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Tamil television actress Subashini, known for playing a key role in popular Tamil soap Kayal, has died by suicide in Chennai.

Subashini, who has Sri Lankan origins, was living in an apartment in Chennai’s Iyyappanthangal, when she took her life. The tragic incident has shocked fans with many of her co-stars expressing their sadness on social media. Upon receiving information regarding the incident, Police officers sent her mortal remains for medical examination.

While further investigation is underway, reports state that she was in an argument with her husband over a video call, with officers hinting that her mental agony could have resulted in her taking the extreme step.

Besides the soap that was being aired on Sun TV, Subashini has also played supporting roles in a few films.

Source: Cinema Express

In a move aimed at supporting the country’s fishing community, the Cabinet of Ministers has approved a fuel subsidy scheme for fishing vessels, offering much-needed financial relief to those navigating rising operational costs.

According to the Fisheries Ministry, the newly sanctioned program will provide Rs. 50 per litre of fuel for small fishing boats, easing the burden on daily fishing operations. Meanwhile, multi-day fishing vessels will receive an allowance of Rs. 150,000 per trip, a measure expected to significantly support long-distance expeditions.

The Ministry confirmed that the subsidy will come into effect from April 20, 2026, marking a targeted intervention to assist both small-scale and large-scale fishers.

The initiative reflects a focused effort to sustain the fishing industry by reducing fuel expenses, a key cost factor that directly impacts livelihoods and productivity at sea.

Matheesha Pathirana and Wanindu Hasaranga are among 15 Sri Lankan players under central contracts yet to partake in mandatory fitness tests, Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) has confirmed, while six others are understood to have failed at least one attempt. This means that of the 45 centrally contracted players, currently only 24 have passed the test.

The reasons for those yet to be tested vary, from injuries to logistical issues. But of those, the timelines surrounding Hasaranga and Pathirana remain most pertinent, with the pair set to represent Lucknow Super Giants and Kolkata Knight Riders respectively in IPL 2026.

Hasaranga’s scenario looks the most bleak with a source at SLC stating that “Hasaranga has not as yet requested for an NOC (No Objection Certificate).” The 28-year-old leggie has been injured since sustaining a left hamstring tear in Sri Lanka’s T20 World Cup opener against Ireland in February, and there is no clear idea on when he will undergo his fitness evaluation.

Pathirana, who was also injured during the tournament - suffering a calf strain in the match against Australia - is understood to have begun bowling in the nets as he ups his recovery, with sources close to the player hopeful of him being in India for the IPL by mid-April. While no date has yet been officially set for his SLC-mandated fitness test, this indicates that it is likely to take place in the next week.

SLCs overhauling of their fitness culture has also extended to the domestic National Super League tournament, which began on Monday. The testing for that is less stringent; players only need to complete a 2km run and a skinfold test. No points are allocated, they simply need to cross the minimum threshold. Whereas centrally-contracted players have a 20m sprint, a 5-0-5 agility test, and a Counter Movement Jump (CMJ) - each offering points ranging from one to five each - with a potential seven points each up for grabs in the 2km run and skinfold test. Seventeen out of 29 points is needed to pass the test.

Of the 87 players taking part in the tournament, 23 have failed to clear the minimum fitness requirements and have been given an April 19 deadline to pass the test. If they fail to do so, while they will be allowed to continue playing they will be denied their match fees, with future representation in the tournament also likely to come under scrutiny.

Source: Espncricinfo

A tragic incident in the Bangalawatta area of Polgahawela has claimed the lives of two individuals after they were electrocuted on a plot of land, according to police reports.

The victims, aged 28 and 35, were residents of Eheliyagoda. Preliminary investigations indicate that the deaths occurred when they came into contact with an illegally installed electric wire, believed to have been set up to protect a cultivation from wild animals.

Authorities have taken a suspect into custody in connection with the incident. The individual, identified as the caretaker of the land, is alleged to have been responsible for installing the hazardous electric line.

Police say further investigations are ongoing as they continue to examine the circumstances surrounding the fatal accident.

A tender has been called to select a coal supplier for the 2026/2027 operational season of the Norochcholai Lakvijaya Power Plant, marking a key step in ensuring uninterrupted power generation.

The Lanka Coal Company announced that the tender seeks to procure 2.28 million metric tons of coal for the period spanning September 2026 to April 2027.

The invitation for bids has now been officially published on the company’s website, outlining detailed requirements and conditions for prospective suppliers. Interested bidders have until May 14 to submit their proposals.

According to the tender specifications, the total coal requirement will be delivered in 38 shipments, with 20 shipments scheduled for 2026 and the remaining 18 in 2027. All deliveries are required to be completed within a 210-day timeframe.

In addition to quantity and scheduling, the Lanka Coal Company has also set out strict quality standards for the coal to be supplied, along with clear expectations regarding the responsibilities and performance of selected bidders.

