News

Sri Lanka’s tourism sector is beginning to feel the impact of the ongoing conflict in the Middle East, with officials warning that the situation is affecting visitor arrivals just as the country moves closer to its peak travel season.

Tourism Deputy Minister and MP Ruwan Ranasinghe said the unrest in the region has created significant challenges for the industry, particularly because a large share of European travelers reach Sri Lanka through major transit hubs in the Middle East.

He noted that many tourists rely on connecting flights operated by airlines such as Emirates and Qatar Airways, making regional disruptions a direct concern for inbound travel.

According to the Deputy Minister, tourist arrivals have declined by 20 percent since March when compared with figures from 2025. As of April 19, approximately 88,000 visitors had arrived in the country.

Despite expectations that total arrivals may reach around 120,000 by the end of April, the projected figure remains considerably lower than the 174,000 tourists recorded during the same period last year.

The decline comes at a crucial time for Sri Lanka’s tourism industry, which traditionally looks toward the upcoming season as a key period for growth and revenue. Officials are now closely monitoring developments in the Middle East as the sector faces mounting uncertainty.

The final ritual of this year’s Sinhala and Tamil New Year celebrations is being observed across Sri Lanka today (April 23) with the auspicious planting of tree saplings, as prescribed in the traditional Nekath Seettuwa.

According to the official New Year auspicious time schedule, the ceremony is set to take place at exactly 9:01 a.m., a time regarded as highly favorable for the ritual. Families and communities are expected to participate in the symbolic act of planting tree saplings, bringing the festive season to a meaningful close.

Sri Lankans welcomed the Sinhala and Tamil New Year on April 14, beginning a series of customs and observances that hold deep cultural and spiritual significance throughout the country.

Today’s tree planting ceremony serves as the concluding ritual of the New Year celebrations, reflecting themes of renewal, prosperity and harmony with nature that are closely associated with the season.

The observance marks the final chapter of one of Sri Lanka’s most cherished cultural festivities, celebrated by people across the island with tradition and reverence.

Sri Lanka is expected to experience widespread showers and thundershowers across much of the island after 1:00 p.m. today, according to the Department of Meteorology.

The weather forecast indicates that most areas of the country will see rain during the afternoon and evening hours, with some regions likely to receive fairly heavy rainfall exceeding 75 mm. These heavier showers are expected in the Western, Sabaragamuwa, Central, Uva and Southern provinces, as well as in the districts of Kurunegala, Anuradhapura, Ampara and Batticaloa.

In addition to the afternoon rain, morning showers are also anticipated in several parts of the island. Residents in the Batticaloa, Ampara and Hambantota districts may experience showers during the early part of the day.

The Met Department further noted that misty conditions are likely to prevail during the early morning hours in the Central, Sabaragamuwa, North-central and Uva provinces, along with the Vavuniya and Kurunegala districts. These conditions may affect visibility for motorists and commuters travelling during the morning.

Authorities have also issued a precautionary notice to the public, urging people to take necessary steps to reduce potential damage caused by temporary localized strong winds and lightning associated with thundershowers.

Residents are advised to remain alert to changing weather conditions and exercise caution, particularly during the afternoon and evening hours when storms are expected to intensify.

Oil prices jumped 4 percent Thursday after Iran vowed not to reopen the Strait of Hormuz so long as a US naval blockade remained in place despite a ceasefire extension.

At around 0025 GMT, the benchmark US oil contract West Texas Intermediate (WTI) climbed 4.06 percent to $96.73 per barrel.

International oil benchmark Brent North Sea crude rose 3.62 percent to $105.63. Both eased back in the following minutes.

Oil prices have soared since Israel and the United States attacked Iran on Feb. 28 and they have kept inching up on the uncertainty over whether war will resume.

As the clock ticked for a return to the war that has engulfed the region, US President Donald Trump had said Tuesday he would maintain the truce to allow more time for Pakistani-brokered peace talks.

Iran said it welcomed the efforts by Pakistan but made no other comment on Trump’s announcement.

Source: AFP

A fatal road accident involving a motorcycle and a luxury jeep claimed the life of a young man along the Siyambalanduwa–Ethimale road, police said.

According to authorities, the collision left both the motorcyclist and the pillion rider seriously injured. The two victims were rushed to hospital for emergency treatment following the impact.

Police confirmed that one of the injured later succumbed to his injuries while receiving treatment. The deceased has been identified as a 27-year-old resident of Siyambalanduwa.

The condition of the other injured individual has not yet been disclosed.

Siyambalanduwa Police have launched further investigations to determine the circumstances that led to the accident.

A Sri Lankan delegation led by Central Bank of Sri Lanka Governor Dr. Nandalal Weerasinghe has held extensive discussions with the international investor community on the sidelines of the IMF–World Bank Spring Meetings 2026 in Washington, D.C.

The delegation is currently in the United States to participate in the high-level global meetings, where a series of engagements have been carried out with key financial and commercial stakeholders.

According to the Central Bank of Sri Lanka, the visit included participation in an investor seminar organized by J.P. Morgan, as well as investor meetings hosted by the Jefferies Emerging Markets Team and HSBC. The delegation also attended a meeting with private sector representatives and officials from the U.S. Government, hosted by the U.S. Chamber of Commerce.

During these discussions, Governor Dr. Nandalal Weerasinghe provided updates on Sri Lanka’s recent macroeconomic improvements and responded to questions raised by participants regarding the country’s economic outlook and reform progress. The meetings come as Sri Lanka continues to strengthen confidence among international investors and financial partners.

Meanwhile, a significant step toward enhancing bilateral economic cooperation was marked with the soft launch of the U.S.–Sri Lanka Commercial Working Group at the U.S. Chamber of Commerce.

According to the CBSL, the initiative aims to strengthen commercial ties between Sri Lanka and the United States while promoting greater investment opportunities between the two countries.

The latest engagements at the Spring Meetings reflect Sri Lanka’s continued efforts to reinforce global investor confidence and expand international economic partnerships.

Former Ratnapura District Parliamentarian Premalal Jayasekara was produced before the Nuwara Eliya Magistrate’s Court today following his arrest over an alleged incident involving threats made with a firearm.

According to police, Jayasekara was taken into custody yesterday after a complaint was lodged alleging that he had threatened an individual by brandishing a pistol during a heated confrontation in Nuwara Eliya.

Investigators stated that the incident reportedly took place after an argument broke out between the former MP, who had travelled to Nuwara Eliya with family members, and a group of individuals who had arrived from Avissawella on an excursion. What began as a verbal dispute is said to have escalated, during which the suspect allegedly displayed the firearm and threatened the group.

Following the complaint, officers attached to the Nuwara Eliya Police launched an investigation and arrested Jayasekara on suspicion in connection with the alleged threat.

Police further revealed that the pistol found in the suspect’s possession had originally been issued under a licence granted by the Ministry of Defence. However, authorities noted that the licence had expired in 2025, raising additional concerns regarding the legality of its possession at the time of the incident.

Further investigations into the incident are continuing as police seek to establish the full sequence of events surrounding the confrontation.