Doctors to continue ongoing strike, challenge Health Minister

The Government Medical Officers’ Association (GMOA) announced that its strike action will continue from 8.00 a.m. tomorrow (04), citing unresolved concerns over what it describes as unfair transfers.

Water cut duration reduced to 18 hours

The National Water Supply and Drainage Board has announced that the ongoing 24-hour water cut imposed in several areas will be reduced to 18 hours.

Pakistan hikes fuel prices sharply amid spiralling Mideast conflict

Pakistan on Thursday hiked consumer ​prices for diesel and petrol sharply, its second increase in less than ‌a month, amid rising global oil prices spurred by the conflict in the Middle East.

Cuba to free 2,010 prisoners from island jails in ’sovereign gesture’

Cuba on Thursday said ​it would free more than 2,000 prisoners from the ‌island’s jails, according to state-run media, the second time this year its communist-run government has announced a prisoner amnesty amid talks with the administration of ​U.S. president Donald Trump.

Brent crude hovers around $109 a barrel as war continues

Oil prices have surged following Trump’s renewed threats to destroy Iranian infrastructure.

Myanmar’s coup leader elected president by pro-military parliament

Myanmar’s coup leader has won a parliamentary vote to become the ⁠country’s president, formalising his grip on political power in the war-torn nation five years after he ousted an elected government.

US-based monks to lead Peace Walk in Sri Lanka

A discussion on providing state patronage for the upcoming “Walk for Peace Programme in Sri Lanka” was held at the Presidential Secretariat, with the participation of a group of Venerable monks who recently completed a 110-day peace walk across 10 states in the United States, from Texas to Washington.

Kuwait oil refinery damaged in drone attack

Kuwait’s state news agency said on X that an oil refinery in Al Ahmadi, operated by the Kuwait Petroleum Corporation, was attacked in an early morning drone strike on Friday.

Police arrest 147 foreign nationals in Chilaw hotel raid

Police arrested 147 foreign nationals during a raid conducted at a hotel in Iranavila, Chilaw, police said.

Heavy rains in Nuwara Eliya

Heavy thunder showers were experienced in several areas in the Nuwara Eliya district last evening, much to the relief of the people who had been affected by the prolonged dry weather and intense heat.

Proposal to extend retirement age of SC and AC judges will create unrest in state sector

The Government’s proposal to extend the retirement age of only Supreme Court (SC) and Appeal Court (AC) judges will create unrest in the legal fraternity and the state sector as a whole, the Opposition alleged yesterday.

Rains predicted in most parts of island

Amid the prevailing hot weather, the Department of Meteorology has predicted the return of rains, with atmospheric conditions becoming favourable for afternoon thundershowers in most parts of the island.

Doctors urge parents to bathe children twice daily

Amid predicted water cuts, medical experts have urged parents to ensure their children bathe at least twice a day to prevent dehydration and heat-related illnesses due to rising temperatures across the country.

Trump levels new threats against Iran, says bridges ‘next’

Trump has levelled a series of new threats against Iran, warning that the US military “hasn’t even started” destroying what remains of Iranian infrastructure.

Are we running out of drinking water?

Major reservoirs supplying fresh water to thousands of households in the main Colombo District is soon drying up posing a threat of drinking water becoming scarce in the coming weeks.

US Army chief of staff fired by Hegseth, sources say

U.S. Army Chief ​of Staff Randy George was fired on Thursday by Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, three U.S. defense officials told Reuters, in ‌the latest purge among the Pentagon’s most senior ranks.

NDB probes Rs. 380 mn internal fraud

National Development Bank PLC (NDB) said it has launched a probe into an internal fraud involving employees and third parties, with early estimates pointing to a potential loss of about 380 million Sri Lankan rupees, that could rise.

Canadian national nabbed with over 21kg of Kush at BIA

A 42-year-old Canadian national was arrested by the Police Narcotic Bureau (PNB) at the Bandaranaike International Airport (BIA) early this morning. The arrest took place at the arrival terminal following a specialized operation conducted by the airport unit of the PNB.

’Be serious... don’t speak every day’: Macron criticises Trump approach to Iran war

The Iran war requires a ’’serious’’ approach that does not change every day, Emmanuel Macron has said, in an apparent reference to US President Donald Trump’s seemingly contradictory remarks about the conflict.

Moscow to compensate families of Sri Lankan forces killed in Russia

Russian Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Andrey Rudenko has agreed to initiate the necessary procedures to provide compensation for the families of Sri Lankan security forces personnel who lost their lives while in Russia.

Trump removes US Attorney General Pam Bondi

US President Donald Trump has removed Attorney General Pam Bondi - a longtime ally and fierce defender of his administration - from her post as America’s top law enforcement officer.

Pakistan hikes fuel prices sharply amid spiralling Mideast conflict

Pakistan on Thursday hiked consumer ​prices for diesel and petrol sharply, its second increase in less than ‌a month, amid rising global oil prices spurred by the conflict in the Middle East.

CSE Starts April Mixed as Early Gains Fade Amid Cautious Sentiment

The Colombo Stock Exchange commenced the month of April on a mixed note on 01st April 2026, with the ASPI closing in positive territory while the S&P SL20 ended marginally lower. The market showed early strength, with the ASPI gaining over 140 points at its peak during the session; however, these gains were not sustained as selling pressure emerged, leading to a gradual pullback.

Nuwan Thushara takes Sri Lanka Cricket to Court

Sri Lanka cricketer Nuwan Thushara has filed a plaint before the Colombo District Court challenging the refusal of Sri Lanka Cricket to provide him with what is known as a No Objection Certificate (NOC) to ensure he could play for his franchise team at the sport’s most lucrative showpiece called the Indian Premier League (IPL) which commenced last week.

Russia bans producers from exporting gasoline until end-July

Russia has imposed a ban on ​gasoline exports for producers of the ‌fuel until the end of July, the government said on Thursday.

IMF delegation meets Speaker, MPs ahead of key review

A delegation from the International Monetary Fund (IMF) met with the Speaker, Deputy Speaker, and Party Leaders of the Sri Lankan Parliament in preparation for the upcoming Fifth and Sixth Review Mission scheduled from 26 March to 8 April 2026.

FIFA raises top ticket price for World Cup final to $10,990

The first open sale of tickets for the 2026 World Cup showed Fifa is charging up to $10,990 (£8,333) to be at the final.

Decades-old murder cases end with death sentences

The Nuwara Eliya High Court sentenced four individuals to death in three long-running murder cases.

Four children killed in nursery school stabbing attack in Uganda

A man has killed four children in a stabbing attack at a nursery school in the Ugandan capital, Kampala, police have said.

Nighttime water cuts to affect key Colombo suburbs until April 10

The National Water Supply and Drainage Board (NWSDB) said that three-hour water cuts will be imposed in Battaramulla, Pamankada, Wellawatte, Nawala and surrounding areas on every other day from today (April 2) until April 10 from 10.00 p.m. to 1.00 a.m.