The move is expected to ensure a steady supply of fuel for one of the country’s primary power generation facilities during the upcoming season.

The Director General of the Department of Meteorology of Sri Lanka, Athula Karunanayake, stated that Sri Lanka is expected to receive its usual rainfall by May or June.

He made these remarks while participating in the Ada Derana ‘Big Focus’ program today (6).

Elaborating further, Director General Karunanayake said, “During the Southwest Monsoon, rainfall is expected to decrease compared to current levels, potentially by more than 30%. However, May marks only the beginning of El Niño, and there is confidence that by May and June, normal rains will arrive.”

Meanwhile, the Department of Meteorology has announced that the sun will be directly overhead Sri Lanka until April 15. Accordingly, at 12:13 p.m. today, the sun will be directly over the Beruwala, Gurulubadda, Rakwana, Godakawela, Udawalawe, and Thanamalwila areas.

The Department further stated that although isolated thundershowers may occur in certain parts of several provinces during this period, the prevailing extreme dry weather conditions are expected to persist.

In the meantime, water levels in reservoirs have dropped rapidly due to the ongoing dry conditions. Consequently, the National Water Supply and Drainage Board (NWSDB) has implemented a scheduled water supply plan for Colombo and surrounding areas served by the Labugama and Kalatuwawa reservoirs.

Accordingly, the NWSDB announced that a 12-hour water cut will be imposed for Zone 01 in Homagama and surrounding areas from 8:00 p.m. today (6) until 8:00 a.m. tomorrow (7).

The Board also confirmed that the water supply suspension previously in effect for Padukka and surrounding areas concluded at 8:00 a.m. today.

To support water shortage management caused by the severe dry weather in the Batticaloa district, the Department of Health Services has donated a new water bowser to assist the Batticaloa Municipal Council in meeting local water requirements.

(Adaderana.lk)

The war in the Middle East will lead to higher inflation and slower global growth, the head of the International Monetary Fund told Reuters on Monday, ahead of a forecast for the world economy planned by the global lender for next week.

The war has triggered the worst-ever disruption in global energy supply, with millions of barrels of oil production shuttered due to Iran’s effective blockage of the Strait of Hormuz, crucial for shipping one-fifth of the world’s oil and gas. 

Even if the conflict is swiftly resolved, the IMF is set to reduce its forecast for economic growth and bump up its outlook for inflation, Kristalina Georgieva, managing director of the IMF, said.

The war is expected to dominate discussions among finance officials from around the world at next week’s spring meetings of the IMF and World Bank in Washington.

The Fund is expected to release a range of scenarios in its upcoming World Economic Outlook due on April 14. 

It signaled a possible downgrade in a March 30 blog post, ⁠citing the asymmetric shock of the war and tighter financial conditions. Without the war, Georgieva said the IMF had expected a small upgrade in its projection for global growth of 3.3% in 2026 and 3.2% in 2027 as economies continue to recover from the pandemic.

“Instead, all roads now lead to higher prices and slower growth,” said Georgieva, who will preview the spring meetings in a speech on Thursday. World Bank President Ajay Banga will present his view at an Atlantic Council event on Tuesday.

“We are in a world of elevated uncertainty,” the IMF chief said, citing geopolitical tensions, technological advancements, climate shocks and demographic shifts. “All of this means that after we recover from this shock, we need to keep our eyes open for the next one.”

The war has shrunk global oil supply by 13%, Georgieva said, with the impact rippling through oil and gas shipments and into related supply chains such as helium and fertilizers.

Even a rapid end to hostilities and a fairly rapid recovery will result in a “relatively small” downward revision of the growth forecast and an upward revision of its inflation forecast, she said. If the war is protracted, the effect on inflation and growth will be greater.

POOR COUNTRIES WILL BE HIT HARDEST

Poor, vulnerable countries with no energy reserves will ⁠be hardest hit, Georgieva added, noting that many countries had little to no fiscal space to help their populations weather the price increases caused by the war, which in turn also increased the prospects of social unrest.

Georgieva said some countries had already asked for funding help, but did not name them. She said the IMF could augment some existing lending programs to meet countries’ needs. Eighty-five percent of the IMF’s members are energy importers.

Broad energy subsidies were not the answer, she said, urging policymakers to avoid government payments that could further inflame inflationary pressures.

The impact has been asymmetric, hitting energy-importing countries hardest, but even energy exporters such as Qatar are feeling the effect ⁠from Iranian strikes against their production facilities.

Qatar expects it will take three to five years to restore 17% of its natural gas production because of the damage, Georgieva said, while the International Energy Agency has reported 72 energy facilities have been damaged in the war, one-third of which have suffered significant damage.

“Even if the war is to stop today, there would be a lingering negative impact to the rest of the world,” she said.

