Australia appoints woman to lead its army for the first time

Australia on Monday said a woman would lead its army for the first time in history, as part of a reshuffle of ​the country’s defence force leadership.

Crowds gather ahead of iconic Indian singer’s funeral

Crowds are gathering ahead of the funeral as tributes continue to pour in for Bollywood singing legend Asha Bhosle, who died at the age of 92.

Britney Spears goes into rehab after driving under the influence arrest

Britney Spears has gone into rehab, a month after she was arrested on suspicion of driving under the influence of alcohol and drugs.

Oil jumps more than 7% to above $102 ahead of US blockade on Iran

Oil prices jumped back above $100 a barrel on Monday as the U.S. Navy prepared ‌to block ships to and from Iran via the Strait of Hormuz, a move that could restrict Iranian oil exports, after Washington and Tehran failed to reach a deal to end the war.

’Don’t fear him’: Pope Leo pushes back against Trump, says he won’t back down on war criticism

Pope Leo on Monday pushed back against Trump, saying he did not fear him and would continue speaking out against war, including the conflict involving Iran, despite sharp criticism from the US president.

Large cocaine smuggling attempt stopped at BIA; Ugandan woman arrested

Sri Lanka Customs officers have stopped a large cocaine smuggling attempt at the Bandaranaike International Airport (BIA) this morning, officials said.

Record prize money pot announced for Women’s T20 World Cup 2026

The International Cricket Council (ICC) has announced a record prize fund of US$8,764,615 for the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup 2026, marking a 10% increase on the 2024 edition.

HRCSL finds FR violations in arrest, suspension of Thushara Upuldeniya

The Human Rights Commission of Sri Lanka (HRCSL) has determined that the arrest and subsequent suspension of former Commissioner General of Prisons Thushara Upuldeniya amounted to violations of his Fundamental Rights, in connection with investigations into the alleged unlawful release of an inmate from the Anuradhapura Prison.

Peru’s presidential election delayed as voting chaos forces extension

Peruvian voters will have to wait until at least Monday to learn the outcome of Sunday’s presidential election after the process was mired in logistical issues that left thousands of people in the country and abroad unable to cast ballots.

Fuel oil shipment arrives at Colombo port

A shipment of fuel oil required for electricity generation arrived at the Colombo Port Dolphin Jetty last evening aboard the vessel Sea Adventure.

Audio clip on coal tender ‘Distorted’, says Lanka Coal Chairman

The Lanka Coal Company (Pvt) Ltd has rejected claims circulating on social media regarding a telephone conversation linked to its emergency coal procurement process.

Gout Gout ’shakes’ athletics world after eclipsing Usain Bolt record

Australian sprinter Gout Gout has stunned at the national athletics championships with a 200m time that eclipsed Usain Bolt’s under-20s record.

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.