24-hour water cuts in several parts of Colombo from today

Water cuts will be imposed in some places in the Colombo District from tonight due to the reduction of water level at the Labugama and Kalutuwawa Reservoirs, Deputy General Manager ((Wstern-Centtral) of the National Water Supply and Drainage Board Disna Pannila said.

First national guidelines on oxygen use unveiled in Sri Lanka

Sri Lanka has introduced its first national guideline series on the use of oxygen in government hospitals, under the patronage of Health Minister Nalinda Jayatissa.

Sri Lanka on alert as new COVID variant sparks concerns

Sri Lankan health authorities say they are closely monitoring the emergence of a new COVID-19 variant that has been spreading in several countries, while maintaining surveillance measures to safeguard the local population.

UK to host multi-nation meeting on Hormuz shipping

Britain will on Thursday (Apr 2) hold a virtual meeting of about 35 countries to discuss how to reopen the strategic Strait of Hormuz which has been crippled by the Middle East war.

Violation of Fundamental Rights: SC orders Police Spokesman to pay Rs. 60,000 as compensation

The Supreme Court, by a majority decision, has ordered the current Police Media Spokesman SSP Wootler Udayakumara to personally pay Rs. 60,000 as compensation to an Attorney-at-Law for violating his fundamental rights during an incident at the Negombo Police Station in 2017.

Former SriLankan Airlines CEO further remanded

Former Chief Executive Officer of SriLankan Airlines, Kapila Chandrasena, who was arrested in connection with the SriLankan Airlines Airbus deal investigation, was further remanded till April 17 by Colombo Chief Magistrate Asanga S. Bodaragama.

Special committee appointed to tackle water shortage

A special operations committee has been appointed by the National Water Supply and Drainage Board (NWSDB) to monitor and manage the prevailing drinking water shortage amid ongoing dry weather conditions.

Schoolboy killed in fatal motorbike–bus collision

A Grade 12 schoolboy was killed and another student was critically injured in a tragic road accident this morning (02) while they were travelling on a motorbike to assist with organising a major schools’ cricket match in Kandy.

Gold prices retreat as Trump threatens further attacks on Iran

Gold retreated from two-week highs ‌on Thursday after U.S. President Donald Trump said that Washington would continue its military campaign in Iran in the coming weeks, pushing crude prices sharply higher and dampening hopes of interest rate cuts.

Unexplained wealth presumed bribery, says CIABOC

The Director General of the Commission to Investigate Allegations of Bribery or Corruption (CIABOC) Ranga Dissanayake said that all public officials are legally required to declare their assets and liabilities, warning that failure to comply will result in strict legal consequences.

Former Minister Mahinda Wijesekera passes away

Former Minister Mahinda Wijesekera, a prominent political figure in Sri Lanka’s southern region, passed away this morning (02).

Open warrant issued on Shamindra Rajapaksa

Colombo Chief Magistrate Asanga S. Bodaragama today issued open warrants for the arrest of Shamindra Rajapaksa, son of former Minister Chamal Rajapaksa, and Priyanka Niyomali Wijenayake, wife of Kapila Chandrasena, who have been named as suspects in the alleged bribery incident related to the purchase of Airbus aircraft.

Nasa declares ’we’re back in the business’ as Artemis II now racing towards the Moon

Nasa has declared it’s ’’back in the business’’ of sending mankind to the Moon after the historic launch of the Artemis II rocket.

175,000+ tourists visit Sri Lanka in March

Sri Lanka welcomed 175,661 tourists during the first 29 days of March 2026, the Sri Lanka Tourism Development Authority (SLTDA) said.

Extreme heat can worsen chronic diseases: health experts warn

The prevailing heat condition must not be neglected by the people specially by those who suffer from chronic diseases such as diabetes, heart diseases and cancers as their health condition may worsen and even cause death, a health expert said yesterday.