FOOD SECURITY ⁠A CONCERN

After the U.S. and Israel attacked on February 28, Iran effectively closed the Strait of Hormuz, sending the price of crude oil and liquefied natural gas sharply higher. The international Brent crude benchmark settled near $110 on Monday, with cash benchmarks sourced to the Middle East at a substantial premium to that price.

The heads of the IMF, IEA and World Bank said last week they would form a coordinated effort to ⁠assess the energy and economic effects of the war.

Georgieva said the IMF was also engaging with the United Nations’ World Food Programme and Food and Agriculture Organization on food security.

The World Food Programme said in mid-March that millions of people will face acute hunger if the war continues into June. Georgieva said the IMF did not see a food crisis yet, but that could happen if the delivery of fertilizers was impaired.

Source: Reuters

As the festive season approaches, transport authorities have rolled out extensive travel arrangements to ensure smooth journeys for thousands heading to their hometowns for the Sinhala and Tamil New Year.

The Sri Lanka Transport Board (SLTB) announced the launch of a special bus service starting April 9, aimed at easing the surge in passenger traffic. Around 250 additional buses will be deployed daily on long-distance routes, with further buses to be added depending on demand.

These services will operate until April 13, catering to outbound यात्रas as people leave the city for celebrations. To manage the post-holiday rush, SLTB will also run return services from April 17 to April 21, helping passengers travel back to Colombo comfortably.

Parallel to this effort, the National Transport Commission (NTC) has also planned a special bus service beginning April 9, ensuring that sufficient buses are available based on passenger needs.

Rail travel will also see a boost, with Sri Lanka Railways preparing to launch special train services from April 10. Additional trains will operate along key routes including the Coastal Line, Northern Line, and Main Line, supplementing the regular schedule to accommodate the seasonal demand.

With both road and rail networks expanding capacity, authorities aim to provide a smoother, more accessible travel experience during one of the country’s busiest holiday periods.

No-one will have been further from home than the Artemis astronauts.

But as the Earth shrinks ever smaller in their rear-view mirror, they’ve had a constant connection with mission control in Houston, Texas. The calm words from the Nasa team have given the crew a comforting link with home.

That link is about to be lost.

As the astronauts pass behind the Moon at about 23:47 BST on Monday, the radio and laser signals that allow the back-and-forth communication between the spacecraft and Earth will be blocked by the Moon itself.

For about 40 minutes, the four astronauts will be alone, each with their own thoughts and feelings, travelling through the darkness of space. A profound moment of solitude and silence.

Artemis pilot Victor Glover told us he hopes the world will use the time to come together.

‘‘When we’re behind the Moon, out of contact with everybody, let’s take that as an opportunity,’‘ he told BBC News before the mission. ‘‘Let’s pray, hope, send your good thoughts and feelings that we get back in contact with the crew."

More than 50 years ago, the Apollo astronauts also experienced the isolation brought by a loss of signal during their missions to the Moon.

Perhaps none more so than Apollo 11’s Michael Collins.

In 1969, while Neil Armstrong and Buzz Aldrin made history taking the first steps on the lunar surface, Collins was alone in the command module, orbiting the Moon.

As his craft passed behind the far side, contact with the pair on the lunar surface, as well as with mission control, vanished for 48 minutes.

He described the experience in his 1974 memoir Carrying the Fire, saying he felt ‘‘truly alone’‘ and ‘‘isolated from any known life’‘, but that he did not feel fear or loneliness.

In later interviews, he described the peace and tranquillity brought by the radio silence, saying it offered a break from the constant requests from mission control.

Back on Earth, the blackout will be a tense time for those with the job of maintaining contact with the spacecraft,

At the Goonhilly Earth Station in Cornwall, in the south-west of England, a huge antenna has been collecting signals from the Orion capsule, carefully pinpointing its position throughout its journey, and feeding this information back to Nasa HQ.

Matt Cosby, Goonhilly’s chief technology officer, told the BBC: ‘‘This is the first time we’re tracking a spacecraft with humans on it.

‘‘We’re going to get slightly nervous as it goes behind the Moon, and then we’ll be very excited when we see it again, because we know that they’re all safe.’‘

But the hope is these dropouts in communications could soon become a thing of the past. And Cosby says that will be essential as Nasa – and other space agencies around the world – begin to build a Moon base and ramp up further exploration.

‘‘For a sustainable presence on the Moon, you need the full comms - you need the full 24 hours a day, even on the far side, because the far side will want to be explored as well,’‘ he said.

Programmes like the European Space Agency’s Moonlight are planning to launch a network of satellites around the Moon to provide continuous and reliable communication coverage in the future.

For the Artemis astronauts, their time without contact with the Earth will allow them to devote all of their attention to the Moon.

They’ll spend the blackout dedicated to lunar observation – taking images, studying the Moon’s geology and simply gazing at its splendour.

When they emerge from the Moon’s shadow, and that signal is re-established, the world will breathe a collective sigh of relief.

And the history-making astronauts will be able to share their incredible views with everyone back home.

Source: BBC