US renews Russia oil waiver after pressure from nations
The Trump administration has renewed a waiver allowing nations to buy sanctioned Russian oil at sea for about a month. The US Treasury Department’s waiver lets countries purchase Russian oil and petroleum products loaded on vessels through May 16. It…
NDB faces global forensic audit as fraud probe escalates
The Central Bank of Sri Lanka (CBSL) has announced that National Development Bank PLC (NDB), in consultation with CBSL, is finalizing arrangements to engage a leading international firm with overseas experts to conduct a comprehensive forensic audit into the recently…
Israeli-American soldier accused of war crimes in Sri Lanka: HRF urges action
The Hind Rajab Foundation (HRF) has lodged a formal denunciation with Sri Lankan authorities against Israeli-American soldier Jake Burkons, citing evidence of his involvement in the destruction of civilian infrastructure during military operations in Gaza. According to HRF, Burkons, a…
China outlines Four Pillars for Regional Stability in talks with UAE
Chinese President Xi Jinping met with Sheikh Khaled bin Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi, at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, where the two leaders exchanged views on the current situation in the…
Kumara Jayakody’s resignation too late – Namal
Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna (SLPP) MP Namal Rajapaksa has sharply criticized the resignation of Energy Minister Kumara Jayakody, calling it “a bit too late” in the wake of the massive coal procurement scandal. Rajapaksa noted that Parliament had already spent…
QR fuel quota system for petrol reinstated from today
The Ceylon Petroleum Corporation (CPC) said that the QR code fuel quota system for petrol vehicles will be reinstated from midnight today (April 18) after a temporary suspension. CPC Chairman D. J. Rajakaruna said the fuel quotas allocated for petrol…
Weather: Mainly dry weather, showers after 1 pm
Showers or thundershowers are expected at several locations in the Western, Sabaragamuwa and Southern provinces, as well as in the Nuwara Eliya District, after 1 p.m., the Department of Meteorology said. Mainly dry weather will prevail across other parts of…
5 arrested over Ragama incident where woman’s hair was forcibly cut
Five suspects, including the main accused, have been arrested by police over an incident in which a woman was assaulted and her hair forcibly cut at a shop in the Ragama area. Police said the arrests were made based on…
Neighbour arrested over brutal assault on woman after firecracker dispute
Police have arrested a suspect over a viral video showing a woman being violently assaulted with a stick in the Moragahahena area. According to police, the incident occurred after the woman had asked her neighbour to stop lighting firecrackers, saying…
India set to vote on women’s quota bills amid opposition concerns
India’s Parliament is set to vote on a series of key bills aimed at expanding legislative representation and advancing a quota for women lawmakers, amid strong criticism from the opposition. The government of Prime Minister Narendra Modi has proposed measures…