Sri Lanka, Russia should not restrict energy deals according to US’s wish - Russian Deputy FM

Visiting Deputy Foreign Affairs Minister of Russia Andrey Rudenko said yesterday that Sri Lanka and Russia should not restrict support deals on energy when the United States allows it but to build it on a solid legal and economic foundation.

Call for probe as Keheliya-era officials remain in Health Ministry

Specialist Dr. Chamal Sanjeewa has called for an immediate investigation into Sri Lanka’s health sector, alleging that officials appointed during the tenure of former Health Minister Keheliya Rambukwella continue to hold key positions, contributing to a worsening crisis.

NATO chief to visit Washington next week as Trump threatens exit from alliance

NATO ​Secretary-General Mark Rutte will visit Washington next ‌week for what a spokesperson for the military alliance called a ’’long-planned visit’’ that comes after President Donald Trump blasted European ​allies over differences on the Iran war.

Fatal illusion of cheap medicine: how Supreme Court ruling exposes rot in Sri Lanka’s health procurement

In the complex ecosystem of national healthcare, the pill a patient swallows is the final link in a long, often invisible chain of science, manufacturing logistics, and regulation. For Sri Lanka, industry experts have long warned that this chain is structurally unsound, stretched to a breaking point by a misplaced national fixation on the price of medicine over its quality, efficacy, and safety.

Excise revenue up over 60% on liquor sticker system

The Excise Department of Sri Lanka has recorded a revenue growth of over 60 percent over the past three years, attributing the increase primarily to the implementation of security stickers on liquor bottles.

‘We have all the cards’: Trump says US war on Iran ‘nearing completion’

Donald Trump used a primetime address to the nation on Wednesday evening to declare the month-long war in Iran a success “nearing completion”, despite a spiraling conflict that has caused economic turmoil across the globe, fractured transatlantic alliances and eroded the president’s approval ratings.

Magnitude 7.4 quake hits off Indonesia’s Ternate, tsunami warning lifted

A magnitude 7.4 earthquake has hit the ⁠Northern Molucca Sea off the coast of the city of ⁠Ternate, in Indonesia, killing at least one person and triggering a tsunami warning that was subsequently lifted.

GMOA announces fresh islandwide token strike

The Government Medical Officers’ Association (GMOA) has announced a fresh islandwide one-day token strike scheduled for April 2, citing the authorities’ failure to address alleged irregularities in the medical transfer process.

NASA set to launch Artemis II Moon mission

Nasa is aiming for a 1 April launch for the first crewed mission around the Moon in more than 50 years.

Fuel allowance based on March prices, no increase in allocations: Deputy Minister

The recent decision regarding fuel allowances for Ministers, Deputy Ministers, Members of Parliament and senior government officials does not constitute an increase in benefits, Deputy Minister Arun Hemachandra clarified.

U.S. Embassy expands social media checks for nonimmigrant visa applicants

The U.S. Embassy in Sri Lanka has issued an update regarding its visa services, announcing an expansion of social media presence review requirements for nonimmigrant visa applicants.

Argentina designates Iran’s IRGC a terrorist organization, aligning with US

Argentina has designated Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary ​Guard Corps (IRGC) as a terrorist organization, its presidential ‌office said in a statement on Tuesday, following a push from the Trump administration for allies to ​do so.

School principal arrested over alleged abuse of student

A school principal in the Akuramboda area has been arrested in connection with an alleged abuse incident involving a student.

Oil price falls and markets rally after Trump says Iran war over in ‘two to three weeks’

Oil prices tumbled and stock markets rallied across the world on Wednesday after Donald Trump said the war in Iran would end in “two to three weeks”.

Over 320kg of heroin seized in naval operation

The Sri Lanka Navy has recovered 298 parcels of heroin, weighing over 320 kilograms, on board a multi-day fishing trawler, which was intercepted and subsequently escorted to the Dikowita Fisheries Harbour for further inspection.