Sri Lanka mourns the death of Pope

The world including Sri Lanka received the news about the demise of Pope Francis, the spiritual head of 1.4 billion Catholics in the world making thousands across the globe to express their sadness on social media and through other means.

FBI Special Agent confirms Zahran Hashim as mastermind behind Easter Sunday attacks

The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) of the United States, which conducted investigations into serial bombings on Easter Sunday in 2019, has clearly mentioned Zahran Hashim as the mastermind of the attack.

Burning weather to continue till end April: Meteorologist

The Department of Meteorology is going to issue its 16th heat warning for the inter-monsoon period in March and April, highlighting the high level of humidity felt on the body, and the humidity levels are higher than the previous year, an official from the Department of Meteorology said.

Easter Sunday attacks: Hidden documents with PCoI report handed over to CID: President

President Anura Kumara Dissanayake said yesterday he took action to hand over the report of the Presidential Commission of Inquiry (PCoI) into the 2019 Easter Sunday attacks, including the documents hitherto concealed, to the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) for further investigation.

handing over PCoI report to CID is an eye wash: Kavinda

President Anura Kumara Dissanayake handing over the report of the Presidential Commission which probed Easter Sunday attacks to the CID is an eye wash as it is not likely to do any good, an Opposition MP said yesterday.

Easter Sunday attacks: We still have hope that truth will be revealed: Catholic Church

The Catholic Church in Sri Lanka still hopes that truth behind the Easter Sunday attacks will be revealed, Member of Communications Committee Archdiocese of Colombo Fr. Cyril Gamini Fernando said yesterday.

CID launches probe into alleged photograph of Sacred Tooth Relic

The Sri Lanka Police have issued an official statement addressing the circulation of a photograph claimed to have been taken during the special exposition of the Sacred Tooth Relic, known as ‘Siri Dalada Wandanawa,’ held at the Temple of the Sacred Tooth Relic in Kandy.

Govt. has become a pawn of the thermal power mafia: Sajith

The government which has become a pawn of thermal energy mafia is all out to destroy the renewable energy sector, Opposition and Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB) Leader Sajith Premadasa charged yesterday.

Gold prices increase rapidly GOLD PRICES BECOME HIGHLY VOLATILE

On April 17, gold prices in the world market reached its highest level in history with one ounce of gold soaring upto USD 3,345 or Rs. 9,99,972, and the price of one sovereign (eight grams) of 24 carat gold reaching at Rs. 262,000

Wild elephant run over by train

A wild elephant had been run over at Siyambalangamuwa by the Trincomalee bound night mail from Colombo Fort in the early hours of last morning.

Over 1500 complaints related to LG polls; nine incidents of violence

A total of 94 fresh complaints related to the upcoming Local Government elections were received, pushing the total number to over 1500. According to the Election Commission, a total of 1591 cases have been reported during the

NPP warns of non-allocation of funds for local bodies controlled by Opposition

Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB) MP Rohini Kaviratne in a letter addressed to Secretary Election Commission and Assistant Commissioner Matale District has lodged a complaint against a leaflet that has been distributed by the ruling

No special queues for VIPs during sacred tooth relic exposition – DIG

There will be no special passes or separate queues issued for VIPs or VVIPs during the upcoming exposition of the Sacred Tooth Relic, set to begin today 18) at the Sri Dalada Maligawa in Kandy, according to Deputy Inspector General of Police for the Kandy and Matale Districts, Sudath Masinghe.

Vatican to declare Easter Sunday bomb victims as ‘Heroes of Faith’ on April 21

The Vatican is to declare those who died in bomb attacks in churches on Easter Sunday six years ago as ‘Heroes of Faith’ on Monday April 21, 2025.

Teenager dies after fall from greased pole during New Year festival preparations

A 16-year-old schoolboy has tragically died after falling from a greased pole during preparations for Sinhala and Tamil New Year celebrations in the Elpitiya area yesterday, police said.

SL introduces key VAT changes

The Inland Revenue Department has announced several important changes to Sri Lanka’s Value Added Tax (VAT) system under the Value Added Tax (Amendment) Act No. 04 of 2025, which came into effect on April 11, 2025.

Heat advisory issued as temperatures expected to rise

The Department of Meteorology has issued a warm weather advisory for several provinces across Sri Lanka, warning that the heat index is expected to reach the ‘Caution Level’ in many areas today (18).

Even a reduced US tariff poses a major challenge - Ranil urges Govt to act

Even if US President Donald Trump reduces the reciprocal tariffs on Sri Lankan exports to 25%, the impact will still be severe, and Sri Lanka must explore fresh avenues to manage its economic challenges, including the need to begin repaying its restructured debts by 2028, former President Ranil Wickremesinghe warned.

Strong support from rooftop solar owners amid grid risk: CEB

The Ceylon Electricity Board (CEB) said yesterday that many rooftop solar panel owners across the country gave a positive response by agreeing to turn off their systems during the daytime (until 3 p.m.) from April 13 onwards.

Temperature controlled warehouse inaugurated in Dambulla during PM Modi’s visit not yet operational

The temperature -controlled warehouse in Dambulla which was inaugurated during the visit of Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi is not yet operational, an opposition MP has found.

GovPay causes major revenue loss to Postal Dept: UPTUF

Following the introduction of the GovPay online system for paying traffic fines, the income generated by the Postal Department from such payments has ceased, resulting in a significant loss of revenue to the department, Postal Trade Unions Front (UPTUF) Co-convener Chinthaka Bandara said.

SINHALA AND TAMIL NEW YEAR AUSPICIOUS TIMES

SINHALA AND TAMIL NEW YEAR AUSPICIOUS TIMES

New Year ‘Kevili’ table costs 7% more in 2025 than in 2024: Verité Research

The cost of preparing a traditional kevili or sweetmeats table for the Sinhala and Tamil New Year has increased by 7% in 2025 compared to 2024 and is now more than twice as high as it was in 2019, according to a report by Verité Research.

India is no longer the same as it once was: Tilvin

Janatha Vimukthi Peramuna (JVP) General Secretary Tilvin Silva said at an election meeting that India is no longer the same as it once was, and it is in light of these changes that Sri Lanka is now entering into agreements that are mutually beneficial to both nations.

Night market on Marine Drive to attract tourists Will open to the public from end of May

Steps have been taken to open a night market on the Marine Drive, to boost tourism in the country’s commercial capital, Chairman of Sri Lanka Tourism Promotion Bureau Buddhika Hewawasam said.

LG Polls to be held in phases - EC

The local government elections originally scheduled for May 6 will have to be held on a staggered basis, as it is now certain that the election processes for over 200 out of 339 local government bodies have been challenged before the Court of Appeal, the Daily Mirror learns.

Trump announces 90-day pause for Reciprocal Tariff for 75 countries

US President Donald Trump yesterday announced authorization of a 90-day pause, and a substantially lowered reciprocal tariff during this period, of 10%, which will be effective immediately.

jewellery valued Rs.3.8Mn stolen over rituals to dispel malefic effects

A group of men who undertook to perform rituals to dispel malefic effects that had befallen a family had fled with jewellery valued at Rs. 3.8 million.

AKD assures Modi PC elections in future

President Anura Kumara Dissanayake is reported to have informed Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi that the elections to the Provincial Councils will be conducted after the local authorities’ election, an informed source said.

PM Modi’s Sri Lanka visit