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Apr 18 2026 April 18, 2026 April 18, 2026 NoComment 8:46 am QR fuel quota system for petrol vehicles resumes tomorrow April 18, 2026 - 8:46 am The Ceylon Petroleum Corporation (CEYPETCO) says the QR-based fuel quota system for petrol vehicles will be reactivated from tomorrow (April 19). Apr 18 2026 April 18, 2026 April 18, 2026 NoComment 9:06 am US extends waiver for sanctioned Russian oil purchases until May 16, 2026 April 18, 2026 - 9:06 am The United States has extended a waiver until May 16, 2026 allowing countries to buy sanctioned Russian oil already loaded at sea, as the Trump administration moves to increase oil supplies amid global disruption caused by its war on Iran. Apr 17 2026 April 17, 2026 April 18, 2026 NoComment 2:45 pm Sri Lanka Energy Minister and Secretary resign over coal import probe April 17, 2026 - 2:45 pm Sri Lanka’s Minister of Energy Kumara Jayakody and Energy Ministry Secretary Professor Udayanga Hemapala resigned today (April 17) to allow an impartial and independent investigation into the coal import process. Apr 17 2026 April 17, 2026 April 17, 2026 NoComment 2:05 pm Deduru Oya death toll rises to 8 as last two bodies are recovered April 17, 2026 - 2:05 pm Sri Lanka Police say all eight bodies have now been recovered following the Deduru Oya drowning incident in Kobeigane. Apr 17 2026 April 17, 2026 April 17, 2026 NoComment 1:48 pm Heroin haul from seized vessel estimated at over Rs. 4,000 million April 17, 2026 - 1:48 pm A multi-day fishing vessel taken into Sri Lanka Navy custody was carrying more than 150 kilograms of heroin with a street value of over Rs. 4,000 million, Deputy Minister of Defence Aruna Jayasekara said. Apr 17 2026 April 17, 2026 April 17, 2026 NoComment 8:27 am Multi-day fishing vessel carrying suspected narcotics brought to Dikkowita Harbour April 17, 2026 - 8:27 am Sri Lanka Navy brought a multi-day fishing vessel carrying sacks suspected to contain narcotics to the Dikkowita Fisheries Harbor after intercepting it in deep seas off the southern coast yesterday (April 16), arresting four suspects on board. Apr 17 2026 April 17, 2026 April 17, 2026 NoComment 7:10 am First crude oil tanker to arrive in Sri Lanka since Middle East conflict April 17, 2026 - 7:10 am The Ceylon Petroleum Storage Terminals Limited (CPSTL) said that the first crude oil tanker to arrive in Sri Lanka after the outbreak of conflict in the Middle East is scheduled to reach the country today (April 1...
Sri Lanka Latest News Articles Sri Lanka News - Newsfirst
Plans Underway To Arrest Criminals Abroad: IGP COLOMBO (News 1st); IGP Attorney-at-Law Priyantha Weerasuriya says several plans are underway to arrest organized criminals operating abroad.IGP Priya...Read more18-04-2026 | 5:32 PM Karandeniye Raju Detained For 72 HoursCOLOMBO (News 1st); Organized crime gang member Sobanah...18-04-2026 | 4:34 PM Agri Minister Sues Media for Rs 10BCOLOMBO (News 1st); Minister of Agriculture, Livestock,...18-04-2026 | 2:47 PM Iran's Military Closes Strait of Hormuz Again(BBC): Iran's military says it is resuming its control ...18-04-2026 | 2:40 PM Coal Probe Commission To Begin Next WeekCOLOMBO (News 1st); The Presidential Commission of Inqu...Latest News18-04-2026 | 12:34 PM QR System For Petrol Vehicles To Be ReinstatedCOLOMBO (News 1st); The Ceylon Petroleum Corporation (CPC) has announced that the QR system for petrol vehicles will be reinstated starting from midnight today.The Chairman of the CPC, D.J. Rajakaruna, stated that the previous fuel quotas for petrol vehicles will be reactivated accordingly.Due to th...18-04-2026 | 11:36 AM Indian VP Radhakrishnan To Arrive In SLCOLOMBO (News 1st); Indian Vice President C. P. Radhakrishnan is scheduled to arrive in the country tomorrow for a two-day official visit.During this visit, the Vice President is expected to hold bilateral discussions with President Anura Kumara Dissanayake and Prime Minister Harini Amarasuriya.The ...18-04-2026 | 11:26 AM CID Alerts On Rising Police ScamsCOLOMBO (News 1st); The Criminal Investigation Department (CID) has stated that there is a rise in complaints regarding individuals posing as police officers to defraud people of their money.Assistant Superintendent of Police (ASP) W.P. Jayanethsiri stated that cybercriminals carry out these scams b...18-04-2026 | 9:49 AM 2 Dead in Mihintale and DehiowitaCOLOMBO (News 1st);Two people have drowned in the Mihintale and Dehiowita areas.A 55-year-old man has died in the Maradankulama Tank in Mihintale during a rescue attempt.According to police, the deceased, a resident of the area, had been bathing with a friend when he noticed two children drowning an...18-04-2026 | 9:35 AM Suspect In Podi Patty Shooting ArrestedCOLOMBO (News 1st);The suspect who attempted to kill Podi Patty, a member of an organized crime gang, by shooting at him near the Lokanwatte Cemetery in Ahungalla, has been arrested.Police said a 45-year-old resident of Pitigoda, Kosgoda, was taken into custody.He was arrested last night while s...
The coal problem: A deep systemic warning - The Island
Coal procurement, a primary input for electricity generation in Sri Lanka, has, in recent years, become a highly contested policy, financial, and governance issue. Given its direct impact on energy security and the fiscal position of the state, decisions in this sector carry far-reaching economic ...
All party conference reaches consensus on strategy for trump tariffs
The All Party Conference, chaired by President Anura Kumara Dissanayake to discuss the impact of recent U.S. tariffs on Sri Lanka, concluded with consensus on the government's approach, multiple party representatives confirmed. ..
