real‑world conditions’’.

No disruption to construction projects despite Middle East conflict: Minister

Transport, Highways and Urban Development Minister Bimal Rathnayake has said that there is no interruption to ongoing construction projects in the country despite the prevailing conflict in the Middle East.

Six foreign envoys present credentials to President

Two High Commissioners, three Ambassadors and an Apostolic Nuncio-designate of the Holy See presented their credentials to Anura Kumara Dissanayake at the Presidential Secretariat this morning (20).

Three injured in Watawala three-wheeler plunge

Three persons were injured when a three-wheeler carrying a family veered off the road and plunged nearly 50 feet into a ravine in the Carolina area of Watawala along the Hatton–Colombo main road on Monday (20), police said.

Tehran has ‘no plans to participate’ in new talks

Tehran is not currently planning to take part in new talks with the US, Iran state media reported on Sunday evening, as its military accused America of violating a fragile ceasefire between the two countries, hours after Donald Trump said he was dispatching negotiators to Islamabad.

Major 7.4-magnitude quake hits off Japan, tsunami warning issued

An earthquake ‌with a preliminary magnitude of 7.4 struck off ​the northeastern coast of ​Japan on Monday afternoon, ⁠the Japan Meteorological ​Agency said.

Steps to regulate boat services after Gregory Lake incident

Nuwara Eliya Mayor Upali Wanigasekera says that measures will be taken to regulate boat services following an incident in which two tourist boats capsized at Gregory Lake.

Ex-Minister Piyasena Gamage granted bail in corruption case

Former Minister of Skills Development and Vocational Training, Piyasena Gamage, who was arrested by the Commission to Investigate Allegations of Bribery or Corruption over corruption charges, was today ordered to be released on bail by Colombo Chief Magistrate Asanga S. Bodaragama.

Over 21,000 food establishments inspected during festive season raids: PHI

A special island-wide food safety inspection programme carried out during the festive season has resulted in widespread inspections and enforcement actions, according to the Sri Lanka Public Health Inspectors Association.

SLPP to gear up for political comeback in New Year: MR

Former President Mahinda Rajapaksa indicated that a “significant plan” is in place aimed at regaining political power in the New Year, stating that a political shift is imminent and that the party is fully prepared for it.

Student volunteer initiative launched at Jaffna uni

A new student-led volunteer initiative aimed at strengthening community engagement and social responsibility has been launched at the University of Jaffna.

Severe lightning and thundershowers expected after 1.00 p.m. – Met Department

The Meteorology Department has warned that thundershowers accompanied by severe lightning are likely to occur in most parts of the island after 1.00 p.m. today.

Uncertain of joint opposition May Day rally: Sujeewa

Responding to speculation on a joint May Day rally by some parties in the Opposition, Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB) MP Sujeewa Senasinghe said today that it is not possible to come up with a definite word about it.

Delay in coal environmental report “suspicious” – Dr. Chamal Sanjeewa

The Doctors’ Trade Union Alliance for Medical and Civil Rights has raised concerns over the delayed publication of an environmental impact assessment related to recently imported substandard coal shipments to Sri Lanka.

Tehran vows swift response after US seizes Iranian-flagged vessel

The US says it has attacked and seized an Iranian-flagged cargo vessel it said had tried to evade its naval blockade near the Strait of Hormuz on Sunday. Tehran’s joint military command vowed to respond, throwing the fate of a fragile ceasefire into question days before it expires.

Harsha defends HSBC CEO’s comment on Sri Lanka’s oil purchase

Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB) MP Harsha de Silva yesterday referred to Daily Mirror report published under the title ’CPC rejects US dollars 286 per barrel claim, threatens legal action’’ and alleged that there has been an attempt to manipulate the statement made by the HSBC CEO.

Indian Vice President visits Nuwara Eliya to inspect housing project

Indian Vice President C.P. Radhakrishnan arrived in Nuwara Eliya this morning (20) to inspect the progress of the Indian-funded housing project for the Indian-origin Tamil community.

Island-wide police sweep nets over 600 suspects; 98 arrested on open warrants

Sri Lanka Police have arrested 98 individuals with open warrants during a series of special island-wide crime prevention and anti-narcotics operations conducted across all police divisions.

Two foreign journalists nabbed at BIA with ‘Kush’ worth Rs. 64 mn

Two foreign social media journalists were arrested this morning (20) by officers of the Airport Police Narcotics Bureau for attempting to smuggle a stock of “Kush” drugs valued at over Rs. 64 million.

Low-floor priority bus service for persons with disabilities to begin tomorrow

A low-floor priority bus service for persons with disabilities will commence tomorrow (21) from the Makumbura Multimodal Center (MMC), the Transport, Highways and Urban Development Ministry said.

Expressways generate Rs. 48.5 mn in 24 hours; nearly Rs. 490 mn earned over 10 days

Traffic on the expressways (E01, E02, E03 and E04) generated a total revenue of Rs. 48,500,040 during the 24-hour period from midnight on April 19 to midnight on April 20, 2026, according to an official traffic summary.

GMOA comes under criticism from rank and file

The recent strike launched by the Government Medical Officers’ Association (GMOA) has come under criticism, with sources claiming it was poorly organized and failed to pressure the Government.

NIC one-day service resumes as system restored from today.

The Department of Registration of Persons has announced that all public services, including the one-day service for issuing National Identity Cards (NICs), will resume from today (20).